Anti-liver fibrotic lignans from the fruits of Schisandra arisanensis and Schisandra sphenanthera

Three new polyoxygenated C₁₈-dibenzocyclooctadiene lignans, arisanschinins M and N (1 and 2) and schisphenin A (3), together with eight related metabolites (4–11), were isolated from the fruits of Schisandra arisanensis and Schisandra sphenanthera, respectively. The structures of 1–3 were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic and 2D NMR (HSQC, HMBC, and NOESY) analyses. The configuration of the biphenyl moiety in the octadiene ring was determined by circular dichroism (CD). Compound 1 possessed an unprecedented 3-(1-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-3-methyl-1,4-dioxo-2-one lactonide ring system attaching at C-6/C-14. Pharmacological studies revealed that compounds 3, 4, 6, 7, and 10 exhibited significant anti-hepatic fibrosis activity, while 9 and 11 showed cytotoxicity against HSC-T6 cells. The biogenetic pathway for compound 1 was also proposed.     

Phenolic acid glycosides from Parmentiera cereifera Seem. (Candle tree)

Two new phenolic acid glycosides, parmentins A (1) and B (2) were isolated from the methanolic extract of the leaves and stems of candle tree (Parmentiera cereifera Seem). These compounds were accompanied by a mixture of β-sitosterol and stigmasterol (3), β-sitosterol glucoside (4), isovanillic acid (5), vanillic acid (6), and p-hydroxybenzoic acid (7). The structures of the isolated compounds were determined on the basis of physical and spectroscopic analyses, including 1D and 2D NMR (¹H, ¹³C, COSY, HSQC and HMBC) and mass spectrometry (HR-ESI-MS).     

Isolation and characterization of the chemical constituents from Plumeria rubra

Rubranonoside (=7-O-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-4′-O-β-d-glucopyranosylnaringenin; (1), a new flavanone glycoside, rubranin (=(2S,3S,4R)-2-{[(2R,16E)-2-hydroxyhexaeico-16-en]amino}octadecane-1,3,4-triol-1-O-β-d-glucopyranoside; (2), a new sphingolipid, rubradoid (plumieridine-1-O-β-d-galactopyranoside; (3), a new iridoid galactoside, rubrajaleelol (4) and rubrajaleelic acid (5), two new nor-terpenoids together with known iridoids: 1-α-plumieride (6), plumieride p-Z-coumarate (7) and plumieride-p-E-coumarate (8) have been isolated from the EtOAc-soluble fraction of the MeOH extract of Plumeria rubra. Their structures were assigned from ¹H, ¹³C NMR spectra and 2D NMR analyses (COSY, NOESY, HMQC and HMBC experiments) in combination with HRMS experiments and comparison with literature data of related compounds. All the isolates (1–8) were tested for their antioxidant, antiurease, cytotoxic and phytotoxic activities and were found almost inactive.     

Isoprenylated flavonoids from the roots of Sophora tonkinensis

Two new isoprenylated flavanones, tonkinochromanes J (1) and K (2), and a new isoprenylated dihydrochalcone, tonkinochromane L (3), were isolated from the roots of Sophora tonkinensis along with four known compounds (4-7). Their structures were determined by means of spectroscopic analyses, including HRMS, IR, ¹H and ¹³C NMR and 2D experiments (COSY, HSQC, and HMBC), and comparison with known related compounds.     

New spermidine alkaloids from Capparis spinosa roots

Three new spermidine alkaloids capparispine (1), capparispine 26-O-β-d-glucoside (2) and cadabicine 26-O-β-d-glucoside hydrochloride (3) were isolated from the roots of Capparis spinosa. Their structures were established on the basis of spectroscopic analysis, including 1D and 2D NMR experiments (¹H–¹H COSY, HSQC, HMBC).     

An unusual lanostane-type triterpenoid,spiroinonotsuoxodiol, and other triterpenoids from Inonotus obliquus

An unusual lanostane-type triterpenoid, spiroinonotsuoxodiol (1), and two lanostane-type triterpenoids, inonotsudiol A (2) and inonotsuoxodiol A (3), were isolated from the sclerotia of Inonotus obliquus. Their structures were determined to be (3S,7S,9R)-3,7-dihydroxy-7(8 → 9)abeo-lanost-24-en-8-one (1), lanosta-8,24-dien-3β,11β-diol (2), and (22R)-3β,22-dihydroxylanosta-8,24-dien-11-one (3) on the basis of NMR spectroscopy, including 1D and 2D (¹H–¹H COSY, NOESY, HMQC, HMBC) NMR, and FABMS. Compounds 1–3 showed moderate activity against cultured P388, L1210, HL-60 and KB cells.     

