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.     

Lactones,flavonoids and benzophenones from Garcinia conrauana and Garcinia mannii

Two novel lactones have been isolated from the stem barks of Garcinia conrauana and G. mannii. The major component of the bark of G. conrauana was identified as 3-(3$\text{,}\text{?}$ 3″-dimethylallyl)-conrauanalactone [4-hydroxy-3-(3″, 3″-dimethylallyl)-6-pentadecylpyran- 2-one] by comparison of spectral data of the isolated compound and two methylethers with that obtained for the previously isolated conrauanalactone. A minor component of the bark of G. mannii was tentatively identified as 3-α-hydroxy-5-(heptadec-8′-enyl)-tetrahydro- furan-2-one on the basis of spectral data from the isolated compound and its monoacetate. The distributions of biflavonoids and related compounds and benzophenones in the stem bark, heartwood, seeds and leaves of the two species are reported.     

Manniflavanone,a new 3,8-linked flavanone dimer from the stem bark of Garcinia mannii

A new biflavanone has been isolated from the stem bark of Garcinia mannii (Guttiferae) and identified as I-3′-II-3,3′-I-4′-II-4′-I-5-II-5-I-7-II-7-nonahydroxy-I-3-II-8-biflavanone. Structural assignments for this compound, which has been named manniflavanone, were made on the basis of spectral studies and simple degradation. The complex xanthone derivative xanthochymol has also been isolated.     

Phenolic dimers and an indole alkaloid from Campylospermum flavum (Ochnaceae)

From the leaves and stem bark of Campylospermum flavum (Ochnaceae), three compounds, namely 4?-O-methylagathisflavone, flavumchalcone, and flavumindole have been isolated together with 10 known compounds, including three flavonoids, two biflavonoids, two alkaloids, two nitrile glucosides, and glucopyranosyl-β-sistosterol. The structures of these compounds and their relative configurations were established by 1D and 2D NMR experiments. The methanolic crude extracts of leaves and stem bark of C. flavum and compounds displayed a significant cytotoxicity towards Artemia salina larvae.     

Antiplasmodial and other constituents from four Indonesian Garcinia spp.

Phytochemical investigations of four Garcinia spp. from Indonesia, i.e. Garcinia griffithii T. Anderson, Garcinia celebica L., Garcinia cornea L. and Garcinia cymosa K. Schum (Clusiaceae), have resulted in the isolation of a xanthone, 1,5-dihydroxy-3,6-dimethoxy-2,7-diprenylxanthone, 1,7-dihydroxyxanthone, isoxanthochymol, β-sitosterol-3-O-β-d-glucoside and stigmasterol-3-O-β-d-glucoside from the stem bark of G. griffithii; friedelin and 3β-hydroxy-23-oxo-9,16-lanostadien-26-oic acid or garcihombronane D from leaves of G. celebica; 23-hydroxy-3-oxo-cycloart-24-en-26-oic acid and epicatechin from stem bark of G. cornea; (±)-morelloflavone, morelloflavone-7-O-β-d-glucoside or fukugiside, the triterpene 3β-hydroxy-5-glutinen-28-oic acid and canophyllol from stem bark of G. cymosa. The xanthone and garcihombronane D displayed a selective activity against Plasmodium falciparum; isoxanthochymol and the triterpene β-hydroxy-5-glutinen-28-oic acid a broad but non-selective antiprotozoal activity.     

Comparative analysis of volatiles from Drimys brasiliensis Miers and D. angustifolia Miers (Winteraceae) from Southern Brazil

The essential oils obtained from Southern Brazilian native Drimys brasiliensis Miers and Drimys angustifolia Miers were analyzed by GC and GC/MS. The oils from leaves of both species showed predominance of monoterpenoids, while the oils from stem barks were characterized by sesquiterpenoids. Bicyclogermacrene (20.0% in leaves and 25.4% in stem bark) and drimenol (1.4% in leaves and 26.2% in stem bark) were the most abundant in D. angustifolia, and cyclocolorenone (from 16.0% to 32.3% in fresh and dried leaves and almost 50% in stem bark) in D. brasiliensis. The oil from fruits of D. brasiliensis was also analyzed and presented 31.0% of cyclocolorenone. The predominance of this unusual aromadendrane-type sesquiterpene in D. brasiliensis essential oils could be used as a chemosystematic marker.     

