Eudistomidins H-K, new β-carboline alkaloids from the Okinawan marine tunicate Eudistoma glaucus

Four new β-carboline alkaloids, eudistomidins H-K (1-4), were isolated from an Okinawan marine tunicate Eudistoma glaucus and the structures of 1-4 were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic data. Eudistomidins H (1) and I (2) were new β-carboline alkaloids possessing a unique fused-tetracyclic ring system consisting of a tetrahydro β-carboline ring and a hexahydropyrimidine ring. Eudistomidin J (3) showed relatively potent cytotoxicity against murine leukemia cells P388 and L1210, and human epidermoid carcinoma cells KB in vitro.     

Nortriterpenoids and lignans from Schisandra sphenanthera

Nortriterpenoids, sphenadilactone C (1) and sphenasin A (2), together with four known lignans (3-6), were isolated from the leaves and stems of Schisandra sphenanthera. Their structures were elucidated by extensive analysis of 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic data and compound 2 was further confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Compound 1 features a partial enol moiety and an acetamide group in its structure. In addition, compounds 1, 3-6 showed weak anti-HIV-1 activity with EC₅₀ values in the range of 15.5-29.5 μg/mL.     

Essential oil from leaves of Cryptocarya mandioccana Meisner (Lauraceae): Composition and intraspecific chemical variability

The composition of the essential oil from leaves of Cryptocarya mandioccana has been determined by chromatographic fractionation and GC–FID, GC–MS and ¹³C NMR analyses, yielding the identification of 64 compounds with predominance of isomeric sesquiterpenes with molecular weights of 204. The main components of the oil obtained by hydrodistillation were β-caryophyllene, spathulenol, caryophyllene oxide, δ-cadinene, germacrene D, benzaldehyde and bicyclogermacrene. However, the oil obtained by steam distillation contained higher levels of sesquiterpene hydrocarbons, with predominance of β-caryophyllene (C), germacrene D (G) and bicyclogermacrene (B), and was considered to be more representative of the composition of the oil in its natural state. The intraspecific chemical variability of the essential oil obtained by steam distillation was evaluated within populations of trees growing at three separate locations in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. Three distinct chemical groups could be characterised due to differences in the relative percentages of the three main sesquiterpenes from essential oil: CGB [relative contents of C (14–34%), G (5–28%), B (8–15%)], BCG [B (17–34%), C (9–24%), G (12–25%)] and GCB [G (22–42%), C (4–17%), B (7–15%)]. Individuals from groups CGB and BCG were found to be more frequent at south locations while group GCB is predominant in north location.     

Secondary metabolites from anti-insect extracts of endophytic fungi isolated from Picea rubens

The extracts of a selection of 150 foliar fungal endophytes isolated from Picea rubens (red spruce) needles were screened by LC-MS and assayed for toxicity. Three of these strains that were toxic to the forest pest Choristoneura fumiferana (eastern spruce budworm) in dietary bioassays were selected for further study. Their culture extracts were analyzed by LC-NMR spectroscopy, and the major metabolites were isolated by LC-MS-SPE or PTLC/column chromatography and characterized. The structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analyses including 2D NMR, HRMS and by comparison to literature data. Compounds 1 and 5-7 are hitherto unknown whereas compounds 2 and 3 are natural products described for the first time. Compound 4 is reported for the first time as a fungal metabolite and 8-9 were identified as known fungal metabolites in genera.     

Non-cannabinoid constituents from a high potency Cannabis sativa variety

Six new non-cannabinoid constituents were isolated from a high potency Cannabis sativa L. variety, namely 5-acetoxy-6-geranyl-3-n-pentyl-1,4-benzoquinone (1), 4,5-dihydroxy-2,3,6-trimethoxy-9,10-dihydrophenanthrene (2), 4-hydroxy-2,3,6,7-tetramethoxy-9,10-dihydrophenanthrene (3), 4,7-dimethoxy-1,2,5-trihydroxyphenanthrene (4), cannflavin C (5) and β-sitosteryl-3-O-β-d-glucopyranoside-2′-O-palmitate (6). In addition, five known compounds, α-cannabispiranol (7), chrysoeriol (8), 6-prenylapigenin (9), cannflavin A (10) and β-acetyl cannabispiranol (11) were identified, with 8 and 9 being reported for the first time from cannabis. Some isolates displayed weak to strong antimicrobial, antileishmanial, antimalarial and anti-oxidant activities. Compounds 2-4 were inactive as analgesics.     

