A-seco-oleane-type triterpenes from Phomopsis sp. (strain HKI0458) isolated from the mangrove plant Hibiscus tiliaceus

From the fermentation broth of an unidentified Phomopsis sp. (strain HKI0458) isolated from the mangrove plant Hibiscus tiliaceus, four A-seco-oleane-type triterpenes, namely 3,4-seco-olean-11,13-dien-4,15alpha, 22beta,24-tetraol-3-oic acid (1), 3,4-seco-olean-11,13-dien-4,7beta,22beta,24-tetraol-3-oic acid (2), 3,4-seco- olean-13-en-4,7,15,22,24-pentaol-3-oic acid (3), and 3,4-seco-olean-13-en-4,15,22,24-tetraol-3-oic acid (4) were obtained. Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic (UV, IR, FABMS, and 2D NMR) data analyses.     

Triterpenoids from Sanguisorba officinalis

Seven triterpenoids, i.e., 3beta-[(alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl)oxy]-19beta-hydroxyurs-12,20(30)-dien-28-oic acid (1), 3beta-[(alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl)oxy]-urs-11,13(18)-dien-28-oic acid beta-D-glucopyranosyl ester (2), 2alpha,3alpha,23-trihydroxyurs-12-en-24,28-dioic acid 28-beta-D-glucopyranosyl ester (3), 3beta-[(alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl)oxy]-urs-12,19(20)-dien-28-oic acid (4), 3beta-[(alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl)oxy]-urs-12,19(29)-dien-28-oic acid (5), 3beta-[(alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl)oxy]-19alpha-hydroxyolean-12-en-28-oic acid (6), 2alpha,3beta-dihydroxy-28-norurs-12,17,19(20),21-tetraen-23-oic cid (7), together with three known ones (8-10), were isolated from the roots of Sanguisorba officinalis. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic and chemical methods. Compounds 7 and 10 showed marginal inhibition activity against the growth of tumor cell lines.     

6-Methylcryptoacetalide, 6-methyl-epicryptoacetalide and 6-methylcryptotanshinone from Salvia aegyptiaca

From the whole plant of Salvia aegyptiaca, 6-methylcryptoacetalide, 6-methyl-epicryptoacetalide and 6-methylcryptotanshinone have been isolated and characterized, mainly by spectroscopic means. In addition to these novel diterpenoids, the known compounds 3beta-hydroxy-olean-12-en-28-oic acid, 3beta-hydroxy-oleana-11,13(18)-dien-28-oic acid, sitosterol-3beta-glucoside, sitosterol, stigmasterol, 5-hydroxy-7,3',4'-trimethoxyflavone and 5, 6-dihydroxy-7,3',4'-trimethoxyflavone were isolated.     

Triterpenoids from Viburnum suspensum

Three triterpenoids, 3-oxo-11,13(18)-oleanadien-28-oic acid, 24-hydroxy-3-oxo-11,13(18)-oleanadien-28-oic acid, 6β-hydroxy-3-oxo-11,13(18)-oleanadien-28-oic acid have been isolated together with the previously known virgatic acid, vibsanin B and 3-hydroxyvibsanin E from the leaves of Viburnum suspensum. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic methods and by comparison of their NMR spectral data with those of the previously known 11,13(18)-oleanadien-3β-ol.     

Triterpenoids from Viburnum suspensum

Three triterpenoids, 3-oxo-11,13(18)-oleanadien-28-oic acid, 24-hydroxy-3-oxo-11,13(18)-oleanadien-28-oic acid, 6β-hydroxy-3-oxo-11,13(18)-oleanadien-28-oic acid have been isolated together with the previously known virgatic acid, vibsanin B and 3-hydroxyvibsanin E from the leaves of Viburnum suspensum. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic methods and by comparison of their NMR spectral data with those of the previously known 11,13(18)-oleanadien-3β-ol.     

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.     

