New flavans isolated from the leaves and stems of Cratylia mollis (Leguminosae)

Cratylia mollis Mart ex. Benth is a species belonging to the Leguminosae family that exists throughout South America, and it is one of the most abundant plants in northeastern Brazil, especially in the semiarid region. This plant is popularly known as “camaratu” and “camaratuba”, and the leaves and stems of this species are used as a substitute for cattle's alimentation during the dry season. The chemical investigation of the methanolic extract from leaves and stems of C. mollis led to the isolation of new flavans named 4,2′,3′-trihydroxy-4′-methoxy-6,7-(methylenedioxy) isoflavan, 7,2′-dihydroxy-6-methoxyflavan, 7,3′-dihydroxy-6,2′-dimethoxyflavan, 7-hydroxy-6-methoxyflavan, 2′-hydroxy-6,7-(methylenedioxy) flavan, 2R*,3S*-7,2′-dihydroxy-6-methoxy-flavan-3-ol, and 2R*,3S*-7,3-dihydroxy-6,2′-dimethoxyflavan-3-ol and an unusual flavan (11H-benzofuro[3,2-b][1] benzopyran-2-methoxy,3-hydroxy,5a,10a-dihydro) named (3R*,2R*)-3-O-2′-7-hydroxy-6-methoxyflavan. The structures of the new compounds were determined using spectroscopic methods.     

A new synthetic access to furo[3,2-f]chromene analogues of an antimycobacterial

From the structure of 3,3-dimethyl-3H-benzofuro[3,2-f][1]-benzopyran, a selective in vitro inhibitor of mycobacterial growth, we have undertaken a structure-activity relationship investigation. We wish to report here our results on the use of [2+3] cycloadditions between 2-formylbenzoquinone and various enol derivatives to give various 4-formyl-5-hydroxy benzofurans. In the next step, an ytterbium triflate-catalysed reaction with 2-methylpropene allowed the preparation of various original furo[3,2-f]chromenes derivatives. Their biological evaluation on the growth of Mycobacterium smegmatis as well as Mycobacterium tuberculosis pointed out that some analogues were four times more active than the initial hit.     

Phenolic derivatives from Wigandia urens with weak activity against the chemokine receptor CCR5

Three compounds, 2,3-dihydroxy-4-methoxy-6,6,9-trimethyl-6H-dibenzo[b,d]pyran (1), 8-methoxy-2-methyl-2-(4-methyl-3-pentenyl)-2H-1-benzopyran-6-ol (2) and 4-methoxy-3-(3-methyl-2-butenyl)-benzoic acid (3), have been isolated from Wigandia urens. The structures of compounds 1, 2 and 3 were determined from spectroscopic data and showed activity in a CCR5 assay with IC(50) values of 33, 46 and 26 muM respectively.     

A novel oxazine ring closure reaction affording (Z)-((E)-2-styrylbenzo[b]furo[3,2-d][1,3]oxazin-4-ylideno)acetaldehydes and their anti-osteoclastic bone resorption activity

A novel oxazine ring formation method was established using the reaction of 2-acetyl-(E)-3-styrylcarbonylaminobenzo[b]furans (4) with Vilsmeier-Haack-Arnold reagent to afford (E and Z)-((E)-2-styrylbenzo[b]furo[3,2-d][1,3]oxazin-4-ylideno)acetaldehydes (5). (Z)-4-(8-Bromo-(E)-2-styrylbenzo[b]furo[3,2-d][1,3]oxazin-4-ylideno)but-(E)-2-enoic acid ethyl ester (6b), derived from (Z)-5a, showed significantly potent anti-osteoclastic bone resorption activity comparable to 17beta-estradiol (E2).     

