Synthesis and antimicrobial activity of new (4,4,4-trihalo-3-oxo-but-1-enyl)-carbamic acid ethyl esters, (4,4,4-trihalo-3-hydroxy-butyl)-carbamic acid ethyl esters, and 2-oxo-6-trihalomethyl-[1,3]oxazinane-3-carboxylic acid ethyl esters

This work presents a three-step synthesis of a new series of 4-substituted 2-oxo-6-trihalomethyl-[1,3]oxazinane-3-carboxylic acid ethyl esters, from beta-alkoxyvinyl trihalomethyl ketones of general formula X3C-C(O)-CH=C(R)-OR(1), where R = H, Me, Ph, and 4-Me-Ph; R(1) = Me and Et; and X = F and Cl. The Michael addition-substitution of the ethyl carbamate on beta-alkoxyvinyl trihalomethyl ketones furnished the corresponding (4,4,4-trihalo-3-oxo-but-1-enyl)-carbamic acid ethyl esters. These compounds underwent reduction with NaBH4 leading to the respective (4,4,4-trihalo-3-hydroxy-butyl)-carbamic acid ethyl esters. The 3-hydroxy-butyl carbamates were submitted to cyclization reaction with triphosgene to give a series of 4-substituted 2-oxo-6-trihalomethyl-[1,3]oxazinane-3-carboxylic acid ethyl esters. The in vitro antimicrobial activity, of some of the three new series of the title compounds, was assessed against a panel of microorganisms including yeast like fungi, bacteria, and algae, and their minimal inhibitory concentration and minimal fungicidal, bactericidal, and algacidal concentrations were determined. Some of the analyzed carbamates exhibited significant in vitro antimicrobial activity.     

p-coumaric acid esters from Tanacetum longifolium

Two new long chain alkyl p-coumaric acid esters (2-3) along with eicosanyl trans-p-coumarate (1) were isolated from chloroform extract of the roots of Tanacetum longifolium. The structures of new compounds were assigned as 21'-hydroxyheneicosanyl-4-hydroxy-(cis and trans) p-coumarate (2a, 2b) and 27'-hydroxy heptacosanyl-cis-p-coumarate (3) by extensive chromatographic and spectroscopic analysis and by comparison with literature data of known compounds.     

Synthesis and cytotoxic activities of new fatty acid esters of 20(S)-protopanaxadiol

In order to find new lead compounds with antitumour activies, thirteen new fatty acid esters of 20(S)-protopanaxadiol (PPD) were synthesized using oleoyl chloride or fatty acids and N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC). Their cytotoxic activities were tested using the MTT [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide] method, and the structure-activity relationships between the fatty acid esters of PPD and their cytotoxic activities are discussed.     

Effects of ricinoleic acid esters from castor oil of Ricinus communis on the vitellogenesis of Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Latreille, 1806) (Acari: Ixodidae) ticks

This study examines the effects of ricinoleic acid esters from Ricinus communis castor oil on the vitellogenesis of Rhipicephalus sanguineus ticks attached to hosts that were fed with commercial rabbit food containing these esters. The oocytes of ticks from the treatment group (TG) showed cytoplasmic changes that inhibited the development of oocytes I and II to the advanced stages (IV and V) in addition to preventing the maturation of oocytes V, resulting in small ones. In addition, sperm was not observed in ampoules. Our findings confirm the acaricide potential of ricinoleic acid esters.     

Phenylpropanoid acid esters from Korean propolis and their antioxidant activities

Ten phenylpropanoic acid esters were isolated from an ethanolic extract of Korean propolis. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods including NMR and ESI-MS. Caffeic acid esters with catechol moiety exhibited significant ABTS and DPPH radical scavenging activity and protective effect against DNA damage by a Fenton reaction.     

Synthesis and glucose-6-phosphatase inhibitory activity of (thiouriedo)alkanoic acid esters

A series of (3-pyridin-2-yl-thiouriedo)alkanoic acid esters (5a-j) have been synthesized by the reaction of pyridin-2-yl-dithiocarbamic acid methyl ester (2) and amino acid esters (4). Most of the synthesized compounds have been evaluated against glucose-6-phosphatase enzyme but only four compounds (5g-j) displayed significant inhibitory activity of the enzyme.     