Ring A rearranged limonoids from the fruits of Aphanamixis grandifolia and their cytotoxicity evaluation

Two new limonoids aphanamolides C (1) and D (2), together with two known limonoids aphanamolide A (3) and aphapolynin A (4), were isolated from the fruits of Aphanamixis grandifolia. Their structures were assigned on the basis of spectroscopic data, with the absolute configurations of 1 and 2 being established by electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectroscopic analyses. Those limonoids varied in the ring A: aphanamolide C featured two oxygenated bridges, and aphanamolide D was the second example containing β-hydroxy-α,β:γ,δ-dienoate moiety. The cytotoxic activities were also evaluated in vitro against four human cancer cell lines (MCF-7, A549, SMMC-7721, and HL-60).     

Hydrothermal synthesis and crystal structures of two lanthanide coordination polymers with novel tetradentate-coordinated perchlorates

Two new 3D lanthanide coordination polymers {[Ln(C₂O₄)(ClO₄)(H₂O)] · Cl}_n [Ln = Pr (1) and Nd (2)] have been synthesized by hydrothermal reactions and characterized by elemental analysis, X-ray single-crystal analyses, IR and Raman spectroscopy. X-ray crystal structure analyses reveal that compounds 1 and 2 are isostructural and crystallized in the space group P2₁/c. A 1D zigzag chains formed by oxalate ligands in μ₂-mode to bridge Ln(III) atoms present in the two complexes and the adjacent zigzag chains were further connected by μ₃-η¹:η¹:η¹:η¹ fashion of into a 3D framework with ordered 1D channels, in which uncoordinated Cl⁻ anions are located as counterions. In addition, the IR and Raman spectrum further confirm the presence of tetradentate-coordinated perchlorates.     

Acylated hydroxycinnamic acid glucosides from flowers of Telekia Speciosa

One new derivative of ferulic acid (1), two new caffeic acid derivatives (2 and 3) and three known derivatives of caffeic acid: 6-O-(E)-caffeoyl-glucopyranose (4), (E)-caffeic acid 4-O-β-glucopyranoside (5) and 5-caffeoylquinic acid (chlorogenic acid, 6) were isolated from a butanolic fraction of extract from Telekia speciosa flowers. Moreover, the flavonol glucoside–patulitrin (7) was identified in the analyzed extract. Structures of (E)-ferulic acid 4-O-β-(6-O-2-hydroxyisovaleryl)-glucopyranoside (1), (E)-caffeic acid 4-O-β-(6-O-2-hydroxyisovaleryl)-glucopyranoside (2) and (E)-caffeic acid 4-O-β-(6-O-3-hydroxy-2-methylpropanoyl)-glucopyranoside (3) were elucidated by 1D and 2D NMR, HRESIMS and other spectral analyses.     

Three new hetisine-type diterpenoid alkaloids from Aconitum coreanum

Three new hetisine-type diterpenoid alkaloids, Guan-fu base V (GFV, 1), Guan-fu base W (GFW, 2) and Guan-fu base X (GFX, 3) were isolated from the roots of Aconitum coreanum (Lèvl.) Rapaics. Their structures were established by direct interpretation of their spectral data, mainly high resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HR-ESI-MS), ¹D and ²D NMR (¹H–¹H COSY, ROESY, HSQC and HMBC). GFX is the third N-oxygenated hetisine-type diterpenoid alkaloid isolated from A. coreanum.     

Khayanolides from African mahogany Khaya senegalensis (Meliaceae): A revision

Five khayanolides (1-O-acetylkhayanolide B 1, khayanolide B 2, khayanolide E 3, 1-O-deacetylkhayanolide E 4, 6-dehydroxylkhayanolide E 5) were isolated from the stem bark of African mahogany Khaya senegalensis (Meliaceae). Their structures and absolute configurations were determined through extensive spectroscopic analyses including MS, NMR, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction experiments. The results established that two previously reported khayanolides, 1α-acetoxy-2β,3α,6,8α,14β-pentahydroxy-[4.2.1^10,30.1^1,4]-tricyclomeliac-7-oate 6 and 1α,2β,3α,6,8α,14β-hexahydroxy-[4.2.1^10,30.1^1,4]-tricyclomeliac-7-oate 7, were, in fact, 1-O-acetylkhayanolide B 1 and khayanolide B 2, and that the two reported phragmalin derivatives, methyl 1α-acetoxy-6,8α,14β,30β-tetrahydroxy-3-oxo-[3.3.1^10,2.1^1,4]-tricyclomeliac-7-oate 8 and methyl 1α,6,8α,14β,30β-pentahydroxy-3-oxo-[3.3.1^10,2.1^1,4]-tricyclomeliac-7-oate 9, were, in fact, khayanolide E 3 and 1-O-deacetylkhayanolide E 4, respectively. Based on the results from this study and consideration of the biogenetic pathway, the methyl 6-hydroxyangolensate in African mahogany K. senegalensis should have a C-6 S configuration while methyl 6-hydroxyangolensate in genuine mahogany Swietenia species should have a C-6 R configuration.     