Molecular recognition between 4a<Emphasis Type="Italic">S/R</Emphasis>-galanthamine diastereoisomers and α-cyclodextrin

Molecular recognition between 4aS/R-galanthamine diastereoisomers (1: 4aS-galanthamine; 2: 4aR-galanthamine) and -cyclodextrin (-CD) were studied by use of docking and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation approaches. The binding energy of constructed 2···-CD complexes is ~17 kcal mol^–1 lower than that of 1···-CD, implying a stronger binding ability of 2 with -CD than that of 1. The theoretical modeling result is consistent with our previous CZE result, which demonstrated that -CD is an efficient chiral additive for separating 1 and 2. The modeling result also indicates that both hydrophobic interaction and H-bond force may work as major factors for molecular recognition between the galanthamine diastereoisomers and -CD. Figure Chemical structures of 4aS-galanthamine (left) and 4aR-galanthamine (right)Abbreviations Galanthamine 4aS,6R,8aS-4a,5,9,10,11,12-Hexahydroxy-3-methoxy-11-methyl-6H-benzofuro[3a,3,2-e,f]benzazepin-6-ol     

Synthesis of carbon-11-labeled 5-HT6R antagonists as new candidate PET radioligands for imaging of Alzheimer’s disease

Carbon-11-labeled serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine) 6 receptor (5-HT₆R) antagonists, 1-[(2-bromophenyl)sulfonyl]-5-[¹¹C]methoxy-3-[(4-methyl-1-piperazinyl)methyl]-1H-indole (O-[¹¹C]2a) and 1-[(2-bromophenyl)sulfonyl]-5-methoxy-3-[(4-[¹¹C]methyl-1-piperazinyl)methyl]-1H-indole (N-[¹¹C]2a), 5-[¹¹C]methoxy-3-((4-methylpiperazin-1-yl)methyl)-1-(phenylsulfonyl)-1H-indole (O-[¹¹C]2b) and 5-methoxy-3-((4-[¹¹C]methylpiperazin-1-yl)methyl)-1-(phenylsulfonyl)-1H-indole (N-[¹¹C]2b), 1-((4-isopropylphenyl)sulfonyl)-5-[¹¹C]methoxy-3-((4-methylpiperazin-1-yl)methyl)-1H-indole (O-[¹¹C]2c) and 1-((4-isopropylphenyl)sulfonyl)-5-methoxy-3-((4-[¹¹C]methylpiperazin-1-yl)methyl)-1H-indole (N-[¹¹C]2c), 1-((4-fluorophenyl)sulfonyl)-5-[¹¹C]methoxy-3-((4-methylpiperazin-1-yl)methyl)-1H-indole (O-[¹¹C]2d) and 1-((4-fluorophenyl)sulfonyl)-5-methoxy-3-((4-[¹¹C]methylpiperazin-1-yl)methyl)-1H-indole (N-[¹¹C]2d), were prepared from their O- or N-desmethylated precursors with [¹¹C]CH₃OTf through O- or N-[¹¹C]methylation and isolated by HPLC combined with SPE in 40–50% radiochemical yield, based on [¹¹C]CO₂ and decay corrected to end of bombardment (EOB). The radiochemical purity was >99%, and the molar activity (MA) at EOB was 370–740?GBq/μmol with a total synthesis time of ～40-min from EOB.     

Synthesis and in vitro evaluation of derivatives of the β₁-adrenergic receptor antagonist HX-CH 44

Isopropyl- and fluoroisopropyl-amino derivatives of the β(1)-adrenergic receptor antagonist 2-[4-[3-(tert-butyl-amino)-2-hydroxypropoxy]phenyl]-3-methyl-6-methoxy-4(3H)-quinazolinone ((±)HX-CH 44) were synthesized, including a concise and efficient preparation of the core, 2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-6-methoxy-3-methylquinazolin-4(3H)-one. In vitro binding assays showed that the fluorinated analog was selective towards β(1)-adrenergic receptors over β(2)-adrenergic and 5-HT(1A) receptors. An X-ray crystallographic characterization of the fluorinated analog is also reported.     

Dibenzodioxocinones--a new class of CETP inhibitors

Derivatives of the natural product 11-hydroxy-3-[(S)-1-hydroxy-3-methylbutyl]-4-methoxy-9-methyl-5H,7H-dibenzo[b,g][1,5]dioxocin-5-one 1 were studied as novel CETP inhibitors. Compound 2 was identified from HTS as a micromolar inhibitor. The compound suffered from very low stability in plasma. Optimisation by partial synthesis started from 1 and led to low-nanomolar inhibitors with good stability in rat plasma.     

