Method of using of dihydro-resveratrol or its stilbenoid derivatives and/or chemical variants as antimicrobial agents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a composition for preventing or reducing microbial growth, particularly the growth of dermatophytic fungi, and/or aciduric and acidogenic gram-positive bacteria. More particularly, it relates to the use of trans-3,5,4-trihydroxybibenzyl, also known as dihydro-resveratrol, or its dihydrostilbene derivatives and/or chemical variants as an anti-microbial agent. The present invention further relates to the management of dermatophytosis often caused by dermatophytic fungi and the management of dental caries often mediated by aciduric and acidogenic gram-positive Streptococci. The present invention therefore has applications in preventing, alleviating and/or treating dermatophytosis and dental caries.

Claims

1. An anti-microbial agent comprising compound of formula (3): ##STR00036## wherein R.sup.2, R.sup.4, and R.sup.8 are selected from OR.sup.11, OCH.sub.2R.sup.11, OC(O)R.sup.11, OCH.sub.2C(O)OR.sup.11 or OC(O)CH.sub.2R.sup.11; R.sup.1, R.sup.3, R.sup.5, R.sup.6, R.sup.7, R.sup.9 and R.sup.10 are each independently selected from hydrogen, halogen, trifluoromethyl, OR.sup.11 and OC(O)R.sup.11; or R.sup.2 and R.sup.3, or R.sup.7 and R.sup.8 are taken together with the carbon atoms to which they are attached to form a cyclic group; R.sup.11 is hydrogen, hydrocarbyl or heterocyclyl which is optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 R.sup.12; R.sup.12 is selected from halogen, trifluoromethyl, cyano, nitro, oxo, OR.sup.13, C(O)R.sup.14, C(O)N(R.sup.13)R.sup.14, C(O)OR.sup.13, OC(O)R.sup.14, S(O).sub.2R.sup.13, S(O).sub.2N(R.sup.13)R.sup.14; or N(R.sup.13)R.sup.14; R.sup.13 and R.sup.14 are each independently hydrogen, or selected from hydrocarbyl or heterocyclyl which is optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 substituents independently selected from halogen, cyano, amino, hydroxy, C.sub.1-6 alkyl or C.sub.1-6 alkoxy; or an enantiomer thereof; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof; or a mixture, derivative and/or chemical variants thereof.

2. The anti-microbial agent according to claim 1, wherein the compound further comprises compounds of formulae: ##STR00037## ##STR00038## ##STR00039##

3. The anti-microbial agent according to claim 1, wherein the compound further comprises compound of Formula (I): ##STR00040## wherein R is jointly OC(O)R; R is an alkenyl.

4. A method for prevention, alleviation, and/or treatment of dermatophytosis comprising applying the anti-microbial agent according to claim 1 to a subject in need thereof.

5. A method for prevention, alleviation, and/or treatment of dental caries comprising applying the anti-microbial agent according to claim 1 to a subject in need thereof.

6. A method for preventing or reducing the growth of micro-organisms comprising applying the anti-microbial agent according to claim 1 to where the micro-organisms are found.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein said micro-organisms comprise dermatophytic fungi and/or aciduric and acidogenic gram-positive bacteria.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein said dermatophytic fungi comprise Trichophyton rubrum and Trichophyton mentagraphytes.

9. The method according to claim 7, wherein said aciduric and acidogenic gram-positive bacteria comprise Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus.

10. The method according to claim 8, wherein said micro-organisms are found in Tinea pedis of a subject being applied with said anti-microbial agent.

11. The method according to claim 9, wherein said micro-organisms are found in oral cavity of a subject being applied with said anti-microbial agent.

12. The method according to claim 4, wherein said anti-microbial agent is formulated as topical fungicidal or fungistatic gel, lotion, cream, emulsion, paste, solution or moist spray.

13. The method according to claim 5 wherein said anti-microbial agent is formulated as toothpaste, oral gel, toothbrush sanitizer, mouthwash or chewing gum.

14. The method according to claim 4, wherein said anti-microbial agent is of a concentration ranging from 25 M to 100 M.

15. The method according to claim 5, wherein said anti-microbial agent is of a concentration ranging from 25 M to 100 M.

16. The method according to claim 8, wherein said anti-microbial agent is of a concentration ranging from 25 M to 100 M.

17. The method according to claim 9, wherein said anti-microbial agent is of a concentration ranging from 25 M to 100 M.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The above and other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the present invention, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 shows the gain of water content in rats due to effect of pancreatic edema as a result of cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis. The obtained weights are expressed as a ratio percentage of pancreatic weight to body mass. A p-value of less than 0.05 is considered as statistically significant. *p<0.05 when comparing with control group whereas #p<0.05 comparing with cerulein group.

(3) FIGS. 2A to 2F show the architecture and morphological alteration in pancreatic tissues of control group (FIG. 2A), cerulein group (FIG. 2B) and dihydro-resveratrol treatment groups (D-Res) (FIGS. 2C to 2F) by means of hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. Images are shown with a scale bar of 50 m.

(4) FIGS. 3A to 3E show the architecture and morphological alteration in pulmonary tissues of control group (FIG. 3A), cerulein group (FIG. 3B) and dihydro-resveratrol treatment groups (D-Res) (FIGS. 3C to 3E) by means of H&E staining. Images are shown with a magnification of 200.

(5) FIG. 4A shows the measurement of MPO activity which represents neutrophil sequestration in pancreatic tissues of control group, cerulein group and dihydro-resveratrol treatment groups (D-Res) by means of colorimetric spectrophotometry. Ap-value of less than 0.05 is considered as statistically significant. *p<0.05 when comparing with control group whereas #p<0.05 comparing with cerulein group.

(6) FIG. 4B shows the measurement of MPO activity which represents neutrophil sequestration in pulmonary tissues of control group, cerulein group and dihydro-resveratrol treatment groups (D-Res) by means of colorimetric spectrophotometry. Ap-value of less than 0.05 is considered as statistically significant. *p<0.05 when comparing with control group whereas #p<0.05 comparing with cerulein group.

(7) FIG. 5A shows the measurement of TNF- level in pancreatic tissues of control group, cerulein group and dihydro-resveratrol treatment groups (D-Res) by means of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). A p-value of less than 0.05 is considered as statistically significant. *p<0.05 when comparing with control group whereas #p<0.05 comparing with cerulein group.

(8) FIG. 5B shows the measurement of TNF- level in pulmonary tissues of control group, cerulein group and dihydro-resveratrol treatment groups (D-Res) by means of ELISA. A p-value of less than 0.05 is considered as statistically significant. *p<0.05 when comparing with control group whereas #p<0.05 comparing with cerulein group.

(9) FIG. 6A shows the measurement of glutathione levels in pancreatic tissues of control group, cerulein group and dihydro-resveratrol treatment groups (D-Res) by means of colorimetric spectrophotometry. A p-value of less than 0.05 is considered as statistically significant. *p<0.05 when comparing with control group whereas #p<0.05 comparing with cerulein group.

(10) FIG. 6B shows the ameliorative effect of dihydro-resveratrol (D-res) and trans-resveratrol (Res) on reducing water content as a result of pancreatic edema in rats with cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis. The obtained weights are expressed as a ratio percentage of pancreatic weight to body mass. Ap-value of less than 0.05 is considered as statistically significant. *p<0.05 when comparing with saline-treated control group (Con) whereas #p<0.05 comparing with cerulein-treated control group.

(11) FIG. 7 shows the measurement of metabolic rates by means of MTT cell proliferation in pancreatic acinar cells treated with dihydro-resveratrol and trans-resveratrol. *p<0.05 when comparing with cells treated without dihydro-resveratrol or trans-resveratrol.

(12) FIGS. 8A to 8H shows eight derivatives, respectively, (i.e. Compound i to Compound viii) from dihydro-resveratrol (i.e. Compound 2).

(13) FIG. 8I shows the chemical structure of dihydro-resveratrol (i.e. Compound 2).

(14) FIG. 9 shows Western blotting of LTC-14 PSCs pre-incubated with TGF- (5 ng/mL), and treated with trans-resveratrol (Resv) or dihydro-resveratrol or stilbene compounds i to viii at 20 g/mL for 24 hours. Control was not treated with Resv or any stilbenoids.

(15) FIG. 10 shows the probing of -SMA and FN1 in Western blotting of LTC-14 cells pre-incubated with TGF- (5 ng/mL), and treated with trans-resveratrol or dihydro-resveratrol at the indicated concentrations.

(16) FIG. 11 shows the green fluorescent signal (identified by arrow marks) of fibrotic filaments -SMA in LTC-14 cells implying the degree of PSC activation.

(17) FIG. 12 shows the fluorescent signal of fibronectin (FN1) deposition in pancreatic tissue sections for an estimation of the degree of fibrosis with and without treatment of dihydro-resveratrol (D-Res, 20 mg/kg/day) or trans-resveratrol (Res, 20 mg/kg/day) in cerulein (Cer)-induced chronic pancreatitis mice.

(18) FIG. 13 shows the glucose response of the normal mice (Control) and chronic pancreatitis mice (Cer) with or without treatment of dihydro-resveratrol (D-Res, 20 mg/kg/day) in the intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test. At all time-points, a significant difference (p<0.05) is achieved between the Cer group and the Cer+D-Res group.

(19) FIG. 14 shows the fluorescent signal of insulin in pancreatic tissue sections for an evaluation of pancreatic insulin-secreting cell (i.e. beta-cell) area. The comparison is made among the control mice, chronic pancreatitis mice and the chronic pancreatitis mice with treatment of dihydro-resveratrol (D-Res) at 20 mg/kg/day.

(20) FIG. 15 shows the suppressive effect of the Dendrobium stilbenoids (25 M), which are dihydro-resveratrol (D-Res), trans-resveratrol (Res) and compounds DR1 to DR11, on cellular melanin content in B16 melanocytes. Ascorbic acid (AC) and BHA are served as positive controls. Data are expressed as meanSEM (n=3). *P<0.05 and **p<0.01 vs DMSO-treated cells.

(21) FIG. 16 shows the suppressive effect of the Dendrobium stilbenoids (25 M), which are dihydro-resveratrol (D-Res), trans-resveratrol (Res) and compounds DR1 to DR11, on cellular melanin content in A375 melanocytes. Ascorbic acid (AC) and BHA are served as positive controls. Data are expressed as meanSEM (n=3). *P<0.05 and **p<0.01 vs DMSO-treated cells.

(22) FIG. 17 shows the suppressive effect of D. nobile extract (JCSH, 50 g/mL), D. officinale extract (TPSH, 50 g/mL), trans-resveratrol (Res, 25 M) and dihydro-resveratrol (D-Res, 25 M) on cellular melanin content in B16 melanocytes. Ascorbic acid (AC) is served as a positive control. Data are expressed as meanSEM (n=3). *P<0.05 vs DMSO-treated cells.

