Structural characterization of phytotoxic terpenoids from Cestrum parqui

Isolation, chemical characterization and phytotoxicity of nine polyhydroxylated terpenes (five C13nor-isoprenoids, two sesquiterpenes, a spirostane and a pseudosapogenin) from Cestrum parqui L'Herr are reported. In this work we completed the phytochemical investigation of the terpenic fraction of the plant and described the structural elucidation of polar isoprenoids using NMR methods. All the configurations of the compounds have been assigned by NOESY experiments. Four new structures have been identified as (3S,5R,6R,7E,9R)-5,6,9-trihydroxy-3-isopropyloxy-7-megastigmene, 5alpha-spirostan-3beta,12beta,15alpha-triol, and 26-O-(3'-isopentanoyl)-beta-d-glucopyranosyl-5alpha-furost-20(22)-ene-3beta,26-diol, and as an unusual tricyclic sesquiterpene. The compounds have been assayed for their phytotoxicity on lettuce at the concentrations ranging between 10(-4) and 10(-7)M. The activities of some compounds were similar to that of the herbicide pendimethalin.     

Zinc complexes with cyclic derivatives of alpha-ketoglutaric acid thiosemicarbazone: Synthesis, X-ray structures and DNA interactions

Six new cyclic ligands derived from alpha-ketoglutaric acid thiosemicarbazone (H(3)ct) and their zinc complexes have been synthesized and characterized by analytical and spectroscopic (IR and NMR) studies. The X-ray structures of ligands Me-H(2)ct(C) (1), Allyl-H(2)ct(c) (3) and of complex [Zn(Me-Hct(C))(2)(OH(2))(2)].2H(2)O (7) have been determined. In complex (7) the zinc atom lies on a twofold axis and is surrounded in a tetrahedral coordination by two water molecules and two carboxylic oxygen donor atoms from the ligand. DNA titration in the UV-visible region and thermal denaturation have been employed to determine the details of DNA binding for the studied compounds. Studies of nuclease activity have also been performed with all our compounds through a gel electrophoresis experiment using plasmid pBR322 showing that no DNA breakings take place. Tests in vitro on human leukemia cell line U937 have been carried out on cell growth inhibition where solubility of the compounds allowed the experiments.     

Synthesis and evaluation of furoxan-based nitric oxide-releasing derivatives of tetrahydroisoquinoline as anticancer and multidrug resistance reversal agents

Multidrug resistance in tumor cells poses a major obstacle to efficient chemotherapy. Several types of agents have been recognized as multidrug resistance inhibitors, among which the tetrahydroisoquinolines is the most studied. In current study 16 furoxan-based nitric oxide-releasing derivatives of tetrahydroisoquinoline were synthesized. Their cytotoxic activities and effects in reversing multidrug resistance have been evaluated. The results revealed that these compounds had moderate cytotoxic effects. Compounds 7a-f, 7h, and 7l showed higher cytotoxicities than the rest, but lower than adriamycin on K562 cell line. Compounds 7d, 7f, and 7l exhibited potent MDR reversal activities on K562/A02 cell line. The accumulation assay indicated that compounds 7d, 7f, and 7l significantly increased the intracellular accumulation of rhodamine123 in K562/A02 cells. Furthermore, these three compounds produced high concentrations of NO in K562/A02 cells. Potentially, the high concentrations of NO produced by NO donor moieties will lead to an increased cytotoxicity to K562/A02 cells. Our results suggested that compounds 7d, 7f, and 7l had anticancer effects, as well as multidrug resistance reversal effects.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of thiazole derivatives as novel USP7 inhibitors

Herpesvirus-associated Ubiquitin-Specific Protease (HAUSP, also called USP7) interacts with and stabilizes Mdm2, and represents one of the first examples that deubiquitinases oncogenic proteins. USP7 has been regarded as a potential drug target for cancer therapy. Inhibitors of USP7 have been recently shown to suppress tumor cell growth in vitro and in vivo. Based on leading USP7 inhibitors P5091 and P22077, we designed and synthesized a series of thiazole derivatives. The results of in vitro assays showed that the thiazole compounds exhibited low micromolar inhibition activity against both USP7 enzyme and cancer cell lines. The compounds induced cell death in a p53-dependent and p53-independent manner. Taken together, this study may provide thiazole compounds as a new class of USP7 inhibitors.     

