Trichothecene mycotoxins from Fusarium sulphureum

Four mycotoxins isolated from moulded maize cultures of Fusarium sulphureum have been characterized as 3α,4β,15-triacetoxy-12,13-epoxytrichothec-9-ene, 4β,15-diacetoxy-3α-hydroxy-12,13-epoxytrichothec-9-ene, 15-acetoxy-3α,4β-dihydroxy-12,13-epoxytrichothec-9-ene and 4β-acetoxy-3α,15-dihydroxy-12,13-epoxytrichothec-9-ene.     

Triterpenes in Ganoderma lucidum

Four new oxygenated triterpenes, isolated from the mycelia of the fungus Ganoderma lucidum, were determined to be lanosta-7,9(11),24-trien-3α, 15α-dihydroxy-26-oic acid, lanosta-7,9(11),24-trien-3β, 15α-dihydroxy-26-oic-acid, lanosta-7,9(11),24-trien-3β,22β-diacetoxy-15α-hydroxy-26-oic acid and lanosta-7,9(11),24-trien-15α,22β-diacetoxy-3β-hydroxy-26-oic acid by spectroscopic methods.     

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.     

Sesquiterpenes from two subspecies of Sideritis varoi

Two subspecies of Sideritis varoi afforded, in addition to previously reported diterpenes, the following series of new eudesmane and eudesmene acetates: 1β-hydroxy-6β-acetoxy-eudesm-4(15)-ene; 1β,4β-dihydroxy-6β-acetoxy-eudesmane; 1β-hydroxy-6β-acetoxy-eudesm-3-ene; 1β-hydroxy-6β-acetoxy-eudesm-4-ene. The structures of these compounds were elucidated by chemical and spectroscopic means.     

Sesquiterpene lactones of Podanthus mitiqui

Ovatifolin and two new sesquiterpene lactones, deacetylovatifolin and arturin (1β-hydroxy-8β-angeloyloxy-eudesmane-4(15),11(13)-diene-6α,12-olide, have been isolated from stems and leaves of Podanthus mitiqui. Two of these compounds showed cytotoxic activity.     

Sesquiterpenoids from Curcuma wenyujin with anti-influenza viral activities

Five sesquiterpenoids, 1α,8α-epidioxy-4α-hydroxy- 5αH-guai-7(11),9-dien- 12,8-olide. (1), 8,9-seco-4β-hydroxy-1α,5βH-7(11)-guaen-8,10-olide (2), 8α-hydroxy-1α, 4β,7βH-guai-10(15)-en- 5β,8β-endoxide(3), 7β,8α-dihydroxy-1α,4αH-guai-10(15)-en-5β,8β-endoxide(4) and 7-hydroxy-5(10),6,8-cadinatriene-4-one(5), together with seven known analogs were isolated from the rhizomes of Curcuma wenyujin. Their structures and relative configurations were determined on the basis of spectroscopic methods including 2D NMR techniques, and the structures of 1 and 2 were confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction experiment. Compounds 1–10 and 12 showed significant in vitro antiviral activity against the influenza virus A with IC₅₀ values ranged from 6.80 to 39.97 μM, and SI values ranged from 6.35 to 37.25.     

Stereospecific reduction of progesterone by Pisum sativum

[4 -¹⁴C]-Progesterone was applied to the leaves of growing pea plants, Pisum sativum. After 3 weeks, about 50% of the administered steroid was reduced, about 20% being reduced to 5α-pregnane-3α,20β-diol as the major metabolite. The radioactivities of 5α-pregnane-3α,20α-diol and 5α-pregnane-3α,20β-diol after 3 weeks were more than twice those after one week. The following radioactive metabolises were also isolated: 5α-pregnane-3,20-dione; 20α-hydroxy-4- pregnen-3-one; 20β-hydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one; 3α-hydroxy-5α-pregnan-20-one; 3α-hydroxy-5β-pregnan-20-one; 3β-hydroxy- 5α-pregnan-20-one; 20β-hydroxy-5α-pregnan-3-one; 5α-pregnane-3β,20β-diol; and 5β-pregnane-3α,20β-diol. The radioactivities of the 5α-pregnane derivatives were considerably higher than those of the corresponding 5β-pregnane derivatives.     