New caffeic acid esters from Plazia daphnoides

Two new 3,4 dihydroxycinnamic acid esters have been isolated from Plazia daphnoides. The structures were elucidated by NMR spectroscopy.     

Synthesis of fatty acid sterol esters using cholesterol esterase from Trichoderma sp. AS59

We recently reported the characterization of novel cholesterol esterase (EC. 3.1.1.13) from Trichoderma sp. and preliminary work on sterol ester synthesis. In the present study, we further examined the enzyme ability to synthesize cholesterol esters from cholesterol and free fatty acids of various chain lengths, and compared the fatty acid specificity in synthesis with that in hydrolysis. The enzyme catalyzed the synthesis of medium- and long-chain fatty acid cholesterol esters, but failed to synthesize short-chain fatty acid esters. The fatty acid specificities in the synthesis and hydrolysis of cholesterol esters were entirely different from each other. Unlike other lipolytic enzymes, the enzyme was largely independent of water content in the synthesis of cholesterol oleate, and it achieved near-complete esterification in the presence of an equimolar excess of oleic acid. Of additional interest is the finding that the addition of n-hexane markedly enhanced the esterification activities on all the medium- and long-chain saturated fatty acids used. Based on these findings, we attempted to synthesize stigmasterol stearate as a food additive to lower cholesterol levels in blood plasma, and found that the enzyme catalyzed effective synthesis of the ester without the need of dehydration during the reaction, indicating the potential utility of the enzyme in the food industry.     

Lipase-catalyzed esterification of unusual substrates: Synthesis of glucuronic acid and ascorbic acid (vitamin C) esters

The synthesis of n-butanol and cinnamic alcohol esters of glucuronic acid and the esterification of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) with phenylbutyric acid was performed with lipase from Candida antarctica B (CAL-B, SP435) in a mainly solid-phase system. Products were obtained in 15 to 22 % yield. Computer modelling based on the structure of CAL-B was used to elucidate the access of glucuronic acid to the catalytic site of the lipase. A fixation of glucuronic acid via H-bonds to Q157, D134 and H224 during the transition state was observed. © Rapid Science Ltd. 1998     

Vacuolar localization of the enzymatic synthesis of hydroxycinnamic acid esters of malic acid in protoplasts from Raphanus sativus leaves

Protoplasts from leaves of radish ( Raphanus sativus L. var. sativus ) were examined for the subcellular localization of p -coumaric, caffeic, ferulic and sinapic acid esters of malic acid and the enzyme(s) involved in their syntheses. Vacuoles isolated from leaf protoplasts contained all the hydroxycinnamic acid esters as well as all the dependent enzyme activities. Protein from leaf vacuoles was shown to form the hydroxycinnamoylmalic acids, using the corresponding hydroxycinnamic acid glucose esters (1-O-acyl glucosides) as acyl donors. It is proposed that the vacuole is the cell compartment for synthesis and deposition of the hydroxycinnamoylmalic acids.     

Cyclohexene long-chain fatty acid esters from Uvaria dulcis (Dunal)

Two new cyclohexene long-chain fatty acid esters, namely Dulcisenes A and B, were isolated from the twigs of the Uvaria dulcis together with seven known compounds, uvarigranol E, (−)-zeylenol, ellipeiopsol B, 5,7-dihydroxyflavone, 8-hydroxy-5,7-dimethoxyflavanone, lupeol, and benzyl benzoate. The structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic and mass-spectrometric analyses, including 1D, 2D NMR and HR TOF MS. Several of these metabolites were tested for cytotoxicity against HepG2, A549, S102, HuCCA-1, HeLa, MDA-MB-231, T47D, HL-60, and P388 cell lines.     

