Sesquiterpene lactones from the fruits of smyrnium rotundifolium

In addition to known compounds an investigation of the fruits of Smyrnium rotundifolium afforded four new germacrane derivatives, all closely related to glechomanolide, one being a secogermacrane anhydride. The new compounds were 8,9-epoxy-8,9-secoglechomanolide, 1β,10α-epoxy-4-methoxy-8-hydroxyglechomanolide and 8-oxo-8,9-secoglechomanolide. The structures were assigned by spectral methods as well as by some chemical reactions.     

Thymol derivatives from Calea nelsonii

Calea nelsonii yielded, besides the two known thymol derivatives 8,9-epoxy-7-isobutyryloxythymol isobutyrate and 10-acetoxy-8,9-epoxythymol isobutyrate, the five new thymol derivatives 10-acetoxy-8,9-epoxy-7- isobutyryloxythymol isobutyrate, 10-acetoxy-8,9-epoxy-7-hydroxythymol isobutyrate, 8-hydroxy-9-acetoxy-10-isobutyryloxythymol 7-acetoxy-8-hydroxy-9,10-diisobutyryloxythymol and 7-isobutyryloxy-8,9-dihydroxythymol, while C. zacatechichi provided the known flavones 5-hydroxy-7,4′-dimethoxy flavone and 5,7-dihydroxy-4′-methoxyflavone and a known epoxysesquiterpene lactone. The structures of the new compounds were established by spectral methods. Some chemotaxonomic aspects are discussed.     

Thymol derivatives from schizogyne glaberrima

An investigation of Schizogyne glaberrima afforded in addition to known compounds 3-(acetoxy-methyl)-6-methyl-5-methoxy-benzofuran,10-acctoxy-8,9-epoxy-6-methoxy-thymol isobutyrate, 10-acetoxy-8-hydroxy-9-isobutyryloxy-6-methoxy-thymol,8-hydroxy-9,10-isobutyryloxy-thymol and 8,10-dihydroxy-9-isobutyryloxy-thymol, five new thymol derivatives, 8-ethoxy-9-isobutyryloxy-thymol, 10-acetoxy-8,9-dehydro-6-methoxy-thymol isobutyrate, 6-acetoxy-8,9-dehydro-9-carbomethoxy-10-hydroxy-thymol and 8,9-dihydroxy-10-isobutyryloxy-6-methoxy-thymol.     

Polyacetylenes from the rabbitbrush,Chrysothamnus nauseosus

Four new polyacetylenes, methyl Z,Z-10-acetoxymatricariate, methyl Z,Z-10-hydroxymatricariate, methyl 2(Z)-10-acetoxy-8,9-epoxydecen- 4,6-diynoate and methyl 2(Z)-10-hydroxy-8,9-epoxydecen-4,6-diynoate, were isolated from the composite Chrysothamnus nauseosus. These compounds are naturally-occurring antifeedants of the Colorado potato beetle. The assigned structures rest on their spectroscopic properties as well as chemical interconversions.     

A thymol derivative from Inula crithmoides

Re-investigation of the aerial parts and roots of Inula crithmoides afforded, in addition to known compounds, a new epoxythymol isovalerate. Its structure has been determined as 10-isovaleryloxy-8,9-epoxythymol-3-isovalerate     

Epoxy derivatives of aromatic polycyclic hydrocarbons. The preparation of benz[a]anthracene 8,9-oxide and 10,11-dihydrobenz[a]anthracene 8,9-oxide and their metabolism by rat liver preparations

The syntheses of 10,11-dihydrobenz[a]anthracene 8,9-oxide, benz[a]anthracene 8,9-oxide and 9-hydroxybenz[a]anthracene are described, together with those of a number of related compounds. The epoxides react both chemically and enzymically with water to yield the corresponding dihydrodiols and with reduced glutathione to form glutathione conjugates, and they react chemically with N-acetylcysteine to yield the corresponding mercapturic acids. 8,9-Dihydro-8,9-dihydroxybenz[a]anthracene, formed enzymically from benz[a]anthracene 8,9-oxide, was identical with a dihydrodiol formed when benz[a]anthracene was metabolized by rat liver homogenates. Similarly 10,11-dihydrobenz[a]anthracene 8,9-oxide yielded a dihydrodiol identical with the product formed when 10,11-dihydrobenz[a]anthracene was metabolized.     

Sesquiterpenes from Liabum floribundum

The aerial parts of Liabum floribundum afrorded in addition to widespread triterpenes two new eudesmane derivatives and a keto acetate derived from germacra-1(10),4-diene.     

