alpha-Glucosidase inhibitory constituents from stem bark of Terminalia superba (Combretaceae)

The CH(2)Cl(2)/CH(3)OH (1/1) extract of the dried stem bark of Terminalia superba afforded two compounds, (7S,8R,7'R,8'S)-4'-hydroxy-4-methoxy-7,7'-epoxylignan and meso-(rel 7S,8R,7'R,8'S)-4,4'-dimethoxy-7,7'-epoxylignan along with 11 known compounds. The structures of the compounds were established by analysing the spectroscopic data and also comparing it with the data of previously known analogues. All the isolated compounds were evaluated for their glycosidase inhibition activities. Gallic acid and methyl gallate showed significant alpha-glucosidase inhibition activity.     

Enantioselective synthesis of 1-methoxy- and 1-deoxy-2'-methyl-delta8-tetrahydrocannabinols: new selective ligands for the CB2 receptor

Two new series of cannabinoids were prepared and their affinities for the CB1 and CB2 receptors were determined. These series are the (2'R)- and (2'S)-1-methoxy- and 1-deoxy-3-(2'-methylalkyl)-delta8-tetrahydrocannabinols, with alkyl side chains of three to seven carbon atoms. These compounds were prepared by a route that employed the enantioselective synthesis of the resorcinol precursors to the cannabinoid ring system. All of these compounds have greater affinity for the CB2 receptor than the CB1 receptor and four of them, (2'R)-1-methoxy-3-(2'-methylbutyl)-delta8-THC (JWH-359), (2'S)-1-deoxy-3-(2'-methylbutyl)-delta8-THC (JWH-352), (2'S)-1-deoxy-3-(2'-methylpentyl)-delta8-THC (JWH-255), and (2'R)-1-deoxy-3-(2'-methylpentyl)-delta8-THC (JWH-255), have good affinity (K(i) = 13-47 nM) for the CB2 receptor and little affinity (K(i) = 1493 to >10,000 nM) for the CB1 receptor. In the 1-deoxy-3-(2'-methylalkyl)-delta8-THC series, the 2'S-methyl compounds in general have greater affinity for the CB2 receptor than the corresponding 2'R isomers.     

Probes for narcotic receptor mediated phenomena. Part 28: new opioid antagonists from enantiomeric analogues of 5-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-N-phenylethylmorphan

Enantiomeric analogues of 5-(3-hydroxyphenyl)morphan ligands were synthesized and evaluated because of our unexpected finding that opioid antagonists can be obtained in the 5-phenylmorphan series of opioids without sterically hindering the rotation of the phenolic ring. We determined the opioid receptor binding affinity of these new analogues, as well as the efficacy of the more interesting ligands. One of the new compounds [(1R,5S)-(-)-3-[2-(3'-phenylpropyl)-2-azabicyclo[3.3.1]non-5-yl]-phenol, 15] was found to have half of the efficacy of naloxone, a potent opioid antagonist, in the [(35)S]GTPgammaS assay, and two others (1R,5S)-(-)-3-[2-(4'-phenylbutyl)-2-azabicyclo[3.3.1]non-5-yl]-phenol, 17, and (1R,5S,1'S)-(+)-3-[2-(1'-methyl-2'-phenylethyl)-2-azabicyclo[3.3.1]non-5-yl]-phenol, 26, acted as moderately potent opioid antagonists. X-ray crystallographic structure data were obtained on three compounds. Two of them had three chiral centers; 25 [(1R,5S,1'R)-(-)-3-[2-(1'-methyl-2'-phenylethyl)-2-azabicyclo[3.3.1]non-5-yl]-phenol] was determined to have the 1R,5S,1'R configuration, and 26 the 1R,5S,1'S configuration. Since (1S,5R)-(+)-2-bromo-5-[2-(2'-phenylethyl)-2-azabicyclo[3.3.1]non-5-yl]-phenol (32) was a position isomer of (1S,5R)-(+)-4-bromo-3-[2-(2'-phenylethyl)-2-azabicyclo[3.3.1]non-5-yl]-phenol (30), and both showed the same 1H NMR spectrum, the structure of 32 was unequivocally determined by X-ray structure analysis.     

