Optimization of (Phenylmethylidene)‐hydantoins as Prostate Cancer Migration Inhibitors: SAR‐Directed Design,Synthesis, and Pharmacophore Modeling

Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancer forms among males of Western countries. Natural products proved to be an unparalleled source of molecular diversity. The 4‐(hydroxyphenylmethylidene)hydantoin (PMH; 1 ), (5Z)‐5‐(4‐hydroxybenzylidene)imidazolidine‐2,4‐dione, was isolated from the Red Sea sponge Hemimycale arabica, and recently showed junctional complexes stabilization, anti‐invasive, and antimetastatic activities in vitro and in vivo. The related synthetic analogue, (5Z)‐5‐[4‐(ethylsulfanyl)benzylidene]imidazolidine‐2,4‐dione ( 2 ), showed several‐fold‐improved in vivo antimetastatic properties against the highly invasive prostate cancer. To further optimize the activity of PMHs, various ligand‐based strategies were used including the extension of the structure, structural simplification, linker extension, and computer‐assisted CoMFA (Comparative Molecular Field Analysis) results. These strategies yielded thirty 2nd‐generation PMHs, designed based on the 1st‐generation PMHs, such as 1 and 2 . Wound‐healing assay was selected to evaluate the in vitro anti‐migratory potential of these new PMHs against the PC‐3 cell line. Several active PMHs, including 10, 13, 24, 29 , with nearly twelvefold enhancement of activity vs. 2 , were identified. Active compounds were then used to build a pharmacophore model using the SYBYL's DIStance COmparison technique (DISCOtech). Active PMHs were also screened for fragment‐based drug likeness using the OSIRIS program, and an overall drug score was also calculated. Interestingly, the overall drug scores of 24 and 29 along with their anti‐migratory activity were significantly greater than those of 1 and 2 . In conclusion, PMHs can be the appropriate scaffolds for the urgently needed drug candidates for the control of androgen independent prostate cancer.     

Correlation analyses on binding affinity of substituted benzenesulfonamides with carbonic anhydrase using ab initio MO calculations on their complex structures (II)

We proposed a novel QSAR (quantitative structure-activity relationship) procedure called LERE (linear expression by representative energy terms)-QSAR involving molecular calculations such as ab initio fragment molecular orbital and generalized Born/surface area ones. We applied LERE-QSAR to two datasets for the free-energy changes during complex formation between carbonic anhydrase and a series of substituted benzenesulfonamides. The first compound set (Set I) and the second one (Set II) include relatively small substituents and alkyl chains of different lengths in the benzene ring, respectively. Variation of the inhibitory activity in Set I is expressed as the combination of Hammett σ and the hydrophobic substituent constant π in classical QSAR, and variation in Set II only by π. LERE-QSAR analyses clearly revealed that effects of σ and π on the activity variations in Sets I and II are consistently explainable with the energy terms in the LERE formulation, and provide more detailed and direct information as to the binding mechanism. The proposed procedure was demonstrated to provide a quantitative basis for understanding ligand-protein interactions at the electronic and atomic levels.     

Synthesis,antimicrobial activity and QSAR studies of new 2,3-disubstituted-3,3a,4,5,6,7-hexahydro-2H-indazoles

Antimicrobial activity of synthesized 2,3-disubstituted-3,3a,4,5,6,7-hexahydro-2H-indazole derivatives indicated that 3-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-(4-nitrophenylsulfonyl)-3,3a,4,5,6,7-hexahydro-2H-indazole (6) and 3-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-(4-nitrophenylsulfonyl)-3,3a,4,5,6,7-hexahydro-2H-indazole (20) were the most active compounds. Further, the results of QSAR studies indicated the importance of topological parameters ²χ and ²χ^v in defining the antimicrobial activity of hexahydroindazoles.     

