Cucurbitane-type triterpenoids from the aerial parts of Momordica charantia L.

Six new cucurbitane-type triterpenoids (1–6), together with two known analogues (7 and 8) were isolated from the aerial parts of Momordica charantia L. The structures of new compounds were identified as cucurbita-6,24-dien-3β,23-diol-19,5β-olide (1), (19R)-5β,19-epoxy-19-methoxycucurbita-6,24-dien-3β,23-diol (2), (19S)-5β,19-epoxy-19-methoxycucurbita-6,24-dien-3β,23-diol (3), (19R)-5β,19-epoxy-19-isopropoxycucurbita-6,24-dien-3β,23-diol (4), 3β,23-dihydroxy-5-methoxycucurbita-6,24-dien-19-al (5) and (19R)-7β,19-epoxy-19-methoxycucurbita-5,24-dien-3β,23-diol (6), by extensive MS, 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic technologies. This is the first report of the isolation of tetracyclic triterpenoids possessing a 7β,19-epoxy system, viz., 6, from M. charantia L.     

Chemical constituents from the roots of Fallopia multiflora var. Ciliinerve

Phytochemical investigations on the roots of Fallopia multiflora var. Ciliinerve led to the isolation of eighteen compounds, including six chromones [2-methyl-5- carboxymethyl-7-hydroxychromone (1), 2-methyl-5-methylcarboxymethyl-7- hydroxychromone (2), 2,5-dimethyl-7-hydroxychromone (3), 2-methyl-5-hydroxymeth-yl-7-hydroxychromone (4), 2-methyl-5-carboxylicacid-7-hydroxy-chromone (5), and 2,5-dimethyl-7-hydroxychromone-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (6)], three lignans [Isolariciresinol (8), 5-[4-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-2,3-dimethylbutyl]-1,3-benzodioxole (9), and isolariciresinol-9-O-β-D-xylopyranoside (10)], four anthraquinones [physcion-8-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (11), emodin-8-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (12), Rhein (13), and Chrysophanol (14)], three isobenzofurans [5,7-dihydroxy-isobenzofuran (15), 5-methoxy-7-hydroxy-isobenzofuran (16), and 5-methoxy-isobenzofuran-7-O-β-D-glucoside (17)], one phenolic acid [2,5-diacethylhy-droquinone (7)], and one pyran [Zanthopyranone (18)]. Among them, compounds 1, 3, 6, 13 and 14 were reported from F. multiflora var. Ciliinerve for the first time, compounds 2, 8, 10 and 15–17 were isolated from the genus Fallopia for the first time, and compounds 4, 9 and 18 were isolated for the first time from Polygonaceae family. Furthermore, the isolation of compounds 5 and 7 were reported for the first time in plants. Their structures were identified by spectroscopic methods and compared with those previously published. The chemotaxonomic significance of these isolated compounds has also been discussed.     

Phytochemical investigation of Eremostachys moluccelloides Bunge (Lamiaceae)

Phytochemical investigation of the aerial parts of Eremostachys moluccelloides Bunge led to the identification of a new diterpene, 2β,14-dihydroxy −11-formyl- 12-carboxy-13-des-isopropyl-13-hydroxymethyl-abieta-8,11,13- triene- 16(17)- lactone (1), along with the known compounds 12, 18-dicarboxy-14-hydroxy-13-des -isopropyl-13-hydroxymethyl- abieta-8,11,13-triene-16(17)-lactone (2), 5-hydroxy-3′,4′,7-trimethoxyflavone (3), 5-hydroxy-4’,7-dimethoxyflavone (4), luteolin-7-O-β-glucoside (5), verbascoside (6), luteolin 7-O-(6″-O-β-D-apiofuranosyl) -β-D-glucopyranoside (7), chlorogenic acid (8), echinacoside (9), apigenin-7-O-β-D-glucoside (10), p-coumaric acid (11), vanillic acid (12), apigenin-7-O-(6″-E-p-coumaroyl)-β-D-glucopyranoside (13), apigenin-7-O-(3″,6″-E-p-dicoumaroyl)-β-glucoside (14), lamalbide (15), 6β-hydroxy-7-epi-loganin (16), phloyoside II (17) The structures were elucidated on the basis of 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy, UV, MS and by comparison with compounds previously reported in the literature. Compounds 1–4, 8, 9, 11, 12, 14 have not been reported previously from any species within the genus Eremostachys. Compounds 1–14, 17 were obtained from this species for the first time. The chemotaxonomic significance of the isolated compounds is discussed.     

