Four New Acylated Iridoid Glycosides from the Aerial Part of Veronicastrum sibiricum and Their Antioxidant Response Element‐Inducing Activity

Four new ( 1 – 4 ) and one known ( 5 ) acylated iridoid glycosides were isolated from the aerial parts of Veronicastrum sibiricum (L.) Pennell . The chemical structures of the isolated compounds were determined to be 3″,4″‐dicinnamoyl‐6‐O‐rhamnopyranosyl‐10‐O‐bergaptol‐5,7‐bisdeoxycynanchoside ( 1 ), 3″,4″‐dicinnamoyl‐6‐O‐rhamnopyranosylpaulownioside ( 2 ), 2″,4″‐dicinnamoyl‐6‐O‐rhamnopyranosylcatalpol ( 3 ), 3″,4″‐dicinnamoyl‐6‐O‐rhamnopyranosylaucubin ( 4 ), and 3″,4″‐dicinnamoyl‐6‐O‐rhamnopyranosylcatalpol ( 5 ) using spectroscopic techniques. Among these compounds, compound 5 increased antioxidant response element (ARE) luciferase activity.     

Structural confirmation of dihydrocinnamic acids from Adiscanthus fusciflorus by 13C NMR

In the wood of Adiscanthus fusciflorus six known alkaloids 4-methoxy-2-quinolone, 1-methyl-4-methoxy-2-quinolone, dictamine, skimmianine, γ-fagarine and N-methylflindersine and two new dihydrocinnamic acids 3-[2′,6′-dimethoxy-6″,6″-dimethylpyrano(2″,3″:4′, 3′)phenyl]-propionic acid and its methyl ester were identified. The structures of the dihydrocinnamic acid derivatives were confirmed by ¹³C NMR.     

Synthesis and Anti-HIV-1 Activity of 4- and 5-Substituted 1,2,3-Triazole-TSAO Derivatives

Abstract

Several 4- or 5-monosubstituted and 4,5-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazole analogues of the anti-HIV-1 lead compound [1-[2′,5′-bis-O-(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)-β-D-ribofuranosyl]thymine]-3′-spiro-5″-(4″-amino-1″,2″-oxathiole-2″,2″-dioxide) (TSAO-T) have been prepared and evaluated for their inhibitory effect against HIV-1-induced cytopathicity.     

A novel immunomodulatory effect of ugonin U in human neutrophils via stimulation of phospholipase C

Neutrophils have a crucial role in the immune system and are the first line of defense against pathogenic invaders. Neutrophil activation is required for their defensive function and can be induced by diverse stimuli, through either binding to cell surface receptors or direct intracellular target molecule stimulation. In this study, we found that 4″a,5″,6″,7″,8″,8″a-hexahydro-5,3′,4′-trihydroxy-5″,5″,8″a-trimethyl-4H-chromeno [2″,3″:7,6]flavone (ugonin U), a flavonoid isolated from Helminthostachys zeylanica (L) Hook, significantly induced superoxide production and release in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. A series of experiments was performed to dissect the mechanism of ugonin U-induced respiratory burst in human neutrophils. Our results demonstrated that ugonin U induced a slow increase in intracellular Ca²⁺, which was necessary for ugonin U-stimulated superoxide release. Use of a formyl peptide receptor (FPR) blocker, G protein inhibitor, and protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) inhibitor proved that FPR, G proteins, and PTKs were not associated with ugonin U-induced respiratory burst. Additionally, immunoblotting results revealed that ugonin U did not affect the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases and protein tyrosine. Nevertheless, a phospholipase C (PLC) inhibitor and an inositol triphosphate (IP3) receptor antagonist considerably suppressed ugonin U-stimulated Ca²⁺ mobilization and subsequent superoxide release. Ugonin U also induced an increase in intracellular IP3 formation, which could be blocked using a PLC inhibitor. In conclusion, our study reveals that ugonin U represents the first identified natural flavonoid compound to directly stimulate PLC. Moreover, ugonin U induces respiratory burst via the PLC/IP3/Ca²⁺ pathway in human neutrophils.     