Thiol end-capped titanium-copper complexes: Synthesis, solid state structure and electrochemical behavior

The synthesis of acetylene, acyl-thiol and thiol end-capped titanium-copper π-tweezer complexes of the structural type {[Ti](μ-σ,π-CCR)₂}CuSC₆H₄-4-R′ ([Ti] = (η⁵-C₅H₄SiMe₃)₂Ti; 3: R = SiMe₃, R′ = CCH; 5a: R = SiMe₃, R′ = SC(O)Me; 5b: R = ^tBu, R′ = SC(O)Me), {[Ti](μ-σ,π-CCSiMe₃)₂}CuSC₆H₄-C₆H₄-4-SH (7) and ({[Ti](μ-σ,π-CCR)₂}CuSC₆H₄)₂ (8) is described. Homobimetallic 3, 5a and 5b are accessible via the reaction of {[Ti](μ-σ,π-CCR)₂}CuMe (1a: R = SiMe₃, 1b: R = ^tBu) with stoichiometric amounts of Me(O)CS-1-C₆H₄-4-CCH (2) and C₆H₄-1,4-(SC(O)Me)₂ (4), respectively. Within these reactions the copper-sulfur bond formation is accompanied by the elimination of acetone. If 1a is treated with the dithiol (HS-C₆H₄)₂ (6) in a ratio of 1:1 or 2:1 than dinuclear 7 and tetranuclear 8 are produced upon formation of methane. Both types of reaction allow in a straightforward manner the synthesis of analytically pure samples in high yield. In addition, complex 8 is also formed, when equimolar amounts of 7 are reacted with1a.The solid state structure of 5a is reported. This complex possesses a low-valent CuSC₆H₄-4-SC(O)Me entity with copper(I) in a planar surrounding. All other geometrical features are in agreement with the expected data relevant for Ti-Cu organometallic π-tweezer complexes.Cyclic voltammetric studies were carried out with 3-8. The results are discussed with respect to intramolecular interactions between the various electrochemically active reaction sites.     

Structural features of group V A xanthates. The crystal and molecular structures of tris(O-isopropylxanthatoarsenic(III), antimony(III) and -bismuth(II)

The crystal structures of the title compounds, M(S₂COⁱC₃H₇)₃, M = As(III), (1); Sb(III), (2); and Bi(III), (3) have been determined by three dimensional X-ray diffraction techniques and refined by a least square method. Crystals of (1) and (2) are isomorphous and both crystallize in the rhombohedral space group R$\text{3}$, with unit cell parameters for (1) a_hex = 11.559(2), c_hex = 28.131(3) Å and for (2) a_hex = 11.696(2) and c_hex = 28.135(2) Å, Z = 6. The central metal atom in both (1) and (2) is coordinated by three asymmetrically chelating xanthate ligands [AsS 2.305(2) and 2.978(2) Å and SbS 2.508(1) and 3.006(1) Å] which form a distorted octahedral environment consistent with the presence of a stereochemically active lone pair of electrons. Crystals of (3) are orthorhombic, space group Pnma, Z = 4 with dimensions a = 11.003(3), b = 20.833(4) and c = 9.428(2) Å. The environment of the bismuth atom in (3) is seven coordinate and is comprised of six sulphur atoms, derived from three asymmetrically coordinating xanthate ligands, and a bridging sulphur atom from a neighbouring molecule which results in the formation a polymeric array. For (1) final R and R_W 0.050 and 0.047 respectively for 936 reflections [I ? 3σ(I); (2) R 0.040, R_w 0.040 for 1455 reflections I ? 2σ(I)]; and (3) R 0.052, R_w 0.039 for 1796 reflections [I ? 2σ(I).     

