Chromenes of polyketide origin from Peperomia villipetiola

An extract of leaves and stems of Peperomia villipetiola has been found to contain myristicin (3-methoxy-4,5-methylenedioxy-allylbenzene) and seven chromenes, whose structures are methyl 5-hydroxy-7-methyl-2,2-dimethyl-2H-1-chromene-6-carboxylate (1), methyl 5-methoxy-7-methyl-2,2-dimethyl-2H-1-chromene-8-carboxylate (2), methyl 7-hydroxy-5-methyl-2,2-dimethyl-2H-1-chromene-6-carboxylate (3), methyl 7-methoxy-5-methyl-2,2-dimethyl-2H-1-chromene-6-carboxylate (4), 5-methanol-7-hydroxy-2,2-dimethyl-2H-1-chromene-6-carboxylic acid (5), 5-methanol-7-methoxy-2,2-dimethyl-2H-1-chromene-6-carboxylic acid (6), and methyl 5-acetoxymethanol-7-hydroxy-2,2-dimethyl-2H-1-chromene-6-carboxylate (7). A biosynthetic rationale for 1-7 suggests that orsellinic acid may be a common intermediate. The anti-fungal activities of the chromenes were measured bioautographically against Cladosporium cladosporioides and Cladosporium sphaerospermum: compounds 6 and 7 were found to be the most active.     

Synthesis and cytotoxicity of 3,4-diaryl-2(5H)-furanones

A series of 3,4-diaryl-2(5H)-furanone derivatives were synthesized and evaluated for their cytotoxicity in a small panel of cancer cell lines. Four out of 10 compounds in this series, for example 3-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-4-(4-methoxyphenyl)-, 3-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-4-(3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-, 3-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-4-(3-amino-4-methoxyphenyl)-, and 3-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-4-(2-naphthyl)-2(5H)-furanones, were found to have potent cytotoxic activities with ED50 values of less than 20 nM in most of the cell lines tested.     

Effects of various radicinin analogs on pulse amplitude and arterial blood pressure

The action of some radicinin analogues on the pulse amplitude in urethane anesthetized rats has been studied. The compounds used are:2,7-dimethyl-4H,5H-pyrano[4,3-b]pyran-4,5-dione (I); 2,3-dihydro-2,7-dimethyl-4H,5H-pyrano[4,3-b]pyran-4,5-dione (II) 7,8-dihydro-2,7-dimethyl-4H,5H-pyrano[4,3-b]pyran-4,5-dione (III) 2,3,7,8-tetrahydro-2,7-dimethyl-4H,5H-pyrano[4,3-b]pyran-4,5-dione(IV); 2,3,7,8,4',8'-hexahydro-2,7-dimethyl-4H,5H-pyrano[4, 3-b]pyran-4,5-dione (V); 3-crotonyl-4-hydroxy-6-methyl-2H-pyran-2-one (VI); 3-hexanoyl-4-hydroxy-6-methyl-2H-pyran-2-one (VII); 3-hexanoyl-5,6-dihydro-4-hydroxy-6-methyl-2H-pyran-2-one (VIII). A clear increase in the pulse has been seen with the compounds (II), (V) and (VII) especially at the lowest doses, while a decrease in the pulse is caused by the compounds (I) and (VIII). The studied substances have no effects on systolic blood pressure in normotensive unanesthetized rats.     

4,5-dihydropyridazin-3-one derivatives as histamine H₃ receptor inverse agonists

H(3)R structure-activity relationships for a new class of 4,5-dihydropyridazin-3-one H(3)R antagonists/inverse agonists are disclosed. Modification of the 4,5-dihydropyridazinone moiety to block in vivo metabolism identified 4,4-dimethyl-6-{4-[3-((R)-2-methyl-pyrrolidin-1-yl)-propoxy]-phenyl}-4,5-dihydro-2H-pyridazin-3-one 22 as a lead candidate demonstrating potent in vivo functional H(3)R antagonism in the rat dipsogenia model and robust wake promoting activity in the rat EEG/EMG model.     

Synthesis, spectral analysis, antibacterial and antifungal activities of some 4,6-diaryl-4,5-dihydro-3-hydroxy-2[H]-indazole-a novel fused indazole derivative

A novel class of 4,6-diaryl-4,5-dihydro-3-hydroxy-2[H]-indazoles 25-32 were synthesized and evaluated for their in vitro antibacterial and antifungal activities. Four Compounds, which all possessed electron withdrawing functional groups (-Cl, -NO(2), -Br) 27, 28, 30 and 32 were more potent against the tested bacterial/fungal strains than the standard bacterial and fungal drugs ciprofloxacin and fluconazole respectively.     