Catechuic acid and ethyl 2,4,5-trihydroxybenzoate from d-glucose

Synthesis of catechuic acid (1) and ethyl 2,4,5-trihydroxybenzoate (2) from d-glucose-derived β-ketoester is described. The polyhydroxylated β-ketoester obtained from the hydrolysis of sugar β-ketoester 3 was subjected to an aldol-type condensation to get 4 that on enolization, dehydration, and hydrogenation afforded ethyl 2,4,5-trihydroxybenzoate (2). On the other hand, hydrogenation of aldol product 4 afforded polyhydroxylated keto-carbasugar 6, which on mild acid treatment and ester hydrolysis in basic media led to catechuic acid 1. Intermediate 4 is co-related to 3-dehydroshikimic acid, a biochemical intermediate from d-glucose in the synthesis of pro-catechuic acid.     

Dibenzylideneacetone analogues as novel Plasmodium falciparum inhibitors

A series of dibenzylideneacetones (A1-A12) and some of their pyrazolines (B1-B4) were synthesized and evaluated in vitro for blood stage antiplasmodial properties in Plasmodium falciparum culture using SYBR-green-I fluorescence assay. The compound (1E, 4E)-1,5-bis(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)penta-1,4-dien-3-one (A9) was found to be the most active with IC₅₀ of 1.97 μM against chloroquine-sensitive strain (3D7) and 1.69 μM against chloroquine-resistant field isolate (RKL9). The MTT based cytotoxicity assay on HeLa cell line has confirmed that A9 is selective in its action against malaria parasite (with a therapeutic index of 166). Our results revealed that these compounds exhibited promising antiplasmodial activities which can be further explored as potential leads for the development of cheaper, safe, effective and potent drugs against chloroquine-resistant malarial parasites.     

Regioselective facile one-pot Friedländer synthesis of sugar-based heterocyclic biomolecules

Regioselective facile one-pot synthesis of 16 different sugar-based quinoline, naphthyridine, and xanthone derivatives is reported. The compounds are characterized by NMR spectroscopy and elemental analysis. The β-Anomeric form of the sugar moiety was identified from ¹H NMR studies. Antimicrobial studies of these sugar-heterocyclic derivatives, 3a, 3b, 3f, 5c, 7a, 7b, and 7c show excellent activity against different microbes.     

Flavans from Iris tenuifolia and their effects on β-amyloid aggregation and neural stem cells proliferation in vitro

Two new flavans (1, 2) and a new flavanone (3), together with three known compounds (4-6), were isolated from the roots of Iris tenuifolia. Their structures were elucidated by means of spectroscopic methods including 1D and 2D NMR techniques and mass spectrometry. Compounds 1, 4, and 6 were further confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Biological evaluation showed that compounds 1 and 4 were positive in inhibiting β-amyloid (Aβ) aggregation and promoting neural stem cells (NSCs) proliferation, respectively.     

β-Diiminatolanthanoid(III) halides revisited

The crystalline compounds [LnCl₂(L)(thf)₂] [Ln = Ce (1), Tb (2), Yb (3)], [NdI₂(L)(thf)₂] (4), [LnCl(L′)₂] [Ln = Tb (5), Yb (6) (a known compound)] and [YbCl(L′′)(μ-Cl)₂Li(OEt₂)₂] (7) have been prepared [L = {N(C₆H₃Prⁱ₂-2,6)C(H)}₂CPh, L′ = {N(SiMe₃)C(Ph)}₂CH, L′′ = {N(SiMe₃)C(C₆H₄Ph-4)}₂CH]. The X-ray molecular structures of 2-7 have been established; in each, the monoanionic ligand L, L′ or L′′ is N,N′-chelating and essentially π-delocalised. Each of 1-7 was prepared from the appropriate LnCl₃, or for 4 [NdI₃(thf)₂], and an equivalent portion of the appropriate alkali metal [Li for 7, Na for 2, 3 and 5, or K for 1, 4 and 6] β-diiminate in thf; the isolation of exclusively 5 and 6 (rather than the L′ analogues of 2 or 3) is noteworthy, as is the structure of 7 which has no precedent in Group 3 or 4f metal β-diiminato chemistry.     

Actin depolymerizing effect of trisoxazole-containing macrolides

Oxazole-containing macrolides (1-5) isolated from the marine sponge Chondrosia corticata were evaluated for their actin depolymerizing activities by monitoring fluorescent intensity of pyrene F-actin. These studies led to the identification of (19Z)-halichondramide (5) as a new actin depolymerizing agent. The actin depolymerizing activity by (19Z)-halichondramide (5) was four times more potent than that of halichondramide (1). Compounds 1 and 5 also have potent antifungal activity. The preliminary structure-activity relationship of these compounds is described to elucidate the essential structural requirements.     