Triterpenoid saponins from Pteleopsis suberosa stem bark

Thirteen oleanane saponins (1-13), four of which were new compounds (1-4), were isolated from Pteleopsis suberosa Engl. et Diels stem bark (Combretaceae). Their structures were determined by 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy and ESI-MS spectrometry. The compounds were identified as 2alpha,3beta,19alpha,23,24-pentahydroxy-11-oxo-olean-12-en-28-oic acid 28-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl ester (1), 2alpha,3beta,19beta,23,24-pentahydroxy-11-oxo-olean-12-en-28-oic acid 28-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl ester (2), 2alpha,3beta,19alpha,23-tetrahydroxy-11-oxo-olean-12-en-28-oic acid 28-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl ester (3), and 2alpha,3beta,6beta,19alpha,24-pentahydroxy-11-oxo-olean-12- en-28-oic acid 28-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl ester (4). The presence of alpha,beta-unsaturated carbonyl function was not common in the oleanane class and the aglycons of these compounds were not found previously in the literature. Moreover, the isolated compounds were tested against Helicobacter pylori standard and vacA, and cagA clinical virulence genotypes. Results showed that compound 6 has an anti-H. pylori activity against three metronidazole-resistant strains (Ci 1 cagA, Ci 2 vacA, and Ci 3).     

Triterpenoid saponins from Oreopanax guatemalensis

Seven oleanane-type saponins were isolated from the leaves and stems of Oreopanax guatemalensis, together with ten known saponins of lupane and oleanane types. The new saponins were respectively characterized as 3-O-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl echinocystic acid 28-O-[alpha- L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->4)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->6)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl] ester, 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl 3beta-hydroxy olean-11,13(18)-dien-28-oic acid 28-O-[alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->4)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->6)-beta- D-glucopyranosyl]ester, 3-O-[alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl]3beta-hydroxy olean-11,13(18)-dien-28-oic acid 28-O-[alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->4)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->6)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl] ester, 3-O-[alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl]3beta, 23 dihydroxy olean-18-en-28-oic acid 28-O-[alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->4)-beta-D-6-O-acetyl glucopyranosyl-(1-->6)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl]ester, 3-O-[alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl] hederagenin 28-O-[alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->4)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->6)-[beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1-->2 )-]beta-D-glucopyranosyl]ester, 3-O-[alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl]hederagenin 28-O-[alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->4)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->6)-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->2)-]beta-D-glucopyranosyl] ester and 3-O-[alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl] hederagenin 28-O-[alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->4)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->6)-[alpha-L-arabinofuranosyl-(1-->2)]-beta-D-glucopyranosyl] ester. The structures were determined by spectral analyses. The NMR assignments were made by means of HOHAHA, 1H-1H COSY, HMQC, HMBC spectra and NOE difference studies.     

Diterpenoids from the pericarp of Platycladus orientalis

Eight labdane-type diterpenes, 7beta,13S-dihydroxylabda-8(17),14-dien-19-oic acid (1), 12R,15-dihydroxylabda-8(17),13E-dien-19-oic acid (3c), 12R,15-dihydroxylabda-8(17),13Z-dien-19-oic acid (3d), 12R,13R,14S-trihydroxylabda-12,15-epoxy-8(17)-en-19-oic acid (4a), 12S,13S,14R-trihydroxylabda-12,15-epoxy-8(17)-en-19-oic acid (4b), 15-hydroxy-12-oxolabda-8(17),13E-dien-19-oic acid (5), 14R,15-dihydroxylabda-8(17),12Z-dien-19-oic acid (7a) and 14S,15-dihydroxylabda-8(17),12Z-dien-19-oic acid (7b), along with 20 known diterpenoids, were isolated from the pericarp of Platycladus orientalis. Their structures were unambiguously elucidated by NMR spectroscopic and single crystal X-ray diffraction analyses, as well as via chemical correlation conversion. NMR spectroscopic data of known isomers 8c and 8d were reported as a supplement to existing data.     