Two glucosylated abscisic acid derivates from avocado seeds (Persea americana Mill. Lauraceae cv. Hass)

Phytochemical investigation of avocado seed material (Persea americana Mill., Lauraceae) resulted in the isolation of two glucosylated abscisic acid derivates. One of these was not known as a natural product and can be regarded as a potential 'missing link' in abscisic acid metabolism in plants. After fractionation by high-speed countercurrent chromatography, and multiple steps of column chromatography, structures were elucidated by 1D-, 2D-NMR, electrospray-MS to be the novel beta-d-glucoside of (1'S,6'R)-8'-hydroxyabscisic acid, and (1'R,3'R,5'R,8'S)-epi-dihydrophaseic acid beta-d-glucoside. Absolute configuration was determined by circulardichroism, optical rotation, and by NOE experiments.     

Highly stereoselective synthesis of (2'R)-[2'-2H]-deoxyribonucleosides and synthesis of their oligonucleotides.

Highly stereoselective synthesis of (2'R)-[2'-2H]-2'-deoxyribonucleosides (2'R:2'S = > 99:1) were accomplished by treating 2'-bromo-3',5'-O-TPDS-2'-deoxyribonucleosides with tributyltin deuteride at lower temperatures such as -60 degrees C in the presence of triethylborane. Moreover, synthesis of some oligodeoxyribonucleosides involving them will be described.     

Stereochemistry during aflatoxin biosynthesis: cyclase reaction in the conversion of versiconal to versicolorin B and racemization of versiconal hemiacetal acetate.

(1'R,2'S)-(-)-aflatoxins are produced from racemic versiconal hemiacetal acetate (VHA) through complicated pathways, including a metabolic grid involving VHA, versiconol acetate (VOAc), versiconol, and versiconal (VHOH), and a reaction sequence from VHOH to versicolorin A (VA) through (-)-versicolorin B (VB) [or (+/-)-versicolorin C] (K. Yabe, Y. Ando, and Y. Hamasaki, J. Gen. Microbiol. 137:2469-2475, 1991; K. Yabe, Y. Ando, and T. Hamasaki, Agric. Biol. Chem. 55:1907-1911, 1991). In this study, we examined stereochemical changes of substances formed during the conversion of VHA to VA by using chiral high-performance liquid chromatography. In cell-free experiments using the cytosol of Aspergillus parasiticus NIAH-26, both (2'S)- and (2'R)-VOAc enantiomers were formed at about a 1:2 ratio from racemic VHA in the presence of NADPH and dichlorvos (dimethyl 2,2-dichlorovinylphosphate). Also, the esterase activity catalyzing the conversion of VHA to VHOH or of VOAc to versiconol did not show the stereospecificity for the 2' carbon atom of VHA or VOAc. However, when racemic VHA or racemic VHOH was incubated with the cytosol, (1'R,2'S)-(-)-VB was formed exclusively. Furthermore, only (1'R,2'S)-(-)-VB, and not (1'S,2'R)-(+) antipode, served as a substrate for desaturase activity in the microsome fraction catalyzing the conversion of VB to VA. These results demonstrate that the stereoconfiguration of bis-furan moiety in aflatoxin molecules is determined by the cyclase enzyme catalyzing the reaction from VHOH to VB, and the (1'R,2'S)-(-) configuration was further confirmed by the subsequent desaturase reaction. Remarkably, we found nonenzymatic racemization in both the (2'R)- and (2'S)-VHA enantiomers, and it was dependent upon the temperature and alkaline conditions.     