INTRACELLULAR Ca2+-MOBILIZING ADENINE NUCLEOTIDES. SYNTHESIS AND BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITY OF CYCLIC ADP-CARBOCYCLIC-RIBOSE AND C-GLYCOSIDIC ANALOG OF ADENOPHOSTIN A

We designed novel Ca²⁺-mobilizing purine nucleotides, cyclic ADP-carbocycl-icribose 4, and its inosine congener 5, and C-glycosidic adenophostin A 6. In the synthesis of cADPR analogs, the intramolecular condensation to form the pyrophosphate linkage should be the key step. We developed an efficient method for forming such an intramolecular pyrophosphate linkage by the activation of the phenylthiophosphate group with I₂ or AgNO₃. Using this method, we achieved to synthesize the target compounds 4 and 5. The synthesis of C-glycosidic analog 6 of adenophostin A was achieved using a temporary silicon-tethered radical coupling reaction for constructing (3′α, 1″α)-C-glycosi-dic structure as the key step.     

An alkaloid from Haplophyllum tuberculatum

A new alkaloid (+)-tuberine was isolated from Haplophyllum tuberculatum. Physicochemical and spectral evidence established its structure and stereochemistry as N- benzoyl-4′-[(2″S,3″S,6″S)-(+)-7″-acetoxy-2″-hydroxy-3″,7″-dimethyl-3″,6″-epoxyoctyloxy]phenethylamine.     

Chemical modification of the nonreducing,terminal group of maltotriose

O-α-d-Galactopyranosyl-(1→4)-O-α-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)-d-glucopyranose (12) was prepared by inversion of configuration at C-4″ of 2,3,2′,3′,6′,2″,3″-hepta-O-acetyl-1,6-anhydro-4″,6″-di-O-methylsulfonyl-β-maltotriose (7), followed by O-deacylation, acetylation, acetolysis, and de-O-acetylation. The intermediate 7 was obtained by treatment of 1,6-anhydro-β-maltotriose (2) with benzal chloride in pyridine, followed by acetylation, removal of the benzylidene group, and methane-sulfonylation. Selective tritylation of 2 and subsequent acetylation afforded 2,3,2′,3′,6′,2″,3″,4″-octa-O-acetyl-1,6-anhydro-6″-O-trityl-β-maltotriose (6), which was O-detritylated and p-toluenesulfonylated to give 2,3,2′,3′,6′,2″,3″,4″-octa-O-acetyl-1,6-anhydro-6″-O-p-tolylsulfonyl-β-maltotriose (13). Nucleophilic displacement of 13 with thioacetate, iodide, bromide, chloride, and azide ions gave 6″-S-acetyl- (14), 6″-iodo- (15), 6″-bromo- (16), 6″-chloro- (19), and 6″-azido- (20) 1,6-anhydro-β-maltotriose octaacetates, respectively. 6″Deoxy- (18) and 6″-acetamido-6″-deoxy (21) derivatives of 1,6-anhydro-β-maltotriose decaacetates were also prepared from 15 and 16, and 20, respectively. Acetolysis of 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, and 21 afforded 1,2,3,6,2′,3′,6′,2″,3″,4″-deca-O-acetyl-6″-S-acetyl (22), -6″-iodo (23), -6″-bromo (24), -6″-deoxy (25), -6″-chloro (26), and -6″-acetamido-6′-deoxy (27) derivatives of α-maltotriose, respectively. O-Deacetylation of 24, 25, and 26 furnished 6″-bromo-(28), 6″-deoxy- (29), and 6″-chloro- (30) maltotrioses, respectively, which on acetylation gave the corresponding β-decaacetates.     

SYNTHESIS AND BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITY OF 5-SUBSTITUTED ANTI-CONSTRAINED ACYCLIC ANALOGS OF CYTIDINE AND URIDINE

Abstract

Abstract. A number of 5-substituted constrained acyclic analogs of cytidine and uridine have been prepared in which the glycosyl torsion angle is constrained in the anti conformation. Compounds 2a-c, 3a-c, 4, 5 and 6 were tested for activity against HCMV and HSV-1. Compounds 2a and 2b showed moderate activity against HCMV. Compound 2c exhibited a weak inhibitory activity against HSV-1. Compounds 2a, 3a, 4, 5, 6, 8, and 9 were screened for their anti-HIV or antitumor activity. None of them were active against HIV. However, compound 9 showed a 50% inhibition on MDA-MB-231/ATTC breast cancer cell growth at a concentration of 0.15 μM.     

