Dilignol glycosides from needles of Picea abies

(2R,3R)-2 3-Dihydro-2-(4′-hydroxy-3′-methoxyphenyl)-3-(hydroxymethyl)-7-methoxy-5-benzofuranpropanol 4′-O-β-d-glucopyranoside [dihydrodehydrodiconiferyl alcohol glucoside], (2R,3R)-2 3-dihydro-7-hydroxy-2-(4′-hydroxy-3′-methoxyphenyl)-3-(hydroxymethyl)-5-benzofuranpropanol 4′-O-β-d-glucopyranoside and 4′-O-α-l-rhamnopyranoside, 1-(4′-hydroxy-3′-methoxyphenyl)-2- [2″-hydroxy-4″-(3-hydroxypropyl)phenoxy]-1, 3-propanediol 1-O-β-d-glucopyranoside and 4′-O-β-d-xylopyranoside, 2,3-bis[(4′-hydroxy-3′-methoxyphenyl)-methyl]-1,4-butanediol 1-O-β-d-glucopyranoside [(?)-seco-isolariciresinol glucoside] and (1R,2S,3S)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-7-hydroxy-1-(4′-hydroxy-3′-methoxyphenyl)-6-methoxy-2 3-naphthalenedimethanol α²-O-β-d-xylopyranoside [(?)-isolariciresinol xyloside] have been isolated from needles of Picea abies and identified.     

Flavans and other chemical constituents of Crinum biflorum (Amaryllidaceae)

The ethyl acetate extract from the whole plant of Crinum biflorum Rottb. Showed a moderate activity against Enterococcus faecalis. Its phytochemical investigation led to the isolation of a new flavan-3-ol derivative namely (2R,3R)-3-hydroxy-7-methoxy-3′,4′-methylenedioxyflavan, together with (2S)-7-hydroxy-3′,4′-methylenedioxyflavan, (2R,3R)-7-methoxy-flavan-3-ol, (2S)-7-hydroxy-3′,4′-dimethoxyflavan, 3′,7-dihydroxy-4′-methoxyflavan, 4′,7-dimethoxy-3′-hydroxyflavan, farrerol, β-sitosterol, β-sitosterol-3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside, oleanolic acid, kaempferol, pancratistatin, lupeol, aurantiamide acetate, Narciprimine and 2,3-dihydroxypropyl palmitate. Their structures were elucidated mainly by extensive spectroscopic analysis and comparison with published data. The absolute configuration of the new metabolite was determined by electronic circular dichroism (ECD) analysis and comparison of optical rotation. Some of the isolated compounds were tested for their antimicrobial activity but no inhibition was observed.     

Three new jacaranone derivatives from the aerial parts of Senecio chrysanoides DC. with their cytotoxic activity

Three new jacaranone derivatives, namely, (1R)-ethyl 1-hydroxy-4-oxo-2-cyclohexenylacetate (1), (1R, 6S)-ethyl 6-ethoxy-1-hydroxy-4-oxo-2-cyclohexenylacetate (2) and (1R, 6R)-ethyl 6-ethoxy-1-hydroxy-4-oxo-2-cyclohexenylacetate (3), along with a known jacaranone derivative, ethyl 1-hydroxy-4-oxocyclohexylacetate (4) were isolated from the aerial parts of Senecio chrysanoides DC.. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, optical rotation calculations and CD analyses. All the isolated compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxicity against three human cancer cell lines in vitro. Compound 2 exhibited moderate inhibitory effects against these cancer cell lines.     

Effects of Trialkyltin Chlorides on Escherichia coli Spheroplasts

Valsa ceratosperma, which is the pathogenic fungus of apple canker, was grown in a synthetic medium. The neutral extract from the culture filtrate was chromatographed on a silica gel column to give five isocoumarins. Their structures were determined by MS, UV, IR, ¹H and ¹³C NMR, and CD spectra. Three of them were known compounds; ( ? )-5-methylmellein (1), ( ? )-5-carboxylmellein (2) and ( ? )-5-hydroxylmethylmellein (3). Since the absolute configurations at C-3 in 2 and 3 were not known until now, both were determined to be R by chemical correlations. The two were new compounds; ( + )-(3R,4S)-trans-4-hydroxy-5-methylmellein (4) and ( ? )-(3R,4R)-cis-4-hydroxy-5-methylmellein (5). All the five compounds showed phytotoxicity in a bioassay using detached apple shoots and lettuce seedlings.     

