New diprenylated dihyrochalcones from leaves of Artocarpus elasticus

Two new diprenylated dihydrochalcones, elastichalcone A 1 and elastichalcone B 2 and three known compounds were isolated from the leaves of Artocarpus elasticus. Their structures were determined by various spectroscopic techniques (UV, IR, MS, 1D-NMR and 2D-NMR). Elastichalcone B 2 and a known compound exhibited good free radical scavenging activity with IC₅₀ values of 11.30 and 11.89 μg/ml, respectively.     

Microbial transformations of flavanone by Aspergillus niger and Penicillium chermesinum cultures

As a result of biotransformation of flavanone (1) by the strain Aspergillus niger MB (being the UV mutant) and by the wild strain Penicillium chermesinum 113 the products of hydroxylation at C-6 (2) and C-4′ (5) were obtained. Additionally, three dihydrochalcones with hydroxyl groups at C-2′ (4), C-2′ and C-5′ (3) and C-2′ and C-4 (6) were formed.     

New prenylated dihydrochalcones from the leaves of Artocarpus elasticus

The leaves of Artocarpus elasticus collected in Thailand were investigated for chemical constituents. Four new prenylated dihydrochalcones named elastichalcones C, D, E, F (1, 3, 5, 6) together with elastichalcone B (2) and artocarpanone (4) were isolated. Their structures were determined from analysis of spectroscopic data. Elastichalcone C (1) exhibited good antibacterial activity and cytotoxicity.     

New unsaturated fatty acid and other chemical constituents from the roots of Cola rostrata K. Schum. (Malvaceae)

Phytochemical investigation of the roots of Cola rostrata K. Schum. led to the isolation of a new unsaturated fatty acid, named rostratanic acid (1), together with fourteen known compounds, lignoceric acid, friedelan (7), friedelanone (8), bauerenol (3), lupeol (4), herranone (9), acotatarone A (11), betulinic acid (6), betulin (5), nonanedioc acid (2), arjunolic acid (10) stigmasterol, β−sitosterol, and β−sitosterol-3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside. The structure of the new compound as well as those of the known compounds were established by means of spectroscopic methods: NMR analysis (¹H and ¹³C NMR, ¹H–¹H–COSY, HSQC and HMBC) and high-resolution mass spectrometry (HR-ESI-MS), and by comparison with previously reported data. Two of those known compounds were modified chemically to afford three new derivatives. All those compounds were tested for their cytotoxic activity against the human cervix carcinoma KB-3-1 cells and their antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli, Salmonella enterica, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus. Although the crude extract gave weak antibacterial activity, none of the isolated compounds showed antibacterial activity, and, only the prenylated derivative showed weak cytotoxicity. In addition, the chemotaxonomic significance of the species Cola rostrata is discussed.     

Bioactive styryllactones,two new naphthoquinones and one new styryllactone,and other constituents from Goniothalamus scortechinii

Two new naphthoquinones, goniothalaminone A (1) and B (2), and a new styryllactone, (?)-8-epi-9-deoxygoniopypyrone acetate (12) together with one known naphthoquinone (3), one known indolequinone (4), one known 1-azaanthraquinone (5), six known styryllactones (6–11) and one known sesquiterpene (13) were isolated from the roots and leaves of Goniothalamus scortechinii. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic analysis and of the known compounds by comparison of their physical, UV, IR, ¹H and ¹³C NMR data with those of published compounds. Antiplasmodial, antimycobacterial and cytotoxic activities of the styryllactones were evaluated. Compounds 6–10 exhibited cytotoxic against human cancer cell lines, KB, BC and NCI-H187 with IC₅₀ values ranging from 0.13 to 11.7 μg/ml.     

A new sesquiterpenoid from Sclerorhachis platyrachis (Boiss.) Podlech ex Rech.f

A new eudesmane-type sesquiterpenoid together with two known flavonoids were isolated from the chloroform extract of the aerial part of Sclerorhachis platyrachis. The structure of the new compound was deduced from its comprehensive spectroscopic analysis including IR, EI-MS, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, DEPT, COSY, HMBC and HMQC and was shown to be 4R^*-hydroxy-6S^*-tigloyloxyeudesma-7S^*-11 (13)-en-12-oic acid (1). Finally, the structure of the new compound was unambiguously confirmed by single-crystal X-ray analysis. The structure of known compounds 2 and 3 were identified by comparison of their spectral data with those reported in the literature.     

New phenolic glycosides isolated from Penthorum chinense Pursh

A phytochemical investigation from 80% ethanol extract of Penthorum chinense Pursh (Saxifragaceae) resulted in the isolation of three new phenolic glycosides (1–3), together with three known phenolic glycosides (4–6). The structures of the new compounds were deduced from their comprehensive spectroscopic analysis including IR, HR-EI-MS, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, DEPT, COSY, HMBC and HMQC. And the structures of known compounds 4–6 were identified by comparison of their spectral data with those reported in the literature.     