Determination of O-glycosidic bond position in 6-C-glycosylglucosylflavones by mass spectrometry

2″,3″,4″ and 6″-O-glycosides of 6-C-glucosylflavones can be differentiated by the MS of the hydrolysis products of their permethyl ethers.     

Four isoflavanones from the stem bark of Platycelphium voënse

From the stem bark of Platycelphium voënse (Leguminosae) four new isoflavanones were isolated and characterized as (S)-5,7-dihydroxy-2′,4′-dimethoxy-3′-(3″-methylbut-2″-enyl)-isoflavanone (trivial name platyisoflavanone A), (±)-5,7,2′-trihydroxy-4′-methoxy-3′-(3″-methylbut-2″-enyl)-isoflavanone (platyisoflavanone B), 5,7-dihydroxy-4′-methoxy-2″-(2?-hydroxyisopropyl)-dihydrofurano-[4″,5″:3′,2′]-isoflavanone (platyisoflavanone C) and 5,7,2′,3″-tetrahydroxy-2″,2″-dimethyldihydropyrano-[5″,6″:3′,4′]-isoflavanone (platyisoflavanone D). In addition, the known isoflavanones, sophoraisoflavanone A and glyasperin F; the isoflavone, formononetin; two flavones, kumatakenin and isokaempferide; as well as two triterpenes, betulin and β-amyrin were identified. The structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic evidence. Platyisoflavanone A showed antibacterial activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis in the microplate alamar blue assay (MABA) with MIC = 23.7 μM, but also showed cytotoxicity (IC₅₀ = 21.1 μM) in the vero cell test.     

The structure of 4′,4″-diethylstilbestrol (DES) quinone

The structure of 4′,4″-diethylstilbestrol quinone (DES quinone), a short-lived metabolic intermediate of the synthetic estrogen E-diethylstilbestrol (DES), was investigated by ¹³C- and ¹H-nmr. Selected homonuclear decoupling experiments were carried out to identify the carbons and protons with which resonances were associated. The ¹H-nmr spectrum of DES quinone remained unchanged in the temperature range from 25°C to 65°C. The spectral results suggested the structure of DES quinone to be planar or time-averaged planar with the exception of the freely rotating ethyl groups. The conformation of this intermediate was found to be transoid without any indication of conversion through a cisoid conformation. The similarity of the ¹H-nmr spectrum of 3′,3″,-5′,5″-tetrafluoro-4′,4″-diethylstilbestrol quinone (TF-DES quinone) and that of the non-fluorinated parent suggested a high degree of structural similarity. The planar structures of the quinone intermediates differed from those of DES or Z,Z-dienestrol which were not coplanar with respect to the aromatic ring systems.     

Étude par R.M.N.-13C et -1h du (1→6)-β-d-glucane et des oligosaccharides linéaires et cycliques correspondants

The results of ¹H-n.m.r. and ¹³C-n.m.r. studies of linear and cyclic oligosaccharides in the series of gentiodextrins, both in their hydroxylated and acetylated form, were compared to those obtained for the corresponding natural or synthetic polysaccharide. The ¹³C-signals of each d-glucopyranose unit of acetylated oligosaccharides are more distinct than those of the parent hydroxylated compounds. In order to relate the change of the various signals with the degree of polymerization, gentiotriose undecaacetate, enriched in ¹³C at C-1″, was prepared, as well as gentiotetraose tetradecaacetate selectively labeled at C-1″ and C-1?. A (1→6)-β-d-glucan having a D.P. of ～10 was chemically prepared. During the course of the polycondensation, the 2,3,4,2′,3′,4′-hexa-O-acetyl-di-β-d-glucopyranosyl 1,6′:6,1′-di-anhydride, and the 2,3,4,2′,3′,4′,2″,3″,4″,2?,3?,4?-dodeca-O-acetyl-tetra-β-d-glucopyranosyl 1,6?:6,1?-tetraanhydride, respectively, were formed.     