The synthesis of some cholest-7-en-6-one derivatives related to ecdysones

Cholest-7-en-6-one, 14α-hydroxycholest-7-en-6-one, 2β, 3β,5α-trihydroxycholest-7-en-6-one and ten other related compounds have been synthesized by efficient routes from cholesterol. The named compounds possess some of the characteristics of the insect moulting hormones, ecdysones.     

Substituted 4-anilino-7-phenyl-3-quinolinecarbonitriles as Src kinase inhibitors

A series of substituted 4-anilino-7-phenyl-3-quinolinecarbonitriles has been prepared as Src kinase inhibitors. Optimal activity is observed with compounds that have basic amines attached via the para position of the 7-phenyl ring, and a hydrogen atom at the C-6 position. The best compounds are low nanomolar inhibitors of Src kinase, and have potent activity against Src-transformed fibroblast cells.     

STUDY ON CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS OF SAUSSUREA LAPPA II

Seven compounds were isolated from the underground parts of Saussurea lappe in-cluding three steroids, pregnenolone (1), β-sitosterol (2), daucosterol (3); a phenylpropanoid glycoside, syringin (4); a lignan glycoside, l- hydroxypinoresinol-l-β- D- glucopyrano side (5); a straight chain fatty acid and an its propanedinyl ester, (z, z) -9, 12 -octadecadienoic acid (6), (z,z)- 9, 12 -octadecadienoic acid -2- hydroxy -1, 3 -propanedinyl ester (7). The structures of these compounds were determined by means of spectral and some chemical evidence. Moreover, among the seven compounds, compound 1 as a natural product has been isolated from plantS for the first time, compounds 3,4,5 and 7 have been obtained from this plant source for the first time.     

Synthesis of 2-(3-(3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)thioureido)-3-((dimethylamino)methyl)camphor organocatalysts

In a stereo-divergent synthesis, three novel camphor-derived bifunctional thiourea organocatalysts 7-9 have been prepared in five steps starting from (+)-camphor. In addition, borneol-derived bifunctional thiourea organocatalysts 19/19' have been prepared in three steps from (1S)-(+)-camphorquinone. Novel organocatalysts 7-9, 19/19' have been evaluated in a model reaction of Michael addition of dimethyl malonate to trans-β-nitrostyrene with low to moderate enantioselectivities (20%-60% ee). Configuration of all novel compounds has been meticulously determined using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) techniques.     

无量山种子植物区系的特有现象

地处滇中南的无量山地区迄今计有种子植物207科,1026属,2540种。其中有东亚特有科10个,中国特有属27个,无量山特有种67个。这一地区不仅植物种类丰富,而且特有现象较为显著。在对科级特有现象进行较细致的研究后,本文认为无量山具有的较多的分类系统上隔离的东亚特有科反映了该地作为东亚古老植物区系的一部分,其地质历史与整个东亚是一致的,且与东亚植物区系的发端密切相关。属的特有现象表明,地处中国特有属高频率中心区云南腹地的无量山,却没有相应的高比例中国特有,说明我国高频率区的特有程度质和量上不是均一的,在此之外存在一些次级中心区;无量山明显处于滇西北、滇东南两大中国特有属多样性中心之间。种的特有现象中,中国特有种的各亚型显示了这里区系的亚热带性质;67个特有种所隶属的属的分布区类型的分析表明了由热带性质向温带性质的过渡,而较低的特有种比例,说明无量山的地理隔离程度并不高,时间也不长。     

白刺属植物的分类学及系统学研究

在回顾白刺属(Nitraria L.)研究历史的基础上,对全球所产白刺属的12种植物作了详细的考证和系统整理。根据果皮结构及演化趋势,花粉形态及分布区等方面的研究资料,探讨了属内种间的系统发育,提出了属下的分类系统,在此系统下编制出分组及分种检索表。根据其地理分布,绘制了白刺属植物的中国及世界分布图。     

Phenolics from the seeds of Argemone mexicana

Two new phenolic compounds, 5, 7, 2′, 6′-tetrahydroxyflavone and 5, 7-dihydroxychromone 7- neohesperidoside have been characterized from the seeds of Argemone mexicana.     

