Chemical markers in Veronica sect. Hebe. III

In a continued chemosystematic investigation of the water-soluble compounds in Veronica sect. Hebe, we have investigated two more of the species formerly classified as Parahebe. Both species contained mannitol in considerable amounts and in addition some glucosides of iridoid acids. Veronica cheesemanii was characterised by aucubin and its esters: 2′-O-benzoylaucubin and an aucubin diester named cheesemanioside. The main iridoid compounds in Veronica hookeriana were catalpol and its ester verminoside, but this species also contained the sugar ester methyl 1-O-benzoyl-3-α-glucuronosylglycerol and a caffeoyl phenylethanoid glycoside (CPG) named parahebeoside, a 2′-O-β-xylopyranosyl derivative of the known plantamajoside. The results show that the studied species of the former genus Parahebe are very different with regard to their chemical content. This is in agreement with the DNA sequence data and implies the genus was polyphyletic as previously circumscribed.     

Chemical markers in Veronica sect. Hebe. II

In a continued chemosystematic investigation of the water-soluble compounds in Veronica sect. Hebe, four additional species were investigated. In comparison to other, Northern Hemisphere (NH) species of Veronica, those belonging to the New Zealand species in sect. Hebe are apparently more variable in chemical content. In addition to the compounds characteristic for NH Veronica, namely mannitol, aucubin, catalpol and 6-O-esters of catalpol as well as some caffeoyl phenylethanoid glucosides (CGPs), Veronica topiaria (syn. Hebe topiaria) also gave an unusual 6-O-ester of aucubin named topiarioside. The former Hebe species Veronica cupressoides and Veronica stenophylla each provided one of the two previously undescribed disaccharide esters named hebitol I and II, respectively, and the former plant also provided a CPG named cuproside, a 6-O-β-glucopyranosyl derivative of the known hebeoside. The last species, namely Veronica hulkeana (syn. Heliohebe hulkeana) only contained compounds common to other species of Veronica. The taxonomic results are discussed and it is concluded that carbohydrate esters are common in sect. Hebe. The data so far obtained indicate that the occurrences of esters of 6-O-rhamnopyranosylcatalpol are confined to the most derived species in the section.     

Unusual iridoid glycosides in Veronica sects. Hebe and Labiatoides

In a chemosystematic investigation of three Southern hemisphere species of Veronica, namely the Australian Veronica derwentiana Andrews and Veronica perfoliata R.Br. (formerly Derwentia species), and the New Zealand Veronica catarractae G. Forster (formerly a species of Parahebe), the water-soluble constituents were isolated and identified by spectroscopic methods. Apart from other iridoid glucosides common to the genus, three unusual substituted benzoyl esters of aucubin (derwentiosides A–C) were obtained from V. derwentiana and a chlorinated iridoid glycoside (catarractoside) from V. catarractae in addition to other iridoids common to the genus. The chemical profile of V. perfoliata is similar to that of Northern hemisphere species of Veronica because of the presence of characteristic 6-O-catalpol esters. The profile of V. derwentiana is unique, since 6-O-esters of aucubin rather than of catalpol dominate, however, the acyl groups are the same as those present in catalpol esters found in some other Veronica sections. V. catarractae also contains one of the catalpol esters characteristic of Veronica, but in addition three 6-O-rhamnopyranosyl substituted iridoid glycosides, one of which is 6-O-rhamnopyranosylcatalpol. Esters of the latter compound are previously only known from the more derived species in recent phylogenetic trees of sect. Hebe to which V. catarractae now also belongs, but as a more basal member.     

Phenylethanoids, iridoids and a spirostanol saponin from Veronica turrilliana

From the aerial parts of Veronica turrilliana two phenylethanoid glycosides, turrilliosides A and B and a steroidal saponin, turrillianoside were isolated and their structures elucidated as beta-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)ethyl-4-O-E-caffeoyl-O-[beta-glucopyranosyl-(1-->4)-alpha-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->6)]-beta-glucopyranoside, beta-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)ethyl-4-O-E-caffeoyl-[6-O-E-feruloyl-beta-glucopyranosyl-(1-->4)-alpha-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->6)]-beta-glucopyranoside and (23S,25S)-12beta,23-dihydroxyspirost-5-en-3beta-yl O-alpha-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->4)-beta-glucopyranoside, respectively. Furthermore, eight known glucosides are reported namely, catalpol, catalposide, verproside, amphicoside, isovanilloylcatalpol, aucubin, arbutin, and 6-O-E-caffeoylarbutin, the latter two for the first time in the genus Veronica. The two phenylethanoid glycosides were found to be potent DPPH radical scavengers. All of the tested compounds were inactive against the representative species of fungi and bacteria.     