Isolation of anti-Candida albicans compounds from Markhamia obtusifolia (Baker) Sprague (Bignoniaceae)

An increase in clinical cases of Candidiosis globally as well as fungal resistance to drugs prompted the search for novel anti-Candida albicans agents from plant sources. Leaf extracts of Markhamia obtusifolia were screened for activity against C. albicans in vitro. An acetone extract obtained following serial exhaustive extraction contained mainly the active components with at least four active zones on the bioautogram. Bioassay guided fractionation of this extract led to the isolation of three compounds which inhibited the growth of three C. albicans strains. Based on spectroscopy studies (NMR and MS), the compounds were identified as 3β-hydroxyurs-12-en-28-oic acid, ursolic acid (1) 3β, 19α-dihydroxyurs-12-en-28-oic acid, pomolic acid (2) and 2β, 3β, 19α -trihydroxy-urs-12-en-28-oic acid, 2-epi-tormentic acid (3). The most active compound was 3β, 19α-dihydroxy-12-ursen-28-oic acid (2) with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value of 12.5 µg/mL for C. albicans isolated from dog and 25.0 µg/mL for C. albicans from cat and ATCC 90028 at 24 h following incubation. However, at 48 h of incubation MICs were > 400 µg/mL for all the three compounds isolated. This study indicated that M. obtusifolia could be a potential source of active principles against C. albicans.     

锐尖山香圆叶中三萜类成分的研究

从锐尖山香圆(Turpinia arguta (Lindl.) Seem.)叶中分离得到了11个三萜类化合物。通过光谱分析,分别鉴定其结构为熊果酸(1), 3β,6β,23-trihydroxy-12-oleanen-28-oic acid (2), 3β,6β,23-trihydroxyurs-12-en-28-oic acid (3), 3β,6β,19α,23-tetrahydroxyurs-12-en-28-oic acid (4), 1 α, 3β,23-trihydroxy-12-oleanen-28-oic acid (5), arjunglucoside II (6), rosamultin (7), 3β-O-β-D-glucopyranoylcincholic acid (8), cinchonaglycoside C (9), mussaendoside S (10) 和3β-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl quinovic acid 28-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl ester (11)。除化合物1和6,其它化合物均为首次从山香圆叶中分离得到。     

ent-Kaurenoic acids from Mikania hirsutissima (Compositae)

Four ent-kaurenoic acid derivatives, 2beta,16alpha,17-trihydroxy-ent-kauran-19-oic acid (1), 3beta,16alpha,17-trihydroxy-ent-kauran-19-oic acid (2), 11alpha,15beta-dihydroxy-7-O-beta-d-glucopyranosyl-ent-kaur-16-en-19-oic acid (3) and 1alpha,15beta-dihydroxy-7-O-beta-d-glucopyranosyl-ent-kaur-16-en-19-oic acid (4), were isolated together with five known compounds, 1,5-dicaffeoyl-quinic acid (5), 2-O-glucosyloxy-4-methoxy-cinnamic acid (6), phenethyl alcohol glucoside (7), phenethyl-1-O-beta-d-apiofuranosyl (1-->2) beta-d-glucopyranoside (sayaendoside) (8) and 3,6-dihydroxy-beta-ion-9-ol (9) from the 50% aqueous acetone extract of the aerial parts of Mikania hirsutissima DC. (Compositae). Compounds 1-9 were tested for their proliferative activity toward peripheral blood mononuclear cells (hPBMC); compounds 1 and 2 showed significant activity (43.8% and 36.7%, at 100 microM, respectively) on the lymphocyte.     

