Mulberrofuran Q

Protection of prenylated flavonoids from Mori Cortex Radicis (Moraceae) against nitric oxide-induced cell death in neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells.[Pubmed: 22297755]

Arch Pharm Res. 2012 Jan;35(1):163-70.

METHODS AND RESULTS:
Seven prenylated flavanoids, licoflavone C (1), cyclomulberrin (2), neocyclomorusin (3), sanggenon I (4), morusin (5), kuwanon U (6) and kuwanon E (7), and three 2-arylbenzofurans, moracin P (8), moracin O (9), and Mulberrofuran Q (10) were isolated from the MeOH extract of Mori Cortex Radicis. Among these, compounds 2-7 enhanced cell viability in a dose-dependent manner against sodium nitroprusside-induced cell death in neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells, which was measured by MTT reduction assay (EC(50) values of 4.4, 5.6, 8.0, 6.4, 8.7, and 11.9 μg/mL, respectively). Among 10 compounds, C-3 prenylated flavones (2, 3, and 5) and prenylated flavanones (4, 6, and 7) showed cell protection. However, compound 1 which lacks the prenyl group at C-3 and three 2-arylbenzofurans (8-10) did not show protective effect. The order of cell protection was as follow: C-3 prenylated flavones (2, 3, and 5) > prenylated flavanones (4, 6, and 7) > 2-arylbenzofurans (8-10) and flavone (1).
CONCLUSIONS:
From this result, we show that some prenylated flavones and flavanones might protect neuronal cells against nitrosative stress-mediated cell death. Even though further evaluations are necessary in vitro and in vivo study, we carefully suggest that some prenylated flavonoids from Mori Cortex Radicis might protect neuronal cells from neurodegenerative diseases.

Inhibitory effect of 2-arylbenzofurans from the Mori Cortex Radicis (Moraceae) on oxygen glucose deprivation (OGD)-induced cell death of SH-SY5Y cells.[Pubmed: 21910060]

Arch Pharm Res. 2011 Aug;34(8):1373-80.

METHODS AND RESULTS:
Three known 2-arylbenzofurans, moracin P (1), moracin O (2) and Mulberrofuran Q (3) were isolated from the MeOH extract of the Mori Cortex Radicis. These compounds 1-3 enhanced cell viability in dose-dependent manner against oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD)-induced cell death in neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells, which was measured by MTT reduction assay. (EC(50) values of 10.4, 12.6, and 15.9 μM, respectively). In addition, the compounds 1-3 were examined for their inhibitory effect on OGD-induced ROS production by FACS analysis. We observed these compounds reduced ROS production in OGD-induced cell death (IC(50) values of 1.9, 0.3 and 12.1 μM, respectively). Consequently, reactive oxygen species (ROS) were overexpressed in OGD-induced cells and all three compounds reduced ROS induced by OGD in dosedependent manner.
CONCLUSIONS:
Taken together, compounds 1-3 might protect neuronal cell death against the oxidative stress induced by OGD, though further studies in vitro and in vivo models are necessary.

Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi. 2009 Feb;34(3):286-90.

Study on Diels-Alder type adducts from stem barks of Morus yunanensis.[Pubmed: 19445150]

To isolate and identify the Diels-Alder type adducts from stem barks of Morus yunanensis.
METHODS AND RESULTS:
The compounds were isolated and purified by silicagel, Sephadex LH-20 and RP-18 colum chromatography. Their chemical structures were elucidated on the basis ofphysicochemical properties and spectral data. Nine compounds were isolated and identified as: kuwanon G (1), sanggenol M (2), mulberrofuran J (3), guangsangon B (4), resveratrol (5), kuwanon X (6), kuwanon P (7), mulberrofuran O (8), Mulberrofuran Q (9).
CONCLUSIONS:
All the compounds are isolated from the plant for the first time, and compounds 4, 5 have anti-inflammation activities with inhibitory ratios of 57.3%, 50.5% respectively at a concentration of 10 microg mL(-1).