2,2-Dimethyl-4,5-diaryl-3(2H)furanone derivatives as selective cyclo-oxygenase-2 inhibitors

A series of 2,2-dimethyl-5-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-4-phenyl-3(2H)furanones was prepared and evaluated for their ability to inhibit cyclo-oxygenase-2 (COX-2).     

The absolute configuration of precocene I dihydrodiols produced by metabolism of precocene I by corpora allata of Locusta migratoria, in vitro

The corpora allata from adult female Locusta migratoria metabolize precocene I (7-methoxy-2,2-dimethyl-2H-benzo [b]pyran to cis- & trans-precocene I dihydrodiols (3,4-dihydro-7-methoxy-2,2-dimethyl-2H-benzo [b]pyran-3,4-diol). Derivatization of the dihydrodiols with (-)menthoxy acetyl chloride allowed complete resolution of all four optical isomers. When [4-3H]-precocene I was incubated in vitro with Locusta migratoria corpora allata, it was metabolized stereospecifically to (-)trans-(3R,4S) and (+)cis-(3R,4R) dihydrodiols. Approximately half the precosyl residues bound to cellular macromolecules were discharged by heating to 95 degrees C at neutral pH, as dihydrodiols of the same stereochemistry.     

A chromene and prenylated benzoic acid from Piper aduncum.

In addition to nerolidol, 2',6'-dihydroxy-4'-methoxydihydrochalcone, methyl 2,2-dimethyl-8-(3'-methyl-2'-butenyl)-2H-1-chromene-6-carboxylate, methyl 2,2-dimethyl-2H-1-chromene-6-carboxylate and methyl 8-hydroxy-2,2-dimethyl-2H-1-chromene-6-carboxylate, two new natural products were isolated from the leaves of Piper aduncum, 2,2-dimethyl-2H-1-chromene-6-carboxylic acid and 3-(3',7'-dimethyl-2',6'-octadienyl)-4-methoxybenzoic acid. The structures of the isolates were established based on analysis of spectroscopic data, including ES-MS. The DNA-damaging activity of the isolated compounds was also investigated against mutant strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae.     

Novel 4,5-diaryl-3-hydroxy-2(5H)-furanones as anti-oxidants and anti-inflammatory agents

In order to study the effect of phenol moieties on biological activities of ascorbic acid derivatives, we synthesized 13 novel 4,5-diaryl-3-hydroxy-2(5H)-furanones 5a-m with various substitution patterns. Compound 5 g bearing a 2,3-dihydroxy phenyl ring on the 5-position of the heterocycle appeared to be the most powerful anti-oxidant furanone with reducing activity against DPPH (IC(50)=10.3 microM), superoxide anion quenching capacity (IC(50)=0.187 mM) and lipid peroxidation inhibitory effect (IC(50)=0.129 mM). To ascertain determinant molecular features for anti-oxidant activities, structure-activity relationships were studied. Lipophilicity and molecular parameters related to electron distribution and structure (difference in heats of formation between the compound and its radical or its cation radical, energy of the highest occupied molecular orbital, HOMO) were found to correlate with the anti-oxidant action of compounds 5 in the different tests used. Oxygen-derived free radicals are known to contribute to inflammatory disorders; therefore we have investigated effects of compounds 5 in two models of inflammation: phorbol ester-induced ear edema in mice (TPA-test) and carrageenan-induced paw edema in rat. At 100 mg/kg ip in the TPA-test, the anti-inflammatory activity of compounds 5 was potent compared with that of indomethacin and ketorolac and all the results suggested a cyclooxygenase inhibition in the emergence of such properties. The combined pharmacological actions of compounds 5 associated with a favorable therapeutic index prompt with interesting perspectives for their use in heart and brain disorders as well as in inflammatory diseases.     

Synthesis and antiproliferative activity of conformationally restricted 1,2,3-triazole analogues of combretastatins in the sea urchin embryo model and against human cancer cell lines

A series of 1,5-diaryl- and 4,5-diaryl-1,2,3-triazole derivatives of combretastatin A4 were synthesized and evaluated as antimitotic microtubule destabilizing agents using the sea urchin embryo model.Structure–activity relationship studies identified compounds substituted with 3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl and 3,4-methylenedioxy-5-methoxyphenyl ring A and 4-methoxyphenyl ring B as potent antiproliferative agents with high cytotoxicity against a panel of human cancer cell lines including multi-drug resistant cells. 4,5-Diaryl-1,2,3-triazoles (C–C geometry) were found to be considerably more active than the respective 1,5-diaryl-1,2,3-triazoles (N–C geometry). Compound 10ad′ induced G₂/M cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in human T-leukemia Jurkat cells via caspase 2/3/9 activation and downregulation of the antiapoptotic protein XIAP. A mitotic catastrophe has been evaluated as another possible cell death mode.     