The metabolism of 7- and 12-methylbenz[a]-anthracene and their derivatives

1. 7- and 12-Methylbenz[a]anthracene were converted by rat-liver homogenates into the corresponding hydroxymethyl derivatives, products that are probably the 8,9-dihydro-8,9-dihydroxy and the 5,6-dihydro-5,6-dihydroxy derivatives, and a number of phenolic products. 2. Both hydrocarbons were converted into glutathione conjugates; that from 7-methylbenz[a]anthracene was also formed, together with 5,6-dihydro-5,6-dihydroxy- and 5-hydroxy-benz[a]anthracene, from 5,6-epoxy-5,6-dihydro-7-methylbenz[a]anthracene. 3. 7- and 12-Hydroxymethyl-benz[a]anthracene were converted into products that are probably 8,9-dihydro-8,9-dihydroxy derivatives, and into phenols. 4. The preparation of a number of derivatives of the hydrocarbons is described. 5. The oxidation of the hydrocarbons with lead tetra-acetate was investigated.     

Novel derivatives of usnic acid effectively inhibiting reproduction of influenza A virus

Influenza virus is serious human pathogen leading to high morbidity and mortality all over the world. Due to high rate of mutation, it is able to fast development of drug resistance that makes necessary to search novel antivirals with broad range and alternative targets. In the present study we describe synthesis and anti-viral activity of novel derivatives of usnic acid (2,6-diacetyl-7,9-dihydroxy-8,9b-dimethyl-1,3(2H,9bH)-dibenzo-furandione). It is shown that anti-viral activity of usnic acid can be increased by side moieties introduction. The modification with chalcones appeared to be the most effective. Our study revealed that (−)-usnic acid exhibited higher antiviral activity than its (+)-enantiomer, but in the pairs of enantiomer derivatives such as enamines, pyrazoles and chalcones, the (+)-enantiomers were more potent inhibitors of the virus. For other groups of compounds the inhibiting activities of the enantiomers were comparable. Further optimization of the structure could therefore result in development of novel anti-influenza compound with alternative target and mechanism of virus-inhibiting action.     

Alcaloides d'Alstonia lanceolifera

From the aerial parts of Alstonia lanceolifera six alkaloids were isolated and identified: O-trimethoxycinnamoylvincamajine, O-trimethoxy-cinnamoyl-10-methoxyvincamajine, O-trimethoxycinnamoyl-10-hydroxyvincamajine, O-trimethoxybenzoylhydroxyvincamajine, 10-methoxyvincamajine, N(a)-methyl-10-methoxyakuammidine. These alkaloids are new compounds, except for the first. The position of aromatic substituents was determined by study of the Nuclear Overhauser Effect (N.O.E.) in the NMR spectra.     

Novel 12-membered non-antibiotic macrolides from erythromycin A; EM900 series as novel leads for anti-inflammatory and/or immunomodulatory agents

Herein, we report the design and synthesis of the novel 12-membered non-antibiotic macrolide (8R,9S)-8,9-dihydro-6,9-epoxy-8,9-anhydropseudoerythromycin A (EM900), which was found to be a potent anti-inflammatory and/or immunomodulatory agent, capable of promoting monocyte to macrophage differentiation. This molecule shows improved acid stability, does not exhibit any anti-bacterial activity and has relatively low cytotoxicity against THP-1 cells. In addition, one of its analogues, (8R,9S)-4″,13-O-diacetyl-8,9-dihydro-6,9-epoxy-8,9-anhydropseudoerythromycin A (EM911), was found to be twice as effective as EM900.     

8,9-Epoxyeicosatrienoic acid analog protects pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells from apoptosis via ROCK pathway

Epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs), metabolites of arachidonic acid (AA) catalyzed by cytochrome P450 (CYP), have many essential biologic roles in the cardiovascular system including inhibition of apoptosis in cardiomyocytes. In the present study, we tested the potential of 8,9-EET and derivatives to protect pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) from starvation induced apoptosis. We found 8,9-epoxy-eicos-11(Z)-enoic acid (8,9-EET analog (214)), but not 8,9-EET, increased cell viability, decreased activation of caspase-3 and caspase-9, and decreased TUNEL-positive cells or nuclear condensation induced by serum deprivation (SD) in PASMCs. These effects were reversed after blocking the Rho-kinase (ROCK) pathway with Y-27632 or HA-1077. Therefore, 8,9-EET analog (214) protects PASMC from serum deprivation-induced apoptosis, mediated at least in part via the ROCK pathway. Serum deprivation of PASMCs resulted in mitochondrial membrane depolarization, decreased expression of Bcl-2 and enhanced expression of Bax, all effects were reversed by 8,9-EET analog (214) in a ROCK dependent manner. Because 8,9-EET and not the 8,9-EET analog (214) protects pulmonary artery endothelial cells (PAECs), these observations suggest the potential to differentially promote apoptosis or survival with 8,9-EET or analogs in pulmonary arteries.     