Biflavonoids from Ochna lanceolata

Two new biflavonoids, 7,4′,7″,4‴-tetramethylisochamaejasmin (1) and 2,3-dihydroochnaflavone 7″-O-methyl ether (2), together with six known flavonoids (3–8) were isolated from the stem bark of Ochna lanceolata. Their structures were established on the basis of spectral studies.     

Sapogenins from Guaiacum officinale

Acid hydrolysis of the saponins from the stem bark of Guaiacum officinale yielded the new sapogenin 3β,20η-dihydroxy-30-norolean-12-en-28-oic acid and the artifacts 3β-hydroxy-30-norolean-12,19-dien-28-oic acid and its methyl ester. Larreagenin, sitosterol and oleanolic acid were also isolated.     

Xanthones and C-glucosylflavones from Gentiana corymbifera

A new xanthone and twelve known compounds were isolated from the aerial parts of Gentiana corymbifera. The new xanthone was shown to be 3-methylcorymbiferin (1,8-dihydroxy-3,4,5-trimethoxy-9H-xanthen-9-one) by spectral and chemical procedures. The chemotaxonomic implications are discussed.     

The in vitro and in vivo apoptotic effects of Mahonia oiwakensis on human lung cancer cells

Both the root and stem bark of Mahonia species were popular folk medicines. The plant has several proven biological activities including anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-inflammatory effects. However, Mahonia has not been studied for its anticancer effects. In the present study, we made extracts from Mahonia oiwakensis (MOE), a selected species in Taiwan, and investigated their effects on various human lung cells. We found that MOE-induced apoptotic death in human A549 non-small-cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Treatment with the extracts also caused an increase in the sub-G1 fraction of cells, chromosome condensation, and DNA fragmentation. The mitochondrial-mediated pathway was implicated in this MOE-induced apoptosis as evidenced by the activation of the caspase cascade, cleavage of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), disruption of mitochondrial membrane potential, and release of cytochrome C. A higher ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 proteins and cleavage of Bid were also observed in MOE-induced cell apoptosis. In A549 tumor-xenografted nude mice, MOE also retarded in vivo proliferation (P < 0.05) and induced apoptosis in tumor cells, as shown by a decrease in Ki-67-positive staining (P < 0.05) and increased transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL)-positive staining (P < 0.05). In conclusion, MOE inhibits the growth of human lung cancer cells in vitro and in vivo, suggesting that it may have therapeutic potential against human lung cancer.     

Alkaloids of Rauwolfia cumminsii stem

24 indole alkaloids were isolated from the stem bark of Rauwolfia cumminsii and 21 identified. The alkaloids comprised E-seco, sarpagan, dihydroindole, yohimbine, heteroyohimbine, 18-hydroxyyohimbine ester and anhydronium types together with peraksine and deacetylpicraline. The probable biosynthesis of the alkaloids is discussed.     

Iridoid and other constituents of Canthium subcordatum

The main constituent of the stem bark of Canthium subcordatum was found to be shanzhiside methyl ester, an iridoid recently described for two Mussaenda species; it is accompanied by the new iridoid shanzhisin methyl ester gentiobioside. No alkaloids were detected.     

Stem alkaloids of Rauwolfia vomitoria

22 indole alkaloids were isolated from the stem bark of Nigerian Rauwolfia vomitoria and 20 characterized. The alkaloids comprised E-seco heteroyohimbine, sarpagan, dihydroindole, yohimbine and heteroyohimbine types. The biosynthetic relationship of the alkaloids is discussed.     