Melanogenesis-inhibitory saccharide fatty acid esters and other constituents of the fruits of Morinda citrifolia (noni)

Five new saccharide fatty acid esters, named nonioside P (3), nonioside Q (4), nonioside R (8), nonioside S (10), and nonioside T (14), and one new succinic acid ester, butyl 2-hydroxysuccinate (=4-butoxy-3-hydroxy-4-oxobutanoic acid) (31), were isolated, along with 26?known compounds, including eight saccharide fatty acid esters, 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 9, 12, and 13, three hemiterpene glycosides, 15, 17, and 18, six iridoid glycosides, 21-25, and 27, and nine other compounds, 20, 28, 29, and 32-37, from a MeOH extract of the fruit of Morinda citrifolia (noni). Upon evaluation of these and five other glycosidic compounds, 11, 16, 19, 26, and 30, from M. citrifolia fruit extract for their inhibitory activities against melanogenesis in B16 melanoma cells induced with α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH), most of the saccharide fatty acid esters, hemiterpene glycosides, and iridoid glycosides showed inhibitory effects with no or almost no toxicity to the cells. These compounds were further evaluated with respect to their cytotoxic activities against two human cancer cell lines (HL-60 and AZ521) and their inhibitory effects on Epstein-Barr virus early antigen (EBV-EA) activation induced with 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) in Raji cells.     

Inhibition of estrone sulfatase (ES) by alkyl and cycloalkyl ester derivatives of 4-[(aminosulfonyl)oxy] benzoic acid

In our search for potent inhibitors of the enzyme estrone sulfatase (ES), we have undertaken the synthesis and biochemical evaluation of a range of esters of 4-[(aminosulfonyl)oxy] benzoic acid. The results of the study show that the synthesised compounds possess potent inhibitory activity, indeed the cyclooctyl derivative was found to be more potent than 667-COUMATE, which is currently undergoing clinical trials.     

Synthesis of sugar fatty acid esters by modified lipase.

A simple synthesis of sugar fatty acid esters was developed in a nonaqueous solution using lipase modified by synthetic detergent. Esterification of sugar was accelerated by continuous removal of water from the reaction mixture with a molecular sieve. When glucose and palmitic acid (1:1 by mole) were used as the starting substrates, more than 90% of glucose was converted to its ester in this system. The resultant product was 6-O-palmitoylglucose. Other mono- or disaccharides were also esterified by the modified lipase with high yield. It was shown that the modified lipase might act as a catalyst for the synthesis of sugar fatty acid esters.     

Inhibition of estrone sulfatase (ES) by derivatives of 4-[(aminosulfonyl)oxy] benzoic acid

In our search for potent inhibitors of the enzyme estrone sulfatase (ES), we have undertaken the synthesis and biochemical evaluation of a range of straight chain alkyl esters of 4-[(aminosulfonyl)oxy] benzoic acid. The results of the study show that the synthesised compounds possess greater inhibitory activity when compared to COUMATE, although they were all found to possess lower inhibitory activity with respect to EMATE. Furthermore, the data suggest a strong correlation between logP and IC(50) and therefore adds further support to our previous report where we suggested a link between inhibitory activity and hydrophobicity.     

