The synthesis and biological evaluation of a novel series of C7 non-basic substituted fluoroquinolones as antibacterial agents

A series of non-basic building blocks was synthesized and introduced to the C7 position of the quinolone nucleus 7-chloro-1-cyclopropyl-6-fluoro-4-oxo-1,4-dihydro-1,8-naphthyridine-3-carboxylic acid to afford the corresponding fluoroquinolones in 46–85% yield. The antibacterial activity of these new fluoroquinolones was evaluated using a standard broth microdilution technique. The sulfur-containing quinolone, 7-(2-thia-5-azabicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-5-yl)-1-cyclopropyl-6-fluoro-4-oxo-1,4-dihydro-1,8-naphthyridine-3-carboxylic acid exhibited a superior antibacterial activity against quinolone-susceptible and multidrug-resistant strains in comparison with the clinically used fluoroquinolones ciprofloxacin and vancomycin, especially to the Streptococcus pneumonia and multidrug-resistant S. pneumonia clinical isolates.     

4-Substituted 4-(1H-1,2,3-triazol-1-yl)piperidine: Novel C7 moieties of fluoroquinolones as antibacterial agents

A series of 4-substituted 4-(1H-1,2,3-triazol-1-yl)piperidine building blocks was synthesized and introduced to the C7 position of the quinolone core, 7-chloro-1-cyclopropyl-6-fluoro-4-oxo-1,4-dihydro-1,8-naphthyridine-3-carboxylic acid, to afford the corresponding fluoroquinolones in 40–83% yield. The antibacterial activity of these new fluoroquinolones was evaluated using a standard broth microdilution technique. Among them, the quinolone 1-cyclopropyl-6-fluoro-7-(4-(4-formyl-1H-1,2,3-triazol-1-yl)piperidin-1-yl)-4-oxo-1,4-dihydro-1,8-naphthyridine-3-carboxylic acid (34.15) exhibited comparable antibacterial activity against quinolone-susceptible and multidrug-resistant strains, especially to Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis, in comparison with ciprofloxacin and vancomycin.     

Isolation and identification of novel sulfur-containing metabolites of spironolactone (Aldactone®)

In the urine of subjects given an oral dose of spironolactone [3-(3-oxo-7α-acetylthio-17β-hydroxy-4-androsten-17α-y1)propionic acid γ-lactone], six metabolites have been detected. One of the major metabolites was found to be the previously characterized de-thioacetylated compound, 3-(3-oxo-17β-hydroxy-4,6-androstadien-17α-y1)propionic acid γ-lactone (canrenone). Besides this a new major sulfur-containing metabolite has been isolated and identified as 3-(3-oxo-7α-methylsulfinyl-6β,17β-dihydroxy-4-androsten-17α-y1)propionic acid γ-lactone. This structural assignment was based on detailed analysis of its IR, NMR and UV spectra as well as comparison of its physical constants and chromatographic (TLC and GLC) characteristics with a synthetic sample. The three minor metabolites were found to be very labile and were readily converted to canrenone.     

The inhibition of gibberellin plant hormone biosynthesis by ent-6-oxo-5β(H)-7-norgibberell-16-enes

Ent-19-hydroxy-6-oxo-5β(H)-7-norgibberell-16-ene and the corresponding 19-carboxylic acid are shown to be inhibitors of gibberellin biosynthesis in the fungus, Gibberella fujikuroi, at stages involved in the oxidative modification of ring B of the kaurenoid precursors.     

A substrate for the fluorogenic assay of exo-beta-N-acetylmuramidase: synthesis and purification of 4-methylumbelliferyl N-acetylmuramide.

A fluorogenic substrate for exo-β-N-acetylmuramidase from Bacillus subtilis B was synthesized. 4-Methyl-2-oxo-1,2-benzopyran-7-yl 2-acetamido-4,6-O-benzylidene-2-deoxy-β-d-glucopyranoside was prepared from 4-methyl-2-oxo-1,2-benzopyran-7-yl 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-β-d-glucopyranoside, condensed with dl-2-chloropropionic acid, the benzylidene residue removed by acetolysis and the 4-methyl-2-oxo-1,2-benzopyran-7-yl 2-amino-3-O-(d-1-carboxyethyl)-2-deoxy-β-d-glucopyranoside purified by chromatography on silica gel and Sephadex G-10 and by high-voltage paper electrophoresis. The identity of the product was confirmed by pmr studies, acid hydrolysis followed by chromatography of the products, and enzymic digestion.     