Oxepine derivatives from the roots of Smyrnium rotundifolium

Besides the known eudesmanolides and oxepine derivatives we have isolated two new oxepine type sesquiterpene lactones from the roots of Smyrnium rotundifolium. The new compounds were smyrnicordi-8-enolide and isosmyrnicordiolide, its stereochemistry at C-8 and C-10 could not be established.     

Cassane diterpenoids from stem bark of Erythrophleum suaveolens [(Guill. et Perr.), Brenan]

Phytochemical investigation of the stem bark of Erythrophleum suaveolens yielded four new cassane diterpenoids; 6α-hydroxy-cassamic acid, methyl ester, 4β-carbomethoxy-14-methyltotarol, 6α-hydroxy-nor-cassamine, and 8,9-dehydro-nor-cassamine, along with four known cassane diterpenoids. All structures were elucidated on the basis of one- and two-dimensional NMR, HRMS and ESIMS analysis.     

Neue phloroglucin-derivate aus Leontonyx-arten sowie weitere verbindungen aus vertretern der tribus inuleae

The investigation of several South African species of the tribe Inuleae afforded in addition to known compounds 16 new constituents. From Leontonyx a group of 9 new phloroglucinol derivatives, from Stoebe species two new p-hydroxyacetophenone, two thymol and two coumaric acid derivatives and from Relhania a new euparine-derivative were isolated. The structures are elucidated mainly by spectroscopic methods. The chemotaxonomic aspects are discussed briefly. The phloroglucinol derivatives, which in part are derived from geraniol, seem to be especially characteristic.     

Mutagenicity of non-K-region diols and diol-epoxides of benz(a)anthracene and benzo(a)pyrene in S. typhimurium TA 100

When incubated with a 9,000 x g rat-liver supernatant, benzo(a)pyrene 7,8-diol and benz(a)anthracene 8,9-diol were more active than the parent hydrocarbons in inducing his⁺ revertant colonies of S. typhimurium TA 100. Benzo(a) pyrene 9,10-diol was less active than benzo(a)pyrene; the K-region diols, benz(a)anthracene 5,6-diol and benzo(a)pyrene 4,5-diol, were inactive. None of the diols was active when the cofactors for the microsomal mono-oxygenase were omitted. The diol-epoxides benzo(a)pyrene 7,8-diol 9,10-oxide, benz(a)anthracene 8,9-diol 10,11-oxide and 7-methylbenz(a)anthracene 8,9-diol 10,11-oxide and the K-region epoxides, benzo(a)pyrene 4,5-oxide and benz(a)anthracene 5,6-oxide, were mutagenic without further metabolism.     

Pterocarpans from Dalbergia spruceana

The wood of Dalbergia spruceana contains, besides O-acetyloleanolic acid, elemicin and 3,4,5-trimethoxy-cinnamaldehyde; the neoflavonoids (S)-4-methoxydalbergione and dalbergin; the isoflavones biochanin-A, formononetin, pseudobaptigenin and caviunin; and the pterocarpans (±)-medicarpin, (±)-maackiain, as well as the 3,4-dihydroxy-, 3-hydroxy-4-methoxy- and 4-hydroxy-3-methoxy-derivatives of (6aR,11aR)-8,9-methylenedioxypterocarpan. The constitutions of the three last named compounds were deduced by spectra and confirmed by synthesis of (±)-4-hydroxy-3-methoxy-8,9-methylenedioxypterocarpan.     

Labdane and dehydronerolidol derivatives from Brickellia diffusa

An investigation of Brickellia diffusa afforded three new dehydronerolidol derivatives and five new labdane derivatives, all highly oxygenated. The structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods and a few chemical transformations. The compounds isolated showed close relationships to those isolated from Brickellia sp.     

The isolation, characterization and structure of uroterpenol, a monoterpene from human urine

Human urine is shown to contain, in a conjugated form, a compound of molecular formula C₁₀H₁₈O₂, which is named uroterpenol. Details are reported of the isolation procedure, the preparation of derivatives and the chemical and physical properties, together with a proof that the compound is p-menth-1-ene-8,9-diol.     

An acetophenone and three naphthalides from turkish Rhamnus libanoticus

A new acetophenone glycoside and two new naphthalide glycosides have been isolated from the bark of Turkish Rhamnus libanoticus together with 7-hydroxy-5-methoxyphthalide 7-O-β-D-glucoside. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic methods as 2,6-dihydroxy-4-methoxyacetophenone 2-O-β- rutinoside, 8,9-dihydroxy-6-methoxynaphthalide 8-O-β-rutinoside, 8,9-dihydroxy-6-methoxynaphthalide 8-O-/3b-D glucoside, respectively.