Reversible cleavage of the cobalt-carbon bond to coenzyme B12 catalysed by methylmalonyl-CoA mutase from Propionibacterium shermanii. The use of coenzyme B12 stereospecifically deuterated in position 5'

1. (5'R)-(5'-2H1)Adenosine [(5'R):(5'S) = 85:15] was prepared by a procedure which involved inter alia the reduction of 6-N-benzoyl-2',3'-O-isopropylidene-5'-oxoadenosine with a reagent obtained from LiAl2H4 and (-)-isoborneol. 2. (5'S)-(5'-2H1)AdoCbl [(5'S):(5'R) = 74:26] (AdoCbl = 5'-deoxyadenosylcobalamin) was synthesized by reacting cobal(I)amin with (5'R)-2'-3'-O-isopropylidene-5'-tosyl-(5'-2H1) adenosine followed by acid hydrolysis to remove the isopropylidene protective group. 3. (5'R)-(5'-2H1)AdoCbl [(5'R):(5'S) = 77:23] was prepared by reacting cobalt(I)amin with (5'S)-5'-chloro-5'-(5'-2H1)deoxyadenosine [(5'S):(5'R) = 80:20] obtained in turn from (5'R)-(5'-2H1)adenosine. The reaction sequence involved two consecutive inversions at the C-5' atom of adenosine 4. Comparison of the 500-MHz 1H-NMR spectra of unlabelled, (5'S)- and (5'R)-(5'-2H1)AdoCbl allowed assignment of the triplet at 0.58 ppm and the doublet at 1.525 ppm to the diastereotopic 5'-HRe and 5'-HSi atoms, respectively. On acidification, these two protons gave rise to two triplets at 0.11 ppm and 1.78 ppm indicating that torsion had occurred around the C-4'--C-5' bond. 5. Samples of (5'R)- and (5'S)-(5'-2H1)AdoCbl were incubated with methylmalonyl-CoA mutase from Propionibacterium shermanii. Examination by 1H-NMR spectroscopy at 500 MHz revealed partial loss and stereochemical scrambling of the deuterium at the 5' position. This indicates transient conversion of the C-5' atom into a torsiosymmetric group and hence cleavage of the cobalt-carbon bond during interaction with the enzyme. The mechanism by which deuterium is lost remains to be elucidated.     

Synthesis and cardiovascular activity of metoprolol analogues

The synthesis of four novel analogues of metoprolol, a well-known beta1-blocker used to reduce arterial blood pressure, is described. The preparation of (2S,2'S)-7, (2R,2'S)-7, (2R,2'R)-8, and (2S,2'R)-8 was based on the reaction of racemic 2-[4-(2'-methoxyethyl)-phenoxymethyl]-oxirane (4) with (R)- or (S)-2-amino-1-butanol. Salient characteristics of analogues 7 and 8 relative to metoprolol are the incorporation of an additional stereogenic center, as well as a methyl group and a hydroxyl function on the nitrogen-containing chain. These novel derivatives present significant hypotensive and bradycardiac activity, although no blocking action toward beta1 and beta2 adrenergic receptor.     

Synthesis of epimers of L-cyclopentenylglycine using enzymatic resolution

Both epimers of the naturally occurring nonproteinogenic amino acid L-cyclopentenylglycine, (2S,1'S)- and (2S, 1'R)-2-(cyclopent-2'-enyl)glycine, were obtained via a procedure involving condensation of 3-chlorocyclopentene with diethyl acetylaminomalonate, deethoxycarbonylation, chromatographic separation of the resulting two pairs of enantiomers, and enzymatic resolution of the racemates employing enantioselective hydrolysis of the ethyl ester group with alpha-chymotrypsin. The method was used for preparation of (13)C-labeled compounds of interest for biosynthetic tracer experiments. Enantiomeric purity of the products was determined by chiral HPLC on a Crownpak CR(+) column. The biologically active (2S,1'R) isomer was obtained as a pure compound and characterized for the first time. The (2R,1'R) and (2R,1'S) isomers were obtained as N-acetyl ethyl ester derivatives.     