(23) FIG. 18 shows the inhibitory effect of the Dendrobium stilbenoids (25 M), which are dihydro-resveratrol (D-Res), trans-resveratrol (Res) and compounds DR1 to DR11, on cellular tyrosinase activity in B16 melanocytes. Ascorbic acid (AC) and BHA are served as positive controls. Data are expressed as meanSEM (n=3). *P<0.05 and **p<0.01 vs DMSO-treated cells.

(24) FIG. 19 shows the inhibitory effect of the Dendrobium stilbenoids (25 M), which are dihydro-resveratrol (D-Res), trans-resveratrol (Res) and compounds DR1 to DR11, on cellular tyrosinase activity in A375 melanocytes. Ascorbic acid (AC) and BHA are served as positive controls. Data are expressed as meanSEM (n=3). *P<0.05 vs DMSO-treated cells.

(25) FIG. 20 shows the inhibitory effect of D. nobile extract (JCSH, 50 g/mL), D. officinale extract (TPSH, 50 g/mL), trans-resveratrol (Res, 25 M) and dihydro-resveratrol (D-Res, 25 M) on cellular tyrosinase activity in B16 melanocytes. Ascorbic acid (AC) is served as a positive control. Data are expressed as meanSEM (n=3). *P<0.05 and **p<0.01 vs DMSO-treated cells.

(26) FIG. 21 shows suppressive effect of D. nobile extract (JCSH, L:10; M:25; H:50 g/mL) and D. officinale extract (TPSH, L:10; M:25; H:50 g/mL), dihydro-resveratrol (D-Res, L:25; H:50 M), trans-resveratrol (Res, L:25; H:50 M) and ascorbic acid (AC, H:50 g/mL) on protein levels of TRP-1, TRP-2, phospho-AKT and phospho-p38 in B16 melanocytes. GAPDH is served as a loading reference.

(27) FIG. 22 shows suppressive effect of D. nobile extract (JCSH, high: 50 g/mL; low: 25 g/mL), D. officinale extract (TPSH, high: 50 g/mL; low: 25 g/mL), trans-resveratrol (Res, high: 50 M; low: 25 M), dihydro-resveratrol (D-R, high: 50 M; low: 25 M) and ascorbic acid (AC, 50 M) on ROS generation in B16 melanocytes. Fluorescent signals are measured at Ex488 nm. Data are expressed as meanSEM (n=3). *p<0.05 vs the sole TBHP treatment (i.e. no Dendrobium extract or compound).

(28) FIG. 23 shows the whitening effect of stilbenoid solution containing 2% trans-resveratrol (Res) or 2% dihydro-resveratrol (D-Res) on the arm of an individual human subject on day 7 and day 14.

(29) FIG. 24 shows the tumors obtained at the end of experiment from tumor-bearing mice treated with vehicle solution, 5-FU or D-res for 21 days.

(30) FIG. 25 shows the tumor size of tumor-bearing mice treated with vehicle solution, 5-FU or D-res. Tumor size was monitored by measuring the two perpendicular diameters with a caliper and expressed in terms of volume. Tumor volume (V) was calculated from equation: V=0.5*(LW.sup.2), where L is the length and W is the width in millimeters.

(31) FIG. 26 shows the tumor weight of tumor-bearing nude mice treated with vehicle solution, 5-FU or D-res for 21 days.

(32) FIG. 27 shows the body weight of tumor-bearing nude mice treated with vehicle solution, 5-FU or D-res for 21 days.

(33) FIG. 28 shows the suppressive effect of D-res on cell migration in human melanoma A375 cells and human pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma PANC-1 cells post a 24-h treatment. DMSO serves as an experimental control.

(34) FIG. 29 shows the percentage change of the denuded area in PANC-1 cells upon the treatment of DMSO or D-res in the cell migration assay.

(35) FIG. 30 shows the growth inhibition of T. mentagrophytes by dihydro-resveratrol (100 M) and DR8 (100 M) post one-week incubation. Negative control contains no fungi whilst experimental control contains no testing compound.

(36) FIG. 31 shows the growth inhibition of S. mutans by dihydro-resveratrol (100 M) and DR8 (100 M) post the 10-hour incubation. Negative control contains no bacteria whilst experimental control contains no testing compound.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(37) The present invention is not to be limited in scope by any of the specific embodiments described herein. The following embodiments are presented for exemplification only.

(38) Definitions

(39) Hydrocarbyl

(40) The term hydrocarbyl as used herein includes reference to a moiety consisting exclusively of hydrogen and carbon atoms; such a moiety may comprise an aliphatic and/or an aromatic moiety. The moiety may comprise 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 or 20 carbon atoms. Examples of hydrocarbyl groups include C.sub.1-6 alkyl (e.g. C.sub.1, C.sub.2, C.sub.3 or C.sub.4 alkyl, for example methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl or tert-butyl); C.sub.1-6 alkyl substituted by aryl (e.g. benzyl) or by cycloalkyl (e.g. cyclopropylmethyl); cycloalkyl (e.g. cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl or cyclohexyl); aryl (e.g. phenyl, naphthyl or fluorenyl) and the like.

(41) Alkyl

(42) The term alkyl as used herein includes reference to a straight or branched chain alkyl moiety having 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 or 20 carbon atoms. Examples of alkyl groups include C.sub.1-6 alkyl and C.sub.2-10 alkyl. The term C.sub.1-6 alkyl as used herein include reference to a straight or branched chain alkyl moiety having 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 carbon atoms. The term C.sub.2-10alkyl as used herein include reference to a straight or branched chain alkyl moiety having 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 carbon atoms. This term includes reference to groups such as methyl, ethyl, propyl (n-propyl or isopropyl), butyl (n-butyl, sec-butyl or tert-butyl), pentyl, hexyl and the like. In particular, the alkyl moiety may have 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 carbon atoms.

(43) Alkenyl

(44) The terms alkenyl and C.sub.2-6 alkenyl as used herein include reference to a straight or branched chain alkyl moiety having 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 carbon atoms and having, in addition, at least one double bond, of either E or Z stereochemistry where applicable. This term includes reference to groups such as ethenyl, 2-propenyl, 1-butenyl, 2-butenyl, 3-butenyl, 1-pentenyl, 2-pentenyl, 3-pentenyl, 1-hexenyl, 2-hexenyl and 3-hexenyl and the like.

(45) Alkynyl

(46) The terms alkynyl and C.sub.2-6 alkynyl as used herein include reference to a straight or branched chain alkyl moiety having 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 carbon atoms and having, in addition, at least one triple bond. This term includes reference to groups such as ethynyl, 1-propynyl, 2-propynyl, 1-butynyl, 2-butynyl, 3-butynyl, 1-pentynyl, 2-pentynyl, 3-pentynyl, 1-hexynyl, 2-hexynyl and 3-hexynyl and the like.

(47) Alkoxy

(48) The terms alkoxy and C.sub.1-6 alkoxy as used herein include reference to O-alkyl, wherein alkyl is straight or branched chain and comprises 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 carbon atoms. In one class of embodiments, alkoxy has 1, 2, 3 or 4 carbon atoms. This term includes reference to groups such as methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, isopropoxy, butoxy, tert-butoxy, pentoxy, hexoxy and the like.

(49) Cycloalkyl

(50) The term cycloalkyl as used herein includes reference to an alicyclic moiety having 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8 carbon atoms. The group may be a bridged or polycyclic ring system. More often cycloalkyl groups are monocyclic. This term includes reference to groups such as cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, norbomyl, bicyclo[2.2.2]octyl and the like.

(51) Aryl

(52) The term aryl as used herein includes reference to an aromatic ring system comprising 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 or 16 ring carbon atoms. Aryl is often phenyl but may be a polycyclic ring system, having two or more rings, at least one of which is aromatic. This term includes reference to groups such as phenyl, naphthyl, fluorenyl, azulenyl, indenyl, anthryl and the like.

(53) Cyclic Group

(54) Cyclic group means a ring or ring system, which may be unsaturated or partially unsaturated but is usually saturated, typically containing 5 to 13 ring-forming atoms, for example a 5- or 6-membered ring. The ring or ring system may be substituted with one or more hydrocarbyl groups. Cyclic group includes carbocyclyl and heterocyclyl moeities.

(55) Carbocyclyl

(56) The term carbocyclyl as used herein includes reference to a saturated (e.g. cycloalkyl) or unsaturated (e.g. aryl) ring moiety having 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 or 16 carbon ring atoms. In particular, carbocyclyl includes a 3- to 10-membered ring or ring system and, in particular, 5- or 6-membered rings, which may be saturated or unsaturated. The ring or ring system may be substituted with one or more hydrocarbyl groups. A carbocyclic moiety is, for example, selected from cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, norbornyl, bicyclo[2.2.2]octyl, phenyl, naphthyl, fluorenyl, azulenyl, indenyl, anthryl and the like.

(57) Heterocyclyl

(58) The term heterocyclyl as used herein includes reference to a saturated (e.g. heterocycloalkyl) or unsaturated (e.g. heteroaryl) heterocyclic ring moiety having from 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 or 16 ring atoms, at least one of which is selected from nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorus, silicon and sulphur. In particular, heterocyclyl includes a 3- to 10-membered ring or ring system and more particularly a 5- or 6-membered ring, which may be saturated or unsaturated. The ring or ring system may be substituted with one or more hydrocarbyl groups.

(59) A heterocyclic moiety is, for example, selected from oxiranyl, azirinyl, 1, 2-oxathiolanyl, imidazolyl, thienyl, furyl, tetrahydrofuryl, pyranyl, thiopyranyl, thianthrenyl, isobenzofuranyl, benzofuranyl, chromenyl, 2H-pyrrolyl, pyrrolyl, pyrrolinyl, pyrrolidinyl, pyrrolizidinyl, imidazolyl, imidazolidinyl, benzimidazolyl, pyrazolyl, pyrazinyl, pyrazolidinyl, thiazolyl, isothiazolyl, dithiazolyl, oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, pyridyl, pyrazinyl, pyrimidinyl, piperidyl, piperazinyl, pyridazinyl, morpholinyl, thiomorpholinyl, especially thiomorpholino, indolizinyl, isoindolyl, 3H-indolyl, indolyl, benzimidazolyl, cumaryl, indazolyl, triazolyl, tetrazolyl, purinyl, 4/V-quinolizinyl, isoquinolyl, quinolyl, tetrahydroquinolyl, tetrahydroisoquinolyl, decahydroquinolyl, octahydroisoquinolyl, benzofuranyl, dibenzofuranyl, benzothiophenyl, dibenzothiophenyl, phthalazinyl, naphthyridinyl, quinoxalyl, quinazolinyl, quinazolinyl, cinnolinyl, pteridinyl, carbazoiyl, -carbolinyl, phenanthridinyl, acridinyl, perimidinyl, phenanthrolinyl, furazanyl, phenazinyl, phenothiazinyl, phenoxazinyl, chromenyl, isochromanyl, chromanyl and the like.