The design of 8,8-dimethyl[1,6]naphthyridines as potential anticonvulsant agents

Starting from a series of 7-linked tetrahydroisoquinoline derivatives, as exemplified by SB-270664, a new series of 8,8-dimethylnaphthyridine compounds has been identified. SAR studies around these attractive leads have provided compounds such as 12 which display excellent anticonvulsant activity and an encouraging pharmacokinetic profile in vivo.     

Synthesis and structure-activity relationships of guanine analogues as phosphodiesterase 7 (PDE7) inhibitors

The synthesis of a novel series of guanine analogues is reported. The compounds have been assessed in vitro and some analogues have been found to be inhibitors of phosphodiesterase type 7 (PDE7).     

A 100K well screen for a muscarinic receptor using the Epic® label-free system – a reflection on the benefits of the label-free approach to screening seven-transmembrane receptors

Seven-transmembrane receptors (7TMRs) are a family of proteins of great interest as therapeutic targets because of their abundance on the cell surface, diverse effects in modulating cell behavior and success as a key class of drugs. We have evaluated the Epic^® label-free system for the purpose of identifying antagonists of the muscarinic M3 receptor. We compared the data generated from the label-free technology with data for the same compounds in a calcium flux assay. We have shown that this technology can be used for high throughput screening (HTS) of 7TMRs and as an orthogonal approach to enable rapid evaluation of HTS outputs. A number of compounds have been identified which were not found in a functional HTS measuring the output from a single pathway, which may offer new approaches to inhibiting responses through this receptor.     

Sulfur-containing natural hinduchelins derivatives as potential antifungal agents against Rhizoctonia solani

Aryl-oxazole alkaloids are an important class of heterocyclic natural products, and which has been demonstrated to exhibit broad biological functions. During the course of our research for highly active compounds from natural products, the natural hinduchelins A-D with typical aryl-oxazole unit have been synthesized and investigated. So, in order to develop highly potential functional molecules, a series of novel sulfur-containing aryl-oxazole compounds derived from natural hinduchelins was designed and synthesized, and their in vitro fungicidal activities against four common plant pathogenic fungi (oomycetes Phytophthora capsici, ascomycetes Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, deuteromycetes Botrytis cinerea and basidiomycetes Rhizoctonia solani) were evaluated, the results demonstrated that compounds 7b and 7c displayed good selectivity and specificity in vitro against basidiomycetes R. solani. In addition, the in vivo antifungal activities also indicated compounds 7b and 7c can protect the horsebean against infection by R. solani, and the possible mechanism of antifungal action for these compounds has also been investigated.     

Inactivation of HIV-1 nucleocapsid protein P7 by pyridinioalkanoyl thioesters. Characterization of reaction products and proposed mechanism of action