Antioxidant lignans from Larrea tridentata

Three lignans, (7S,8S,7'S,8'S)-3,3',4'-trihydroxy-4-methoxy-7,7'-epoxylignan, meso-(rel 7S,8S,7'R,8'R)-3,4,3',4'-tetrahydroxy-7,7'-epoxylignan, and (E)-4,4'-dihydroxy-7,7'-dioxolign-8(8')-ene, together with 10 known compounds, were isolated from the leaves of Larrea tridentata. The structures of the new compounds were determined primarily from 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic analysis. Their antioxidant activities against intracellular reactive oxygen species were evaluated in HL-60 cells.     

Partial synthesis of serum carotenoids and their metabolites

Human serum and tissues contain in excess of 12 dietary carotenoids and several metabolites that originate from consumption of fruits and vegetables. Among these are hydroxycarotenoids: (3R,3'R,6'R)-lutein (1), (3R,3'R)-zeaxanthin (2), (3R,6'R)-α-cryptoxanthin (3), and (3R)-β-cryptoxanthin (4). In addition, several dehydration products of 1 have also been identified in human serum, these are: (3R,6'R)-3-hydroxy-3',4'-didehydro-β,γ-carotene (5), (3R,6'R)-3-hydroxy-2',3'-didehydro-β,ε-carotene (6), and (3R)-3-hydroxy-3',4'-didehydro-β,β-carotene (7). Several metabolites of 1 and/or 2, namely, (3R,3'S,6'R)-lutein (3'-epilutein, 8) and (3R,3'S;meso)-zeaxanthin (9) have also been characterized in human serum and ocular tissues. Semi-synthetic processes have been developed that separately transform commercially available 1 into 4 via 7 as well as 1 into 8. While 8 is converted into 2 by base-catalyzed isomerization, 7 is transformed into 2 and its (3R,3'S;meso)-stereoisomer (9) by regioselective hydroboration.     

Synthesis and preliminary biological evaluation of (2S,1'R,2'S)- and (2S,1'S,2'R)-2-(2'-phosphonocyclopropyl)glycines, two novel conformationally constrained l-AP4 analogues

Two novel constrained l-AP4 analogues, (2S,1'R,2'S)- and (2S,1'S,2'R)-2-(2'-phosphonocyclopropyl)glycines (7) and (8), were synthesized and evaluated as mGluR ligands. Compound 7 showed to be a group III mGluRs agonist with micromolar activity.     

Two novel bioactive glucosinolates from Broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. italica) florets

Two novel glucosinolates along with one known glucosinolate were isolated from Broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. italica) florets. Their structures were established mainly by 1D ((1)H and (13)C NMR), 2D NMR ((1)H-(1)H COSY, DEPT 135°, HSQC and HMBC), and Tandem MS-MS spectrometric data as 2-mercaptomethyl sulfinyl glucosinolate [(Z)-4-(methylsulfinyl)-N-(sulfooxy)-2-((2'S,3'R,4'S,5'S,6'R)-3',4',5'-trihydroxy-6'(hydroxylmethyl)-2'-mercapto tetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-yl) butane amide] 1, (Z)-1-((2S,5S)-5-hydroxytetra-hydro-2H-pyran-2-ylthio)-2-(1H-indol-3-yl) ethylidene amino sulfate 2 and a known cinnamoyl [6'-O-trans-(4″-hydroxy cinnamoyl)4-(methylsulphinyl)butyl glucosinolate] 3. Compound 1 exhibited scavenging activity against DPPH with an inhibitory concentration IC(50) of 20mM, whereas compound 3 was a weak antioxidant when compared to the standard quercetin (5mM) as a positive control. Both the compounds showed a significant and similar antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus with an IC(50) of <625μg/mL when compared to antibiotic duricef. Against Salmonella typhimurium the IC(50) of 1 and 3 was determined as <625μg/mL and <1250μg/mL, respectively, when compared to ampicillin (IC(50) ?39μg/mL) as a positive control.     