Neoflavonoids and the cinnamylphenol kuhlmannistyrene from Machaerium kuhlmannii and M. Nictitans

The trunkwood of Machaerium kuhlmannii contains methyl palmitate, 3-O-acetyloleanolic acid and sitosterol; the benzene derivatives 2,3-dimethoxyphenol, 2,6-dimethoxyphenol, 2-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenol, 2,3-dimethoxybenzaldehyde and methyl 3-(2-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-propionate; the isoflavonoids formononetin and (6aS,11aS)-medicarpin; the neoflavonoids (R)-3,4-dimethoxydalbergione, (R)-3,4-dimethoxydalbergiquinol, kuhlmanniquinol [(R)-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-3-(5-hydroxy-2,3,4-trimethoxyphenyl)-propene], dalbergin, kuhlmannin (6-hydroxy-7,8-dimethoxy-4-phenylcoumarin) and kuhlmannene (6-hydroxy-7,8-dimethoxy-4-phenylchrom-3-ene), as well as the cinnamylphenol kuhlmannistyrene [Z-1-(5-hydroxy-2,3,4-trimethoxybenzyl)-2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-ethylene]. Five of these compounds, in addition to (R)-4′-hydroxy-3,4-dimethoxydalbergione, were also isolated from a trunkwood extract of M. nictitans. Structural assignments were confirmed by chemical interconversion and by the synthesis of (±)-kuhlmanniquinol.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of novel homochiral carbocyclic nucleosides from 1-amino-2-indanols

New chiral purinyl and 8-azapurinyl carbanucleoside derivatives based on indanol were synthesized from commercial available (1S,2S)-trans-1-amino-2-indanol and (1R,2R)-trans-1-amino-2-indanol using a linear methodology. The antiviral activity and cytotoxicity of these compounds were evaluated against herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) in Vero cells, bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) in Mardin-Darby bovine kidney (MDBK) cells and hepatitis B virus (HBV) in HepG2 2.2.15 cell line. Three compounds, showed an inhibition of the HBsAg levels similar to reference drug lamivudine. One chloropurinyl nucleoside, derived from the cis-1-amino-2-indanol, was cytotoxic on MDBK cells and it could be a lead for developing anticancer agents.     

Chromone acyl glucosides and an ayanin glucoside from Dasiphora parvifolia

Two new chromone acyl glucosides, 5-hydroxy-7-O-(6-O-p-cis-coumaroyl-β-D-glucopyranosyl)-chromone (1) and 5-hydroxy-7-O-(6-O-p-trans-coumaroyl-β-D-glucopyranosyl)-chromone (2), and a new flavonoid glucoside, ayanin 3′-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (3) were isolated from aerial parts of Dasiphora parvifolia, together with flavonoid glycosides (4–10), catechins (11, 12), and hydrolysable tannins (13, 14). The chemical structures of these compounds were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic data. The 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity and the hyaluronidase inhibitory activity of these compounds were evaluated.     

Two new steroidal alkaloids from the mature fruits of Solanum nigrum

Two previously undescribed steroidal alkaloids, compounds 1–2, were isolated from the ripe fruits of Solanum nigrum, along with seven known metabolites (3–9). Based on spectroscopic and chemical evidence, including IR, NMR, and HR-ESI-MS analyses, the structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated as 12β-hydroxy-(3β,22α,25R)-spirosol-5-en-27-acid-3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→3)]-β-D-galacopyranoside and 12β-hydroxy-(3β,22α,25R)-spirosol-5-en-27-acid-3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-[α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→4)]-β-D-glucopyranoside. Four steroidal alkaloids (compounds 1–2 and 4–5) were tested for their anti-proliferative effects against the HT-29, A549, and Lewis cell lines. Both of the previously isolated compounds inhibited the proliferation of these three cell lines in a dose-dependent manner, with the most significant effect being in the A549 cells, but neither reached IC₅₀ at 50 μM. These results revealed that S. nigrum had weak cytotoxicity, indicating its clinical safety as a traditional anti-tumor herbal medicine.     