Synthesis and antimycobacterial evaluation of benzofurobenzopyran analogues

We recently reported that 3,3-dimethyl-3H-benzofuro[3,2,f][1]-benzopyran and its hydrogenated analogue are selective in vitro inhibitors of mycobacterial growth. However, their lack of in vivo activity on a murine model of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection due to their poor bioavailability led to a structure-activity relationship investigation. We wish to report here the preparation of some structural analogues along with their biological effect on the growth of Mycobacterium smegmatis, M. tuberculosis, as well as on VERO cells for the most active compound.     

Dopamine/serotonin receptor ligands. Part 15: Oxygenation of the benz-indolo-azecine LE 300 leads to novel subnanomolar dopamine D1/D5 antagonists

Relying on the high affinities of the benz-indolo-azecine LE 300 (1) and the hydroxylated dibenz-azecine LE 404 (2b) for the D1/D5 receptor subtypes, we synthesized methoxylated, hydroxylated and an indole-N methylated derivatives of 1 (Fig. 1). Hydroxylation of azecine derivatives is beneficial with regard to the affinities and selectivities for all the dopamine receptor subtypes. The 'serotonin-derived' 3-oxygenated target compounds but not the 11-oxygenated analogues were superior to the unsubstituted LE 300. 11-Methoxy-7,14-dimethyl-6,7,8,9,14,15-hexahydro-5H-indolo[3,2-f][3]benzazecine (3e) was found to be the most potent antagonist at D2/D3/D4 and D5 receptor subtypes (Ki for D5 = 0.23 nmol) of all known benz-indolo-azecines.     

Benzofuro[3,2-f][1]benzopyrans: a new class of antitubercular agents

Alkylation of 2-hydroxydibenzofuran with 3-chloro-3-methyl-1-butyne, followed by Claisen rearrangement, gave access to 3,3-dimethyl-3Hbenzofuro[3,2-f][1]-benzopyran. Several derivatives modified at the pyran 1,2-double bond were prepared, including the corresponding dihydro compound and (+/-)-cis-diol, which was converted into diacetate and cyclic carbonate upon acylation. Both 3,3-dimethyl-3Hbenzofuro[3,2-f][1]benzopyran and 1,2-dihydro-3,3-dimethyl-3Hbenzofuro[3,2-f][1]benzopyran displayed significant activities when tested against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv and Beijing strains, with MIC99 in the range of 1-10 microg/ml. Further biological studies demonstrated good activities against drug-resistant mycobacterial strains. These compounds appear as promising specific antitubercular agents, since they exhibited neither significant cytotoxicity against mammal cells, nor effect on the growth of various bacteria and fungi.     

Characterization and identification of 6 mutagens in opium pyrolysates implicated in oesophagel cancer in Iran

Previous epidemiological studies have indicated an association between the ingestion of opium pyrolysates, dietary deficiencies, and a high incidence of oesophageal cancer in subjects in north-east Iran. Laboratory studies have shown that pyrolysates of opium and particularly of morphine, a major opium alkaloid, are highly mutagenic in bacteria and induce sister-chromatid exchanges in mammalian cells after metabolic activation. We now report the ability of these pyrolysates to transform Syrian hamster embryo cells in culture and present some evidence for their carcinogenicity in mice and hamsters following topical, subcutaneous, intratracheal and intragastric administration. 6 of the most abundant mutagenic compounds present in morphine pyrolysate were isolated and purified by high-performance liquid chromatography and characterized by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and ¹H-Fourier transform nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. These hitherto unknown compounds, all containing a hydroxy-phenanthrene moiety, were identified as: 3-methyl-3H-naphth[1,2-e]indol-10-ol; 1,2-dihydro-3-methyl-3H-naphth[1,2-e]indol-10-ol; 6-methylaminophenanthren-3-ol; 2-methylphenanthro[3,4-d][1,3]oxazol-10-ol; 2,3-dimethyl-3H-phenanthro[3,4-d]imidazol-10-ol and 2-methyl-3H-phenanthro[3,4-d]imidazol-10-ol. Mutagenicity in Salmonella typhimurium TA98 of these compounds increased in the order listed, the last compound being 35 times more active than benzo[a]pyrene. The mechanisms, by which these mutagens are formed and metabolically activated are discussed.     