(60) Heterocycloalkyl

(61) The term heterocycloalkyl as used herein includes reference to a saturated heterocyclic moiety having 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7 ring carbon atoms and 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 ring heteroatoms selected from nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorus and sulphur. The group may be a polycyclic ring system but more often is monocyclic. This term includes reference to groups such as azetidinyl, pyrrolidinyl, tetrahydrofuranyl, piperidinyl, oxiranyl, pyrazolidinyl, imidazolyl, indolizidinyl, piperazinyl, thiazolidinyl, morpholinyl, thiomorpholinyl, quinolizidinyl and the like. The ring or ring system may be substituted with one or more hydrocarbyl groups.

(62) Heteroaryl

(63) The term heteroaryl as used herein includes reference to an aromatic heterocyclic ring system having 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 or 16 ring atoms, at least one of which is selected from nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur. The group may be a polycyclic ring system, having two or more rings, at least one of which is aromatic, but is more often monocyclic. The ring or ring system may be substituted with one or more hydrocarbyl groups. This term includes reference to groups such as pyrimidinyl, furanyl, benzo[b]thiophenyl, thiophenyl, pyrrolyl, imidazolyl, pyrrolidinyl, pyridinyl, benzo[b]furanyl, pyrazinyl, purinyl, indolyl, benzimidazolyl, quinolinyl, phenothiazinyl, triazinyl, phthalazinyl, 2H-chromenyl, oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, thiazolyl, isoindolyl, indazolyl, purinyl, isoquinolinyl, quinazolinyl, pteridinyl and the like.

(64) Halogen

(65) The term halogen as used herein includes reference to F, Cl, Br or I.

(66) Halogen Containing Moiety

(67) The expression halogen containing moiety as used herein includes reference to a moiety comprising 1 to 30 plural valence atoms selected from carbon, nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur which moiety includes at least one halogen. The moiety may be hydrocarbyl for example C.sub.1-6 alkyl or C.sub.1-6 alkoxy, or carbocyclyl for example aryl.

(68) Substituted

(69) The term substituted as used herein in reference to a moiety means that one or more, especially up to 5, more especially 1, 2 or 3, of the hydrogen atoms in said moiety are replaced independently of each other by the corresponding number of the described substituents. The term optionally substituted as used herein means substituted or un-substituted. It will, of course, be understood that substituents are only at positions where they are chemically possible, the person skilled in the art being able to decide (either experimentally or theoretically) without inappropriate effort whether a particular substitution is possible.

(70) Enantiomer

(71) The term enantiomer as used herein means one of two stereoisomers that have mirror images of one another.

(72) Racemate

(73) The term racemate as used herein means a mixture of equal amounts of enantiomers of a chiral molecule.

(74) Diastereomer

(75) The term diastereomer as used herein means one of a class of stereoisomers that are not enantiomers, but that have different configurations at one or more of the equivalent chiral centers. Example of diasteromers are epimers that differ in configuration of only one chiral center.

(76) Stereoisomer

(77) The term stereoisomer as used herein means one of a class of isomeric molecules that have the same molecular formula and sequence of bonded atoms, but different three-dimensional orientations of their atoms in space.

(78) Prodrug

(79) A prodrug is a medication that is administered as an inactive (or less than fully active) chemical derivative that is subsequently converted to an active pharmacological agent in the body, often through normal metabolic processes.

(80) Independently

(81) Where two or more moieties are described as being each independently selected from a list of atoms or groups, this means that the moieties may be the same or different. The identity of each moiety is therefore independent of the identities of the one or more other moieties.

(82) Embodiments of the present invention are described below. Preferred features of each aspect of the present invention are as for each of the other aspects mutatis mutandis. Moreover, it will be appreciated that the features specified in each embodiment may be combined with other specified features, to provide further embodiments.

(83) Description of Previously Claimed Invention

(84) Among the several established animal models, repetitive intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of cholecystokinin secretagogue, cerulein, is the most widely used and a highly reproducible method for the production of an experimental acute pancreatitis. Followed by a single shot of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), pulmonary injury characterized by neutrophil sequestration in the lung tissues and increased permeability of the alveolar membrane barrier is often observed as an acute pancreatitis associated complication. For the diagnosis of the onset of acute pancreatitis, bulky leakage of digestive enzymes, namely -amylase, into the bloodstream is regarded as the principal pathological parameter. For evaluating the severity of acute pancreatitis and the associated pulmonary injury, morphological alterations of organ architecture including interstitial edema, cellular damage, leukocyte infiltration and hemorrhage are characterized as the histological and/or pathological parameters. Besides histological examination, aberrant MPO activity is often measured for assessing the severity of neutrophil-mediated inflammatory condition. Both the local and systemic inflammatory responses can be further confirmed by the high levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines present in the homogenates of affected tissues. Moreover, glutathione depletion, a defense mechanism, is one of the most common parameters for assessing the severity of tissue injury.

(85) The subject to be treated by the method of this invention may be a human or an animal. The previously claimed invention is applicable to various forms of acute pancreatitis, and particularly to the acute pancreatitis associated systemic complications including pulmonary injury.

(86) Dihydro-resveratrol, also known as trans-3,5,4-trihydroxybibenzyl, is a derivative of polyphenol belonging to the family of stilbenoids, which are often obtained from plant extracts. In fact, dihydro-resveratrol is a phytoalexin produced by various plant species including Orchidaceae and Cannabis sativa L. against abiotic and biotic challenges, particularly in the case of fungal infection as reported in Fritzemeier, K. H., Kindl, H. 1983. 9,10-dihydrophenanthrenes as phytoalexins of Orchidaceae. Biosynthetic studies in vitro and in vivo proving the route from L-phenylalanine to dihydro-m-coumaric acid, dihydrostilbene and dihydrophenanthrenes. Eur J Biochem 133, 545-550.

(87) The previously claimed invention relates to the usage of a polyphenol derivative of the stilbenoid family with formula 1:

(88) ##STR00007##
wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are each independently selected from an alkyl group. The term alkyl, alone or in combination with other groups, includes reference to a straight chain alkyl moiety having 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 carbon atoms. The term is further exemplified by such groups as methyl, ethyl, propyl (n-propyl or isopropyl), butyl (n-butyl, sec-butyl and tert-butyl), pentyl, hexyl and the like, to ameliorate tissue injury of the pancreas and lungs.

(89) The previously claimed invention further relates to the usage of a stilbene compound containing trans-3,5,4-trihydroxybibenzyl, also known as dihydro-resveratrol, see Compound 2:

(90) ##STR00008##
to ameliorate tissue injury of the pancreas and lungs. In the previously claimed invention, this particular stilbenoid derivative was obtained as white powders through hydrogenation of trans-resveratrol.

(91) Further, the previously claimed invention is concerned with a process for the manufacture of the above compound, pharmaceutical preparations which contain such compound, and the use of this compound for the production of pharmaceutical preparations.

(92) The oral administration of dihydro-resveratrol at an adequate dosage of not less than 20 mg/kg is shown to significantly ameliorate the severity of acute pancreatitis and associated pulmonary injury in cerulein-treated rats. In terms of pathological parameters, rats with acute pancreatitis are shown to have lessened pancreatic water content due to an attenuation of pancreatic edema (FIG. 1), lowered plasma level of -amylase (Table 1), more intact acinar morphology (FIGS. 2C to 2F) and reduced thickening of alveolar wall and hemorrhage (FIGS. 3C to 3E).

(93) TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Plasma -amylase activities are expressed as U/l/minute. A p-value of less than 0.05 is considered as statistically significant and S.D. stands for standard derivation. *p < 0.05 when comparing with control group whereas .sub.#p < 0.05 comparing with cerulein group. Cerulein + Cerulein + D-Res Cerulein + D-Res D- Control Cerulein 10 mg Res 20 mg 50 mg mean 0.1294 0.4846* 0.2891 0.2498.sub.# 0.2431.sub.# S.D. 0.03909 0.1457 0.05248 0.05593 0.06025

(94) Cerulein-induced elevated levels of neutrophil sequestration, which is quantified as the activity of MPO, are significantly suppressed in pancreatic and pulmonary tissues by the administration of dihydro-resveratrol (FIGS. 4A and 4B). Cerulein-induced elevated levels of TNF- in the pancreas and lungs are significantly suppressed by the administration of dihydro-resveratrol (FIGS. 5A and 5B).

(95) Glutathione depletion is a distinctive sign of tissue injury. The cerulein-induced declined levels of glutathione in the pancreas are significantly restored by the administration of dihydro-resveratrol (FIG. 6A).

(96) In the previously claimed invention, dihydro-resveratrol completely and easily dissolves in 0.5% (weight/volume, w/v) methanol whereas trans-resveratrol, with vigorous shaking, dissolves in 2.5% (w/v) methanol (Table 2). Thus, the solubility of dihydro-resveratrol is at least 5 times higher than that of trans-resveratrol. The ameliorative effect of dihydro-resveratrol was more promising than that of trans-resveratrol on reducing water content as a result of pancreatic edema in rats with cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis (FIG. 6B).

(97) TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Solubility of Dihydro-resveratrol and Trans-resveratrol in methanol. Trans-resveratrol Dihydro-resveratrol Methanol required (w/v) 2.5% 0.5%

(98) From the evaluation of mitochondrial metabolic rates by means of MTT assay, the cytotoxicity of dihydro-resveratrol in pancreatic acinar cells is determined to be approximately 500 M whereas that of trans-resveratrol is roughly 250 M (FIG. 7). Thus, the cytotoxicity of dihydro-resveratrol was 50% lower than that of trans-resveratrol.

(99) Experiments

(100) Preparation and structural identification of dihydro-resveratrol. The molecular formula of dihydro-resveratrol was established as C.sub.14H.sub.14O.sub.3, which was obtained as white powders through hydrogenation of trans-resveratrol. A solution of trans-resveratrol (10 g, 43.8 mmol) in anhydrous EtOH (150 ml) was stirred at room temperature under 5 atm H.sub.2 pressure in the presence of 10% Pd/C (0.2 g). The reaction was quenched after 8 hours (h), by filtering off the catalyst. The filtrate was evaporated in vacuum and the residue was subjected to silica gel chromatographic separation eluting with petroleum ether and ethyl acetate (1:1) to afford dihydro-resveratrol as white amorphous powder (9.6 g, 95% yield): HR-ESIMS ([M+1]+ m/z 231.1026, calcd 231.1016 for C.sub.14H.sub.15O.sub.3); .sup.1H NMR (methanol-d4, 400 MHz) 6.96 (2H, ABd, J=8.3 Hz), 6.67 (2H, ABd, J=8.4 Hz), 6.13 (2H, brd, J=2.2 Hz), 6.09 (1H, brt, J=2.2 Hz), 2.74 (2H, brdd, J=8.5, 5.6), 2.67 (2H, brdd, J=8.3, 5.2); .sup.13C NMR (methanol-d4, 100 MHz) 159.2 (2C, s), 156.3 (1C, s), 145.6 (1C, s), 134.1 (1C, s), 130.3 (2C, d), 116.0 (2C, d), 108.1 (2C, d), 101.1 (1C, d), 39.6 (2C, t), 38.0 (2C, t).