Neo-clerodane diterpenoids and phenylethanoid glycosides from Teucrium chamaedrys L

A neo-clerodane type diterpenoid, 12(S)-15,16-epoxy-19-hydroxy-neo-cleroda-13(16),14-dien-18,6alpha:20,12-diolide, and two phenylethanoid glycosides, teucrioside-3(IIII)-O-methylether and teucrioside-3(IIII),4(IIII)-O-dimethylether were isolated from the aerial parts of Teucrium chamaedrys. Their structures were identified on the basis of extensive NMR spectra, LC-ESIMS analysis, and molecular modeling studies.     

Flavonoid profiles in the Heliohebe group of New Zealand Veronica (Plantaginaceae)

The Heliohebe group of Veronica (sect. Hebe) consists of five species occurring in the South Island of New Zealand. These species and a hybrid were analysed for their flavonoids. Five flavone glycosides were isolated and identified by NMR spectroscopy and three additional glycosides were detected by LC–UV–MS. Luteolin 7-O-, 3′-O- and 4′-O-glucosides and apigenin 7-O-glucoside were present in all six taxa investigated, 6-hydroxyluteolin glycosides were found in five and a luteolin caffeoylglycoside in four taxa, while a hypolaetin 7-O-glycoside was detected only in Veronica pentasepala. The 3′-O- and 4′-O-glucosides of luteolin are also common in other species of Veronica sect. Hebe (restricted to the Southern Hemisphere), but are rare in Northern Hemisphere species of Veronica and thus act as good chemotaxonomic markers for the section. The relatively simple flavonoid profiles found in the Heliohebe group are plesiomorphic and consistent with the group's status as sister to the Hebe clade. Based on the detected flavonoids, two groups could be distinguished within the Heliohebe clade: (1) Veronica hulkeana, Veronica lavaudiana and Veronica raoulii, characterised by luteolin caffeoylglycoside, and (2) V. pentasepala and Veronica scrupea, where this compound is replaced by a 6-hydroxyluteolin dihexoside.     

Lignan, phenolic and iridoid glycosides from Stereospermum cylindricum

A lignan glycoside [(+)-cycloolivil 4'-O-beta-d-glucopyranoside], a phenolic glycoside [3,4-dimethoxyphenyl 1-O-beta-d-xylopyranosyl-(1-->6)-beta-d-glucopyranoside] and a iridoid glycoside (stereospermoside) were isolated from the leaves and branches of Stereospermum cylindricum, together with (+)-cycloolivil, (+)-cycloolivil 6-O-beta-d-glucopyranoside, (-)-olivil, (-)-olivil 4-O-beta-d-glucopyranoside, (-)-olivil 4'-O-beta-d-glucopyranoside, vanilloloside, decaffeoyl-verbascoside, isoverbascoside, 3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl 1-O-beta-d-xylopyranosyl-(1-->6)-beta-d-glucopyranoside, ajugol, verminoside, and specioside. The structure elucidations were based on spectroscopic evidence.     

Chromone and chromanone glucosides from Hypericumsikokumontanum and their anti-Helicobacter pylori activities

Chromone glucosides, takanechromones A-C (1, 2 and 5) and chromanone glucosides, named takanechromanones A and B (3 and 4), were isolated from the methanolic extracts of Hypericumsikokumontanum together with 27 known compounds. Their structures were established based on spectroscopic evidence. The isolated compounds and some chromone derivatives were assayed for antimicrobial activity against Helicobacter pylori and cytotoxicity against human cancer cell lines.     

A new role for the SHATTERPROOF genes during Arabidopsis gynoecium development

Gynoecium development is a complex process which is regulated by key factors that control the spatial formation of the apical, medial and basal parts. SHATTERPROOF1 (SHP1) and SHP2, two closely related MADS-box genes, redundantly control the differentiation of the dehiscence zone and promote the lignification of adjacent cells. Furthermore, SHP1 and SHP2 have shown to play an important role in ovule identity determination. The present work identifies a new function for these two genes in promoting stigma, style and medial tissue development. This new role was discovered by combining the shp1 shp2 double mutant with the aintegumenta (ant) and crabs claw (crc) mutants. In quadruple mutant flowers, the inner whorl is composed of unfused carpels which lack almost completely apical and medial tissues, a phenotype similar to the previously reported fil ant and lug ant double mutants.     