Clostridium scindens baiCD and baiH genes encode stereo-specific 7α/7β-hydroxy-3-oxo-Δ4-cholenoic acid oxidoreductases

Secondary bile acids, formed by intestinal bacteria, are suggested to play a significant role in cancers of the gastrointestinal tract in humans. Bile acid 7α/β-dehydroxylation is carried out by a few species of intestinal clostridia which harbor a multi-gene bile acid inducible (bai) operon. Several genes encoding enzymes in this pathway have been cloned and characterized. However, no gene product(s) has yet been assigned to the production of 3-oxo-Δ⁴-cholenoic acid intermediates of cholic acid (CA), chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) or ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA). We previously reported that the baiH gene encodes an NADH:flavin oxidoreductase (NADH:FOR); however, the role of this protein in bile acid 7-dehydroxylation is unclear. Homology searches and secondary structural alignments suggest this protein to be similar to flavoproteins which reduce α/β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds. The baiH gene product was expressed in Escherichia coli, purified and discovered to be a stereo-specific NAD(H)-dependent 7β-hydroxy-3-oxo-Δ⁴-cholenoic acid oxidoreductase. Additionally, high sequence similarity between the baiH and baiCD gene products suggests the baiCD gene may encode a 3-oxo-Δ⁴-cholenoic acid oxidoreductase specific for CDCA and CA. We tested this hypothesis using cell extracts prepared from E. coli overexpressing the baiCD gene and discovered that it encodes a stereo-specific NAD(H)-dependent 7α-hydroxy-3-oxo-Δ⁴-cholenoic acid oxidoreductase.     

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.     

The synthesis of arginine derivatives of chromone and azauracil

The coupling of N-succinimide esters of 3-[7-hydroxy-3-(4-methyl-1,3-thiazol-2-yl)-6-ethyl-4-oxo-4H-chromen-2-yl]propanoic acid and 5-carboxymethyl-6-azauracil with free arginine yielded the corresponding arginine derivatives, which were purified by crystallization. The structures of the compounds were confirmed by ¹H NMR spectroscopy     

Biotransformation of 7α-hydroxy- and 7-oxo-ent-atis-16-ene derivatives by the fungus Gibberella fujikuroi

The microbiological transformation of 7α,19-dihydroxy-ent-atis-16-ene by the fungus Gibberella fujikuroi gave 19-hydroxy-7-oxo-ent-atis-16-ene, 13(R),19-dihydroxy-7-oxo-ent-atis-16-ene, 7α,11β,19-trihydroxy-ent-atis-16-ene and 7α,16β,19-trihydroxy-ent-atis-16-ene, while the incubation of 19-hydroxy-7-oxo-ent-atis-16-ene afforded 13(R),19-dihydroxy-7-oxo-ent-atis-16-ene and 16β,17-dihydroxy-7-oxo-ent-atisan-19-al. The biotransformation of 7-oxo-ent-atis-16-en-19-oic acid gave 6β-hydroxy-7-oxo-ent-atis-16-en-19-oic acid, 6β,16β,17-trihydroxy-7-oxo-19-nor-ent-atis-4(18)-ene and 3β,7α-dihydroxy-6-oxo-ent-atis-16-en-19-oic acid.     

Differential metabolism of diastereoisomeric diterpenes by Preussia minima,found as endophytic fungus in Cupressus lusitanica

The plant diastereoisomeric diterpenes ent-pimara-8(14)-15-dien-19-oic acid, obtained from Viguiera arenaria, and isopimara-8(14)-15-dien-18-oic acid, isolated from Cupressus lusitanica, were distinctly functionalized by the enzymes produced in whole cell cultures of the fungus Preussia minima, isolated from surface sterilized stems of C. lusitanica. The ent-pimaradienoic acid was transformed into the known 7β-hydroxy-ent-pimara-8(14)-15-dien-19-oic acid, and into the novel diterpenes 7-oxo-8 β-hydroxy-ent-pimara-8(14)-15-dien-19-oic and 7-oxo-9β-hydroxy-ent-pimara-8(14)-15-dien-19-oic acids. Isopimara-8(14)-15-dien-18-oic acid was converted into novel diterpenes 11α-hydroxyisopimara-8(14)-15-dien-18-oic acid, 7β,11α-dihydroxyisopimara-8(14)-15-dien-18-oic acid, and 1β,11α-dihydroxyisopimara-8(14)-15-dien-18-oic acid, along with the known 7β-hydroxyisopimara-8(14)-15-dien-18-oic acid. All compounds were isolated and fully characterized by 1D and 2D NMR, especially ¹³C NMR. The diterpene bioproduct 7-oxo-9β-hydroxy-ent-pimara-8(14)-15-dien-19-oic acid is an isomer of sphaeropsidin C, a phytotoxin that affects cypress trees produced by Shaeropsis sapinea, one of the main phytopathogen of Cupressus. The differential metabolism of the diterpene isomers used as substrates for biotransformation was interpreted with the help of computational molecular docking calculations, considering as target enzymes those of cytochrome P450 group.     