Two glycosides of a new dilignol from Pinus silvestris

The 4′-O-β-d-glucopyranoside and the 4′-O-α-l-rhamnopyranoside of 2,3-dihydro-7-hydroxy-2-(4′-hydroxy-3′- methoxyphenyl)-3-hydroxymethyl-5-benzofuranpropanol have been isolated and identified. Also isolated were two d-glucosides and an l-arabinoside of (+)-isolariciresinol and a l-rhamnoside, a d-xyloside and a d-glucoside of 1-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)- 2-[4-(3-hydroxypropyl)-2-hydroxyphenoxy]-1,3-propanediol.     

Labdane diterpenoids from Cistus ladaniferus

Three new diterpenic acids have been isolated from Cistus ladaniferus: 6,8(17) labdadien-15-oic, 7-oxo-8-labden-15-oic and 6β-acetoxy-7-oxo-8-labden-15-oic acids, beside labdanolic, 6-oxocativic,7α-hydroxy-8(17)-labden-15-oic, 8α-methoxy-labda-15-oic and 8α-hydroxy-13(E)-labden-15-oic acids.     

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.     

Eudesmane-type sesquiterpenes from the liverwort Apomarsupella revolute

Phytochemical investigation of the Et₂O extract of liverwort Apomarsupella revolute led to isolation and identification of five new eudesmane-type sesquiterpenoids, 6β-hydroxy-9β-acetoxy-eudesma-4,11-dien (1), 6β-hydroxy-9β-acetoxy-eudesma-4,11-dien-3-one (2), 5α,6β-dihydroxy-9β-acetoxy-eudesma-4(15),11-dien (3) 4β-hydroxy-9β-acetoxy-11,12,13-trinor-5-eudesmen-7-one (4) and 4β-methox-9β-acetoxy-11,12,13-trinor-5-eudesmen-7-one (5), two of which were trinorsesquiterpenoids. Their structures were established unequivocally on the basis of spectroscopic data analysis. All compounds were preliminary bioscreened for their cytotoxicities and antifungal activities.     

Glucosides of ionone-related compounds in several nicotiana species

The β-glucosides of 3-oxo-α-ionol and 5,6-epoxy-5,6-dihydro-3-hydroxy-β-ionol were isolated from fresh leaves of Nicotiana rustica. Two or more of the glucosides of 3-oxo-α-ionol, 5,6-epoxy-5,6-dihydro-3-hydroxy-β-ionol, 3-hydroxy-β-damascone, blumenol A, 4-(3-hydroxybutylidene)-3,5,5-trimethyl-2-cyclohexenl-one and blumenol C were shown to be present and the amounts measured in N. alata, N. repanda, N. rustica, N. undulata, N. accuminata, N. sylvestris and N. tabacum. No glucosides were detected in N. paniculata.     

Chromones from the tubers of Eranthis cilicica and their antioxidant activity

Chemical studies on the constituents of Eranthis cilicica led to isolation of ten chromone derivatives, two of which were previously known. Comprehensive spectroscopic analysis, including extensive 1D and 2D NMR data, and the results of enzymatic hydrolysis allowed the chemical structures of the compounds to be assigned as 8,11-dihydro-5-hydroxy-2,9-dihydroxymethyl-4H-pyrano[2,3-g][1]benzoxepin-4-one, 5,7-dihydroxy-8-[(2E)-4-hydroxy-3-methylbut-2-enyl]-2-methyl-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one, 5,7-dihydroxy-2-hydroxymethyl-8-[(2E)-4-hydroxy-3-methylbut-2-enyl]-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one, 7-[(β-d-glucopyranosyl)oxy]-5-hydroxy-8-[(2E)-4-hydroxy-3-methylbut-2-enyl]-2-methyl-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one, 7-[(β-d-glucopyranosyl)oxy]-5-hydroxy-2-hydroxymethyl-8-[(2E)-4-hydroxy-3-methylbut-2-enyl]-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one, 9-[(O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→6)-β-d-glucopyranosyl)oxy]methyl-8,11-dihydro-5,9-dihydroxy-2-methyl-4H-pyrano[2,3-g][1]benzoxepin-4-one, 8,11-dihydro-5,9-dihydroxy-9-hydroxymethyl-2-methyl-4H-pyrano[2,3-g][1]benzoxepin-4-one, and 7-[(O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→6)-β-d-glucopyranosyl)oxy]methyl-4-hydroxy-5H-furo[3,2-g][1]benzopyran-5-one, respectively. The isolated compounds were evaluated for their antioxidant activity.     