Xylopyranoside-based agonists of D-myo-inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors: synthesis and effect of stereochemistry on biological activity

The synthesis of a series of tetrahydrofuranyl alpha- and beta-xylopyranoside trisphosphates, designed by excision of three motifs of adenophostin A is reported. The synthetic route features improved preparations of allyl alpha-D-xylopyranoside and its 2-O-benzyl ether, and gives access to four diastereoisomeric trisphosphates, which show a range of abilities to mobilise Ca2+ from the intracellular stores of hepatocytes. A comparison of the potencies of the four trisphosphates provides useful information relating to the effects of stereochemical variation on the recognition of carbohydrate-based trisphosphates by D-myo-inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors. 1-O-[(3'S,4'R)-3-hydroxytetrahydrofuran-4-yl] alpha-D-xylopyranoside 3,4,3'-trisphosphate (8) is the most active member of the series with a potency close to Ins(1,4,5)P3; a beta-linked analogue, 1-O-[(3'R,4'S)-3-hydroxytetrahydrofuran-4-yl] beta-D-xylopyranoside 3,4,3'-trisphosphate, is ca. 20-fold weaker than Ins(1,4,5)P3, and the other compounds are much less active. While no compound attained a potency close to that of adenophostin A, we believe that 8 represents the minimal structure for potent Ca2+-releasing activity in this type of carbohydrate-based analogue.     

Asymmetrical ligand binding by abscisic acid 8'-hydroxylase

Abscisic acid (ABA), a plant stress hormone, has a chiral center (C1') in its molecule, yielding the enantiomers (1'S)-(+)-ABA and (1'R)-(-)-ABA during chemical synthesis. ABA 8'-hydroxylase (CYP707A), which is the major and key P450 enzyme in ABA catabolism in plants, catalyzes naturally occurring (1'S)-(+)-enantiomer, whereas it does not recognize naturally not occurring (1'R)-(-)-enantiomer as either a substrate or an inhibitor. Here we report a structural ABA analogue (AHI1), whose both enantiomers bind to recombinant Arabidopsis CYP707A3, in spite of stereo-structural similarity to ABA. The difference of AHI1 from ABA is the absence of the side-chain methyl group (C6) and lack of the alpha,beta-unsaturated carbonyl (C2'C3'-C4'O) in the six-membered ring. To explore which moiety is responsible for asymmetrical binding by CYP707A3, we synthesized and tested ABA analogues that lacked each moiety. Competitive inhibition was observed for the (1'R) enantiomers of these analogues in the potency order of (1'R,2'R)-(-)-2',3'-dihydro-4'-deoxo-ABA (K(I)=0.45 microM)>(1'R)-(-)-4'-oxo-ABA (K(I)=27 microM)>(1'R)-(-)-6-nor-ABA and (1'R,2'R)-(-)-2',3'-dihydro-ABA (no inhibition). In contrast to the (1'R)-enantiomers, the inhibition potency of the (1'S)-analogues declined with the saturation of the C2',C3'-double bond or with the elimination of the C4'-oxo moiety. These findings suggest that the C4'-oxo moiety coupled with the C2',C3'-double bond is the significant key functional group by which ABA 8'-hydroxylase distinguishes (1'S)-(+)-ABA from (1'R)-(-)-ABA.     

Identification of a component that induces flowering of Lemna among the reaction products of alpha-ketol linolenic acid (FIF) and norepinephrine.