A new bicyclic sesquiterpenoid from Merremia yunnanensis

A new sesquiterpenoid, 1α,4β,8β,9β-eudesmane-tetrol-1-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (1), together with nine known compounds (2–10), were isolated from Merremia yunnanensis. The structures of these compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic methods and compared to data in the literature. All these compounds (1–10) were firstly isolated from this plant, and compounds 3, 5, 7, and 10 were reported from the Merremia genus for the first time. The significance of the chemotaxonomy for these compounds is described herein.     

Microbial metabolism of prenylated apigenin derivatives by Mucor hiemalis

6-Prenylapigenin (1) and 8-prenylapegenin (2) were semi-synthesized from apigenin by nuclear prenylation. Morusin (3) was isolated from the root bark of Morus alba L. The microbial transformation studies of these three bioactive prenylated apigenin derivatives were performed using eighteen cell cultures in order to select microorganisms capable of transforming them. It was identified that Mucor hiemalis (KCTC 26779) showed the ability to metabolize the parent compounds (1–3) into three new (4–6) and one known (7) glucosylated derivatives with high efficiency. Their structures were established as 6-prenylapigenin 7-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (4), 8-prenylapigenin 7-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (5), morusin 5-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (6), and morusin 4′-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (7) by the spectroscopic methods.     

Chemical constituents from Lomatogonium carinthiacum (Gentianaceae)

Lomatogonium carinthiacum (Wulfen) Rchb. (Gentianaceae) is an annual plant which used in the Mongolian system of medicine against liver and bile diseases. In the present study, three flavones (1–3), four xanthones (4–7), and two iridoids (8, 9) were isolated and identified. Among them, compounds 3–5, 7, 8 were firstly isolated from the species L. carinthiucum, compounds 3-5 were isolated from the genus Lomatogonium for the first time. The Chemotaxonomic significance of these compounds was discussed in the article.     

Vernoguinamide: A new ceramide and other compounds from the root of Vernonia guineensis Benth. and their chemophenetic significance

The chemical investigation of the roots of Vernonia guineensis Benth. (Asteraceae) resulted in the isolation of a new ceramide, named vernoguinamide (1), together with fifteen known compounds, including three anthraquinones, physion (2), erythroglaucin (3) and emodin (4), three triterpenoids, hop-17(21)-en-3β-yl acetate (5), lupeol (6) and betulinic acid (7), six steroids, vernoguinoside A (8), vernoguinoside (9), β-sitosterol 3-O-β-D-glucoside (10), stigmasterol 3-O-β-D-glucoside (11), stigmasterol (12) and β-sitosterol (13) and three fatty acid derivatives, tetracosanoic acid (14), tricosanic acid (15) and arachidic acid glycerol ester (16). The structure of the new compound as well as those of the known compounds were established by spectrometric analysis including HRESI-MS, 1D and 2D-NMR and by comparison with the previously reported data. Among these compounds, the anthraquinones 2–4 and the triterpene 5 were isolated for the first time from Vernonia genus and compounds 6, 7 and 14–16 were extracted for the first time from the species. The isolated compounds were tested for their antibacterial activity and 3, 8 and 9 were the most active compounds against the tested bacteria. Furthermore, the chemophenetic relationships of the isolated compounds and their significance were also discussed.     