New chromanone and acylphloroglucinol glycosides from the bracts of hops

A chromanone glycoside, 5-β-d-glucopyranosyloxy-7-hydroxy-2-isopropylchromanone, and two acylphloroglucinol glycosides, 2-(3-methylbutyryl)phloroglucinol-4,6-di-C-β-d-glucopyranoside and 2-isobutyrylphloroglucinol-1,5-di-O-β-d-glucopyranoside, along with 15 known compounds were isolated from the bracts of hops (Humulus lupulus L.). Their structures were elucidated based on spectroscopic data, including TOFMS and 1D/2D NMR.     

Diterpenoids from Nepeta tuberosa subsp. reticulata

Three new diterpene compounds have been isolated from Nepeta tuberosa subsp. reticulata and their structures elucidated by spectroscopic methods. They were identified as diisopimaryl malonate isopimarylmalonic acid and 7-oxo-isopimara-8,15-dien-18-ol. We have also isolated 4aα,7α,7aβ-nepetalactone, 4aα,7α,7aα-nepetalactone, 3α-hydroxy-4α,4aα,7α 4α,4aα,7α,7aα-dihydronepetalactone, isopimaryl acetate, isopimarol, isopimaric acid, 8(14),15-isopimaradien-7α,18-diol, myrceocomunic acid and α-tocopheryl quinone.     

The structure of leocardin,two epimers of a diterpenoid from Leonurus cardiaca

From the aerial part of Leonurus cardiaca a new labdane diterpenoid, leocardin, has been isolated and its structure was established by spectroscopic and chemical means. It has been shown to be 8β-acetoxy-9α,13α,15,16-bisepoxy-15-hydroxy-7-oxo-labdan-6β,19-olide present as a C-15 epimeric mixture.     

New neutral diterpenes from southern pine tall oil

Five new diterpene natural products isolated from southern pine (Pinus spp.) tall oil were characterized as 8(14),15-pimaradiene-3β,18-diol, 19-hydroxy-15,16-dinorlabd-8(17)-en-13-one, 8,13β-epoxy-14-labden-6α-ol, 8,11, 13-abietatriene-15,18-diol and 9,10-secoabieta-8,11,13-trien-18,10-olide.     

Beyerene derivatives and other constituents from Petunia patagonica

Two new diterpenes of the beyerene type, ent-19-hydroxy-1 7-acetoxybeyer-15-ene and ent-beyer-15-en-17-oic acid, and two previously characterized kauranoids, ent-16β-hydroxy-17-acetoxykaurane and ent-16β,1 7-dihydroxy-kaurane, as well as two known flavonoids, luteolin-7,3′,4′-trimethyl ether and luteolin-7,3′-dimethyl ether, and a triterpenoid, oleanoic acid, were obtained from a chloroform extract of Petunia patagonica. The new structures were elucidated by spectral data and chemical transformations.     

Antiproliferative metabolites from the endophytic fungus Penicillium sp. FJ-1 isolated from a mangrove Avicennia marina

Two new compounds, named as 4-(2′,3′-dihydroxy-3′-methyl-butanoxy)-phenethanol (1), and 15-hydroxy-6α,12-epoxy-7β,10αH,11βH-spiroax-4-ene-12-one (2), were isolated from the endophytic fungus Penicillium sp.FJ-1 of Avicennia marina. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analysis. Additionally, compounds 1 and 2 exhibited antiproliferative activities, and compound 2 significantly inhibited the tumor growth of human xenograft osteosarcoma in nude mice.     

Synthesis of 2-methylthio-cis- and trans-ribosylzeatin and their isolation from Pisum tRNA

The cis isomer of 6-(4-hydroxy-3-methyl-2-butenylamino)-2-methylthiopurine and its 9-β- and 9-α-d-ribofuranosyl derivatives have been synthesized and their physical and spectroscopic properties are described. The biological activities of these compounds have been determined in the tobacco bioassay and are compared with those of 6-(4-hydroxy-3-methyl-trans-2-butenylamino)-2-methylthiopurine and its β-ribofuranoside. The 6-(4-hydroxy-3-methyl-2-butenylamino)-2-methylthio-9-β-d-ribofuranosylpurine (ms-ribosylzeatin) isolated from a Pisum tRNA preparation was shown to consist of both isomers, which were separated by TLC and identified by comparisons of UV and MS with those of the synthetic compounds.