Dehydroisostrychnobiline,matopensine and other alkaloids from Strychnos kasengaensis

Eighteen alkaloids have been identified in the root bark, stem bark and leaves of Strychnos kasengaensis from Zaire, They are isoretulinal, retuline, desacetyl isoretuline, desacetyl retuline, dehydroisostrychnobiline, matopensine and its mono-N-oxide, nordihydrotoxiferine, isoretuline, N(1)-desacetyl 18-acetoxyisoretuline, Wieland-Gumlich aldehyde and diol, desacetyl isoretulinal, O-acetyl retuline, 16R-isositsirikine, O-acetyl isoretuline, 11-methoxy retuline and 11-methoxy isoretuline.     

Antibacterial endiandric acid derivatives from Beilschmiedia anacardioides

Three endiandric acid derivatives, beilschmiedic acids A, B and C were isolated from the stem bark of Beilschmiedia anacardioides together with the known β-sitosterol. Their structures were established by means of modern spectroscopic techniques. The relative configuration of compound 1 was determined by single crystal X-ray analysis. The antibacterial activities of compounds A,B,C were evaluated in vitro against five strains of microbes. Compound C showed strong activity against Bacillus subtilis, Micrococcus luteus and Streptococcus faecalis (MICs below 23 μM). This Compound was more active than the reference antibiotic ampicillin against B. subtilis and M. luteus.     

Biflavonoid constituents of Campylospermum mannii

Air dried leaves and stem bark of Campylospermum mannii used in the south of Cameroon by the Baka pigmies to remedy heart and stomach disorders have been examined for their photochemical content. Three biflavonoid, amentoflavone, robustaflavone and chamaejasmin were characterized alongside with two new biflavonoids, campylospermones A and B. The structures of isolated compounds were established from complete analysis of their spectroscopic data (MS, IR, ¹H and ¹³C NMR). These results place the Ochnaceae family among the sources of the rare class of 5-deoxyflavonoids.     

Naphthoquinones and triterpenes from some asian Diospyros species

Investigation of the stem bark, wood and/or fruit of nine Asian Diospyros spp. (Ebenaceae) has revealed a range of triterpenes and naphthoquinones     

Occurrence of N-cyano alkaloids in asian Strychnos species

The isolation of N-cyano-sec.-pseudostrychnine and N-cyano-sec.-pseudobrucine from the leaves of Strychnos wallichiana Steud. ex. DC. is reported. N-Cyano-sec.-pseudostrychnine and a N-cyano-sec.-pseudo-colubrine have been found among the alkaloids obtained from the stem bark of S. ignatii Berg.     

Secoiridoid and triterpenic acids from the stems of Nauclea diderrichii

The stem bark of Nauclea diderrichii has yielded diderroside, a new secoiridoid glucoside, as well as quinovic acid, 3-oxoquinovic acid and 3-O-glucosylquinovic acid. The hydrocarbon fraction was dominated by n-heptacosane and n-nonacosane, which accords with the predominance of n-octacosanoic acid in the alkanoic acid fraction.     

Additional alkaloids from Laurelia philippiana and L. novae-zelandiae

Asimilobine, anonaine, noreorydine, nornantenine, (+)-reticuline and the new alkaloid, 4-hydroxyanonaine, were isolated from Laurelia philippiana bark. The biogenetically related obovanine, oxoputerine and (?)-romneine, not known as a natural product, were obtained from the bark of L. novae-zelandiae. The occurrence of (R)-norlaudanosoline-derived alkaloids in L. novae-zelandiae is a distinctive feature of this tree. Neither L. novae-zelandiae nor L. philippiana accumulate dimeric benzylisoquinoline alkaloids to any appreciable extent in the trunk bark, differing in this respect from L. sempervirens, the only other Laurelia species.