Phenolic constituents from the roots of Rosa laevigata (Rosaceae)

Chemical investigation of the root of Rosa laevigata led to the isolation of sixteen phenolic compounds, including seven flavonoids (1–7), five condensed tannins (8–12), two stilbenes (13 and 14) and two benzoic acid derivatives (15 and 16). Their structures were identified as (+)-catechin (1), (+)-gallocatechin (2), (2R, 3S, 4S)-cis- leucocyanidin (3), (2R, 3S, 4S)-cis-leucofisetinidin (4), (2S, 3R, 4R)-cis- leucofisetinidin (5), dehydrodicatechin A (6), phloridzin (7), procyanidin B3 (8), fisetinidol-(4α, 8)-catechin (9), guibourtinidol- (4α, 8)-catechin (10), ent- isetinidol -(4α, 6)-catechin (11), fisetinidol-(4β, 8)-catechin (12), (Z)-3-methoxy-5-hydroxy- stilbene (13), (Z)-piceid (14), gallic acid (15) and 4-hydroxybenzoic acid- 4-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (16). Among them, compounds 3–7, 9–14, and 16 were isolated from R. laevigata for the first time, and compounds 3–7, 9, 10, 12–14 and 16 were reported for the first time from the genus Rosa. The chemotaxonomic significance of these compounds was summarized.     

Chemical constituents from the fruits of Solanum incanum L

Phytochemical investigation of the fruits of Solanum incanum L. resulted in the isolation of nine compounds, including three steroidal glycoalkaloids (1-3), two neolignans (4–5), two simple phenolics (6–7), one monoterpene glycoside (8), and one coumarin glucoside (9). The structure elucidation of isolated compounds was determined based on NMR and mass spectral data. Compounds 4 and 9 were isolated for the first time from the genus Solanum and their chemotaxonomic significance was discussed.     

Phenolic compounds from the roots of Ochna schweinfurthiana and their antioxidant and antiplasmodial activities

An investigation of compounds extracted from Ochna schweinfurthiana roots with ethyl acetate led to the isolation of three new compounds 4⿴-methoxylophirone A (1), 4,4⿲,4⿴⿿trimethoxylophirone A (2) and (4E;7Z)-3,8-dicarboxy-1-(O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 ⿿ 6)-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-2,9-dihydroxyhexeicosa-4,7-diene (3). Six known compounds were also identified, including Calodenone (4), Calodenine B (5), Lophirone A (6), Gerontoisoflavone A(7), 16α,17-dihydroxy-ent-kauran-19-oic acid (8) and 3β-O-d-glucopyranosyl-β-sitosterol (9). This report describes the first time that compounds 4-8 have been isolated from this plant, while 8 has never been identified in the genus Ochna. Some of the isolated compounds were evaluated for their antiplasmodial activity against the chloroquine-sensitive Plasmodium falciparum strain 3D7 and antioxidant activity using DPPH radical scavenging and Ferric reducing-antioxidant power (FRAP) assays. Compound 5 exhibited prominent radical scavenging and FRAP activities, while 7 had weak activity. Compound 1 showed good in vitro anti-plasmodial activity. The structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic methods and comparisons with prior data in the literature.     

A new methoxylated flavone from Lonicera hypoglauca and its chemotaxonomic significance

Phytochemical investigation of the stems and leaves of Lonicera hypoglauca Miq. led to the isolation of one novel methoxylated flavone, acunminatin (7,2′,4′-trihydroxyl-5,5′- methoxyflavone) (1), and fourteen known compounds (2–15), including six flavonoids (mearnsetin 2, kaempferol 3, acacetin 4, 5,7,3′,4′-tetramethoxyflavone 5, tricin 6, and 5,7,3′,4′,5′-pentamethoxyflavone 7), two coumarins (umbelliferone 8 and scopoletin 9), two phenylpropanoids (trans-ferulic acid 10 and chlorogenic acid 11), two iridoid glycosides (loganin 12 and sweroside 13), and two triterpenoids (uvaol 14 and ursolic acid 15). The structures of the compounds were identified by spectroscopic analysis and by comparing their spectral data with those reported in the literature. Five of these compounds (1, 2, 4, 5, and 7) were isolated from the L. genus for the first time, and compounds 6–8 and 14–15 were isolated for the first time from L. hypoglauca. The chemotaxonomic significance of the isolated compounds in the L. genus and the Caprifoliaceae family are discussed herein.     