18-Norspirostanol derivatives from Trillium tschonoskii

Three 18-norspironstanol oligoglycosides partly acylated in their sugar moieties were isolated from the underground parts of Trillium tschonoskii. Their structures were characterized, as 1-O-[2″,3″,4″-tri-O-acetyl-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-α-l-arabinopyranosyl]-epitrillenogenin-24-O-acetate, 1-O-[2″,3″,4″-tri-O-acetyl-α-l-rhamno-pyranosyl-(1 → 2)-α-l-arabinopyranosyl]-epitrillenogenin and 1-O-[2″,4″-di-O-acetyl-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-α-l-arabinopyranosyl]-epitrillenogenin-24-O-acetate.     

The major flavonoids of the seed of Tephrosia apollinea

A total of six complex 7-oxygenated-8-prenylflavones have been isolated from the seeds of Tephrosia apollinea and identified as the diastereoisomers (?)-semiglabrin and (?)-pseudosemiglabrin, (+)-glabratephrin, (+)-glabratephrinol, appollinine (7-methoxy-8-[3″-(2″,5″-dihydro-5″,5″-dimethyl-2″-oxofuryl)]-flavone and lanceolatin-A. The use of ¹³C NMR in the structure elucidation of flavones of this type is discussed. The potential chemotaxonomic value of Tephrosia flavones of the type isolated from T. apollinea is explored.     

6′-substituted and 6′,6″-disubstituted derivatives of raffinose

The reaction of 6′-chloro-6′-deoxyraffinose deca-acetate with a variety of nucleophilic anions (Br^-,I^-,N^-₃) gave the corresponding 6′-substituted raffinoses. The 6′-azide was further converted into 6′-amino-6′-deoxyraffinose, isolated as its N-acetyl derivative, and silver fluoride-induced elimination of hydrogen iodide from the 6′-iodide gave the 6′-deoxy-5′-ene. Treatment of 6′-chloro-6′-deoxyraffinose and 6′,6″-dichloro-6′,6″-dideoxyraffinose with base afforded, respectively, 3′,6′-anhydro-and 3′,6′;3″,6″-dianhydro-raffinose in high yields. In addition, the dichloride was converted into 6′,6″-diazido-6′,6″-dideoxyraffinose.     

Iridoid glucosides and a C₁₃-norisoprenoid from Lamiophlomis rotata and their effects on NF-κB activation

Four new iridoid glucosides, 7-dehydroxyzaluzioside (1), 6'-O-syringylphlorigidoside C (2), barlerin-6″-hydroxy-2″,6″-dimethylocta-2″,7″-dienate ester (3), 6β-n-butoxy-7,8-dehydropenstemonoside (4), and a new C(13)-norisoprenoid derivative, 5β,6α-dihydroxy-3β-(β-D-glucoyranosyloxy)-7-megastigmen-9-one (5), together with 16 known iridoid glucosides, were isolated from Lamiophlomis rotata. The structures of these new compounds were elucidated by HRMS, 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy. A stable nuclear factor kappaB (NF-κB)-luciferase-expressing human embryonic kidney 293 cell line was used in the luciferase assay for monitoring the anti-inflammatory activity of the compounds. It was found that 6β-n-butoxy-7,8-dehydropenstemonoside (4) and two known compounds (8-epi-7-deoxyloganin and 7,8-dehydropenstemonoside) had a significant inhibitory effect on lipopolysaccharide-stimulated NF-κB activation.     