(101) Evaluation of biological activities. Sprague-Dawley rats aged 28 days weighing in the range of 70 to 90 g were randomly assigned into 6 groups of 6 to 8 individuals. The rats were housed with an ambient temperature of 232 C., a relative humidity of 60 to 80% and a 12-h light/dark cycle. Prior to the experiment, the rats were starved overnight but allowed with free access to water. Experimental acute pancreatitis was induced in the rats by six hourly i.p. injections of cerulein at the supramaximally stimulating dose (50 g/kg) followed by a single dose of LPS at 7.5 mg/kg 1 h after the last cerulein injection, and this group of rats was designated as the cerulein group. The control group received injections of 0.9% saline instead of cerulein in the same volume and at same time intervals. The treatment groups given with cerulein and oral doses of dihydro-resveratrol (10, 20 or 50 mg/kg) were designated as Cerulein+D-res 10 or 20 or 50 mg/kg. The therapeutic intervention was given 30 minutes after the first cerulein injection for three consecutive hours. Upon scarification, pancreata were immediately removed, weighed, trimmed from fat and fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde-phosphate buffered saline overnight at 4 C. Samples were then processed, embedded in paraffin wax, sectioned and subjected to H&E staining. Levels of TNF- in pancreatic and pulmonary samples were determined using commercial ELISA kits. Tissue homogenates were subjected to biochemical assays for the evaluation of MPO activity and glutathione content.

(102) Functional intact acini were dissociated from pancreatic tissue using collagenase digestion with mild shearing forces. Acini were cultured in Dulbecco's modification of Eagle's medium (GIBCO) supplemented with 5% fetal bovine serum (GIBCO), 1% penicillin-streptomycin (GIBCO) in a 5% CO.sub.2, 95% air humidified atmosphere at 37 C. LTC-14 cells were seeded at a density of 110.sup.4/well in a 96-well plate, and incubated with different concentrations of dihydro-resveratrol or trans-resveratrol (dissolved in DMSO) for 24 hours. MTT reagent was added to the cells at the end of the 24-hour treatment period. After a 3-hour reaction time, MTT products were dissolved in DMSO and absorbance at 570 nm was taken.

(103) Results

(104) After the induction of cerulein, the weight ratio of pancreas to body in the acute pancreatitis rats was drastically increased by roughly 60% when compared with the non-cerulein induced controls due to the occurrence of pancreatic edema. The oral administration of dihydro-resveratrol at an adequate dosage of not less than 20 mg/kg notably reduced the pancreatic edema as reflected by the significant decrease in the weight ratio of pancreas to body. The ameliorative effect of dihydro-resveratrol on reducing pancreatic edema was more promising than that of trans-resveratrol, the accredited antioxidant. Regarding the human dosage, the comparable dosage is 3.24 mg/kg based on the standard dosage conversion according to Reagan-Shaw S, Nihal M, Ahmad N (2008) Dose translation from animal to human studies revisited. FASEB J 22(3):659-661.

(105) When oral administration of dihydro-resveratrol was given, the focal expansion of the interlobular septae, cytoplasmic shrinkage and leukocyte infiltration in pancreatitic parenchyma was remarkably reduced whereas the pulmonary wall thickening and hemorrhage in lung tissues were significantly improved in the rats with cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis.

(106) For a relief of inflammatory conditions of the pancreas and lungs, the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF- as well as MPO activities were significantly reduced in the pancreatic and pulmonary tissues by the oral administration of dihydro-resveratrol.

(107) The level of glutathione in cerulein-induced pancreatic tissue was depleted drastically by more than 50% when compared to the non-cerulein-treated control. The oral administration of dihydro-resveratrol significantly suppressed glutathione depletion in the cerulein-induced pancreata.

(108) The solubility of dihydro-resveratrol in a methanol-based solvent was at least 5 times higher than that of trans-resveratrol. By assessing the mitochondrial metabolic rates of acini, the cytotoxicity of dihydro-resveratrol was shown to be approximately 500 M whereas that of trans-resveratrol was roughly 250 M. Thus, the cytotoxicity of dihydro-resveratrol was 50% lower than that of trans-resveratrol.

(109) In a first embodiment of a first aspect of the previously claimed invention there is provided a method of treating acute inflammatory condition of the pancreas and associated systemic complications by administering to a subject in needs thereof a composition comprising an effective amount of a stilbenoid derivative which comprises a compound of formula (1),

(110) ##STR00009##
wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are each independently selected from an alkyl group. The term alkyl, alone or in combination with other groups, includes reference to a straight chain alkyl moiety having 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 carbon atoms. The term is further exemplified by such groups as methyl, ethyl, propyl (n-propyl or isopropyl), butyl (n-butyl, sec-butyl and tert-butyl), pentyl, hexyl and the like, and the derivatives or chemical variants thereof; or a mixture of said compound, the derivative and/or chemical variants thereof.

(111) In a second embodiment of a first aspect of the previously claimed invention there is provided a method of treating acute inflammatory condition of the pancreas and associated systemic complications wherein the stilbenoid derivative is trans-3,5,4-trihydroxybibenzyl, or dihydro-resveratrol, which is a compound of formula (2):

(112) ##STR00010##
and the derivatives or chemical variants thereof; or a mixture of said compound, the derivative and/or chemical variants thereof.

(113) In a third embodiment of the first aspect of the previously claimed invention there is provided a method of treating acute inflammatory condition of the pancreas and associated systemic complications wherein the subject is a human or an animal.

(114) In a fourth embodiment of the first aspect of the previously claimed invention there is provided a method of treating acute inflammatory condition of the pancreas and associated systemic complications wherein the composition is administered orally.

(115) In a fifth embodiment of the first aspect of the previously claimed invention there is provided a method of treating acute inflammatory condition of the pancreas and associated systemic complications wherein the acute inflammatory condition of the pancreas comprises all forms of acute pancreatitis and associated systemic complications comprise pulmonary injury.

(116) In a sixth embodiment of the first aspect of the previously claimed invention there is provided a method of treating acute inflammatory condition of the pancreas and associated systemic complications wherein said composition is administered at no less than 20 mg/kg to said subject for no less than 3 times a day.

(117) In a seventh embodiment of the first aspect of the previously claimed invention there is provided a method of treating acute inflammatory condition of the pancreas and associated systemic complications wherein said composition is administered at no less than 3.24 mg/kg to said subject for no less than 3 times a day.

(118) In a first embodiment of a second aspect of the previously claimed invention there is provided a method for preparing a compound of molecular formula C.sub.14H.sub.14O.sub.3 and of formula (2),

(119) ##STR00011##
which is a stilbenoid derivative having a chemical name of trans-3,5,4-trihydroxybibenzyl by hydrogenating of trans-resveratrol.

(120) In a second embodiment of the second aspect of the previously claimed invention there is provided a method of preparing the compound of molecular formula C.sub.14H.sub.14O.sub.3 and of formula (2) wherein the hydrogenating of trans-resveratrol comprises steps of stirring a solution of trans-resveratrol in anhydrous EtOH at room temperature under 5 atm H.sub.2 pressure in the presence of 10% Pd/C for 8 hours; filtering off the catalyst from the stirred solution; evaporating the filtrate in vacuum to produce a residue; eluting the residue using silica gel chromatographic separation with petroleum ether and ethyl acetate (1:1) to produce dihydro-resveratrol.
Further Embodiments of the Previously Claimed Invention

(121) TGF- has been reported by some previous studies as a potent inducer of PSC activation in which a series of fibrotic mediators, including FN1, are being up-regulated. In cultured LTC-14 cells, which are immortalized PSCs from rat, the expression levels of fibrotic filament -SMA and ECM protein FN1 are remarkably elevated by the exogenous addition of recombinant TGF- (5 ng/mL). In one further embodiment of the previously claimed invention, the inventors discover that the administration of dihydro-resveratrol significantly attenuate the expression levels of -SMA and FN1 in rat PSCs upon the challenge of TGF-. The derivatives of dihydro-resveratrol exert similar suppressive effect in PSCs. When compared to the renowned anti-oxidant trans-resveratrol, the inhibitory effect of dihydro-resveratrol is more significant. Among the testing stilbenoids, dihydro-resveratrol exerts the most potent anti-fibrotic effect in PSCs despite they possess modest structural differences.

(122) The previously claimed invention provides a compound for suppressing a fibrotic mediator of stellate cells present in an internal organ of a subject in need with a formula of

(123) ##STR00012##

(124) wherein R.sup.2 and R.sup.4 are each independently selected from OR.sup.11 and OC(O)R.sup.11;

(125) R.sup.1, R.sup.3, R.sup.5, R.sup.6, R.sup.7, R.sup.8, R.sup.9 and R.sup.10 are each independently selected from hydrogen, halogen, trifluoromethyl, OR.sup.11 and OC(O)R.sup.11; or R.sup.2 and R.sup.3, or R.sup.7 and R.sup.8 may be taken together with the carbon atoms to which they are attached to form a cyclic group;

(126) R.sup.11 is independently hydrogen or selected from hydrocarbyl and heterocyclyl, either of which is optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 R.sup.12;

(127) R.sup.12 is independently selected from halogen, trifluoromethyl, cyano, nitro, oxo, OR.sup.13, C(O)R.sup.14, C(O)N(R.sup.13)R.sup.14, C(O)OR.sup.13, OC(O)R.sup.14, S(O).sub.2R.sup.13, S(O).sub.2N(R.sup.13)R.sup.14, N(R.sup.13)R.sup.14;

(128) R.sup.13 and R.sup.14 are each independently hydrogen or selected from hydrocarbyl and heterocyclyl, either of which is optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 substituents independently selected from halogen, cyano, amino, hydroxy, C.sub.1-6 alkyl and C.sub.1-6 alkoxy;

(129) or an enantiomer thereof;

(130) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof;

(131) or a mixture of said compound, the derivative and/or chemical variants thereof.

(132) The previously claimed invention further provides nine embodiments of compounds for suppressing a fibrotic mediator of stellate cells present in an internal organ of a subject in need with formula of:

(133) ##STR00013## ##STR00014## ##STR00015##

(134) The internal organ can be, for example, pancreas, liver, kidney and lung of a subject. The subject can be a human subject.

(135) Experiments:

(136) LTC-14 cells were cultured at 37 C. under a humidified condition of 95% air and 5% CO.sub.2 in IMDM supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS). Cells used in all the experiment were among passages 9 to 25. LTC-14 cells were seeded at a density of 110.sup.5/well in a 12-well plate, and incubated with recombinant TGF- at 5 ng/mL with dihydro-resveratrol at 0, 1, 5, 10 and 20 g/mL in IMDM supplemented with 0.2% FBS for 24 hours. Cells were then harvested for protein extraction and Western blotting analysis or immunofluorescent staining.