Anti-inflammatory and enzyme inhibitory activities of a crude extract and a pterocarpan isolated from the aerial parts of Vitex agnus-castus

A new compound, 6a,11a-dihydro-6H-[1] benzofuro [3,2-c][1,3]dioxolo[4,5-g]chromen-9-ol was isolated from the ethyl acetate fraction of Vitex agnus-castus. The structure of this compound was identified with the help of spectroscopic techniques ((13)C NMR, (1)H NMR, HMBC, HMQC, NOESY and COSY). The compound showed low urease- (32.0%) and chymotrypsin- (31.4%) inhibitory activity, and moderate (41.3%) anti-inflammatory activity. The crude extract and various fractions obtained from the aerial parts of the plant were also screened for possible in vitro hemagglutination, antibacterial and phytotoxic activities. No hemagglutination activity against human erythrocytes was observed in crude extracts and fractions of V. agnus-castus. The fractions and crude methanolic extract showed moderate and low antibacterial activity. Exceptions were the CHCl(3) fraction, which showed significant antibacterial activity against Klebsiella pneumonia (81% with MIC(50)=2.19 mg/mL), the n-hexane fraction, which exhibited no activity against Salmonella typhi, and the CHCl(3) and aqueous fractions, which showed no activity against Bacillus pumalis. Moderate phytotoxic activity (62.5%) was observed by n-hexane fraction of V. agnus-castus against Lemna minor L at 1000 μg/mL.     

Synthesis and in vivo evaluation of [11C]SN003 as a PET ligand for CRF1 receptors

Synthesis and evaluation of [O-methyl-11C](4-methoxy-2-methylphenyl)[1-(1-methoxymethylpropyl)-6-methyl-1H-[1,2,3]triazolo[4,5-c]pyridin-4-yl]amine or [11C]SN003 ([11C]6), as a PET imaging agent for CRF1 receptors, in baboons is described. 4-[1-(1-Methoxymethylpropyl)-6-methyl-1H-[1,2,3]triazolo[4,5-c]pyridin-4-ylamino]-3-methylphenol (5), the precursor molecule for the radiolabeling, was synthesized from 2,4-dichloro-6-methyl-3-nitropyridine in seven steps with 20% overall yield. The total time required for the synthesis of [11C]SN003 is 30 min from EOB using [11C]methyl triflate in the presence of NaOH in acetone. The yield of the synthesis is 22% (EOS) with >99% chemical and radiochemical purities and a specific activity of >2000 Ci/mmol. PET studies in baboon show that [11C]6 penetrates the BBB and accumulates in brain. No detectable specific binding was observed, likely due to the rapid metabolism or low density of CRF1 receptors in primate brain.     

Hexahydrobenzofuranoid neolignans from an Aniba species

The trunk wood of an Amazonian Aniba species contains three novel neolignans: (2R, 3R, 3aS, 5R)-3a-allyl-5-methoxy-2-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-3-methyl-2,3,3a,4,5,6-hexahydro-6-oxobenzofuran (canellin-D), (2R,3R,3aS,5R)-3a-allyl-5,7-dimethoxy-2-(3-methoxy-4,5-methylenedioxyphenyl)-3-methyl-2,3,3a,4,5,6-hexahydro-6-oxobenzofuran (canellin-E) and (2S,3S,3aS,5R)-3a-allyl-5-methoxy-2-(3-methoxy-4,5-methylenedioxyphenyl)-3-methyl-2,3,3a,4,5,6-hexahydro-6-oxobenzofuran (armenin-C). The absolute stereochemistries of these and of all other known hexahydro-6-oxobenzofurans were determined by CD comparisons with model compounds.     