Isoprenylated flavonoids from the roots of Sophora tonkinensis

Two new isoprenylated flavanones, tonkinochromanes J (1) and K (2), and a new isoprenylated dihydrochalcone, tonkinochromane L (3), were isolated from the roots of Sophora tonkinensis along with four known compounds (4-7). Their structures were determined by means of spectroscopic analyses, including HRMS, IR, ¹H and ¹³C NMR and 2D experiments (COSY, HSQC, and HMBC), and comparison with known related compounds.     

Ecdysteroids from the flowers of Aerva javanica

Four new ecdysteroids (1–4), along with three known steroids, β-ecdysone (5), 5-β-2-deoxyintegristerone A (6) and 24-epi-makisterone A (7) (Fig. 1), were isolated from the methanolic extract of the flowers of Aerva javanica by using normal and reverse phase chromatography. The structures of the new compounds (1–4) were determined due to 1D (¹H and ¹³C), 2D NMR (HSQC, HMBC, COSY, NOESY) techniques and high resolution mass spectrometry (HREIMS). The known compounds (5–7) were characterized based on the 1D NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry and by comparison with the literature values. All isolates were evaluated for their inhibitory activities against enzymes acetylcholinesterase (AChE), butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) and lipoxygenase (LOX).     

A new triterpenic diester from the aerial parts of Chrysanthemum macrocarpum

A new triterpenic diester, 3,21-dipalmitoyloxy-16β,21α-dihydroxy-β-amyrine (1), along with two natural cyclitols, conduritol C (2) and viburnitol (3), four known triterpenes (4–7), and seven known flavonoids (8–14) were isolated from the aerial parts of Chrysanthemum macrocarpum. Their structures were established on the basis of extensive 1D and 2D NMR (¹H, ¹³C, COSY, HMBC, HSQC, and ROESY) and ESIMS studies. The chloroform fraction, taraxasterol (4) and β-sitosterol (7) were investigated for their antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae. The chloroform fraction and taraxasterol (4) showed a weak antibacterial activity and were evaluated for their cytotoxic activity against human colon cancer HT-29 cells and human prostate carcinoma PC3 cells. The results indicated that both the chloroform fraction and taraxasterol (4) inhibited cell proliferation of both PC3 and HT-29 cells.     

Isolation of two new phenolic compounds from the fruit of Chaenomeles speciosa (Sweet) Nakai

Phytochemical research on the anti-inflammatory activities of Chaenomeles speciosa (Sweet) Nakai (Rosaceae) to investigate the main components of 10% ethanol fraction of the crude extract of C. speciosa fruit in an attempt to find bioactive compounds or new compounds from this medicinal plant. The phytochemical investigation succeeded in isolating two new phenolic compounds, specpolyphenol A (1) and specphenoside A (2), together with three known phenyl glycosides (3–5) from the fraction. The structures of the new compounds were deduced from comprehensive spectroscopic analyses including IR, EI-MS, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, DEPT, COSY, HMBC and HMQC. The structures of the three known compounds 3, 4 and 5 were identified by comparison of their spectral data with those reported in the literature.     

Meroterpenes isolated from the endophytic fungus Guignardia mangiferae

Two new guignardones and one tricycloalternarene derivatives, named guignardone D, E (2–3) and tricycloalternarene F (4), and the known guignardone A (1) were isolated from Guignardia mangiferae, an endophytic fungus from the leaves of Viguiera arenaria (Asteraceae), after fermentation in Czapek medium. Structures were established on the basis of their spectroscopic data, including ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, HMQC, HMBC and HRESI-MS.     

Brevistylumsides A and B,diterpene glycosides from Illicium brevistylum

A phytochemical investigation of 80% ethanol extract of Illicium brevistylum (Illiciaceae) resulted in the isolation of two new diterpene glycosides (1 and 2), together with three known diterpenes (3–5). The structures of the new compounds were deduced on the basis of comprehensive spectroscopic analysis including IR, HR-ESI–MS, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, DEPT, COSY, HMBC and HSQC. The structures of known compounds 3–5 were identified by comparison of their spectral data with those reported in the literature.     

Neo-clerodane diterpenes from Ajuga turkestanica

The ethyl acetate extract of the aerial parts of Ajuga turkestanica afforded 6 neo-clerodane diterpenes, including two novel compounds, 14,15-dihydroajugachin B (1) and 14-hydro-15-methoxyajugachin B (2), in addition to the known diterpenoids chamaepitin (3), ajugachin B (4), ajugapitin (5) and lupulin A (6). Structures were established through exhaustive NMR spectroscopic analysis and chemical transformation in the case of 1. The full ¹H and ¹³C NMR assignment of the C-15 R and S configurations of 14-hydro-15-methoxyajugachin B and chamaepitin were elucidated.     