New guaiane sesquiterpenes from Artemisia rupestris and their inhibitory effects on nitric oxide production

Phytochemical investigation of the ethanol extract of the aerial parts of Artemisia rupestris resulted in the isolation of three new guaiane sesquiterpenes, (1R,7R,10S)-1-hydroxy-3-oxoguaia-4,11(13)-dien-12-oic acid (1), (1R,7R,10S)-10-hydroxy-3-oxoguaia-4,11(13)-dien-12-oic acid (2), pechueloic acid 12-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (3), together with 12 known compounds (4–15). The structures of these new compounds were established on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis and electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculation. All isolates were evaluated for their in vitro inhibitory effects on nitric oxide (NO) production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages cells, and the structure–activity relationships were also discussed.     

Substituted 16α,17α-cyclohexanopregnanes: the anionic oxy-Cope rearrangement of 3β-<Emphasis Type="Italic">tert</Emphasis>-butyldimethylsilyloxy-19-hydroxy-19-vinyl-16α,17α-cyclohexapregn-5-en-20-one

(19R)-and (19S)-tert-Butyldimethylsilyl (TBS) ethers of 19-hydroxy-19-vinyl-16α,17α-cyclohexanopregn-5-en-20-ones were synthesized. These compounds containing the 1,5-oxydienoic motif were subjectedto the anionic oxy-Cope rearrangement to obtain 3β-TBS ether of 6β-(3-oxopropyl)-16α,17α-cyclohexano-19-norpregn-5(10)-en-20-one. The structures of the compounds synthesized were confirmed by the analysis of their ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectra.     

Sesquiterpenes and diterpenes from Ambrosia arborescens

Six compounds, eudesm-11(13)-en-4β,9β-diol, 15R,16-dihydroxy-3-oxoisopimar-9(11)-ene, 15S,16-dihydroxy-3-oxoisopimar-9(11)-ene, 1α-hydroxy-7-oxo-iso-anhydrooplopanone, 10α-hydroxy-11,13-dihydro-5-epi-psilostachyin, and 4β-hydroxypseudoguaian-12,6-olide 4-O-β-d-glucopyranoside, together with 12 known sesquiterpenes, were isolated from the leaves of Ambrosia arborescens. Structures were elucidated by 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy including 1D-TOCSY, DQF-COSY, 2D-ROESY, HSQC, and HMBC experiments, as well as by ESI mass spectrometry. The absolute configuration of the 15,16-diol moiety in 15R,16-dihydroxy-3-oxoisopimar-9(11)-ene and 15S,16-dihydroxy-3-oxoisopimar-9(11)-ene was determined using Snatzke’s method. All compounds were evaluated for antiproliferative activity.     

Withanolides from Withania aristata and their cytotoxic activity

Seven new withanolides (1-7), along with three known ones (8-10), were isolated from the leaves of Withania aristata. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analysis, including 2D NMR experiments and spectrometric techniques, and the absolute configuration of 1 and 2 was established by CD analysis. In the search for new cytotoxic compounds from Withania species, the isolated compounds 1-9, along with two derivatives, were assayed for their cytotoxicity against HeLa, MCF-7 and A-549 human tumor cell lines. Derivative (4S,20R,22R)-27-acetoxy-4-p-bromobenzoyloxy-1-oxo-witha-2,5,16,24-tetraenolide (13) showed cytotoxicity against all the cell lines assayed with IC₅₀ values ranging from 2.8 to 3.6 μM, and (4S,20R,22R)-4,27-diacetoxy-4-hydroxy-1-oxo-witha-2,5,16,24-tetraenolide (12) exhibited an IC₅₀ value of 5.4 μM on the MCF-7 cell line.     

(—)-Massoniresinol,a lignan from Pinus massoniana

A new lignan, named (—)-massoniresinol, has been isolated from Pinus massoniana needles. Its structure has been proved to be (2R,3S,4R)-3,4-dihydroxy-2-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-4-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzyl)-3-tetrahydrofuranmethanol by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, mass and CD spectroscopy.     