Steroidal fatty acid esters

Several years ago we discovered an unexpected family of steroidal metabolites, steroidal fatty acid esters. We found that fatty acid esters of 5-ene-3β-hydroxysteroids, pregnenolone and dehydroisoandrosterone are present in the adrenal. Subsequently, others have shown the existence of these non-polar 5-ene-3β-hydroxysteroidal esters in blood, brain and ovaries. Currently, almost every family of steroid hormone is known to occur in esterified form. We have studied the esters of the estrogens and glucocorticoids in some detail, and have found that these two steroidal families are esterified by separate enzymes. In a biosynthetic experiment performed simultaneously with estrodiol and corticosterone, we established that the fatty acid composition of the steroidal esters is quite different. The corticoid is composed predominantly of one fatty acid, oleate, while the estradiol esters are extremely heterogeneous. Our studies have demonstrated that the estrogens are extremely long-lived hormones, that they are protected by the fatty acid from metabolism. They are extremely potent estrogens, with prolonged activity. Esterification appears to be the only form of metabolism that does not deactivate the biological effects of estradiol. We have demonstrated the biosynthesis of fatty acid esters of estriol, monoesters at both C-16 and C-17β. They too are very potent estrogens. These fatty acid esters of the estrogens are the endogenous analogs of estrogen esters, like benzoate, cypionate, etc., which have been used for decades, pharmacologically because of their prolonged therapeutic potency. We have found that the estradiol esters are located predominantly in hydrophobic tissues, such as fat. Sequestered in these tissues, they are an obvious reservoir of estrogenic reserve, requiring only an esterase for activation. To the contrary the biological activity of the fatty acid esters of the glucocorticoid, corticosterone, is not different from that of its free parent steroid. We have shown that the rapid kinetics of its induction of gluconeogenic responses is caused by its labile C-21 ester which is rapidly hydrolyzed by esterase enzymes. While it appears that the physiological role of the estrogen esters may be related to their long-lived hormonal activity, the role of the other families of steroidal esters is not yet apparent. They, and perhaps the estrogen esters as well, must serve other purposes. Indeed they may serve important biological functions beyond those which we ordinarily associate with steroid hormones.     

Synthesis and biological activities of 4-chloroindole-3-acetic acid and its esters

4-Chloroindole-3-acetic acid (4-Cl-IAA) and its esters were synthesized from 2-chloro-6-nitrotoluene as the starting material. The biological activities of 4-CI-IAA and its esters were determined by four bioassays. Except for the tert-butyl ester, 4-Cl-IAA and its esters had stronger elongation activity toward Avena coleoptiles than had indole-3-acetic acid. The biological activities of the methyl, ethyl and allyl esters were as strong as the activity of the free acid. All the esters, except for the tert-butyl, inhibited Chinese cabbage hypocotyl growth more than the free acid did, and all the esters induced severe swelling and formation of numerous lateral roots in black gram seedlings even at a low concentration. Furthermore, adventitious root formation was strongly promoted in Serissa japonica cuttings by all the esters. The root formation-promoting activities of the ethyl and allyl esters were about three times the value for indole-3-butyric acid which is used to promote and accelerate root formation in plant cuttings.     

Long-chain fatty acid esters of 3α-hydroxy-lup-20(29)-ene-23,28-dioic acid and other triterpenoid constituents from the bark of Schefflera octophylla

From the bark of Schefflera octophylla was isolated a series of triterpene fatty acid esters with the carbon numbers 16–21 and 23–29 in the fatty acid part. Oleanolic acid and 3α-hydroxy-lup-20(29)-ene-23,28-dioic acid were also identified.     

Hydroxycinnamic acid esters enhance peroxidase-dependent oxidation of 3, 4-dihydroxyphenylalanine. differences in the enhancement among the esters

Horseradish peroxidase (HRP)-dependent oxidation of 3, 4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (dopa) was studied to elucidate the mechanism of its oxidation. The oxidation of dopa was enhanced by hydroxycinnamic acid esters and dopa supressed HRP-dependent oxidation of the esters. These results indicate that phenoxyl radicals of hydroxycinnamic acid esters that are formed at first, can oxidize dopa. Among hydroxycinnamic acid esters used, affinity of the phenoxyl radicals for dopa was in order 4-coumaric>caffeic>ferulic acid ester radicals.     

Absorption of eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid from fish oil triacylglycerols or fish oil ethyl esters co-ingested with a high-fat meal

The absorption of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) from fish oil triacylglycerols and fish oil ethyl esters consumed in a high-fat meal (44 g total fat) by male volunteers was measured and compared to values previously reported for consumption in a low-fat meal (8 g total fat). Absorption of EPA, but not of DHA, from fish oil triacylglycerols was significantly improved from 69% to 90% by co-ingestion with the high-fat meal. Absorption of both EPA and DHA from fish oil ethyl esters was increased three-fold, to about 60%, by co-ingestion with the high-fat meal, indicating that absorption of fatty acid ethyl esters is highly dependent on the amount of co-ingested fat.