A stress-induced fatty acid [FIF; 9-hydroxy-10-oxo-12(Z),15(Z)-octadecadienoic acid] incubated with (-)-norepinephrine (NE) strongly induces flower formation in Lemna paucicostata [Yokoyama et al. (2000), Plant Cell Physiol. 41: 110). The increase of flower-inducing activity was well correlated with the decrease in FIF in the incubation mixture, and the reaction proceeded rapidly at higher pH. We detected small amounts of many active components in the mixture after incubation by HPLC analysis. In this study, two major components, named FN1 and FN2, of the reaction mixture were isolated, and their absolute stereostructures were determined. FN1 showed a strong flower-inducing activity and was identified as a tricyclic alpha-ketol fatty acid, 9(R)-11-[(2'R,8'R,10'S,11'S)-2',8'-dihydroxy-7'-oxo-11'-[(Z)-2-pentenyl]-9'-oxa-4'-azatricyclo[6.3.1.0(1.5)]dodec- 5'en-10'-yl]-9-hydroxy-10-oxoundecanoic acid [corrected]. FN2, the C-9 epimer of FN1, showed no flower-inducing activity. The absolute stereostructure of FIF was also determined by a modification of Mosher's method. The 9-hydroxyl group was found to be predominantly 9R, with an enantiomeric excess of 40% (70% 9R and 30% 9S). FN1 was derived from 9R-type FIF and FN2 from 9S-type FIF. Various catecholamines and related substances were investigated for the ability to develop flower-inducing activity upon incubation with FIF. The essential structures were catechol and ethylamine groups (dopamine).     

Synthesis and nucleic acids binding properties of diastereomeric aminoethylprolyl peptide nucleic acids (aepPNA)

A general synthetic method for Fmoc-protected monomers of all four diastereomeric aminoethyl peptide nucleic acid (aepPNA) has been developed. The key reaction is the coupling of nucleobase-modified proline derivatives and Fmoc-protected aminoacetaldehyde by reductive alkylation. Oligomerization of the aepPNAs up to 10mer was achieved by Fmoc-solid phase peptide synthesis methodology. Preliminary binding studies of these aepPNA oligomers with nucleic acids suggested that the "cis-" homothymine aepPNA decamers with (2'R,4'R) and (2'S,4'S) configurations can bind, albeit with slow kinetics, to their complementary RNA [poly(adenylic acid)] but not to the complementary DNA [poly(deoxyadenylic acid)]. On the other hand, the trans homothymine aepPNA decamers with (2'R,4'S) and (2'S,4'R) configurations failed to form stable hybrid with poly(adenylic acid) and poly(deoxyadenylic acid). No hybrid formation could be observed between a mixed-base (2'R,4'R)-aepPNA decamer with DNA and RNA in both antiparallel and parallel orientations.     

Carotenoids with a 5,6-dihydro-5,6-dihydroxy-beta-end group, from yellow sweet potato "Benimasari", Ipomoea batatas Lam

A series of carotenoids with a 5,6-dihydro-5,6-dihydroxy-beta-end group, named ipomoeaxanthins A (1), B (2), C1 (3) and C2 (4) were isolated from the flesh of yellow sweet potato "Benimasari", Ipomoea batatas Lam. Their structures were determined to be (5R,6S,3'R)-5,6-dihydro-beta,beta-carotene-5,6,3'-triol (1), (5R,6S,5'R,6'S)-5,6,5',6'-tetrahydro-beta,beta-carotene-5,6,5'6'-tetrol (2), (5R,6S,5'R,8'R)-5',8'-epoxy-5,6,5',8'-tetrahydro-beta,beta-carotene-5,6-diol (3), and (5R,6S,5'R,8'S)-5',8'-epoxy-5,6,5',8'-tetrahydro-beta,beta-carotene-5,6-diol (4) by UV-Vis, NMR, MS and CD data.     

Carbocyclic 5'-noruridine

A convenient preparation of (1'R,2'S,3'R,4'S)-1-(2',3',4'-trihydroxycyclopent-1'-yl)-1H-uracil (carbocyclic 5'-noruridine, 1) is described in 2 steps from the palladium complex of (+)-(1R,4S)-4-hydroxy-2-cyclopenten-1-yl acetate (3) and the sodium salt of uracil (2). Compound 1 was sought as a previously unknown member of the series of carbocyclic 5'-nor nucleosides needed as moieties for new oligomers. With 1 available, its antiviral properties and those of its enantiomer (5) are reported with 5 showing promising activity towards Epstein-Barr virus.