Two new antimicrobial steroids and other constituents from the whole plant of Ludwigia abyssinica

The genus Ludwigia belongs to the Onagraceae family and it encompasses seventy-five species of aquatic plants. The chemistry of this genus is scarcely investigated, although some studies have demonstrated the potential of Ludwigia leptocarpa to produce important bioactive compounds. Herein, we describe the phytochemical investigation of Ludwigia abyssinica A. Rich. Two new steroids named 3β-formyloxy-5α,6α-dihydroxysitostane (Ludwigiaformyl A, 1) and 3β,6α-diformyloxy-5α-hydroxysitostane (Ludwigiaformyl B, 2), along with six known compounds, 3β-formyloxysitost-5-en (3), 5α,6β-dihydroxysitosterol (4), maslinic acid (5), oleanolic acid (6) and a mixture of two iridoids: linearin (7) and 1-epilinearin (8) were obtained from whole plant of L. abyssinica. The structures of the isolated compounds were established by extensive analysis of their spectroscopic and spectrometric data, which included HR-TOF-ESIMS, ¹D NMR (¹H, ¹³C) and ²D NMR (¹H–¹H COSY, HSQC, HMBC and ROESY) and by comparison with data reported in the literature. The antimicrobial activities of extracts, fractions, and new compounds (1) and (2) were evaluated using broth microdilution method against fungi and bacteria strains. The MeOH extract and the ethyl acetate fraction displayed different degrees of antibacterial and antifungal activities (MIC = 32 – 512 µg/mL; MMC = 64 – 512 µg/mL) whereas compounds 1 and 2 showed moderate antimicrobial activities against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Shigella flexneri and Cryptococcus neoformans (MIC = 8 – 32 µg/mL; MMC = 8 – 64 µg/mL).     

Voulkensin C–E,new 11-oxocassane-type diterpenoids and a steroid glycoside from Caesalpinia volkensii stem bark and their antiplasmodial activities

A bioassay guided isolation of potential antimalarial molecules from the stem bark of Caesalpinia volkensii Harms (Fabaceae) achieved three new 11-oxocassane-type diterpenoids named voulkensin C (1), D (2) and E (3) together with one steroid glycoside named 3-O-[β-glucopyranosyl(1→2)-O-β-xylopyranosyl]-stigmasterol (4) and seven other known compounds including stigmasterol (5), β-sitosterol (6), oleanolic acid (7), 3-β-acetoxyolean-12-en-28-methyl ester (8), voucap-5-ol (9), caesadekarin C (10), deoxycaesaldekarin C (11). The structures of the new compounds were determined on the basis of extensive spectroscopic data (IR, MS, ¹H and ¹³C NMR and 2D NMR) analyses. The polar extracts revealed moderate to good antiplasmodial activities against chloquine-sensitive (D6) and -resistant strains (W2) of Plasmodium falciparum. Whereas the pure isolates exhibited limited to moderate antiplasmodial activities with compound 4 showing the highest antiplasmodial activities (IC₅₀ values of 4.44 ± 0.88 and 2.74 ± 1.10 μM against D6 and W2 strains, respectively). These results suggest a possible contribution of phytochemicals from C. volkensii stem bark towards inhibition of plasmodial parasites’ growth hence potential antimalarial.     

Antimicrobial phenolic metabolites from the aerial parts of Orthosiphon aristatus

Two new compounds oraristatin A (1) and oraristatinoside A (2), one new natural compound (2 S)-methyl-6,7-dihydroxytropate (3), and 11 known phenolic metabolites were isolated from the aerial parts of Orthosiphon aristatus. Their chemical structures were identified by 1D- and ²D NMR and HRESIMS spectroscopic analyses. The absolute configurations of 1 and 3 were determined by TD-DFT ECD spectroscopic analyses. Of the isolates, compound 2 weakly inhibited both Gram-positive and -negative bacteria (MIC = 150–300 μM), while 6 and 7 suppressed the growth of three Gram-positive bacteria and a yeast (MIC = 75–150 μM). This is the first report of the isolation of 6 − 9, 12, and 14 from the genus Orthosiphon and the antimicrobial effects of compounds 3, 7, 9, 12, and 14.     