Sesquiterpene lactones from Artemisia maritima

Two new sesquiterpene lactones have been isolated from Artemisia maritima and the structures have been assigned on the basis of their spectral properties as 1-oxo-6β,7α,11βH,14β-methylgermacra-4(5)-ene-12,6-olide and 1-oxo-6β,7α,11βH-germacra-4(5),10(14)-dien-12,6-olide.     

Triterpenoids from enkianthus campanulatus

From the leaves of Enkianthus campanulatus were isolated three new triterpenes, 3-oxo-19,23,24-trihydroxyurs-12-en-28-oic acid, 3β,6β, 19,23-tetrahydroxyurs-12-en-28-oic acid and 3β,6β,23-trihydroxyurs-12-en-28-oic acid.     

Revised structures of daturalactone and 12-oxowithanolide

Recently Dhar et al. reported the isolation of two new steroidal lactones from the leaves of Datura quercifolia HBK and formulated them as 5α,12α,17α-trihydroxy-1-oxo-6α, 7α-epoxy-22 S-witha-2,24-dienolide and 5α,17α-dihydroxy-1, 12-dioxo-6α,7α-epoxy-22 S-witha-2,24-dienolide on the basis of UV, IR, NMR and MS studies. Further detailed chemical and spectral studies have led to revised structures, namely 5α, 12α-dihydroxy-1-oxo-6α,7α: 24α, 25α-diepoxy-20 S, 22 R-with-2-enolide and 5α-hydroxy-1, 12-dioxo-6α, 7α: 24α, 25α-diepoxy-20 S, 22 R-with-2-enolide, respectively, for the above two compounds.     

Neolignans from an Aniba species

A benzene extract of the trunk of an Aniba species (Lauraceae) contained benzyl benzoate, benzyl salicylate, sitosterol and the neolignans (2S,3S,3aR)-3a-allyl-5-methoxy-3-methyl-2-piperonyl-2,3,3a,6-tetrahydro-6-oxobenzofuran (burchellin); (2S,3S,3aR)-3a-allyl-5-methoxy-3-methyl-2-veratryl-2,3,3a,6-tetrahydro-6-oxobenzofuran; (2S,3S,3aR)-3a-allyl-5,7-dimethoxy-3-methyl-2-veratryl-2,3,3a,6-tetrahydro-6-oxobenzofuran; (2S,3S,5S)-5-allyl-5-methoxy-3-methyl-2-veratryl-2,3,5,6-tetrahydro-6-oxo-benzofuran; (2R,3R)-7-methoxy-3-methyl-5-propenyl-2-veratryl-2,3-dihydrobenzofuran; rel-(1R,5R,6R,7R,8S)-1-allyl-8-hydroxy-3-methoxy-7-methyl-4-oxo-6-piperonylbicyclo[3,2,1]oct-2-ene (guianin); rel-(1S,5S,6S,7R,8R)-1-allyl-8-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxy-7-methyl-4-oxo-6-piperonylbicyclo[3,2,1]oct-2-ene; rel-(1S,5S,6S,7R,8R)-8-acetoxy-1-allyl-3-hydroxy-5-methoxy-7-methyl-4-oxo-6-piperonyl-bicyclo[3,2,1]oct-2-ene; rel-1S,5S,6S,7R,8R)-8-acetoxy-3,5-dimethoxy-7-methyl-4-oxo-6-piperonylbicyclo[3,2,1]oct-2-ene; rel-(1R,5S,6R,7R)-1-allyl-3-methoxy-7-methyl-4,8-dioxo-6-piperonylbicyclo[3,2,1]oct-2-ene.     

New natural diterpene acids from Juniperus communis

Three new diterpene acids have been isolated from the leaves of Juniperus communis and their structures, elucidated by spectroscopic methods, were identified as 7-oxo-13-epi- pimara-8,15-dien-18-oic acid, 7α-hydroxysandaracopimaric acid and (14 S)-14,15-dihydroxylabda- 8(17),13(16)-dien-19-oic acid. Biflavonyls, fatty acids and diterpenoids with known structures were also isolated.     

Neolignans from Nectandra puberula

The trunk wood of Nectandra puberula was found to contain 1,6-geranylgeranodioic acid besides five neolignans, the known veraguensin and the novel 7-hydroxy- and 7-oxo-3,4,3′,4′-tetraoxy-8.8′-neolignans, all with the (8S,8′R)-absolute configuration.     