Linoleate 9R-dioxygenase and allene oxide synthase activities of Aspergillus terreus

Oxygenation of linoleic acid by Aspergillus terreus was studied with LC-MS/MS. 9(R)-Hydroperoxy-10(E),12(Z)-octadecadienoic acid (9R-HpODE) was identified along with 10(R)-hydroxy-8(E),12(Z)-octadecadienoic acid and variable amounts of 8(R)-hydroxy-9(Z),12(Z)-octadecadienoic acid. 9R-HpODE was formed from [11S-²H]18:2n − 6 with loss of the deuterium label, suggesting antarafacial hydrogen abstraction and oxygenation. Two polar metabolites were identified as 9-hydroxy-10-oxo-12(Z)-octadecenoic acid (α-ketol) and 13-hydroxy-10-oxo-11(E)-octadecenoic acid (γ-ketol), likely formed by spontaneous hydrolysis of an unstable allene oxide, 9(R),10-epoxy-10,12(Z)-octadecadienoic acid. α-Linolenic acid and 20:2n − 6 were oxidized to hydroperoxy fatty acids at C-9 and C-11, respectively, but α- and γ-ketols of these fatty acids could not be detected. The genome of A. terreus lacks lipoxygenases, but contains genes homologous to 5,8-linoleate diol synthases and linoleate 10R-dioxygenases of aspergilli. Our results demonstrate that linoleate 9R-dioxygenase linked to allene oxide synthase activities can be expressed in fungi.     

Obtusastyrene and obtustyrene,cinnamylphenols from Dalbergia retusa

The heartwood of Dalbergia retusa contains, in addition to 8-O-methylretusin, (R)-4-methoxydalbergione, (R)-obtusaquinol and (+)-obtusafuran [(2R,3R)-2-phenyl-3-methyl-2,3-dihydro-5-hydroxy-6-methoxybenzofuran], the cinnamylphenols obtusastyrene [E-1-(4-hydroxybenzyl)-2-phenylethylenel, obtustyrene [E-1-(4-hydroxy-2-methoxybenzyl)-2-phenylethylene] and obtusaquinone [styryl-5-hydroxy-2-methoxy-4-quinonemethide]. The structural determination of compounds relied on spectra, degradations and syntheses.     

Concerning the biosynthesis of prostaglandin I2

Two diastereoisomers, 5R,6R-5-hydroxy-6(9α)-oxido-11α,15S-dihydroxyprost-13-enoic acid (7) and 5S,6S-5-hydroxy-6(9α)-oxido-11α,15S-dihydroxyprost-13-enoic acid (10) were synthesized for evaluation as possible biosynthetic intermediates in the enzymatic transformation of PGH₂ or PGG₂ into PGI₂. The synthetic sequence entails the stereospecific reduction of the 9-keto function in PGE₂ methyl ester after protecting the C-11 and C-15 hydroxyls as tbutyldimethylsilyl ethers. The resulting PGF_2α derivative was epoxidized exclusively at the C-5 (6) double bond to yield a mixture of epoxides, which underwent facile rearrangement with SiO₂ to yield the 5S,6S and 5R,6R-5-hydroxy-6(9α)-oxido cyclic ethers. It was found that dog aortic microsomes were unable to transform radioactive 9β-5S,6S[³H] or 9β-5R,6R[³H]-5-hydroxy-6(9α)-oxido cyclic ethers into PGI₂. Also, when either diastereoisomer was included in the incubation mixture, neither isomer diluted the conversion of [1-¹⁴C]arachidonic acid into [1-¹⁴C]PGI₂.     