Iridoids from Gentiana loureirii

Iridoid glycosides, 2′,3′,6′-tri-O-acetyl-4′-O-trans-p-(O-β-d-glucopyranosyl)coumaroyl-7-ketologanin (1), 2′-O-caffeoylloganic acid (2), 2′-O-p-hydroxybenzoylloganic acid (3), 2′-O-trans-p-coumaroylloganic acid (4), and 2′-O-cis-p-coumaroylloganic acid (5), were isolated from whole plants of Gentiana loureirii along with six known iridoids, 7-ketologanin (6), loganin (7), loganic acid (8), sweroside, boonein, and isoboonein, and three other known compounds. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic means and chemical correlations. The isolated iridoids were evaluated for antibacterial and antioxidant activities, but were either inactive or very weakly active.     

Constituents from the bark of Tabebuia impetiginosa

The bark of Tabebuia impetiginosa afforded nineteen glycosides, consisting of four iridoid glycosides, two lignan glycosides, two isocoumarin glycosides, three phenylethanoid glycosides and eight phenolic glycosides. Their structures were determined using both spectroscopic and chemical methods. Iridoid glycosides, phenylethanoid glycosides and lignan glycosides had ajugol, osmanthuside H and secoisolariciresinol 4-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside as their structural elements, respectively, whereas the aglycone moieties of the isocoumarin glycosides were considered to be (-)-6-hydroxymellein. Phenolic glycosides had 4-methoxyphenol, 2,4-dimethoxyphenol, 3,4-dimethoxyphenol, 3,4,5-trimethoxyphenol and vanillyl 4-hydroxybenzoate as each aglycone moiety. Additionally, the sugar chains of these isocoumarin glycosides and phenolic glycosides were concluded to be beta-D-apiofuranosyl-(1-->6)-beta-D-glucopyranoside as well as those of osmanthuside H and above phenylethanoid glycosides.     

Antioxidant efficacy of iridoid and phenylethanoid glycosides from the medicinal plant Teucrium chamaedris in cell-free systems

Twelve glycosides, seven iridoids and five phenylethanoids, have been isolated from leaf and root methanolic extracts of Wall Germander (Teucrium chamaedrys), a Mediterranean species historically used as a medicinal plant. Among them, three iridoid and one phenylethanoid glycosides have been isolated and characterized for the first time. All of the structures have been elucidated on the basis of their spectral data, especially 1D and 2D NMR experiments.The antioxidative properties of pure metabolites, as well as of crude organic extracts of the plant, have been analyzed on the basis of their DPPH radical scavenging capability. The antioxidant capacity in cell-free systems of the isolated metabolites was carried out by measuring their capabilities to inhibit the synthesis of thiobarbituric acid reactive species in assay media using as oxidable substrates a vegetable fat and the pentose sugar 2-deoxyribose and to prevent oxidative damage of the hydrosoluble bovine serum albumin (BSA) protein. Phenylethanoid glycosides resulted efficacious DPPH radical, while iridoid glycosides prevent massively the 2-deoxyribose and BSA oxidations in assay media.     

Iridoids from the roots of Triosteum pinnatifidum

A chemical investigation of the roots of Triosteum pinnatifidum led to the isolation of 10 iridoids, elucidated as triohimas A–C, naucledal, secologanin dimethyl acetal, grandifloroside, sweroside, loganin, vogeloside and (E)-aldosecologanin. Most of the compounds were derived from loganin or secologanin with a glucose moiety at C-1 position. The results indicate a close relationship between the two genera Triosteum and Lonicera, and support the viewpoint that the iridoids derived from loganin or secologanin could be the chemotaxonomic markers of the Caprifoliaceae family.     

Newbouldiosides A-C, phenylethanoid glycosides from the stem bark of Newbouldia laevis

From the stem bark of Newbouldia laevis three phenylethanoid glycosides, designated as newbouldioside A-C, were isolated together with a sodium salt of analogue B and the known compounds, verbascoside, 5-hydroxydehydro-iso-alpha-lapachone, 3,8-dihydroxydehydro-iso-alpha-lapachone, apigenin and luteolin. The structures of the phenylethanoid glycosides were elucidated by spectroscopic methods as beta-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)ethyl 5-O-syringoyl-beta-D-apiofuranosyloxy-(1-->2)-O-[alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->3)]-beta-D-glucopyranoside, ss-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)ethyl 5-O-syringoyl-beta-D-apiofuranosyloxy-(1-->2)-O-[alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->3)]-6-O-E-feruloyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside, and beta-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)ethyl 3-O-E-feruloyl-beta-D-apiofuranosyloxy-(1-->2)-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-6-O-E-sinapoyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside, respectively.