Bicyclo[3,2,1]octanoid,neolignans from Aniba simulans

Six bicyclo[3,2,1]octanoid neolignans, isolated from the benzene extract of Aniba simulans Allen (Lauraceae) trunk wood, are shown to derive from two basic structures: 1-allyl-8-hydroxy-6-(3′-methoxy-4′,5′-methylenedioxyphenyl)-7-methyl-3-oxobicyclo[3,2,1]octane, substituted by 4-hydroxy, 4-hydroxy-5-methoxy, 4-methoxy or 4,5-dimethoxy groups; and 1-allyl-8-hydroxy-6-(3′-methoxy-4′,5′-methylenedioxyphenyl)-7-methyl-4-oxobicyclo[3,2,1]oct-2-ene, substituted by 3-hydroxy or 3-hydroxy-5-methoxy groups. The structural proposals are based on spectral data, interconversions synthesis of a derivative from the known (2R,3S,3aS)-3a-allyl-5-methoxy-2-(3′-methoxy,4′,5′-methylenedioxyphenyl)-3-methyl-2,3,3a,6-tetrahydro-6-oxobenzofuran.     

Synthesis and antibacterial activity of egonol derivatives

Synthesis of egonol derivatives, 5-(3'-chloropropyl)-7-methoxy-2-(3',4'-methylenedioxyphenyl)benzofuran 1, 5-(3'-bromopropyl)-7-methoxy-2-(3',4'-methylenedioxyphenyl)benzofuran 2, 3-[2-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)-7-methoxy-1-benzofuran-5-yl]propanal 3, 5-(3'-iodopropyl)-7-methoxy-2-(3',4'-methylenedioxyphenyl)benzofuran 4, 5-[3-(3'-bromopropyloxy) propyl]-7-methoxy-2-(3',4'-methylenedioxyphenyl)benzofuran 5, 3-[2-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)-7-methoxy-1-benzofuran-5-yl]propylmethanoate 6, 3-[2-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)-7-methoxy-1-benzofuran-5-yl]propyloleate 7, 5-[3'-hydroxypropyl]-6-bromo-7-methoxy-2-(3',4'-methylenedioxyphenyl)benzofuran 8, 4-[2-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)-7-methoxy-1-benzofuran-5-yl]butanenitrile 9, 3-[2-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)-7-methoxy-1-benzofuran-5-yl]propylbenzoate 10, 5-[3'-hydroxypropyl]-7-methoxy-3-nitro-2-(3',4'-methylenedioxyphenyl)benzofuran 11 and their antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Candida albicans and Escherichia coli are reported. The starting material egonol 5-[3'-(hydroxy)propyl]-7-methoxy-2-(3', 4'methylenedioxyphenyl)benzofuran was isolated from seeds of Styrax officinalis L. The structural elucidication of these compounds (1-11) was established using 1D ((1)H, (13)C), 2D NMR (HMBC, HMQC, COSY) and LCMS spectroscopic data. While egonol and some synthesised new compounds show similar antibacterial activity and MIC values against S. aureus, B. subtilis, C. albicans and E. coli, other new derivatives show different activity against S. aureus, B. subtilis, C. albicans and E. coli.     

2''-Deoxy-3,7-dideazaguanosine and related compounds. Synthesis of 6-amino-1-(2-deoxy-beta-D-erythro-pentofuranosyl) and 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosyl-1H-pyrrolo[3,2-c]pyridin-4(5H)-one via direct glycosylation of a pyrrole precursor.