(137) Total proteins of the LTC-14 cells are extracted using RIPA lysis buffers containing protease inhibitors. Cell lysates were loaded and separated by SDS-polyacrylaminde gel electrophoresis. After wet electroblotting, proteins were transferred onto PVDF membranes (Bio-rad), blocked with 5% non-fat milk, probed with antibodies and visualized by utilization of an ECL kit (GE Healthcare).

(138) For immunofluorescent staining of -SMA, LTC-14 cells were seeded at a density of 110.sup.5 onto the poly-L-lysine-coated cover slips in a 24-well plate, incubated with TGF- at 5 ng/mL with dihydro-resveratrol at 0, and 10 g/mL in IMDM supplemented with 0.2% FBS for 24 hours. Cells were then fixed, blocked with 3% BSA, probed with antibodies and mounted with fluorescence mounting medium containing 4,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI). Images were captured using the Nikon microscope and analyzed by the SPOT advanced software.

(139) Evaluation of biological activities. C57/BL6 mice aged 28 days weighing in the range of 20 to 25 g were randomly assigned into 4 groups of 6 to 8 individuals. The mice were housed with an ambient temperature of 232 C., a relative humidity of 60 to 80% and a 12-h light/dark cycle. Prior to the glucose tolerance test, the mice were starved overnight but allowed with free access to water. Experimental chronic pancreatitis was induced in the mice by four hourly i.p. injections of cerulein at the supramaximally stimulating dose (50 g/kg) a day, 3 days a week, in a total of 6 weeks. The control group received injections of 0.9% saline instead of cerulein in the same volume and at same time intervals. The treatment groups given with cerulein and oral doses of dihydro-resveratrol (20 mg/kg/day) were designated as Cer+D-res. A dosage of dihydro-resveratrol at 50 mg/kg/day had also been attempted in the treatment course, but no statistically significant difference from the dose at 20 mg/kg/day in fibrosis formation was achieved. Nevertheless, no adverse effect was obtained from this higher dosage in the in vivo trial. Thus, it concludes that an effective dosage of dihydro-resveratrol is at least 20 mg/kg/day. The group given with trans-resveratrol was designated as Cer+Res. The drug intervention of both compounds was given from the first day of week 4 till the end of experiment, i.e. in a total of 3 weeks. At the end of the 6-week experiment, mice were subjected to the intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test (IPGTT). Mice had been starved for 14 hours prior to the IPGTT, in which a 15% (w/v) glucose solution was injected to individual animals at 1.5 g glucose per kg body weight. About 1 L of blood will be obtained from the tail vein, and blood glucose levels were monitored 30 min before (i.e. fasting level) and 10, 20, 30 and 60 min after glucose injection using a glucometer (Medisign, Korea). Upon scarification, pancreases were immediately removed, weighed, trimmed from fat and fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde-phosphate buffered saline overnight at 4 C. Samples were then processed, embedded in paraffin wax, sectioned and subjected to immunostaining.

(140) According to the dose translation formula, human equivalent dosage (mg/kg)=Animal dose (mg/kg) multiplied by animal Km/human Km, where mouse Km is 3 and human Km is 37 (Guidance for Industry Estimating the Maximum Safe Starting Dose in Initial Clinical Trials for Therapeutics in Adult Healthy Volunteers), the effective human equivalent dosage of dihydro-resveratrol of the previously claimed invention is at least 1.622 mg/kg/day.

(141) In yet another embodiment of the previously claimed invention, 8 other derivatives (compounds i to viii) of dihydro-resveratrol and dihydro-resveratrol (compound 2) are shown in FIGS. 8A-8I. In this embodiment, each compound is experimented accordingly as follows:

(142) Experiment with the Embodiments of Compounds in FIGS. 8A-8I

(143) LTC-14 cells were pre-incubated with TGF- (5 ng/mL), and treated with trans-resveratrol (Resv) or dihydro-resveratrol (D-Res) or stilbene compounds i-viii at 20 g/mL for 24 hours. Control was not treated with Resv or any stilbenoids. Total proteins were extracted and analyzed using Western blotting. This is shown in FIG. 9.

(144) LTC-14 cells are pancreatic stellate cells. -SMA is the hallmark component of fibrogenesis whereas -actin serves as a loading control. Thus, the expression level of -SMA implies the degree of PSC activation. TGF- was added since it is regarded as a potent inducer of fibrotic events. Suppressive effect on -SMA expression level is tested among dihydro-resveratrol and compounds i to viii in relation to trans-resveratrol (Resv). All of the testing compounds exert suppressive effect of -SMA expression level.

(145) LTC-14 cells were pre-incubated with TGF- (5 ng/mL), and treated with trans-resveratrol or dihydro-resveratrol at the indicated concentrations. Total proteins were extracted and analyzed using Western blotting. This is shown in FIG. 10.

(146) FN1 is a major extracellular matrix protein produced during fibrogenesis or upon the activation of pancreatic stellate cells. Its expression level implies the degree of fibrogenesis. Suppressive effect on levels of FN1 and -SMA is tested between dihydro-resveratrol (i.e. compound 2) and trans-resveratrol.

(147) LTC-14 cells were pre-incubated with TGF- (5 ng/mL), and treated with dihydro-resveratrol at 20 g/mL for 24 hours prior to immunofluorescent staining.

(148) LTC-14 cells are pancreatic stellate cells. -SMA is the hallmark component of fibrogenesis whereas -actin serves as a loading control. Thus, the green fluorescent signal (identified by arrow marks in FIG. 11) of -SMA implies the degree of PSC activation. TGF- was added since it is regarded as a potent inducer of fibrotic events. Suppressive effect of dihydro-resveratrol on -SMA expression level is tested.

(149) Pancreatic tissue sections are stained with antibody against FN1; thus, the immunostaining signals imply the degree of FN1 deposition in the parenchyma. The treatment with dihydro-resveratrol at 20 mg/kg/day (Cer+D-Res) reduces such deposition in chronic pancreatitis in a manner more significant to trans-resveratrol (Cer+Res). This is shown in FIG. 12.

(150) Evaluation of biological activities. C57/BL6 mice aged 28 days weighing in the range of 20 to 25 g were randomly assigned into 4 groups of 6 to 8 individuals. The mice were housed with an ambient temperature of 232 C., a relative humidity of 60 to 80% and a 12-h light/dark cycle. When oral administration of dihydro-resveratrol (20 mg/kg/day) is given, the fasting blood glucose levels of the chronic pancreatitis mice (Cer) become markedly higher than those of the control group, indicating these chronic pancreatitis mice develop hyperglycemia, a discernible feature of diabetes. Importantly, their impaired glucose tolerance has been significantly rectified by the 3-week dihydro-resveratrol treatment (Cer+D-Res). As a result, the hyperglycemic condition of the chronic pancreatitis mice is improved. This is shown in FIG. 13.

(151) When oral administration of dihydro-resveratrol (Cer+D-Res) is given at 20 mg/kg/day, the severity of pancreatitis and the shrinkage and destruction of islets, explicitly beta cells, are notably ameliorated. As shown in FIG. 14, the pancreatic beta-cell area is reflected by the immunofluorescent insulin signals. A reduced beta-cell area or mass implicates the deficiency in glucose tolerance, or the development of diabetes. Thus, the restoration of beta-cell area by the dihydro-resveratol treatment indicates this stilbenoid is beneficial to the treatment of pancreatogenic diabetes (i.e. Type3c DM).

(152) According to the dose translation formula, human equivalent dosage (mg/kg)=Animal dose (mg/kg) multiplied by animal Km/human Km, where mouse Km is 3 and human Km is 37 (Guidance for Industry Estimating the Maximum Safe Starting Dose in Initial Clinical Trials for Therapeutics in Adult Healthy Volunteers), the effective human equivalent dosage of dihydro-resveratrol of the previously claimed invention is at least 1.622 mg/kg/day.

(153) Another Further Embodiments of the Previously Claimed Inventions

(154) Dendrobium plants, commonly called Shi Hu, are widely used in the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) system as well as in folk medicines for treating various kinds of diseases, such as chronic atrophic gastritis, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Dendrobium-derived extracts or ingredients contain substantial amounts of various stilbenoids, such as trans-resveratrol and dihydro-resveratrol, which are potential compounds for combating oxidative stress in the human body. However, the uses of these compounds for skin-protection or skin whitening have not been disclosed.

(155) As oriental cosmetics prefer plant-based composition, the previously claimed invention relates to the use of Dendrobium-derived stilbenoids, particularly trans-resveratrol, dihydro-resveratrol or dihydro-resveratrol derivatives in reducing melanin formation with a potential to inhibit the generation of oxidative radicals and ROS. The present composition is applied to the subject in need thereof via topical administration. The present composition is in the form of a day cream, a night cream, a face lotion, a body lotion, a body butter, a skin peel, a mask, a shower gel, a sun cream, a sun lotion, an after sun cream or an after sun lotion.

(156) The present composition comprises one or more extract(s) derived from Dendrobium plants.

(157) The present composition comprises one or more stilbenoids with the following formula:

(158) ##STR00016##
wherein R.sup.2, R.sup.4, and R.sup.8 are each independently selected from OR.sup.11, OCH.sub.2R.sup.12, OC(O)R.sup.11, OCH.sub.2C(O)OR.sup.12 and OC(O)CH.sub.2R.sup.12; R.sup.1, R.sup.3, R.sup.5, R.sup.6, R.sup.7, R.sup.9 and R.sup.10 are each independently selected from hydrogen, halogen, trifluoromethyl, OR.sup.12 and OC(O) R.sup.12; or R.sup.2 and R.sup.3, or R.sup.7 and R.sup.8 may be taken together with the carbon atoms to which they are attached to form a cyclic group; R.sup.11 is independently selected from (CH.sub.2)-hydrocarbyl, C.sub.2-10alkyl, alkenyl and heterocyclyl, Each of these groups is optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 R.sup.13; R.sup.12 is independently selected from hydrocarbyl and heterocyclyl, either of which is optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 R.sup.13; R.sup.13 is independently selected from halogen, trifluoromethyl, cyano, nitro, oxo, OR.sup.14, C(O)R.sup.15, C(O)N(R.sup.14)R.sup.15, C(O)OR.sup.14, OC(O)R.sup.15, S(O).sub.2R.sup.14, S(O).sub.2N(R.sup.14)R.sup.15, N(R.sup.14)R.sup.15; R.sup.14 and R.sup.15 are each independently hydrogen or selected from hydrocarbyl and heterocyclyl, either of which is optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 substituents independently selected from halogen, cyano, amino, hydroxy, C.sub.1-6 alkyl and C.sub.1-6 alkoxy; or an enantiomer thereof; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof.