The tyrosinase inhibitory effects of isoxazolone derivatives with a (Z)-β-phenyl-α, β-unsaturated carbonyl scaffold

Thirteen (Z)-4-(substituted benzylidene)-3-phenylisoxazol-5(4H)-ones were designed to confirm the geometric effect of the double bond of the β-phenyl-α, β-unsaturated carbonyl scaffold on tyrosinase inhibitory activity. Compounds 1a–1m, which all possessed the (Z)-β-phenyl-α, β-unsaturated carbonyl scaffold, were synthesized using a tandem reaction consisting of an isoxazolone ring formation and a Knoevenagel condensation, and three starting materials, ethyl benzoylacetate, hydroxylamine and benzaldehydes. Some of the compounds showed inhibitory activity against mushroom tyrosinase as potent as compounds containing the “(E)”-β-phenyl-α, β-unsaturated carbonyl scaffold. Compounds 1c and 1m showed greater inhibitory activity than kojic acid: IC₅₀?=?32.08?±?2.25?μM for 1c; IC₅₀?=?14.62?±?1.38?μM for 1m; and IC₅₀?=?37.86?±?2.21?μM for kojic acid. A kinetic study indicated that 1m inhibited tyrosinase in a competitive manner and that it probably binds to the enzyme’s active site. In silico docking simulation supported binding of 1m (?7.6?kcal/mol) to the active site of tyrosinase with stronger affinity than kojic acid (?5.7?kcal/mol). Similar results were obtained using cell-based assays, and in B16F10 cells, compound 1m dose-dependently inhibited tyrosinase activity and melanogenesis. These results indicate the anti-melanogenic effect of compound 1m is due to the inhibition of tyrosinase and (Z)-isomer of the β-phenyl-α, β-unsaturated carbonyl scaffold can, like its congener the (E)-isomer, act as an excellent scaffold for tyrosinase inhibition.     

Alkenylresorcinols and cytotoxic activity of the constituents isolated from Labisia pumila

Phytochemical investigation on the leaves of Labisia pumila (Myrsinaceae), an important medicinal herb in Malaysia, has led to the isolation of 1-O-methyl-6-acetoxy-5-(pentadec-10Z-enyl)resorcinol (1), labisiaquinone A (2) and labisiaquinone B (3). Along with these, 16 known compounds including 1-O-methyl-6-acetoxy-5-pentadecylresorcinol (4), 5-(pentadec-10Z-enyl)resorcinol (5), 5-(pentadecyl)resorcinol (6), (−)-loliolide (7), stigmasterol (8), 4-hydroxyphenylethylamine (9), 3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoic acid (10), 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid (11), (+)-catechin (12), (−)-epicatechin (13), kaempferol-3-O-α-rhamnopyranosyl-7-O-β-glycopyranoside (14), kaempferol-4′-O-β-glycopyranoside (15), quercetin-3-O-α-rhamnopyranoside (16), kaempferol-3-O-α-rhamnopyranoside (17), (9Z,12Z)-octadeca-9,12-dienoic acid (18) and stigmasterol-3-O-β-glycopyranoside (19) were also isolated. The structures of these compounds were established on the basis of 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy techniques (¹H, ¹³C, COSY, HSQC, NOESY and HMBC experiments), mass spectrometry and chemical derivatization. Among the constituents tested 1 and 4 exhibited strongest cytotoxic activity against the PC3, HCT116 and MCF-7 cell lines (IC₅₀ values ⩽10 μM), and they showed selectivity towards the first two-cell lines relative to the last one.     

Identification and in vitro anti-esophageal cancer activity of a series of halogenated monoterpenes isolated from the South African seaweeds Plocamium suhrii and Plocamium cornutum

Five known (1, 2, 4, 6 and 7) halogenated monoterpenes together with 1Z,3R^∗,4S^∗,5E,7Z)-1-bromo-3,4,8-trichloro-7-(dichloromethyl)-3-methylocta-1,5,7-triene (3) and (3R^∗,4S^∗)-3,4,6,7-tetrachloro-3,7-dimethyl-octen-1-ene (5) were isolated from the red macroalga Plocamium suhrii and their structures deduced from their spectroscopic data. The seven compounds from P. suhrii together with five related compounds from Plocamium cornutum have been evaluated for their cytotoxic effects on an esophageal cancer cell line (WHCO1). Compounds 1-6 showed greater cytotoxicity in this assay as compared to the known anticancer drug cisplatin.     