Antitumoral and antileishmanial dioncoquinones and ancistroquinones from cell cultures of Triphyophyllum peltatum (Dioncophyllaceae) and Ancistrocladus abbreviatus (Ancistrocladaceae)

From the methanolic extracts of solid callus cultures from two species of the closely related palaeotropical plant families Dioncophyllaceae and Ancistrocladaceae seven new natural naphthoquinones were isolated, dioncoquinones A (4) and B (5) from Triphyophyllum peltatum, and ancistroquinones B (6), C (7), D (9), E (10), and F (12) from Ancistrocladus abbreviatus. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic, chemical, and computational methods. Furthermore, the already known naphthoquinones plumbagin (2), droserone (3), malvone A (8), and nepenthone A (11) were found in the extract of A. abbreviatus. Dioncoquinones A (4) and B (5) showed good - and specific - activity against Leishmania major, while they were not active against other protozoic parasites. Moreover, treatment with 4 and 5 strongly induced apoptosis in human tumor cells derived from two different B cell malignancies, B cell lymphoma and multiple myeloma, without any significant toxicity towards normal peripheral mononuclear blood cells.     

Cytotoxic geranylflavonoids from Bonannia graeca

The analysis of the aerial parts of Bonannia graeca led to the isolation and characterization of polar geranylated flavonoids (6 and 7). The structure elucidation was performed by extensive spectroscopic methods (1D and 2D NMR) and comparison with literature data. All natural flavonoids isolated from B. graeca (1-7) and some synthetic derivatives (8-11) were tested for cytotoxic activity against four human tumor cell lines. Preliminary structure-activity relationship correlations are discussed.     

The phenyl - and -L-idopyranosiduronic acids and some other aryl glycopyranosiduronic acids

Condensation of 1,2,3,4,6-penta-O-acetyl-á-l-idopyranose (1) with phenol yielded phenyl 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-α- (2) and α-l-idopyranoside (4). Deacetylation of 2 and 4 afforded phenyl α and β-l-idopyranosides (3 and 5), respectively, the structures of which were verified by periodate oxidation studies. A platinum-catalyzed oxidation of 3 and 5 produced the amorphous phenyl α- and β-L-idopyranosiduronic acids (9 and 11), respectively, which were isolated as the crystalline cyclohexylammonium salts. Phenyl β- and α-d-glucopyranosiduronic acids are apparent minor byproducts of the catalytic oxidations, resulting from an inversion at C-5. _p-Nitrophenyl α-d-mannopyranosiduronic acid and _p-nitrophenyl α- and β-d-galactopyranosiduronic acids are also described.     

Ecdysteroids from Polypodium vulgare L

Three new compounds (3, 7, and 11) together with eight known phytoecdysteroids (1, 2, 4-6, and 8-10) were isolated from the rhizomes of common polypody, Polypodium vulgare L. The structures of compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic methods including 1D and 2D NMR measurements. The ¹H and ¹³C NMR assignments of compounds 1, 6, 9 and 10 are included.     

S-nitrosothiol and nitric oxide reactivity at β-diketiminato zinc thiolates

The β-diketiminato zinc halide [Me₂NN]ZnCl₂Li(THF)₃ (1) is prepared in 51% isolated yield by addition of the lithium β-diketiminate Li[Me₂NN] to ZnCl₂ in THF. Reaction of 1 with 2 equiv. of the thallium thiolate TlSCy provides {[Me₂NN]Zn(μ-SCy)₂Tl}₂ (2), a TlSCy adduct of [Me₂NN]ZnSCy, as colorless crystals in 51% yield. Reaction of 1 with 1 equiv. TlSR provides the dinuclear {[Me₂NN]Zn(μ-SR)}₂ (R = Cy (3), ^tBu (4)) which possess unsymmetrically bridging thiolate ligands with pairs of dissimilar Zn-S distances in the solid state (2.350(3) and 2.417(3) Å for 3; 2.312(1) and 2.415(1) Å for 4). Reaction of 1 with LiSCPh₃ results in the mononuclear zinc thiolates [Me₂NN]ZnSCPh₃(THF) (5) and [Me₂NN]ZnSCPh₃ (6) with shorter, but similar Zn-SR distances of 2.225(2) and 2.214(1) Å. Variable temperature ¹H NMR studies of 3 and 4 in CDCl₃ suggest that the aliphatic thiolates exist predominately as monomeric species in solution near room temperature, though at −50 °C two different β-diketiminato species are observed for 3. Thiolate exchange among 3, 4, and 6 also takes place on the NMR timescale near room temperature. Both 4 and 6 undergo transnitrosylation with CySNO in CDCl₃ to give {[Me₂NN]ZnSCy}₂ (3) and the corresponding S-nitrosothiol ^tBuSNO or Ph₃CSNO. Nitric oxide does not react with 4 or 6 under anaerobic conditions, but in the presence of O₂, NO cleaves the zinc-thiolate bond of 4 to rapidly give ^tBuSNO. Similarly, anaerobic NO₂ reacts with 4 to give ^tBuSNO providing insight into the active nitrogen oxide species capable of cleaving Zn-SR bonds.     