Biotransformation of betulinic and betulonic acids by fungi

Betulinic acid (1), a triterpenoid found in many plant species, has attracted attention due to its important pharmacological properties, such as anti-cancer and anti-HIV activities. The closely related, betulonic acid (2) also has similar properties. In order to obtain derivatives potentially useful for detailed pharmacological studies, both compounds were submitted to incubations with selected microorganisms. In this work, both were individually metabolized by the fungi Arthrobotrys, Chaetophoma and Dematium, isolated from the bark of Platanus orientalis as well as with Colletotrichum, obtained from corn leaves; such fungal transformations are quite rare in the scientific literature. Biotransformations with Arthrobotrys converted betulonic acid (2) into 3-oxo-7beta-hydroxylup-20(29)-en-28-oic acid (3), 3-oxo-7beta,15alpha-dihydroxylup-20(29)-en-28-oic acid (4) and 3-oxo-7beta,30-dihydroxylup-20(29)-en-28-oic acid (5); Colletotrichum converted betulinic acid (1) into 3-oxo-15alpha-hydroxylup-20(29)-en-28-oic (6) acid whereas betulonic acid (2) was converted into the same product and 3-oxo-7beta,15alpha-dihydroxylup-20(29)-en-28-oic acid (4); Chaetophoma converted betulonic acid (2) into 3-oxo-25-hydroxylup-20(29)-en-28-oic acid (7) and both Chaetophoma and Dematium converted betulinic acid (1) into betulonic acid (2). Those fungi, therefore, are useful for mild, selective oxidations of lupane substrates at positions C-3, C-7, C-15, C-25 and C-30.     

Eusiderins and other neolignans from an Aniba species

A previous report disclosed the presence of benzodioxan and bicyclo[3.2.1]octanoid neolignans in the benzene extract of the trunk wood of an Amazonian Aniba (Lauraceae) species. The chloroform extract of the same material contains additionally two new benzodioxan neolignans [rel-(7S,8R)-Δ^8′-7-hydroxy-3,4,5,5′-tetramethoxy-7.0.3′,8.0.4′-neolignan; rel-(7R,8R)-Δ^7′-3,4,5,5′-tetramethoxy-9′-oxo-7.0.3′,8.0.4′-neolignan], two new bicyclo[3.2.1]-octanoid neolignans [(7R,8S,1′S,2′S,3′S,4′R)-Δ^8′-2′,4′-dihydroxy-3,3′-dimethoxy-4,5-methylenedioxy-1′,2′,3′,4′,5′,6′-hexahydro-5′-oxo-7.3′,8.1′-neolignan; (7R,8S,1′R,2′S,3′S)-Δ^8′-2′-hydroxy-3,3′,5′-trimethoxy-4,5-methylenedioxy-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-4′-oxo-7.3′,8.1′-neolignan] and a hydrobenzofuranoid neolignan [(7S,8R,1′S,5′S)-Δ^8′-3,3′,5′-tri-methoxy-4,5-methylenedioxy-1′,4′,5′,6′-tetrahydro-4′-oxo-7.0.2′,8.1-neolignan].     

Sphingolipidomics of A2780 human ovarian carcinoma cells treated with synthetic retinoids

The dihydroceramide, ceramide, sphingomyelin, lactosylceramide, and ganglioside species of A2780 human ovarian carcinoma cells treated with the synthetic retinoids N-(4-hydroxyphenyl)retinamide (fenretinide, 4-HPR) and 4-oxo-N-(4-hydroxyphenyl)retinamide (4-oxo-4-HPR) in culture were characterized by ESI-MS. We characterized 32 species of ceramide and dihydroceramide, 15 of sphingomyelin, 12 of lactosylceramide, 9 of ganglioside GM2, and 6 of ganglioside GM3 differing for the long-chain base and fatty acid structures. Our results indicated that treatment with both 4-HPR and 4-oxo-4-HPR led to a marked increase in dihydroceramide species, while only 4-oxo-4-HPR led to a minor increase of ceramide species. Dihydroceramides generated in A2780 cells in response to 4-HPR or 4-oxo-4-HPR differed for their fatty acid content, suggesting that the two drugs differentially affect the early steps of sphingolipid synthesis. Dihydroceramides produced upon treatments with the drugs were further used for the synthesis of complex dihydrosphingolipids, whose levels dramatically increased in drug-treated cells.     

Novel benzodiazepines derivatives as analgesic modulating for Transient receptor potential vanilloid 1

A new series of derivatives of 3-(7-chloro-5-(2-fluorophenyl)-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-benzo[e][1,4]diazepin-3-yl)propanoic acid were designed and synthesized as analgesic modulating for Transient receptor potential vanilloid 1. They were investigated for TRPV1 antagonistic activity in vitro, analgesic activity and sedative activity in vivo and aqueous solubility. Preliminary studies identified 3-(7-chloro-5-(2-fluorophenyl)-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-benzo[e][1,4]diazepin-3-yl)-N,N-dimethylpropanamide(Compound 11), as a potent analgesic modulating for TRPV1 with potent activity and good aqueous solubility.