Chemical constituents isolated from Valeriana officinalis L

Phytochemical investigations on the leaves of Valeriana officinalis L. led to the isolation of 18 compounds, including eight lignans (1–8), three sesquiterpenoids (9–11), five iridoids (12–16), and two aldehydes (17–18) The structure elucidation of isolated compounds was achieved on the basis of NMR and mass spectral data. Among them, three compounds (9–16, 18) are reported from V. officinalis for the first time and one compound (5) was isolated from the genus Valeriana for the first time. In addition, six compounds (2, 4, 6–8, 17) are isolated for the first time from Valerianaceae family. The chemotaxonomic significance of these isolated compounds has also been discussed.     

Flavonoids and phenolic acids from the aerial parts of Alyssum alyssoides L. (Brassicaceae)

Two phenolic acids (1 and 2) and seven flavonoids (3–9) were isolated from the aerial parts of Alyssum alyssoides (Brassicaceae). All these compounds (1–9) were isolated from this particular species for the first time. Their structures were identified, on the basis of MS and NMR spectra as: p-hydroxy-benzoic acid (1), 3-methoxy-4-hydroxybenzoic acid (vanillic acid) (2), kaempferol 3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (astragalin) (3), kaempferol 3-O-(6″-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl)-β-D-glucopyranoside (nicotiflorin) (4), quercetin 3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (isoquercetin) (5), quercetin 3-O-β-D-galactopyranoside (hyperoside) (6), isorhamnetin 3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (7), isorhamnetin 3-O-β-D-galactopyranoside (8) and isorhamnetin 3-O-(6″-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl)-β-D-glucopyranoside (narcissin) (9). The chemotaxonomic significance of these compounds was summarized.     

Chemical constituents from the aerial parts of Impatiens hypophylla Makino var. hypophylla

Seven flavonoids such as luteolin (1), luteolin 7-O-β-glucopyranoside (2), luteolin 3'-O-β-glucopyranoside (3), chryseriol (4), apigenin (5), apigenin 7-O-β-glucopyranoside (6) and astragalin (7) and one coumarin, scopoletin (8) were isolated from the aerial parts of Impatiens hypophylla Makino var. hypophylla (Family: Balsaminaceae). Structures of these compounds were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic methods. All these compounds were isolated for the first time from I. hypophylla var. hypophylla.     

Sesquiterpenoids and flavonoids from Pteris multifida Poir.

Phytochemical research of Pteris multifida Poir. led to the isolation of fifteen compounds, including six flavonoids (1–6) and nine sesquiterpenoids (7–15). Their structures were characterized by NMR, MS, ORD and CD data. Compounds kaempferol 3-O-α-L-rhamnoside-7-O-β-D-glucoside (1), myricetin 3-O-β-D-glucoside (2), kaempferol 3-O-β-D-glucoside (4), luteolin-7-O-β-D-rutinoside (5), quercetin-3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside (6), (2S,3S)-12-hydroxypterosin Q (7), (2S,3S)-pterosin Q (8), 2-hydroxypterosin C (9) and (2S)-12-hydroxypterosin A (10) were first isolated from P. multifida, and compounds 1–2 and 10 were first isolated from the family Pteridaceae. Furthermore, the chemotaxonomic significance of the isolates was discussed.     

Antibacterial and antioxidant activities of compounds isolated from the leaves of Symphonia globulifera (Clusiaceae) and their chemophenetic significance

The phytochemical study was done on the methanol extract from of the leaves of Symphonia globulifera. This plant has been used in traditional medicine to treat of different ailments such as malaria, diseases of the skin, diabetes, cough, intestinal worms, pre-hepatic jaundice and fever. Chromatographic fractionation and purification of this extract led to the isolation and characterization of twelve compounds (1–12) including pristriol (1), robustaflavone (2), polycarpol (3), 7''-O-methylrobustaflavone (4), amentoflavone (5), stigmasterol glucoside (6), epicatechin (7), apigenin (8), luteolin (9), 1,5-dihydroxyxanthone (10), β-sitosterol 3-β-D-glucopyranoside (11) and a mixture of stigmasterol and β-sitosterol (12). The structures of compounds 1–12 were elucidated on the basis of 1D and 2D NMR, mass spectrometric and the spectroscopic data as well as comparison with the literature. All these compounds were isolated for the first time from Symphonia genus. The NMR spectra and structure elucidation of compound 1 were reported for the first in the literature. The antibacterial and antioxidant activities of three of these compounds were evaluated. The chemophenetic significance of these compounds is also discussed.     