(159) The present composition comprises stilbenoid(s) with the following formula:

(160) ##STR00017##
which is dihydro-resveratrol, and the derivatives or chemical variants thereof; or a mixture of said compound, the derivative and/or chemical variants thereof, or with a formula of:

(161) ##STR00018## ##STR00019## ##STR00020##

(162) The present composition for skin whitening and skin protection comprises stilbenoid(s) with the following formula:

(163) ##STR00021##
wherein R.sup.2, R.sup.4, and R.sup.8 are each independently selected from OR.sup.11, OCH.sub.2R.sup.11, OC(O)R.sup.11, OCH.sub.2C(O)OR.sup.11 and OC(O)CH.sub.2R.sup.11; R.sup.1, R.sup.3, R.sup.5, R.sup.6, R.sup.7, R.sup.9 and R.sup.10 are each independently selected from hydrogen, halogen, trifluoromethyl, OR.sup.11 and OC(O)R.sup.11; or R.sup.2 and R.sup.3, or R.sup.7 and R.sup.8 may be taken together with the carbon atoms to which they are attached to form a cyclic group; R.sup.11 is independently hydrogen or selected from hydrocarbyl and heterocyclyl, either of which is optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 R.sup.12; R.sup.12 is independently selected from halogen, trifluoromethyl, cyano, nitro, oxo, OR.sup.13, C(O)R.sup.14, C(O)N(R.sup.13)R.sup.14, C(O)OR.sup.13, OC(O)R.sup.14, S(O).sub.2R.sup.13, S(O).sub.2N(R.sub.13)R.sub.14, N(R.sup.13)R.sup.14; R.sup.13 and R.sup.14 are each independently hydrogen or selected from hydrocarbyl and heterocyclyl, either of which is optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 substituents independently selected from halogen, cyano, amino, hydroxy, C.sub.1-6 alkyl and C.sub.1-6 alkoxy; or an enantiomer thereof; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof.

(164) To determine the antioxidant capacity, a spectrophotometric decolorization assay complemented with pre-formed radical monocation of 2,2-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid), also known as ABTS, is used. In this assay, ABTS (Abcam, USA) is dissolved in water to a 7 mM concentration and ABTS radical cation is produced by reacting the ABTS stock solution with 2.45 mM ammonium persulfate (Sigma-Aldrich, USA) and allowing the mixture to stand in the dark at room temperature for 16 hours before use. When testing the Dendrobium extract samples or stilbenoid samples, the ABTS radical solution is diluted with ethanol to an absorbance of 0.70 at 734 nm and equilibrated at 30 C. The dilutions of testing samples (0.1 mL) or DMSO (0.1 mL) are incubated with ABTS radical solution (0.9 mL) for 15 min prior to the absorbance taking at 734 nm. DMSO is served as a vehicle treatment whereas Trolox (Abcam, USA), a renowned derivative vitamin E, ranging from 0.001 to 0.05 mg/mL is used as a positive drug reference. The antioxidant capacity of testing samples is expressed as the amount equivalent to Trolox in milligrams (mg) according to the Trolox standard curve.

(165) Upon the incubation with dihydro-resveratrol (D-Res), trans-resveratrol (Res), Dendrobium extract samples or other stilbenoid samples (compounds DR1 to DR11), the pre-formed ABTS radicals have been scavenged, and their antioxidant capacity is normalized to the Trolox positive standards as illustrated in Table 3.

(166) TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 Antioxidant capacity of stilbenoids equivalent to amount of Trolox (mg) Compound Trolox equivalent (mg) Standard deviation D-Res 4969.611 333.841 Res 4296.325 83.132 DR1 105.736 24.978 DR2 30.178 52.270 DR3 119.325 90.071 DR4 94.277 84.519 DR5 0 0 DR6 0 0 DR7 0 0 DR8 15.893 27.527 DR9 0 0 DR10 0 0 DR11 0 0

(167) The cellular melanin content and tyrosinase activity are determined in cultured B16 and A375 melanocytes. In fact, melanocytes are melanin-producing cells whereas melanin refers to groups of endogenous pigments that give multitude of skin colors. B16 cells (Shanghai Institutes for Biological Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China) and A375 cells (American Type Culture Collection, USA) are routinely grown in DMEM medium (Gibco, USA) supplemented with 10% heat-activated fetal bovine serum (FBS, Gibco, USA) and 1% penicillin/streptomycin (Gibco, USA) in a humidified atmosphere of 95% air and 5% CO.sub.2 at 37 C.

(168) To determine the cellular melanin content, melanocytes are seeded in 12-well plates (810.sup.4 cells/well) and stimulated with alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (-MSH, 100 nM) for 24 hours. Such stimulation is aimed to accelerate the cellular formation of melanin in the melanocytes, so that the reducing ability of the testing compounds or extracts on melanin formation becomes more apparent. Followed by the -MSH stimulation, cells are then treated with different Dendrobium extract samples or stilbenoid samples (5 L) or DMSO (5 L, Sigma-Aldrich, USA) for another 24 hours. DMSO serves as a vehicle treatment. At the end of experiment, cells are trypsinized for detaching from the culturing plates. After centrifugation, the melanin pellet of each sample is incubated with 100 L of 1 N Sodium hydroxide solution (Sigma-Aldrich, USA) for 1.5 hours at 70 C. After cooling to room temperature, the solution is centrifuged at 15,000g for 10 min. The supernatant (100 L) of each sample is transferred to 96-well plates for a reading of absorbance taken at 405 nm. Relative melanin content of each sample is normalized with its protein content and presented as the percentage change over the DMSO-treated cells.

(169) Upon the incubation with dihydro-resveratrol (D-Res), trans-resveratrol (Res), Dendrobium extract samples or other stilbenoid samples (compounds DR1 to DR11), the cellular melanin contents in B16 and A375 melanocytes have been reduced as illustrated in FIGS. 15 to 17.

(170) To determine the cellular tyrosinase activity, melanocytes are seeded in 12-well plates (810.sup.4 cells/well) and stimulated with -MSH (100 nM) for 24 hours. Post the -MSH stimulation, cells are treated with different testing samples (5 L) or DMSO (5 L) for another 24 hours. At the end of experiment, the cells are washed with ice-cold phosphate buffer saline (PBS, pH 6.8) (Gibco, USA) twice and then lysed with 150 L of PBS (pH 6.8) containing 0.1% Triton X-100 on ice. The cell lysates are centrifuged at 15,000g for 15 min at 4 C. An aliquot of 50 L supernatant is mixed with 50 L L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA, Abcam, USA) solution (0.2% in PBS, pH 6.8) in 96-well plates and incubated at 37 C. for 2 hours under darkness. Optical density of each sample is measured at 475 nm. The absorbance is normalized with the protein content of each sample. The relative activity of cellular tyrosinase in melanocytes is calculated and presented as the percentage change over the DMSO-treated cells. In addition, another set of experiment is collected for Western blotting analysis of the expression levels of TRP1 and TRP2, so as their upstream regulators p-AKT and p-38.

(171) Upon the incubation with dihydro-resveratrol (D-Res), trans-resveratrol (Res), Dendrobium extract samples or other stilbenoid samples (compounds DR1 to DR11), the tyrosinase activity in B16 and A375 melanocytes has been inhibited as illustrated in FIGS. 18 to 20. Western blotting results are shown in FIG. 21.

(172) To determine the generation of intracellular ROS in melanocytes, B16 or A375 cells are seeded in 12-well plates (810.sup.4 cells/well) and stimulated with -MSH (100 nM) for 24 hours. At the end of -MSH incubation, cells are trypsinized for detaching from the culturing plates and subjected to cellular ROS detection assay (Abcam) according to manufacturer's instruction. In brief, cells are stained with 20 M DCFDA for 30 min at 37 C. After staining, cells are treated with tert-butyl hydrogen peroxide (TBHP, 55 nM) for an evident level of ROS elevation prior to a 4-hour incubation with our testing extracts or compounds or ascorbic acid (AC) in a volume of 5 L. Signals of ROS generation will be detected using a fluorescence microplate reader. DCF are excited by the 488 nm laser. Results of this assay are presented in FIG. 22.

(173) All assays are performed in triplicate and repeated for at least 3 times in individual experiments. The results are presented as the meanstandard deviation. Variance between two groups is evaluated by Student's t-test whereas variance among more than two groups is calculated by means of one-way analysis of variance (one-way ANOVA). A p value of less than 0.05 is considered as statistically significant.

(174) To determine the skin color of the individual human subjects, the initial skin conditions at the arms of the individuals are tested by the skin colorimeter MPA 5 on day 0. The individual typology angle (ITA) is calculated by the colorimeter based on the luminance (L*) and yellow-blue component (b*) values. The greater the ITA value, the greater the skin whiteness [S. Del Bino and F. Bernerd. Variations in skin colour and the biological consequences of ultraviolet radiation exposure. British Journal of Dermatology 2013; 169 (Suppl. 3), 33-40]. In fact, skin colors are classified into 6 major divisions: very light, light, intermediate, tan, brown and dark as listed in Table 4. Two areas (2 cm2 cm each) are selected as treated areas whereas regions surrounding the treated areas on the arms are regarded as control areas. A volume of 200 L of the testing stilbenoids (2% by weight dissolved in ethanol) is applied to the designated area twice a day, day and night. At the end of the first week (day 7), individuals are tested with the skin colorimeter for recording the data about using the stilbenoids for 7 days. Again, at the end of the second week (day 14), individuals are tested with the skin colorimeter for recording the data about using the stilbenoids for 14 days. The ITA readings are presented in Table 5. Overt whitening effect from dihydro-resveratrol or trans-resveratrol is obtained from most individuals. A set of representative images taken from a human individual who uses the topical treatment is shown in FIG. 23.

(175) TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 4 Skin classification based on ITA Individual typology angle (ITA) Skin classification ITA >55 Very light 41 < ITA < 55 Light 28 < ITA < 41 Intermediate 10 < ITA < 28 Tan 30 < ITA < 10 Brown ITA <30 Dark

(176) TABLE-US-00005 TABLE 5 ITA measurements of individual human subjects on the indicated time-points day 0 day 7 day 14 Individual nil 2% D-Res 2% Res nil 2% D-Res 2% Res nil No. 1 46.3 3.525 49.0 1.732 47.7 1.155 40.3 2.517 52.4 1.166 46.4 0.548 41.8 0.860 No. 2 46.3 0.473 41.1 3.391 39.2 2.564 36.4 3.530 49.8 4.630 44.8 2.871 39.6 2.542 No. 3 41.1 2.895 35.0 1.000 38.0 1.732 41.4 2.782 33.8 0.837 36.2 1.789 38.8 1.855 No. 4 34.2 1.779 26.8 2.371 22.4 1.715 26.8 1.789 35.2 2.103 29.4 1.342 29.0 3.768 No. 5 31.2 0.884 25.6 1.817 26.6 1.159 27.0 2.827 27.8 1.934 34.0 2.168 28.2 3.693 No. 6 26.8 3.609 26.4 2.649 28.2 2.718 29.4 1.949 34.6 0.927 41.8 3.372 32.6 2.315 No. 7 20.8 4.560 21.2 0.837 20.6 1.140 19.8 1.893 23.8 2.634 20.4 0.578 21.6 1.435 No. 8 11.5 2.619 14.0 2.345 14.0 1.232 9.0 1.414 16.2 1.483 9.6 1.342 11.2 1.241 No. 9 11.3 3.726 5.2 0.837 7.2 1.789 12.0 1.225 2.2 0.447 7.4 1.140 6.2 2.223

(177) General Synthetic Route of DR1 to DR3

(178) ##STR00022##

(179) To a mixture of dihydro-resveratrol (0.2 mmol) and RBr (1.2 mmol) in dimethylformamide (DMF, 2 mL), K.sub.2CO.sub.3 (1.2 mmol) was added. The resulting mixture was stirred at room temperature until the starting material disappeared on thin-layer chromatography (TLC). The mixture was diluted with H.sub.2O (10 mL) and washed with dichloromethane (DCM, 10 mL) three times. The combined organic layer was washed with saturated sodium chloride (NaCl) twice, dried over anhydrous Na.sub.2SO.sub.4, concentrated in vacuum and purified by preparative (prep-) TLC (PE/EA=5/1 or 3/1) to afford the desired compound(s).

