Microbial Biotransformation of Ruscogenins

Microbial transformation plays a vital role in the preparation of new oxygenated derivatives. Cunninghamella genus that has been widely used in transformation of steroids, also has frequently been used as microbial model of mammalian drug metabolism [1]. Endophytes that colonize living internal tissues of plants without causing any disease symptoms can produce novel bioactive compounds and interact with their hosts via special enzymes and chemicals. Therefore, in recent years, they have been considered for their use as biocatalysts [2]. Based on several clinical studies, oral supplements of Ruscus aculeatus is recommended to treat chronic venous lymphatic insufficiency. But there is a big gap in literature in regards to the metabolism studies of ruscogenins, the major active constituents of Ruscus aculeatus L. rhizomes [3]. Together with our previous study [4], microbial biotransformation of ruscogenins (Ruscogenin and Neoruscogenin) by C. blakesleeana, endophytic fungi Neosartorya hiratsukae and Alternaria sp. afforded twenty five new compounds. The structures were elucidated by HR-MS, 1D- and 2D NMR analyses. As far as can be ascertained from the literature, a few studies carried out with ruscogenin but these are the first microbial transformation studies performed on neoruscogenin.

This project is supported by Ege University Scientific Research Project 15ECZ011 and we are very grateful to Bionorm Natural Products for providing Ruscogenins.

[1] Donova MV, Egorova OV. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology 2012; 94: 1423 – 1447

[2] Borges WD, Borges KB, Bonato PS, Said S, Pupo MT. Current Organic Chemistry 2009; 13: 1137 – 1163

[3] Masullo M, Pizza C, Piacente S. Planta Med 2016; 82: 1513 – 1524

[4] Özçinar Ö, Tağ Ö, Kivçak B, Bedir E. Planta Med 2016; 82: 727