The synthesis of two new analogs of 2'-deoxyguanosine, 6-amino-1-(2-deoxy-beta-D-erythro-pentofuranosyl)-1H-pyrrolo[3,2-c] pyridin-4(5H)-one (8) and 6-amino-1-beta-D-arabinofuranosyl-1H-pyrrolo[3,2-c]-pyridin-4(5H)-one (13) has been accomplished by glycosylation of the sodium salt of ethyl 2-cyanomethyl-1H-pyrrole-3-carboxylate (4c) using 1-chloro-2-deoxy-3,5-di-O-p-toluoyl-alpha-D-erythro-pentofuranose( 5) and 1-chloro-2,3,5-tri-O-benzyl-alpha-D-arabinofuranose (9), respectively. The resulting blocked nucleosides, ethyl 2-cyanomethyl-1-(2-deoxy-3,5-di-O-p-toluoyl-beta-D-erythro- pentofuranosyl)-1H-pyrrole-3-carboxylate (6) and ethyl 2-cyanomethyl-1-(2,3,5-tri-O-benzyl-beta-D-arabinofuranosyl)- 1H-pyrrole-3-carboxylate, were ring closed with hydrazine to form 5-amino-6-hydrazino-1-(2-deoxy-beta-D-erythro-pentofuranosyl)-1H- pyrrolo[3,2-c]-pyridin-4(5H)-one (7) and 5,6-diamino-1-(2,3,5-tri-O-benzyl-beta-D-arabinofuranosyl)-1H- pyrrolo[3,2-c]pyridin-4(5H)-one (11), respectively. Treatment of 7 with Raney nickel provided the 2'-deoxyguanosine analog 8 while reaction of 11 with Raney nickel followed by palladium hydroxide/cyclohexene treatment gave the 2'-deoxyguanosine analog 13. The anomeric configuration of 8 was assigned as beta by proton NMR, while that of 13 was confirmed as beta by single-crystal X-ray analysis of the deblocked precursor ethyl 2-cyanomethyl-1-beta-D-arabinofuranosyl-1H-pyrrole-3-carboxylate (10a).     

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.     

Microbiological degradation of bile acids. Metabolites formed from 3-(3a alpha-hexahydro-7a beta-methyl-1,5-dioxoindan-4 alpha-yl) propionic acid by Streptomyces rubescens.

1. The metabolism of 3-(3a alpha-hexahydro-7a beta-methyl-1,5-dioxoindan-4 alpha-yl)propionic acid (III), which is a possible precursor of 2,3,4,6,6a beta, 7,8,9,9a alpha,9b beta-decahydro-6a beta-methyl-1H-cyclopenta[f]quinoline-3,7-dione (II) formed from cholic acid (I) by streptomyces rubescens, was investigated by using the same organism. 2. This organism effected amide bond formation, reduction of the carbonyl groups, trans alpha beta-desaturation and R-oriented beta-hydroxylation of the propionic acid side chain and skeleton cleavage, and the following metabolites were isolated as these forms or their derivatives: compound (II), 1,2,3,4 a beta,-5,6,6a beta,7,8,9a alpha,9b beta-dodecahydro-6a beta -methylcyclopental[f][1]benzopyran-3,7-dione (IVa), (1R)-1,2,3,4a beta,5,6,6a beta,7,8,9.9a alpha,9b beta-dodecahydro-1-hydroxy-6a beta-methylcyclopenta[f][1]benzopyran-3,7-dione (IVb), (E)-3-(3aalpha-hexahydro-5 alpha-hydroxy-7a beta-methyl-l-oxo-indan-4 alpha-yl)prop-2-enoic acid (V), (+)-(5R)-5-methyl-4-oxo-octane-1,8-dioic acid (VI), 3-(4-hydroxy-5-methyl-2-oxo-2H-pyran-6-yl)propionic acid (VII) and 3-(3a alpha-hexahydro-1 beta-hydroxy-7a beta-methyl-5-oxoindan-4 alpha-yl)propionic acid (VIII). The metabolites (IVb), (V), (VI) and (VII) were new compounds, and their structures were established by chemical synthesis. 3. The question of whether these metabolites are true degradative intermediates is discussed, and a degradative pathway of compound (III) to the possible precursor of compound (VII), 7-carboxy-4-methyl-3,5-dioxoheptanoyl-CoA (IX), is tentatively proposed. The further degradation of compound (IX) to small fragments is also considered.