燕山山脉一种香料型乳菇的香味成分分析

利用固相微萃取技术（SPME）偶联气相色谱-质谱（GC-MS）分析燕山山脉一种香料型乳菇——香亚环乳菇Lactarius subzonarius的挥发性成分。共检出25种挥发性成分,其中氧杂环化合物3种、醛类1种、酯类13种、烯烃类3种、芳香族化合物2种和烷烃类3种。具有葫芦巴感官气味的挥发性组分3-羟基-4,5-二甲基-2(5H)-呋喃酮的相对含量35.76%,该成分是其近缘种Lactarius helvus的主要香味化合物,故推测3-羟基-4,5-二甲基-2(5H)-呋喃酮是其关键香味成分。     

Mutagenicity of some synthetic quinolines and quinoxalines related to IQ, MeIQ or MeIQx in Ames test

3-Methyl- and 3,4-dimethyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-f]quinoline, 3,8-dimethyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline, N6-methyl- and N6,7-dimethylquinoline-5,6-diamine, as well as N6,3-dimethylquinoxaline-5,6-diamine, have been synthesized. Only the first-mentioned compound was active in Ames test; the response was equal for Salmonella typhimurium TA98 and TA100, regardless of enzymatic activation (S9). However, its mutagenicity to TA98 + S9 was 300-1300 times smaller than the values reported for the related compounds, 3-methyl- and 3,4-dimethyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-f]quinolin-2-amine ('IQ' and 'MeIQ'), and for 3,8-dimethyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-f]quinoxalin-2-amine ('MeIQx'). Hence, the presence of the imidazole ring and the 2-amino group in the molecule seems to be important for the high mutagenicity of the latter compounds.     

Mode of formation of quinoxaline versus 2[1H]-quinoxalinone rings from dehydro-D-erythorbic acid.

The mode of formation of the quinoxaline versus 2[1H]-quinoxalinone rings by the reaction of o-diamines with dehydro-D-erythorbic acid has been investigated. The study was carried out by using one and two molar equivalents of 1,2-diamino-4,5-dimethylbenzene (3b) to give 6,7-dimethyl-3-(1-oxo-D-erythro-2,3,4-trihydroxybutyl)-2[1H]-quino xalinone (4b) and 2-(2-amino-4,5-dimethylphenylcarbamoyl)-3-(D-erythro-glycerol-1-yl )- 6,7-dimethylquinoxaline (6), respectively. The former product exists predominantly as the two furanosyl anomers. Sequential reaction of 4a with 3b has been studied, and the location of each diamine in the product was deduced by using 1H-n.m.r. spectroscopy. A mechanism for the reaction is proposed. Acetate and acetal derivatives of the compound are prepared.     

A prodrug approach to COX-2 inhibitors with methylsulfone

2,2-dimethyl-4-phenyl-5-[4-(methylsulfinyl)phenyl]-3(2H)furanone derivatives, 3 and 6, were shown to be effectively transformed in vivo into the corresponding methylsulfone derivatives 1 and 4, when orally administered to rats. Pharmacological implications for use of sulfoxide analogues 3 and 6 are discussed as prodrugs to potent selective COX-2 inhibitors 1 and 4.     

Two naphthopyran derivatives from Faramea cyanea

Four anthraquinones and two new products, faramol (3,4-dihydro-3-hydroxy-2,2-dimethyl-2H-naphtho[1,2-b]pyran) and 7-methoxyfaramol (3,4-dihydro-3-hydroxy-7-methoxy-2,2-dimethyl-2H-naphtho[l,2-b]pyran), have been isolated from Faramea cyanea.     

Nonenzymatic formation of 4,5-dimethyl-3-hydroxy-2(5H)-furanone in foodstuffs

The mechanism of formation of 4,5-dimethyl-3-hydroxy-2/5H/-furanone in some food-stuffs was investigated. The compound was found to result from condensation of acetaldehyde under oxidative conditions. The intermediate product of the condensation is 2-oxobutanoic acid.     