Oleanane-type triterpenes from the flowers, pith, leaves, and fruit of Tetrapanax papyriferus

Four oleanane-type triterpenes, 3alpha,21beta,22alpha-trihydroxy-11,13(18)-oleanadien-28-oic acid (1), 3-epi-papyriogenin C (2), 21-O-acetyl-21-hydroxy-3-oxo-11,13(18)-oleanadien-28-oic acid (3) and 3beta-hydroxy-21-oxo-11,13(18)-oleanadien-28-oic acid methyl ester (4), together with four known triterpenes, were isolated from Tetrapanax papyriferus (Hook) K. Koch. Papyriogenin A (8) exhibited anti-HIV activity and low cytotoxicity in acutely infected H9 lymphocytes. Their structures were determined by analysis of spectroscopic data, including by 1D and 2D NMR.     

Diterpenoids and triterpenoids from Euphorbia guyoniana

Two new compounds with tigliane and cycloartane skeletons: 4,12-dideoxy(4alpha)phorbol-13-hexadecanoate (1) and 24-methylenecycloartane-3,28-diol (2), respectively, in addition of four known diterpenoids and 13 triterpenoids: 3-benzoyloxy-5,15-diacetoxy-9,14-dioxojatropha-6(17),11-diene (4), ent-abieta-8(14),13(15)-dien-16,12-olide (5), ent-8alpha,14alpha-epoxyabieta-11,13(15)-dien-16,12-olide (6), ent-3-hydroxyatis-16(17)-ene-2,14-dione (7), 3beta-hydroxytaraxer-14-en-28-oic acid (8), beta-sitosteryl-3beta-glucopyranoside-6'-O-palmitate (9), multiflorenyl acetate (10), multiflorenyl palmitate (11), peplusol (12), 24-methylenecycloartanol (3), lanosterol (13), euferol (14), butyrospermol (15), cycloartenol (16), obtusifoliol (17), cycloeucalenol (18) and beta-sitosterol (19), were isolated from the roots of Euphorbia guyoniana. Their structures were established on the basis of physical and spectroscopic analysis, including 1D and 2D homo- and heteronuclear NMR experiments (COSY, HSQC, HMBC and NOESY) and by comparison with the literature data.     

Pregnane, coumarin and lupane derivatives and cytotoxic constituents from Helicteres angustifolia

2alpha,7beta,20alpha-Trihydroxy-3beta,21-dimethoxy-5-pregnene (1), 6,7,9alpha-trihydroxy-3,8,11alpha-trimethylcyclohexo-[d,e]-coumarin (2), 3beta-hydroxy-27-benzoyloxylup-20(29)-en-28-oic acid (3), and 3beta-hydroxy-27-benzoyloxylup-20(29)-en-28-oic acid methyl ester (4), along with 24 known compounds were isolated and structurally characterized from roots and aerial parts of Helicteres angustifolia (Sterculiaceae). In a preliminary bioassay, the two cucurbitacin derivatives, cucurbitacin D and J exhibited significant inhibitory activities against the growth of both hepatocellular carcinoma BEL-7402 cells and malignant melanoma SK-MEL-28 cells in vitro.     

Studies of ent-kaurane diterpenes from Oyedaea verbesinoides for their inhibitory activity on vascular smooth muscle contraction

From the aerial parts of Oyedaea verbesinoides nine ent-kauranes and a sesquiterpene were isolated. ent-9alpha-Hydroxy-kaur-16-en-19-oic acid, ent-15beta-tigloyloxy-9alpha-hydroxy-kaur-16-en-19-oic acid, ent-15beta-angeloyloxy-9alpha-hydroxy-kaur-16-en-19-oic acid, ent-16alpha-hydroxykaurane and 1alpha-angeloyloxy-carotol are new for the genus or the species and ent-15beta-angeloyloxy-7alpha,9alpha-dihydroxy-kaur-16-en-19-oic acid is reported for the first time. Structure elucidation was based on one and two dimensional NMR as well as ESI and CI-MS analysis. Some diterpenes were proven to exhibit inhibitory effects on smooth muscle contraction on rat aorta.     