Cyclopeptide alkaloids from Scutia buxifolia Reiss

Scutianene E (1), 3,4,28-tris-epi-scutiaene E (2), 28-epi-scutianene E (3) and scutianene L (4), four neutral cyclopeptide alkaloids, were isolated from Scutia buxifolia Reiss, together with four known cyclopeptide alkaloids, scutianines B, C, D and E. Scutianenes 1-3 are diastereoisomeric compounds, with 3-hydroxyleucine as a β-hydroxy amino acid unit, which is connected to the styryl fragment via an ether bridge, β-phenylserine, as a common ring-bonded amino acid residue. Attached to the amino group of β-hydroxyamino acid is a side chain [trans-CH = CH-Ph]. The structures of the peptides were elucidated by means of spectroscopic analysis, including extensive 2D NMR studies. The stereochemistry for the diastereomeric 3,4,28-tris-epi-scutiaene E and 28-epi-scutianene E was confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis of their O-acetyl derivatives.     

Aromatase inhibitory, radical scavenging, and antioxidant activities of depsidones and diaryl ethers from the endophytic fungus Corynespora cassiicola L36

Isolation of a broth extract of the endophytic fungus Corynespora cassiicola L36 afforded three compounds, corynesidones A (1) and B (3), and corynether A (5), together with a known diaryl ether 7. Compounds 1, 3, 5, and 7 were relatively non-toxic against cancer cells, and inactive toward normal cell line, MRC-5. Corynesidone B (3) exhibited potent radical scavenging activity in the DPPH assay, whose activity was comparable to ascorbic acid. Based on the ORAC assay, compounds 1, 3, 5, and 7 showed potent antioxidant activity. However, the isolated natural substances and their methylated derivatives (1−8) neither inhibited superoxide anion radical formation in the XXO assay nor suppressed TPA-induced superoxide anion generation in HL-60 cell line. Corynesidone A (1) inhibited aromatase activity with an IC₅₀ value of 5.30 μM.     

Genome-wide biochemical analysis of Arabidopsis protein phosphatase using a wheat cell-free system

Plant genome possesses over 100 protein phosphatase (PPase) genes that are key regulators of signal transduction via phosphorylation/dephosphorylation event. Here we report a comprehensive functional analysis of protein serine/threonine, dual-specificity and tyrosine phosphatases using recombinant PPases produced by wheat cell-free protein synthesis system. Eighty-two recombinant PPases were successfully produced using Arabidopsis full-length cDNA as templates. In vitro PPase assay was performed using phosphorylated myelin basic protein as substrate. Among the AtPPases examined, 26 serine/threonine, three dual-specificity and one tyrosine PPases exhibited catalytic activity, including 20 serine/threonine and one dual-specificity PPases that showed in vitro activities for the first time. Our study demonstrates genome-wide biochemical analysis of AtPPases using wheat cell-free system, and provides new information and insights on enzyme activities.

Structured summary of protein interactions

PTP1dephosphorylatesMBP by phosphatase assay (View interaction).AtPP2CdephosphorylatesMBP by phosphatase assay (View interaction).POLTEdephosphorylatesMBP by phosphatase assay (View interaction).TOPP8dephosphorylatesMBP by phosphatase assay (View interaction).HAB1dephosphorylatesMBP by phosphatase assay (View interaction).ABI2dephosphorylatesMBP by phosphatase assay (View interaction).At1g34750dephosphorylatesMBP by phosphatase assay (View interaction).At1g43900dephosphorylatesMBP by phosphatase assay (View interaction).At3g15260dephosphorylatesMBP by phosphatase assay (View interaction).At5g53140dephosphorylatesMBP by phosphatase assay (View interaction).At1g18030dephosphorylatesMBP by phosphatase assay (View interaction).At3g06270dephosphorylatesMBP by phosphatase assay (View interaction).At2g25070dephosphorylatesMBP by phosphatase assay (View interaction).At3g02750dephosphorylatesMBP by phosphatase assay (View interaction).At5g10740dephosphorylatesMBP by phosphatase assay (View interaction).at4g26080dephosphorylatesMBP by phosphatase assay (View interaction).At4g28400dephosphorylatesMBP by phosphatase assay (View interaction).At5g06750dephosphorylatesMBP by phosphatase assay (View interaction).At4g31860dephosphorylatesMBP by phosphatase assay (View interaction).At3g17250dephosphorylatesMBP by phosphatase assay (View interaction).At4g38520dephosphorylatesMBP by phosphatase assay (View interaction).At3g05640dephosphorylatesMBP by phosphatase assay (View interaction).At5g66080dephosphorylatesMBP by phosphatase assay (View interaction).At1g79630dephosphorylatesMBP by phosphatase assay (View interaction).At2g30170dephosphorylatesMBP by phosphatase assay (View interaction).At5g24940dephosphorylatesMBP by phosphatase assay (View interaction).