(180) ##STR00023##

(181) High-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS): 511.1997 [M+Na].sup.+

(182) Proton nuclear magnetic resonance (.sup.1H NMR, 400 MHz, CDCl.sub.3) 1.31 (9H, t, J=7.1 Hz), 2.82 (4H, s), 4.22-4.32 (6H, m), 4.56 (4H, s), 4.60 (2H, s), 6.29-6.41 (3H, m), 6.80-6.86 (2H, m), 7.04-7.13 (2H, m).

(183) ##STR00024##

(184) HRMS: 373.1770 [M+Na]+.

(185) .sup.1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl.sub.3) 2.84 (4H, d, J=2.1 Hz), 4.49 (4H, dt, J=5.3, 1.4 Hz), 4.51-4.53 (2H, m), 5.25-5.35 (3H, m), 5.37-5.48 (3H, m), 5.99-6.13 (3H, m), 6.36 (3H, s), 6.81-6.90 (2H, m), 7.05-7.15 (2H, m).

(186) ##STR00025##

(187) HRMS: 379.2220 [M+Na].sup.+.

(188) .sup.1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl.sub.3) 0.98-1.08 (9H, m), 1.74-1.90 (6H, m), 2.75-2.90 (4H, m), 3.85-3.95 (6H, m), 6.29-6.39 (3H, m), 6.81-6.87 (2H, m), 7.07-7.15 (2H, m).

(189) General Synthetic Route of DR4 to DR11

(190) ##STR00026##

(191) To a mixture of dihydro-resveratrol (0.2 mmol) and RCOCl (1.2 mmol) in DCM (2 mL), Et.sub.3N (1.2 mmol) at 0 C. was added. The resulting mixture was warmed to room temperature and stirred until the starting material disappeared on TLC. The mixture was diluted with H.sub.2O (10 mL) and washed with DCM (10 mL) three times. The combined organic layer was washed with saturated NaCl twice, dried over anhydrous Na.sub.2SO.sub.4, concentrated in vacuum and purified by prep-TLC (PE/EA=5/1 or 3/1) to afford the desired compound(s).

(192) ##STR00027##

(193) HRMS: 463.2044[M+Na.sup.+].

(194) .sup.1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl.sub.3) 0.97-1.10 (9H, m), 1.72-1.89 (6H, m), 2.47-2.58 (6H, m), 2.91 (4H, s), 6.74-6.84 (3H, m), 6.94-7.04 (2H, m), 7.13-7.21 (2H, m).

(195) ##STR00028##

(196) HRMS: 667.0427 and 669.0408[M+Na.sup.+].

(197) .sup.1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl.sub.3) 3.01 (4H, s), 6.99-7.06 (3H, m), 7.10-7.17 (2H, m), 7.22-7.27 (2H, m), 7.46-7.55 (6H, m), 8.09-8.18 (6H, m).

(198) ##STR00029##

(199) HRMS: 655.1964 [M+Na.sup.+].

(200) .sup.1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl.sub.3) 3.00 (4H, s), 3.89-3.92 (9H, m), 6.97-7.04 (9H, m), 7.11-7.16 (2H, m), 7.23-7.27 (2H, m), 8.13-8.18 (6H, m).

(201) ##STR00030##

(202) HRMS: 565.1600 [M+Na]+.

(203) .sup.1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl.sub.3) 3.02 (4H, s), 7.02-7.08 (3H, m), 7.12-7.20 (2H, m), 7.25-7.29 (2H, m), 7.50-7.57 (6H, m), 7.60-7.70 (3H, m), 8.17-8.28 (6H, m)

(204) ##STR00031##

(205) HRMS: 415.1140 [M+Na]+

(206) .sup.1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl.sub.3) 2.94 (4H, s), 5.98-6.08 (3H, m), 6.23-6.43 (3H, m), 6.58-6.70 (3H, m), 6.84-6.97 (3H, m), 7.01-7.13 (2H, m), 7.16-7.26 (2H, m).

(207) ##STR00032##

(208) HRMS: 514.2550 [M+Na].sup.+.

(209) .sup.1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl.sub.3) 1.61-1.79 (12H, m), 1.88-2.09 (12H, m), 2.82-3.08 (7H, m), 6.72-6.83 (3H, m), 6.96-7.03 (2H, m), 7.15-7.20 (2H, m).

(210) ##STR00033##

(211) HRMS: 607.2070 [M+Na]+.

(212) .sup.1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl.sub.3) 2.91 (4H, s), 5.27 (6H, s), 6.91-6.98 (3H, m), 7.08-7.12 (2H, m), 7.14-7.19 (2H, m), 7.38-7.46 (15H, m).

(213) ##STR00034##

(214) HRMS: 505.2550 [M+Na].sup.+.

(215) .sup.1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl.sub.3) 1.34-1.38 (27H, m), 2.86-2.94 (4H, m), 6.77 (3H, d, J=2.1 Hz), 6.93-7.02 (2H, m), 7.14-7.21 (2H, m)

(216) Another Embodiment of the Previously Claimed Invention

(217) Dihydro-resveratrol described herein restrains the growth of xenograft tumor, in terms of weight and volume, without exhibiting undesirable side-effect in the experimental animals. Though possessing eminent structural similarity to trans-resveratrol, dihydro-resveratrol undergoes no further metabolic breakdown in the human bowel and exists as a colonic metabolite upon microbial conversion. Thus, dihydro-resveratrol can act as an alternative remedy to trans-resveratrol for patients with microbial restriction and receive unresponsiveness.

(218) Experimental Animals

(219) All animal studies were approved and performed according to Animal Care and Use Guidelines of the Animal Ethics Committee at Hong Kong Baptist University. BALB/c nude mice, SPF class, male, 6-8 weeks old, were purchased from BioLASCO, Taiwan. Before the xenograft experiment, the mice were acclimatized to SPF class laboratory conditions for a week.

(220) Cell Culture and Cell Viability Assay

(221) The human colorectal carcinoma HCT-116 cell line, human pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma PANC-1 cell line, human melanoma A375 cell line and human embryonic kidney HEK293 cell line were purchased from the American Type Culture Collection. Cells were cultured in high glucose DMEM growth medium supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum, penicillin and streptomycin (100 U) in a humidified atmosphere of 5% CO.sub.2, 95% air at 37 C. Upon the addition of dihydro-resveratrol (D-res) to the HCT-116, PANC-1, A375 or HEK293 cells seeded at a density of 8000 cells per well in a 96-well plate format, the viability of the testing cells was determined 24 h post treatment using the (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) tetrazolium (MTT) reduction assay and expressed as growth inhibition of 50% (GI.sub.50, Table 6).

(222) TABLE-US-00006 TABLE 6 The GI.sub.50 of dihydro-resveratrol in various kinds of carcinoma cells Cell line Type of cells with human origin GI.sub.50 A375 Melanoma 106.59 3.37 M HCT-116 Colorectal carcinoma 102.04 5.21 M HEK293 Embryonic kidney (serves as normal 244.11 0.96 M control) PANC-1 Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma 115.69 3.09 M

(223) Establishment of the Nude Mouse Xenograft Model

(224) HCT-116 cells in logarithmic growth phase were collected by trypsinization. After centrifugation and rinsing, cells were re-suspended in serum-free DMEM medium at 310.sup.7 cells/mL. Nude mice were skin disinfected with 75% medical ethanol, subcutaneously injected with 100 L of the HCT-116 cell suspension using a 25-G syringe to their left flank. The same procedure was repeated for the tumor cell injection to the right flank.

(225) Animal Grouping

(226) Seven days after tumor cell injection, 24 mice with tumor volumes of 32 mm.sup.3 to 178 mm.sup.3 were randomly assigned into 3 groups; the average initial tumor volumes in each group of mice were 78.047.76 mm.sup.3 (vehicle, 8 mice), 78.769.40 mm.sup.3 (5-FU, 8 mice), 78.017.75 mm.sup.3 (D-res, 8 mice) respectively.

(227) Preparation of Drug Regimen and Vehicle

(228) Vehicle solution: 2.5% Ethanol and Cremphor EL (1:1 v/v) dissolved in physiological saline.

(229) 5-FU solution: 5-FU powder was dissolved in 2.5% Ethanol and Cremphor EL to a concentration of 5 mg/mL.

(230) D-res solution: Dihydro-resveratrol powder was dissolved in 2.5% Ethanol and Cremphor EL solution to a concentration of 20 mg/mL.

(231) Dosage Regimen

(232) Vehicle group (n=8): 2.5% Ethanol and Cremphor EL solution was intraperitoneally injected every other day for 21 days.

(233) 5-FU group (n=8): 5-FU solution was given to mice at 25 mg/kg by intraperitoneal injection every other day for 21 days.

(234) D-res group (n=8): D-res solution was given to mice at 100 mg/kg by intraperitoneal injection every other day for 21 days. This is equivalent to a dosage of no less than 8.13 mg/kg of bodily weight in human.

(235) The growth of xenograft tumor derived from HCT-116 human colorectal carcinoma cells, in terms of tumor size (FIG. 24), tumor volume (FIG. 25) and tumor weight (FIG. 26), is more sufficiently restrained by the 21-day administration of D-res when comparing to the mainstay anticancer drug 5-FU. The numerical data and statistics of tumor volume, tumor weight and body weight of the tumor-bearing mice are respectively provided in Tables 7, 8 and 9. It is worth noting that the 21-day administration of D-res does not lead to a significant loss of body weight (FIG. 27). Such result implies that D-res is not a toxic substance that causes severe undesirable effects in animals. Apart from the in vivo experiments, the application of D-res (25 M) indeed exhibits significant reduction in the migratory ability of A375 human melanoma cells and PANC-1 human pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cells in vitro (FIG. 28). The percentage change of denuded area, which denotes cellular migratory ability, in PANC-1 cells after the 24-h treatment of D-res or DMSO (i.e. the experimental control) is presented in FIG. 29. Further, the GI.sub.50 values in Table 6 imply that D-res has a selectivity towards carcinoma cells.