Diterpenoids from Azorella yareta and their trichomonicidal activities

Diterpenoids with trichomonicidal activity were isolated from the aerial parts of Azorella yareta Hauman. One was 13beta-hydroxyazorellane, together with the known constituents mulinolic acid, mulin-11,13-dien-20-oic acid, azorellanol and 13alpha-hydroxyazorellane. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic and chemical methods.     

Alisolide, alisols O and P from the rhizome of Alisma orientale

A nor-protostane, alisolide (1), a rearranged protostane, alisol O (2), and a 2,3-seco-protostane triterpene, alisol P (3), were isolated from the rhizomes of Alisma orientale, along with eight known protostane triterpenes. The structures were elucidated to be (17S)-3,11-dioxo-23-nor-protost-12-en-23(17)-olide, 3-oxo-11beta,23-dihydroxy-24,24-dimethyl-26,27-dinorprotost-13(17)-en-25-oic acid, and (20R,23S,24R)-23,24,25-trihydroxy-2,3-seco-protost-13(17)-en-3-oic acid 2,11beta-lactone, respectively, by interpretation of spectroscopic data.     

Clerodane and labdane diterpenoids from Nuxia sphaerocephala

Seven diterpenoids including four clerodane and three labdane derivatives, (13S)-ent-7beta-hydroxy-3-cleroden-15-oic acid (1), ent-7beta-hydroxy-2-oxo-3-cleroden-15-oic acid (2), ent-2,7-dioxo-3-clero-den-15-oic acid (3), ent-18-(E)-caffeoyloxy-7beta-hydroxy-3-cleroden-15-oic acid (4) (13S)-ent-18-(E)-coumaroyloxy-8(17)-labden-15-oic acid (5), ent-18-(E)-caffeoyloxy-8(17)-labden-15-oic acid (6), ent-15-(E)-caffeoyloxy-8(17)-labden-18-oic acid (7), have been isolated from an ethyl acetate extract of the leaves of Nuxia sphaerocephala, together with 17 known compounds. 3-Oxolup-20(29)-en-30-al (3-oxolupenal) (8) and 3beta-hydroxylup-20(29)-en-30-al (3beta-hydroxy-lupenal) (9) showed the best inhibitory activity against Plasmodium falciparum with the IC(50) values between 1.55 and 4.67 microg/ml in vitro, respectively. The structure and the relative stereochemistry of the compounds were established on the basis of their spectroscopic properties. The absolute configuration at C-13 of 1 and 5 was determined by the PGME amide procedure.     

Plant growth regulation activity of steviol and derivatives

This work describes the preparation of tetracyclic diterpenoids and determination of their plant growth regulator properties. Stevioside (2) was used as starting material and the derivatives 13-hydroxy-ent-kaur-16-en-19-oic acid (steviol, 3), ent-7alpha,13-dihydroxy-kaur-16-en-19-oic acid (4), 13-hydroxy, ent-kaur-16,17-epoxi-19-oic acid (steviol epoxide, 5), 17-hydroxy-16-ketobayeran-19-oic acid (17-hydroxyisosteviol, 6), 17-hydroxy-16-hydroxyiminobayeran-19-oic acid (7), 16-ketobayeran-19-oic acid (isosteviol, 9), 16,17-dihydroxybeyeran-19-oic acid (8), and 16-hydroxyiminobayeran-19-oic acid (isosteviol oxime, 10) were obtained by simple chemical procedures. Another derivative, ent-7alpha,13-dihydroxycaur-15-en-19-oic acid (4), was obtained by biotransformation of steviol (3) by Penicillium citrinum. In order to determine the plant growth regulator activity the compounds were submitted to the lettuce hypocotyl and barley aleurone bioassays. All compounds showed significant activities in both bioassays. Steviol (3) and isosteviol (9) were also tested in field-grown grapes resulting in an increase in berry weight and size.