Design,synthesis, 3D pharmacophore,QSAR, and docking studies of carboxylic acid derivatives as Histone Deacetylase inhibitors and cytotoxic agents

In this study, five series of (E)-6-(4-substituted phenyl)-4-oxohex-5-enoic acids IIb–f (E), (E)-3-(4-(substituted)-phenyl)acrylic acids IIIa–g (E), 4-(4-(substituted)phenylamino)-4-oxobutanoic acids VIa,b,e, 5-(4-(substituted)phenylamino)-5-oxopentanoic acids VIIa,f and 2-[(4-(substituted)phenyl) carbamoyl]benzoic acids VIIIa,e were designed and synthesized. Selected compounds were screened in vitro for their cytotoxic effect on 60 human NCI tumor cell lines. Compound IIf (E) displayed significant inhibitory activity against NCI Non-Small Cell Lung A549/ATCC Cancer cell line (68% inhibition) and NCI-H460 Cancer cell line (66% inhibition). Moreover, the final compounds were evaluated in vitro for their cytotoxic activity on HepG2 Cancer cell line in which histone deacetylase (HDAC) is overexpressed. Compounds IIc (E), IIf (E), IIIb (E), and IIIg (E) exhibited the highest cytotoxic activity against HepG2 human cancer cell lines with IC₅₀ ranging from 2.27 to 10.71 μM. In addition, selected compounds were tested on histone deacetylase isoforms (HDAC1–11). Molecular docking simulation was also carried out for HDLP enzyme to investigate their HDAC binding affinity. In addition, generation of 3D-pharmacophore model and quantitative structure activity relationship (QSAR) models were combined to explore the structural requirements controlling the observed cytotoxic properties.     

Synthesis of glycos-3-yl-α,γ-diamino acids. Synthesis of four diastereomeric spiro-3,4′-(R and S)-3-deoxy-1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-α-d-ribo-hexofuranose)-3′-(R and S)-acetamido-2′-pyrrolidinones

Treatment of (Z)-3-deoxy-1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidine-3-C-(methoxycarbonyl)-methylene-α-d-ribo-hexofuranose (1) with diazomethane in ether afforded the unstable Δ¹- and Δ²-pyrazolines 2 and 2a. High-pressure hydrogenation of the latter compounds over Raney nickel afforded a mixture of amines 3, 5, 7, and 9 (in 80% yield), which were separated by chromatography. Acetylation of these compounds yielded the N-acetyl derivatives 4, 6, 8, and 10. X-Ray analysis of compounds 8 and 10 showed them to be spiro-3,4′-(R)-(3-deoxy-1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidine-α-d-ribo-hexofuranose)-3′-(R)-[and 3′-(S)]-acetamido-2′-pyrrolidinone, respectively. The structures of compounds 4 and 6 (determined by chemical means) were the corresponding spiro-3,4′-(S)-3′-(R)-acetamido-2′-pyrrolidinone and 3′-(S)-acetamido-2′-pyrrolidinone, respectively.     

Synthesis,characterization and biological evaluation of some novel 2,4-thiazolidinediones as potential cytotoxic,antimicrobial and antihyperglycemic agents