Isolation of substances with antiproliferative and apoptosis-inducing activities against leukemia cells from the leaves of Zanthoxylum ailanthoides Sieb. & Zucc

Extraction of the leaves of Zanthoxylum ailanthoides Sieb. & Zucc. affords extracts and four isolated compounds which exhibit activities against leukemia cells. The chloroform-soluble fraction (ZAC) of the crude extract of this plant showed cytotoxic activity against human promyelocytic leukemia (HL-60) and myelomonocytic leukemia (WEHI-3) cells with IC₅₀ values of 73.06 and 42.22 μg/mL, respectively. The active ZAC was further separated to yield pheophorbide-a methyl ester (1), pheophorbide-b methyl ester (2), 13²-hydroxyl (13²-S) pheophorbide-a methyl ester (3) and 13²-hydroxyl (13²-R) pheophorbide-b methyl ester (4) whose structures were confirmed by spectroscopic methods. Compounds 2-4 showed cytotoxic activities against both leukemia cells with IC₅₀ value in the range of 46.76-79.43 nM, whereas compound 1 exhibited only weak cytotoxic activity. The extracts and compounds 1-4 also induced apoptosis and DNA damage in leukemia cells after treatment. The results suggested that the Z. ailanthoides is biologically active against leukemia cells.     

Canna indica flower: New source of anthocyanins

In this study the red flowers of Canna indica (Cannaceae) were extracted by using sonicator and isolation of anthocyanins have been carried out. Four anthocyanin pigments have been isolated apart from quercetin and lycopene. They are Cyanidin-3-O-(6′′-O-α-rhamnopyranosyl)-β-glucopyranoside (1), Cyanidin-3-O-(6′′-O-α-rhamnopyranosyl)-β-galactopyranoside (2), Cyanidin-3-O-β-glucopyranoside (3) and Cyanidin-O-β-galactopyranoside (4). These compounds were isolated by using HPLC and their structures were subsequently determined on the basis of spectroscopic analyses, i.e., ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, HMQC, HMBC, ESI-MS, FTIR, UV–Visible etc. The isolated compounds showed good antioxidant activity thus makes it suitable for use in food coloration and as a nutraceutical. Thus it is a promising pigment source for food applications.     

Three flavonoid glycosides containing acetylated allose from stachys recta

By means of ¹³C and ¹H NMR spectroscopy three flavone glycosides, obtained from Stachys recta, were identified as 7-O-(2″-O-6″′-O-acetyl-β-D-allopyranosyl-β-D-glucopyranosides) of 4′-O-methylisoscutellarein, isoscutellarein and 3′-hydroxy-4′-O-methylisoscutellarein. The latter two compounds are isolated for the first time. Only mannose and glucose have been reported previously as sugar components of flavonoids of the genus Stachys.     

Sesquiterpenoids and lignans from the fruits of Illicium simonsii Maxim

Twenty-two known compounds were isolated from the 95% alcohol extract of the fruits of Illicium simonsii Maxim, including seven sesquiterpenoids (16–22) and fifteen lignans (1–15). In the present research, compounds 3 ((7S,8R,8′S)-3,3′-dimethoxy-4,4′,9-trihydroxy-7,9′-epoxylignan-7′-one), 4 ((−)-(7′S,8S,8′R)-4,4′-dihydroxy-3,3′,5,5′-tetramethoxy-7′,9-epoxylignan-9′-ol-7-one), 5 ((+)-8-hydroxypinoresinol), 6 ((+)-8-hydroxymedioresinol), 8 ((2R,3R)-2β-(4″-hydroxy-3″-methoxybenzyl)-3α-(4′-hydroxy-3′-methoxybenzyl)-γ-butyrolactone 2-O-(β-D-glucopyranoside), 12 ((+)-8-methoxyisolariciresinol), 13 (α-conidendrin), 14 (boehmenan) and 15 (7R,8R,7′E-7′,8′-didehydro-4,7,9,9′- tetrahydroxy-3-methoxy-8-O-4′-neolignan) were reported from the Illicium genus for the first time, and compounds 1 (simulanol), 7 ((+)-secoisolariciresinol monoglucoside), 10 ((+)-9-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl lyoniresinol), 11 ((+)-isolariciresinol), 18 (neoanisatin), 19 (veranisatin A), 20 (4,5-d₂-8′-oxo-dihydrophaseic acid) and 22 (Oligandrumin A) were firstly isolated from the plant. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of NMR spectroscopic and mass spectrometric data. Moreover, the chemotaxonomic significance of the isolated compounds is discussed.