Two 2[5H]-furanones as possible signaling molecules in Lactobacillus helveticus

Two 2[5H]-furanones, in association with medium-chain fatty acids, were released in whey by Lactobacillus helveticus exposed to oxidative and heat stresses. This species plays an important role in cheese technology, particularly for Swiss-type cheeses and Grana cheese. Moreover, it significantly contributes to cheese ripening by means of an early autolysis and the release of enzymes during processing. Experimental evidence of the involvement of the two 2[5H]-furanones, detected by a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry/solid-phase microextraction technique, in the autolysis phenomenon has been obtained. Zymograms performed by using renaturing sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels were used to detect the bioactivity of the supernatants containing the two furanones on fresh cells of the same strain. In addition to bands corresponding to known autolysins, new autolysins were detected concomitant with the exposure of Lactobacillus helveticus to the supernatants, which can be regarded as conditioned media (CM), and to a commercial furanone, 5-ethyl-3-hydroxy-4-methyl-2[5H]-furanone (HEMFi), having spectral data similar to those of the newly described 2[5H]-furanones. Morphological changes were observed when fresh cells were exposed to CM containing the two 2[5H]-furanones and HEMFi. The two furanones produced by Lactobacillus helveticus, which met a number of criteria to be included in cell-cell signaling molecules, have a presumptive molecular mass lower than those of already known 3[2H]-furanones having an autolytic activity and being produced by gram-negative bacteria. Moreover, they present a different chemical structure with respect to the furanones already identified as products of Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris or to those identified in some cheeses with Lactobacillus helveticus as a starter culture.     

Post-infectional metabolites from infected potato tubers

The C-1′ epimers of the sesquiterpenoids 2-(1′,2′-dihydroxy-1′-methylethyl)-6,10-dimethylspiro[4,5]dec-6,9-dien-8-one and 2-(1′,2′-dihydroxy-1′-methylethyl)-6,10-dimethyl-9-hydroxyspiro[4,5]dec-6-en-8-one were isolated from potato tubers infected with Phoma foveata and Fusarium spp., in addition to 4,4a,5,6,7-hexahydro-3-hydroxy-6-(1′,2′-dihydroxy-1′-methylethyl)-4-methyl-2(3H)-naphthalenone, N-trans-p-coumaroyl tyramine and N-trans-feruloyl tyramine. Three of the compounds are novel.     

New acyclic quinoxaline nucleosides. Synthesis and anti-hiv activity

A series of acyclonucleosides substituted 1-(4,5-dihydroxypentyl) (13-8) and 2-(4,5-dihydroxypentyloxy)quinoxalines (19-24) were synthesized by the sharpless asymmetric dihydroxylation of the derivatives 1-6 and 7-12, respectively. Treatment of the quinoxaline base 26 with (R)-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolan-4-ylmethyl-p-toluenesulfonate (27) in the presence of NaH/DMF furnished 28. Acid hydrolysis of 28 gave 1-(2,3-dihydroxypropyl)-6,7-dimethyl-quinoxaline-2-one (29). Alternatively, 29 was prepared by sharpless dihydroxylation of 30. All the compounds were evaluated for their in vitro anti-HIV-1 and HIV-2 in MT-4 cell and found inactive, except 29, which showed inhibition of HIV-1 with EC50 value of 0.15 +/- 0.1 microg/ml and a therapeutic index (SI) of 73.     

Electron spin resonance investigation of the cyanyl and azidyl radical formation by cytochrome c oxidase.

Cyanide (CN(-)) is a frequently used inhibitor of mitochondrial respiration due to its binding to the ferric heme a(3) of cytochrome c oxidase (CcO). As-isolated CcO oxidized cyanide to the cyanyl radical ((.)CN) that was detected, using the ESR spin-trapping technique, as the 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide (DMPO)/(.)CN radical adduct. The enzymatic conversion of cyanide to the cyanyl radical by CcO was time-dependent but not affected by azide (N(3)(-)). The small but variable amounts of compound P present in the as-isolated CcO accounted for this one-electron oxidation of cyanide to the cyanyl radical. In contrast, as-isolated CcO exhibited little ability to catalyze the oxidation of azide, presumably because of azide's lower affinity for the CcO. However, the DMPO/(.)N(3) radical adduct was readily detected when H(2)O(2) was included in the system. The results presented here indicate the need to re-evaluate oxidative stress in mitochondria "chemical hypoxia" induced by cyanide or azide to account for the presence of highly reactive free radicals.