A series of some novel 2,4-thiazolidinediones (TZDs) (2a–x) have been synthesized and characterized by FTIR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR and LC mass spectral analysis. All the synthesized compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxicity, antimicrobial and in vivo antihyperglycemic activities. Among the tested compounds for cytotoxicity using Brine Shrimp Lethality assay, compound 2t ((Z)-5-(4-((E)-3-oxo-3-(thiophen-2-yl)prop-1-enyl)benzylidene)-1,3-thiazolidine-2,4-dione) exhibited significant inhibitory activity at ED₅₀ value 4.00 ± 0.25 μg/mL and this level of activity was comparable to that of the reference drug podophyllotoxin with ED₅₀ value 3.61 ± 0.17 μg/mL. Antimicrobial activity was screened using agar well diffusion assay method against selected Gram-positive, Gram-negative and fungal strains and the activity expressed as the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) in μg/mL. From the results of antimicrobial activity compound 2s ((Z)-5-(4-((E)-3-(3,5-bis(benzyloxy)phenyl)-3-oxoprop-1-enyl)benzylidene)-1,3-thiazolidine-2,4-dione) was found to be the most active against all the tested strains of microorganisms with MIC value 16 μg/mL. In vivo antihyperglycemic effect of twenty four TZDs (2a–x) at different doses 10, 30 and 50 mg/kg b.w (oral) were assessed using percentage reduction of plasma glucose (PG) levels in streptozotocin-induced type II diabetic rat models. From the results, the novel compound 2x ((Z)-5-(4-((E)-3-(9H-fluoren-2-yl)-3-oxoprop-1-enyl)benzylidene)-1,3-thiazolidine-2,4-dione) exhibited considerably potent blood glucose lowering activity than that of the standard drug rosiglitazone and it could be a remarkable starting point to evaluate structure–activity relationships and to develop new lead molecules with potential cytotoxicity, antimicrobial and antihyperglycemic activities. In addition molecular docking studies were carried out against PPARγ molecular target using Molegro Virtual Docker v 4.0 to accomplish preliminary confirmation of the observed in vivo antihyperglycemic activity.     

Iridium(I) dimers with bridging N,N′-di-p-tolylformamidine. X-ray molecular structure of Ir2(μ-p-CH3C6H4NCHN-p-C6H4CH3)(μ-NH-p-C6H4CH3)(C8H14)2

The reaction of [IrCl(COD)]₂ with K[CH(N-p- C₆H₄CH₃)₂] (K⁺form⁻) has been carried out in both neat toluene and in the presence of Bu^tOH. In the first case [Ir(form)(COD)]₂ (1) was obtained in good yields. The other reaction follows a somewhat different course with partial alcoholysis of the formamidine ligand and formation of Ir₂(μ-form)(μ-NH-p-C₆H₄CH₃)(COD)₂ (2). Crystal data for compound 2: space group P2₁/c, a = 9.389(2), b = 21.083(4), c = 16.810(2) Å, β = 91.54(1)° V=3326(2) ų, Z = 4, R = 0.0343 for 3707 data with F_o² > 3σ(F_o²).     

Synthesis of long-chain fatty acid derivatives as a novel anti-Alzheimer’s agent

In order to develop new drugs for Alzheimer’s disease, we prepared 17 fatty acid derivatives with different chain lengths and different numbers and positions of double bonds by using Wittig reaction and stereospecific hydrogenation of triple bonds as key reactions. Among them, (4Z,15Z)-octadecadienoic acid (10) and (23Z,34Z)-heptatriacontadienoic acid (16) showed the most potent neurite outgrowth activities on Aβ(25–35)-treated rat cortical neurons, which activities were comparable to that of a positive control, NGF. Both fatty acids 10 and 16 possess two (Z)-double bonds at the n-3 and n-14 positions, which might be important for the neurite outgrowth activity.     

Synthesis,crystal structure,and conformation of 1(S)-acetoxy-3-[6(R)-O-benzyl-1,2:3,4-di-O-isopropylidene-α-d-galactopyranos-6-yl]-1-(methyl 2,3,4-tri-O-benzyl-6-deoxy-β-d-galactopyranosid-6-yl)propyne