(236) The effective dosage of D-res ranges from 20 mg/kg (body weight) to 100 mg/kg (body weight) per day. According to the dose translation formula (Nair A B, Jacob S. A simple practice guide for dose conversion between animals and human. J Basic Clin Pharma 2016; 7:27-31.) Eq. (2), the effective translated human dose of D-res of the present invention ranges from 1.62 mg/kg (body weight) to 8.13 mg/kg (body weight) per day.

(237) TABLE-US-00007 TABLE 7 Tumor volume (mm.sup.3) of HCT-116 human colorectal carcinoma-bearing nude mice treated with vehicle solution, fluorouracil (5-FU) and dihydro-resveratrol (D-res) for 21 days: Tumor Volume (mm.sup.3) Sample Day Vehicle 5-FU D-res 1 78.04 7.76 78.76 9.40 78.01 7.75 4 168.51 24.08 128.05 12.25 137.54 14.69 7 355.2 39.65 187.75 21.56 167.58 22.65 10 526.61 53.45 286.6 28.89 273.28 41.5 13 648.07 65.55 419.1 45.77 355.48 78.57 16 826.04 65.55 489.8 160.66 409.35 74.3 19 1013.95 76.21 514.17 160.66 585.98 110.96 21 1087.09 79.85 583.6 160.66 559.76 100.63 22 1236.94 100.21 655.69 160.66 586.92 88.51

(238) The differences in tumor volume between the D-res group and vehicle group whereas between the 5-FU group and vehicle group were statistically significant P<0.001.

(239) TABLE-US-00008 TABLE 8 Tumor weight (g) of HCT-116 human colorectal carcinoma-bearing nude mice treated with vehicle solution, fluorouracil (5-FU) and dihydro-resveratrol (D-res) for 21 days Groups Tumor weight (g) vehicle 1.01 0.13 5-FU 0.68 0.08 D-res 0.60 0.11

(240) The differences in tumor weight between the D-res group and vehicle group whereas between the 5-FU group and vehicle group were statistically significant P<0.05.

(241) TABLE-US-00009 TABLE 9 Body weight (g) of HCT-116 human colorectal carcinoma-bearing nude mice treated with vehicle solution, fluorouracil (5-FU) and dihydro-resveratrol (D-res) for 21 days. Body weight (g) Sample Day Vehicle 5-FU D-res 1 19.91 0.37 20.3 0.46 20.69 0.55 4 20.6 0.32 20.16 0.55 20.76 0.65 7 20.45 0.42 20.46 0.48 20.33 0.9 10 19.54 0.5 19.24 0.46 20.57 0.66 13 20.14 0.49 19.65 0.46 20.53 0.82 16 19.41 0.44 18.94 0.47 20.31 0.88 19 19.71 0.51 19.23 0.52 20.51 0.87 21 19.53 0.43 18.79 0.59 18.79 0.59 22 19.27 0.39 18.54 0.59 20.63 0.99

(242) The administration of D-res did not lead to a notable reduction in body weight of the experimental nude mice.

(243) Further Embodiment of the Present Invention

(244) A further embodiment of the present invention is to provide a method of using dihydro-resveratrol or its dihydrostilbene derivatives and/or chemical variants as an anti-microbial agent in a subject.

(245) The anti-microbial agent of the present invention further comprises compound of Formula (I):

(246) ##STR00035##

(247) wherein R is independently or jointly OC(O)R; R is an alkenyl.

(248) Experiments

(249) Evaluation of anti-fungal activity. In a single well of the 96-well microplate, 10 L of the testing compound is added into 190 L of growth medium (Difco YM) containing an overnight culture of Trichophyton rubrum or Trichophyton mentagrophytes at a density of approximately 510.sup.5 CFU. The testing compounds include dihydro-resveratrol and DR1 to DR11. Wells incubated with 10 L 0.5% DMSO only (i.e. no testing compound) are served as the experimental control of fungal growth whilst those incubated with growth medium only (i.e. no fungi) are served as the negative control. For evaluating the efficiency in inhibiting the growth of dermatophytic fungi, both aforementioned fungal species are incubated with or without testing compound at 30 C. for one week before OD reading at 510 nm; trans-resveratrol is used as a reference drug. The percentage of growth inhibition of T. mentagrophytes by the different concentrations of testing compounds is shown in Table 10 whilst the percentage of growth inhibition of T. rubrum is shown in Table 11. The images of T. mentagrophytes culture are captured post treatment of dihydro-resveratrol (100 M) and DR8 (100 M) when compared to the growth of experimental control and negative control (FIG. 30).

(250) Evaluation of anti-bacterial activity. In a single well of the 96-well microplate, 10 L of the testing compound is added into 190 L of growth medium growth medium (BBL Brain Heart Infusion) containing an overnight culture of Streptococcus mutans or Streptococcus sobrinus at a density of approximately 510.sup.5 CFU. The testing compounds include dihydro-resveratrol and DR1 to DR11. Wells incubated with 10 L 0.5% DMSO only (i.e. no testing compound) are served as the experimental control of bacterial growth whilst those incubated with growth medium only (i.e. no bacteria) are served as the negative control. For evaluating the efficiency in inhibiting the growth of cariogenic streptococcus, both aforementioned bacterial species are incubated with or without testing compound at 30 C. for 10 hours before OD reading at 600 nm; trans-resveratrol is used as a reference drug. The percentage of growth inhibition of S. mutans by the different concentrations of testing compounds is shown in Table 12 whereas the percentage of growth inhibition of S. sobrinus is shown in Table 13. The images of S. mutans culture are captured post treatment of dihydro-resveratrol (100 M) and DR8 (100 M) when compared to the growth of experimental control and negative control (FIG. 31).

(251) The compound is provided topically for the management of dermatophytosis and dental caries.

(252) The compound is in the form of gel, lotion, cream, emulsion, paste, solution or moist spray for the management of dermatophytosis.

(253) The compound is in the form of toothpaste, oral gel, toothbrush sanitizer, mouthwash or chewing gum for the management of dental caries.

(254) Results

(255) Table 10 shows the inhibitory effect of dihydro-resveratrol and DR1 to DR11 on the growth of T. mentagraphytes after a one-week incubation. Among the testing compounds, DR8 exhibited the highest inhibitory effect against T. mentagraphytes.

(256) TABLE-US-00010 TABLE 10 Growth inhibition of T. mentagraphytes by testing compounds at various concentrations. Inhibition rate Inhibition rate Inhibition rate Compound (25 M) (50 M) (100 M) DR1 4.33% 11.23% 36.43% DR2 4.72% 9.81% 33.70% DR3 4.64% 4.77% 20.05% DR4 6.03% 10.43% 32.56% DR5 3.01% 6.93% 14.14% DR6 3.33% 8.01% 21.55% DR7 3.79% 0.44% 18.64% DR8 83.13% 80.71% 78.78% DR9 2.19% 14.70% 25.90% DR10 3.14% 12.56% 20.86% DR11 13.05% 13.40% 9.36% Dihydro-resveratrol 4.52% 15.32% 30.82% Trans-resveratrol 5.35% 13.94% 32.41%

(257) Table 11 shows the inhibitory effect of dihydro-resveratrol and DR1 to DR11 on the growth of T. rubrum after a one-week incubation. Among the testing compounds, DR8 exhibited the highest inhibitory effect against T. rubrum.

(258) TABLE-US-00011 TABLE 11 Growth inhibition of T. rubrum by testing compounds at various concentrations. Inhibition rate Inhibition rate Inhibition rate Compound (25 M) (50 M) (100 M) DR1 3.25% 1.15% 22.63% DR2 14.07% 18.29% 37.83% DR3 4.55% 4.25% 22.26% DR4 11.22% 16.62% 36.09% DR5 0.71% 4.25% 5.78% DR6 5.81% 2.49% 20.92% DR7 3.06% 6.17% 11.62% DR8 78.94% 77.85% 77.74% DR9 7.05% 2.57% 1.50% DR10 8.53% 6.36% 10.70% DR11 8.10% 7.58% 9.54% Dihydro-resveratrol 2.75% 6.84% 22.54% Trans-resveratrol 6.56% 11.64% 21.62%

(259) Table 12 shows the inhibitory effect of dihydro-resveratrol and DR1 to DR11 on the growth of S. mutans after the 10-hour incubation. Among the testing compounds, DR8 exhibited the highest inhibitory effect against S. mutans.

(260) TABLE-US-00012 TABLE 12 Growth inhibition of S. mutans by testing compounds at various concentrations Inhibition rate Inhibition rate Inhibition rate Compound (25 M) (50 M) (100 M) DR1 2.31% 8.55% 4.78% DR2 0.04% 3.62% 3.65% DR3 4.18% 2.61% 7.05% DR4 6.64% 3.99% 6.35% DR5 2.67% 8.35% 2.22% DR6 6.52% 4.36% 5.96% DR7 10.06% 1.55% 2.48% DR8 17.10% 17.63% 68.03% DR9 0.68% 6.36% 8.39% DR10 3.42% 3.56% 2.44% DR11 5.49% 6.86% 4.13% Dihydro-resveratrol 6.32% 2.34% 2.09% Trans-resveratrol 8.91% 5.77% 3.83%

(261) Table 13 shows the inhibitory effect of dihydro-resveratrol and DR1 to DR11 on the growth of S. sobrinus after the 10-hour incubation. Among the testing compounds, DR8 exhibited the highest inhibitory effect against S. sobrinus.

(262) TABLE-US-00013 TABLE 13 Growth inhibition of S. sobrinus by testing compounds at various concentrations Inhibition rate Inhibition rate Inhibition rate Compound (25 M) (50 M) (100 M) DR1 9.96% 27.71% 14.21% DR2 6.33% 19.86% 18.99% DR3 11.67% 24.16% 21.14% DR4 7.35% 20.65% 18.07% DR5 12.18% 26.22% 18.60% DR6 5.99% 15.69% 7.54% DR7 6.33% 14.16% 12.46% DR8 22.66% 43.84% 79.34% DR9 14.28% 0.13% 9.87% DR10 13.85% 11.34% 15.79% DR11 10.47% 12.60% 0.18% Dihydro-resveratrol 10.65% 8.18% 1.49% Trans-resveratrol 6.71% 1.17% 2.46%
Industrial Applicability

(263) The present invention relates to an anti-microbial composition comprising trans-3,5,4-trihydroxybibenzyl, also known as dihydro-resveratrol, or its dihydrostilbene derivatives and/or chemical variants. More particularly, it relates to the usage of dihydro-resveratrol or its derivatives to reduce microbial growth of Trichophyton rubrum and Trichophyton mentagraphytes, Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus. This invention relates to the use of said composition in the formulation of topical fungicidal or fungistatic gel, lotion, cream, emulsion, paste, solution or moist spray for the management of dermatophytosis. This invention also relates to the use of said composition in the formulation of toothpaste, oral gel, toothbrush sanitizer, mouthwash or chewing gum for the management of dental caries.