A new triterpenic diester from the aerial parts of Chrysanthemum macrocarpum

A new triterpenic diester, 3,21-dipalmitoyloxy-16β,21α-dihydroxy-β-amyrine (1), along with two natural cyclitols, conduritol C (2) and viburnitol (3), four known triterpenes (4–7), and seven known flavonoids (8–14) were isolated from the aerial parts of Chrysanthemum macrocarpum. Their structures were established on the basis of extensive 1D and 2D NMR (¹H, ¹³C, COSY, HMBC, HSQC, and ROESY) and ESIMS studies. The chloroform fraction, taraxasterol (4) and β-sitosterol (7) were investigated for their antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae. The chloroform fraction and taraxasterol (4) showed a weak antibacterial activity and were evaluated for their cytotoxic activity against human colon cancer HT-29 cells and human prostate carcinoma PC3 cells. The results indicated that both the chloroform fraction and taraxasterol (4) inhibited cell proliferation of both PC3 and HT-29 cells.     

Novel metabolites from the roots of Cadaba natalensis

From an extract of the roots of Cadaba natalensis Sond. the novel macrocyclic dibenzo-diazacyclododecanedione 1 was isolated together with (S)-2-ethyl-2-methyloxazolidin-5-one (2a). In addition, the five known compounds were obtained. Of these, (R)-5-ethyl-5-methyloxazolidin-2-one (3) is reported as a natural product for the first time. The structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated by analysis of the spectral data, 1D NMR (¹H, ¹³C, and DEPT), 2D NMR (COSY, HMQC, HMBC, and NOESY), and HRESIMS, as well as by the comparison with previously reported data.     

Aegyptolidines A and B: New pyrrolidine alkaloids from the fungus Aspergillus aegyptiacus

Chemical examination of the fungus Aspergillus aegyptiacus isolated from cotton textile yielded two new pyrrolidine alkaloids: aegyptolidine A (3) and aegyptolidine B (4), together with two known ophiobolin sesterterpenoids: (±)-5-deoxovariecolin (1) and variculanol (2). Compound 1 is reported for the first time from a natural source. The structures of the isolated compounds were unambiguously elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic data analysis (1D (¹H and ¹³C) and 2D (¹H–¹H COSY, HMQC, HMBC, and NOESY) NMR, MS, IR, and UV) and comparison with literature data. Compounds 1 and 2 showed moderate cytotoxic activity against murine lymphoma cancer cell line L5178Y with ED₅₀ 7.6 and 8.1 μg/mL, respectively.     

Eremophilane sesquiterpenes from the endophyte Microdiplodia sp. KS 75-1 and revision of the stereochemistries of phomadecalins C and D

Two new eremophilane sesquiterpenes, compounds 1 and 2, were isolated from the endophytic fungus Microdiplodia sp. KS 75-1, together with the known compounds phomadecalins C (3) and D (4). Their structures were determined by extensive 1D– and 2D–NMR and MS spectral analyses. The previously reported stereochemistry at C-8 of 3 and 4 were revised on the basis of NOEs experiments. Compounds 1 and 2 showed antimicrobial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa.     

Lactarane sesquiterpenoids from Lactarius subvellereus and their cytotoxicity

Subvellerolactones B (1), D (2), and E (3), structurally unusual lactarane sesquiterpenoids, were isolated from the fruiting bodies of Lactarius subvellereus together with four known lactarane sesquiterpenes (4–7). The chemical structures and stereochemistries of compounds 1–3 were determined on the basis of spectroscopic analyses, including 1D and 2D NMR experiments and a convenient Mosher ester procedure. Subvellerolactone B (1) exhibited cytotoxicity against the A549, SK-MEL-2, and HCT-15 cell lines with IC₅₀ values of 26.5, 18.3, and 14.2 μM, respectively, and subvellerolactones D (2) and E (3) showed cytotoxicity against the A549 and HCT-15 cell lines (IC₅₀ (2): 25.1 and 17.8 μM, and IC₅₀ (3): 19.6 and 28.7 μM, respectively).     

Chemical constituents from Alnus mandshurica (Callier) Hand.-Mazz. and their chemotaxonomic significance

A new phenol compound, (9S)-9-hydroxy-9-[(2-hydroxyphenyl)methoxy]-nonanoic acid methyl ester (1) was isolated from the stem bark of Alnus mandshurica (Callier) Hand.-Mazz., along with eight known compounds (2–9). The structure of compound 1 was determined by spectral analyses, including HR-ESI-MS, 1D and 2D NMR (COSY, HMQC and HMBC) experiments. All the isolated compounds were reported for first time from A. mandshurica. Furthermore, compounds 3–9 were found in the family Betulaceae for the first time.