Condensation of 6-O-benzyl-7,8-dideoxy-1,2:3,4-di-O-isopropylidene-d-glycero-α-d-galacto-oct-7-ynopyranose with methyl 2,3,4-tri-O-benzyl-6-deoxy-β-d-galacto-heptodialdo-1,5-pyranoside afforded a 2:1 mixture of the 1S and 1R isomers (1a and 1b) of 3-[6(R)-O-benzyl-1,2:3,4-di-O-isopropylidene-α-d-galactopyranos-6-yl]-1-hydroxy-1-(methyl 2,3,4-tri-O-benzyl-6-deoxy-β-d-galactopyranosid-6-yl)propyne. A single crystal of the 1-O-acetyl derivative (1c) of 1a was investigated by X-ray diffraction methods in a four-circle diffractometer. Compound 1c crystallises in the monoclinic system, space group P2₁ (Z = 2) with cell dimensions a = 14.896(2), b = 8.295(1), c = 20.547(3) Å, and β = 102.66(1)°. The structure was solved by direct methods and refined by a full-matrix, least-squares procedure against 3839 unique reflections (F > 2σ_F), resulting in a final R = 0.045 (unit weights). The configuration at the new chiral center (C-1) was established as S(d). The galactopyranose rings have conformations ⁴C₁ (tri-O-benzylated moiety) and °S₅ + °T₂ (di-O-isopropylidenated moiety). The 1,2- and 3,4-O-isopropylidene rings have ³T₂ and ²E conformations, respectively.     

The crystal and molecular structures of dichloro [N,O-(D,L)-diaminopropionic acid] platinum(II) and Dichloro [N,O-(L)-lysine] platinum(II) monohydrate

K₂PtCl₄ reacts with L-lysine and with D,L-diaminiopropionic acid (Dap) forming the neutral complexes [PtCl₂(N,O-Lys)]·H₂0 (1) and [PtCl₂(N,O-Dap)], (2) respectively.Compound 1 is monoclinic, space group P2₁ with a = 11.262(3), b = 11.041(2), c = 9.690(2) Å, β = 102.07(5)°, V = 1178(1) ų and Z = 4. Compound 2 is monoclinic, space group P2₁/n with a = 8.777(1), b = 10.615(2), c = 7.947(1) Å, β = 94.98(3)°, V = 738(1) ų and Z = 4. In both compounds, the zwitterionic ligands form an N,O-five membered chelate with the platinum atom. Structures 1 and 2 were refined to R values of 3.3% and 6.3% respectively.     

Preparation of novel (Z)-4-ylidenebenzo[b]furo[3,2-d][1,3]oxazines and their biological activity

A reaction of 2-acetyl-3-acylaminobenzo[b]furans (9d–o) with Vilsmeier (VM) reagent afforded a mixture of (E)- and (Z)-{(E)-2-aralkenylbenzo[b]furo[3,2-d][1,3]oxazin-4-ylidene}acetaldehydes (5) with a characteristic exo-formylmethylene group on the oxazine ring. The Z-isomer was more stable than the E-isomer. The Z-isomers ((Z)-5) were reacted with phosphonate reagents under two different conditions to obtain various butadiene derivatives (12) containing benzo[b]furo[3,2-d][1,3]oxazine skeleton. Typical compounds (5 and 12) were evaluated for their anti-osteoclastic bone resorption activity, antagonistic activity for the cysLT1 receptor and growth inhibitory activity for MIA PaCa-2 and MCF-7. Compounds 12f and 12j showed potent anti-osteoclastic bone resorption activity comparable to E₂ (17β-estradiol).     

Search for new tools to combat Gram-negative resistant bacteria among amine derivatives of 5-arylidenehydantoin