Two new pyrrole derivatives isolated from Salacia amplifolia Merr

Two new pyrrole derivatives Salaciamole (1), Salaciaglycoside A (2), long with one known compound 1H-pyrrole-3-carboxylic acid (3) were isolated from the roots of Salacia amplifolia Merr (Hippocrateaceae). The structures of the new compounds were deduced from their comprehensive spectroscopic analysis including IR, HR-EI-MS, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, DEPT, COSY, HMBC and HMQC. And the structure of the known compound was identified by comparison of their spectral data with those reported in the literature.     

Three new compounds isolated from the bulbs of Fritillaria pallidiflora Schrenk and their anti-inflammatory activity

Three new compounds, 17β-cevanin-6-oxo-5α,20β-diol yibeinine (1), 2-(tetrahydro-5-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-2H-pyran-3-yl) phenol (2), 1,3-O-diferuloyl-2-methoxypropane diol (3), as well as four known compounds (4–7), have been isolated from the ethanol extract of dried bulbs of Fritillaria pallidiflora Schrenk. All structures were determined based on their spectroscopic data (1D and 2D NMR (including ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, ¹H-¹H COSY, HMBC, HSQC, HSQC-TOCSY, and NOESY experiments), and MS). Biological evaluation showed that compounds 1–4 inhibited the production of nitric oxide (NO) in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells with IC₅₀ values of 18.0, 38.7, 29.5, and 47.1 μM, respectively. These results indicated that compound 1 has potential anti-inflammatory activity.     

Flavonoid glycosides and triterpenoids from Atractylis flava

Two new flavonoid glycosides, together with twelve known compounds including seven flavonoids and five triterpenoids were isolated from the whole plant Atractylis flava Desf. The structures of new compounds have been elucidated as 6-hydroxykaempferol 6-methyl ether 7-O-β-glucopyranuronoside (1) and isorhamnetin 3-O-[(6″′-O-E-feruloyl)-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 2)]-β-d-galactopyranoside (2) named Atraflavoside A and B successively, on the basis of physical and spectroscopic analysis, including 1D and 2D NMR (¹H, ¹³C, COSY, TOCSY, HSQC, HMBC and NOESY) and mass spectrometry (HRESIMS) whereas those of the known compounds (3–14) were established by spectral comparison with those published in the literature.     

New constituents from the dried fruit of Piper nigrum Linn., and their larvicidal potential against the Dengue vector mosquito Aedes aegypti

Six bioactive compounds were isolated from the seeds extract of Piper nigrum Linn. following a larvicidal activity guided isolation against 4th instar larvae of Aedes aegypti L., a Dengue vector mosquito and a carrier of yellow fever. Their structures were elucidated using spectroscopic methods including HR-EI-MS, FAB-MS, ¹H and ¹³C NMR (Broad Bond Decoupled, & DEPT), and 2D-NMR techniques (¹H–¹H COSY, NOESY, HMQC, HMBC, & 2D-J-resolved). These include three new constituents namely pipilyasine (1), pipzubedine (2) and pipyaqubine (3), and three known constituents pellitorine (4), pipericine (5) and piperine (6). The larvicidal activity was determined by WHO method.     

Secondary metabolites from Spiranthes sinensis (Orchidaceae)

One new flavonol glycoside (1) and nine known compounds (2–10) were obtained from the n-BuOH soluble fraction of the whole plants of Spiranthes sinensis. The structure of compound 1 was elucidated based on the combination of spectroscopic (¹H-NMR, ¹³C-NMR, HSQC, and HMBC as well as HR-ESI-MS) and chemical methods. The occurrences of eight compounds (2-9) in this genus were firstly reported while five of them (2–6) were obtained from Orchidaceae for the first time. Furthermore, the chemotaxonomic significance of these compounds was discussed.     

Chevalierinoside B and C: Two new isoflavonoid glycosides from the stem bark of Antidesma laciniatum Muell. Arg (syn. Antidesma chevalieri Beille)

Chevalierinosides B (1) and C (2), two new isoflavonoid glycosides, characterized as biochanin A 7-O-[β-d-apiofuranosyl-(1→2)-β-d-glucopyranoside] and genistein 7-O-[β-d-apiofuranosyl-(1→2)-β-d-glucopyranoside], together with the known isoflavonoids, chevalierinoside A (3) and genistein 7-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (4), kaempferol 3-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (5) and triterpenes, friedelin (6), betulinic acid (7), 30-oxobetulinic acid (8), 30-hydroxybetulinic acid (9), were isolated from the stem bark of Antidesma laciniatum Muell. Arg. (syn. Antidesma chevalieri Beille). Their structures were established by direct interpretation of their spectral data, mainly HR-TOFESIMS, 1D-NMR (¹H, ¹³C and DEPT) and 2D-NMR (COSY, NOESY, TOCSY, HSQC and HMBC), and by comparison with the literature.