The synthesis and antiviral properties of pyridinioalkanoyl thioester (PATE) compounds that target nucleocapsid p7 protein (NCp7) of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) have been described previously (Turpin, J. A., Song, Y., Inman, J. K., Huang, M., Wallqvist, A., Maynard, A., Covell, D. G., Rice, W. G., and Appella, E. (1999) J. Med. Chem. 42, 67-86). In the present study, fluorescence and electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry were employed to determine the mechanism of modification of NCp7 by two lead compounds, N-[2-(5-pyridiniovaleroylthio)benzoyl]sulfacetamide bromide and N-[2-(5-pyridiniovaleroylthio)benzoyl]-4-(4-nitrophenylsulfonyl )anili ne bromide (compounds 45 and 47, respectively). Although both compounds exhibit antiviral activity in cell-based assays, we failed to detect appreciable ejection of zinc from NCp7 under conditions in which previously described NCp7-active disulfides readily eject zinc. However, upon "activation" by Ag(+), compound 45 reacted with NCp7 resulting in the zinc ejection from both zinc fingers. The reaction followed a two-step mechanism in which zinc was ejected from the carboxyl-terminal zinc finger faster than from the amino-terminal zinc finger. Both compounds covalently modified the protein with pyridinioalkanoyl groups. Compound 45 modified cysteines 36 and 49 of the carboxyl-terminal zinc finger. The results obtained herein demonstrate that PATE compounds can be constructed that selectively target only one of the two zinc fingers of NCp7, thus providing an impetus to pursue development of highly selective zinc finger inhibitors.     

Design,synthesis and antibacterial activities of thiouracil derivatives containing acyl thiourea as SecA inhibitors

A series of novel thiouracil derivatives containing an acyl thiourea moiety (7a–7x) have been synthesized by structural modification of a lead SecA inhibitor, 2. All the compounds have been evaluated for their antibacterial activities against Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus subtilis. Compounds 7c, 7m, 7u, 7v exhibited promising activities against above bacteria. Such four compounds were further tested for their inhibitory activity against SecA ATPase, and the results showed that compounds 7c and 7u had higher inhibitory activities than that of compound 2. Molecular docking work suggests that compound 7u might bind at a pocket close to the ATPase ATP-binding domain.     

Chemical constituents from the whole herbs of Peperomia tetraphylla and their chemotaxonomic significance

Our studies report the isolation of seventeen compounds (1–17), which include three phenolic acids (12–14), seven flavonoids (3, 6, 8, 11, 15–17), four secolignans (1, 2, 5 and 9), one tetrahydrofuran lignin (10) and two alkaloids (4 and 7). These compounds have been obtained from the Peperomia tetraphylla using chromatographic methods. Their structures were confirmed based on spectroscopic methods. Among them, five compounds (4, 7, 8, 11 and 15) were found in the family, four compounds (3 and 12–14) were firstly reported from genus Peperomia, and four compounds (6, 9, 16 and 17) were firstly obtained from this species. Furthermore, the chemotaxonomic significance of these ingredients from the whole plants of P. tetraphylla has been discussed in detail.     

Synthesis of 7-oxo-7H-naphtho[1,2,3-de]quinoline derivatives as potential anticancer agents active on multidrug resistant cell lines

Following our earlier finding that tetracyclic anthraquinone analogs with a fused pyridone ring exhibit cytotoxic activity toward multidrug resistant tumor cells, a series of new potential antitumor agents, 7-oxo-7H-naphtho[1,2,3-de]quinoline derivatives (3, 6-8, 10-12, 14, 15, and 18), bearing one or two basic side chains and various substituents at the pyridone ring, have been synthesized. The compounds have been obtained from 1-amino-4-chloroanthraquinone or 1-aminoanthraquinone by cyclization with diethyl malonate and the subsequent reactions of the key intermediates 2, 4, and 17. The compounds exhibited cytotoxic activity toward sensitive human leukemia cell line HL-60 and against its resistant sublines HL-60/VINC (MDR1 type) and HL-60/DX (MRP1 type).     

谷精草抑制α-葡萄糖苷酶活性成分研究

研究谷精草中α-葡萄糖苷酶活性抑制成分。采用色谱技术分离鉴定了26个化合物,对所有分离得到的化合物都进行了抗α-葡萄糖苷酶活性的体外筛选试验。其中化合物决明内酯-9-O-β-D-葡萄糖苷(3)、万寿菊素(7)、1,3,6,8-四羟基-2-甲氧基口山酮(13)、万寿菊素-3-O-β-D-吡喃葡萄糖苷(19)显示出显著的抑制活性,IC50分别为106.7、8.73、56.6、80.4μM。