A series of amine-alkyl derivatives of 5-arylidenehydantoin 3–21 was evaluated for their ability to improve antibiotic effectiveness in two strains of Gram-negative Enterobacter aerogenes: the reference strain (ATCC-13048) and the chloramphenicol-resistant derivative over-producing the AcrAB-TolC efflux pump (CM-64). Three antibiotics, chloramphenicol, nalidixic acid and sparfloxacin were used as markers of efflux pump activity. New compounds (5–16) were obtained within 3–4 step synthesis using Knoevenagel condensation, Mitsunobu reaction and microwave aided N-alkylation. Molecular modeling based structure–activity relationship (SAR) studies were performed. The most active compounds: (Z)-5-(4-(diethylamino)benzylidene)-3-(2-hydroxy-3-(4-(2-hydroxyethyl)piperazin-1-yl)propyl)imidazolidine-2,4-dione (14) and (Z)-5-(2,4-dimethoxybenzylidene)-3-(2-hydroxy-3-(isopropylamino)propyl)imidazolidine-2,4-dione (15) induced fourfold decrease of minimal inhibition concentration (MIC) of all tested antibiotics in the strain CM-64 overexpressing the AcrAB-TolC pump.     

Lipoxygenase inhibitors derived from marine macroalgae

The solvent extracts from the algae Sargassum thunbergii (Sargassaceae) and Odonthalia corymbifera (Rhodomelaceae) were subjected to soybean lipoxygenase inhibitory screening. Two hydrophobic inhibitors were obtained from the extracts of S. thunbergii through inhibitory assay-guided fractionation. The inhibitors were identified as known exo-methylenic alkapolyenes (6Z,9Z,12Z,15Z)-1,6,9,12,15-henicosapentaene (1) and (6Z,9Z,12Z,15Z,18Z)-1,6,9,12,15,18-henicosahexaene (2). The alkapolyenes 1 and 2 showed higher inhibitory activity than the known inhibitor nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA). Pheophytin a (3) was obtained from the extract of O. corymbifera. The inhibitor 3 also showed higher inhibitory activity than NDGA. This is the first report on lipoxygenase inhibition of exo-methylenic alkapolyenes and a chlorophyll a-related substance.     

Biosynthetic pathways of the sex pheromone components and substrate selectivity of the oxidation enzymes working in pheromone glands of the fall webworm, Hyphantria cunea

The fall webworm, Hyphantria cunea Drury (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae), is a harmful polyphagous defoliator. Female moths produce the following four pheromone components in a ratio of about 5:4:10:2; (9Z,12Z)-9,12-octadecadienal (I), (9Z,12Z,15Z)-9,12,15-octadecatrienal (II), cis-9,10-epoxy-(3Z,6Z)-3,6-henicosadiene (III), and cis-9,10-epoxy-(3Z,6Z)-1,3,6-henicosatriene (IV). Although ¹³C-labeled linolenic acid was not converted into trienal II at the pheromone glands of H. cunea females, GC-MS analysis of an extract of the pheromone gland treated topically with ¹³C-labeled linolenyl alcohol showed the aldehyde incorporating the isotope. Other C₁₈ and C₁₉ fatty alcohols were also oxidized to the corresponding aldehydes in the pheromone gland, indicating a biosynthetic pathway of IIvia linolenyl alcohol and low substrate selectivity of the alcohol oxidase in the pheromone gland. On the other hand, epoxydiene III was expected to be produced by specific 9,10-epoxidation of the corresponding C₂₁ trienyl hydrocarbon, which might be biosynthesized from dietary linolenic acid in oenocytes and transported to the pheromone gland. The final biosynthetic step in the pheromone gland was confirmed by an experiment using deuterated C₂₁ triene, which was synthesized by the chain elongation of linolenic acid and LiAlD₄ reduction as key reactions. When the labeled triene was administered to the female by topical application at the pheromone gland or injection into the abdomen, deuterated III was detected in a pheromone extract by GC-MS analysis. Furthermore, the substrate selectivity of epoxidase and selective incorporation by the pheromone glands were examined by treatments with mixtures of the deuterated precursor and other hydrocarbons such as C₁₉-C₂₃ trienyl, C₂₁ dienyl, and C₂₁ monoenyl hydrocarbons. The 9,10-epoxy derivative of each alkene was produced, while the epoxidation of the C₂₁ monoene was poorer than those of the trienes and diene. The low selectivity indicated that the species-specific pheromone of the H. cunea female was mainly due to the critical formation of the precursor of each component.