Phytochemical constituents from Neolamarckia cadamba (Roxb.) Bosser

Phytochemical study on Neolamarckia cadamba (Roxb.) Bosser has yielded ten indole alkaloids, neolarmarckine A-E (1–5), cadamine (6), 3β-isodihydrocadambine (7), angustine (8) and naulafine (9) and harmane (10). The structural elucidation of all the compounds were conducted based on the thorough analysis of spectroscopic data and comparison with reported data. The chemotaxonomic significance of all these compounds were summarized. Among all the indole alkaloids, compound 3–5 were new compounds and isolated from Neolamarckia cadamba (Roxb.) Bosser for the first time. Compounds 1 and 2 were only found in Neolamarckia species while compounds 6 and 7 were only isolated from the family of Rubiaceace. Besides, compound 8 has been found in six genera of Rubiaceae and two genera of Apocynaceae while compound 9 was isolated from Neolamarkia species for the first time. Compound 10 can be found in many genera of Rubiaceae and also more than ten families such as Zygophyllaceae, Cyperaceae, Passifloraceae, Bignoniaceae, Sapotaceae, Elaeagnaceae, Leguminosae, Loganiaceae, Apocynaceae, Combretaceae, Chenopodiaceae, Commelinaceae and Polygalaceae.     

Chemical constituents from Lespedeza cuneata G. Don (Leguminosae)

Phytochemical investigation of Lespedeza cuneata led to the isolation of seventeen compounds including three steroids (β-sitosterol 1, β-sitosterol-6′-linolenoyl-3-O-β-d-glucopyranoside 3, and β-sitosterol glucoside 13), nine flavonoids (quercetin 4, kaempferol 5, isovitexin 8, hirsutrin 9, nicotiflorin 10, vitexin 11, astragalin 12, trifolin 14, and isorhamnetin 17), two phenolics (benzyl-β-d-glucopyranoside 7 and homovanillyl alcohol 16), one carotenoid (loroxanthin 2), one lignin (7R,8S–dihydrodehydrodiconiferyl alcohol 15), and one hexose (pinitol 6) on the basis of their spectroscopic data. Among these compounds, 2, 3, 7, 15 and 16 were reported for the first time from the genus Lespedeza. The taxonomic significance of these isolated compounds was also summarized.     

Chemical constituents from the roots of Cichorium glandulosum Boiss. et Huet (Asteraceae)

A phytochemical investigation of the roots extract of Cichorium glandulosum led to the isolation and characterization of fourteen compounds, including five sesquiterpene lactones (1–5), five flavonoids (6–10), and four lignans (11–14). Their structures were determined by spectroscopic data analysis and comparison with the literatures. This is the first report of the crystal data of lactucopicrin (1). This is the first time to report the isolation of 6,8,11-epi-desacetylmatricarin (2), desacetylmatricarin (3), ixerisoslde C (4), magnodelavin (5), 2ʹ,4-dihydroxy-4ʹ-methoxy-6ʹ-O-β-glucopyranoside dihydrochalcone (6), (−)-evofolin B (7), isoquercitrin (8), myricetin 7-methyl-ether-3-O-glucoside (9), (+)-medioresinol (12), 4-O-methylcedrusin [2-(3ʹ,4ʹ-dimethoxyphenyl)-3-hydroxymethyl-2,3-dihydro-7-hydroxybenzofuran-5-propan-1-ol] (13), and (2R,3S)-samwirin A (14) from C. glandulosum. Among them, compounds 5, 9, 13, and 14 were obtained from Asteraceae family for the first time. The chemotaxonomic significance of all the isolates 1–14 was discussed.