Distinct chemotypes of Tephrosia vogelii and implications for their use in pest control and soil enrichment

Tephrosia vogelii Hook. f. (Leguminosae) is being promoted as a pest control and soil enrichment agent for poorly-resourced small-scale farmers in southern and eastern Africa. This study examined plants being cultivated by farmers and found two chemotypes. Chemotype 1 (C1) contained rotenoids, including deguelin, rotenone, sarcolobine, tephrosin and α-toxicarol, required for pest control efficacy. Rotenoids were absent from chemotype 2 (C2), which was characterised by prenylated flavanones, including the previously unrecorded examples (2S)-5,7-dimethoxy-8-(3-hydroxy-3-methylbut-1Z-enyl)flavanone, (2S)-5,7-dimethoxy-8-(3-methylbut-1,3-dienyl)flavanone, (2S)-4′-hydroxy-5-methoxy-6″,6″-dimethylpyrano[2″,3″:7,8]flavanone, (2S)-5-methoxy-6″,6″-dimethyl-4″,5″-dihydrocyclopropa[4″,5″]furano[2″,3″:7,8]flavanone, (2S)-7-hydroxy-5-methoxy-8-prenylflavanone, and (2R,3R)-3-hydroxy-5-methoxy-6″,6″-dimethylpyrano[2″,3″:7,8]flavanone. The known compounds (2S)-5-methoxy-6″,6″-dimethylpyrano[2″,3″:7,8]flavanone (obovatin 5-methyl ether) and 5,7-dimethoxy-8-(3-hydroxy-3-methylbut-1Z-enyl)flavone (Z-tephrostachin) were also found in C2. This chemotype, although designated Tephrosia candida DC. in collections originating from the World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF), was confirmed to be T. vogelii on the basis of morphological comparison with verified herbarium specimens and DNA sequence analysis. Sampling from 13 locations in Malawi where farmers cultivate Tephrosia species for insecticidal use indicated that almost 1 in 4 plants were T. vogelii C2, and so were unsuitable for this application. Leaf material sourced from a herbarium specimen of T. candida contained most of the flavanones found in T. vogelii C2, but no rotenoids. However, the profile of flavonol glycosides was different to that of T. vogelii C1 and C2, with 6-hydroxy-kaempferol 6-methyl ether as the predominant aglycone rather than kaempferol and quercetin. The structures of four unrecorded flavonol glycosides present in T. candida were determined using cryoprobe NMR spectroscopy and MS as the 3-O-α-rhamnopyranosyl(1 → 6)-β-galactopyranoside-7-O-α-rhamnopyranoside, 3-O-α-rhamnopyranosyl(1 → 2)[α-rhamnopyranosyl(1 → 6)]-β-galactopyranoside, 3-O-α-rhamnopyranosyl(1 → 2)[α-rhamnopyranosyl(1 → 6)]-β-galactopyranoside-7-O-α-rhamnopyranoside, and 3-O-α-rhamnopyranosyl(1 → 2)[(3-O-E-feruloyl)-α-rhamnopyranosyl(1 → 6)]-β-galactopyranosides of 6-hydroxykaempferol 6-methyl ether. Tentative structures for a further 37 flavonol glycosides of T. candida were assigned by LC–MS/MS. The correct chemotype of T. vogelii (i.e. C1) needs to be promoted for use by farmers in pest control applications.     

Xanthones and biflavonoids from Garcinia densivenia stem bark

The stem bark of a species of Garcinia (Guttiferae), provisionally identified as G. densivenia, has yielded a xanthone and two biflavonoids. The xanthone has been characterized as a novel 1,3,5,6-tetraoxygenated compound and has been assigned the trivial name pyranojacareubin (1,5-dihydroxy-6′,6′-dimethylpyrano (2′,3′:3,2)-6″,6″-dimethylpyrano (2″,3″:6,7)-xanthone). The biflavonoids were identified as morelloflavone and its methyl ether derivative, O-methyl fukugetin.     

Xanthones from Tovomita pyrifolium

The wood of Tovomita pyrifolium (Guttiferae) contains the novel tovopyrifolins A [1,6-dihydroxy-7-methoxy-5-prenyl-6′,6′-dimethylpyrano (2′,3′:3,2)xanthone], B (1,5-dihydroxy-3,4-dimethoxyxanthone) and C (1,3,5-trihydroxy-2-methoxyxanthone) and also the known tovophyllins A and B [structure revised to 1,6-dihydroxy-5-prenyl-6′, 6′-dimethylpyrano(2′,3′:3,2)-6″,6″-dimethylpyrano(2″,3″:7,8)xanthone].