Ent-3,4-seco-labdane and ent-labdane diterpenoids from Croton stipuliformis (Euphorbiaceae)

From a methanolic extract of the leaves of Croton stipuliformis, three ent-3,4-seco-labdanes (1-3) and an ent-labdane (4) together with the known compounds 6-hydroxynidorellol (5), maravuic acid, and sitosterol were isolated and identified from their spectroscopic data. The absolute stereochemistry of compound 4 was determined by application of Mosher's method in the NMR tube.     

Diterpenes from the leaves of Croton zambesicus

Two new trachylobane- and one isopimarane-type diterpenoids: ent-18-hydroxy-trachyloban-3-one; ent-trachyloban-3-one; isopimara-7,15-dien-3beta-ol, were isolated from the leaves of Croton zambesicus, together with trans-phytol, beta-sitosterol, alpha-amyrin and stigmasterol. The structures were determined by extensive NMR techniques and X-ray analysis. The cytotoxicity of these compounds has been evaluated on cancer and non-cancer cell-lines.     

The monoterpenes of Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana, Artemisia cana ssp. viscidula and Artemisia tridentata ssp. spiciformis.

Monoterpenes from three different members of the Anthemideae family, Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana, Artemisia cana ssp. viscidula and Artemisia tridentata ssp. spiciformis were isolated and their structures determined using spectroscopic techniques. A total of 26 irregular and regular monoterpenes were identified. Among these, 20 had previously been identified in the Anthemideae family. Of the remaining six, four were known, but previously unidentified in this family. 2,2-Dimethyl-6-isopropenyl-2H-pyran, 2,3-dimethyl-6-isopropyl-4H-pyran and 2-isopropenyl-5-methylhexa-trans-3,5-diene-1-ol were isolated from both A. tridentata ssp. vaseyana and A. cana ssp. viscidula. The irregular monoterpene 2,2-dimethyl-6-isopropenyl-2H-pyran has a carbon skeleton analogous to the biologically important triterpene squalene. Two additional irregular monoterpenes, artemisia triene and trans-chrysanthemal were isolated from A. cana ssp. viscidula and lavandulol was isolated from A. tridentata ssp. spiciformis. This is the first time a compound possessing a lavandulyl-skeletal type has been found in the Anthemideae family.     

A linear sesterterpene,two squalene derivatives and two peptide derivatives from Croton hieronymi

Aerial parts of Croton hieronymi furnished in addition to a large number of plant sterols and triterpenes the C-25 analog of trans-phytol, the squalene derivatives all-trans-2,6,15,19,23-pentamethyltetracosa-2,6,10,(28),14,22,28-hexaene-11-ol and all-trans-10-methylene-2,6,10,14,18,22-pentamethyltetracosa-1,6,10,14,18,22-hexaen-3-ol, the sesquiterpenes epicubenol and T-cadinol, the acetophenone derivative xanthoxylin and the peptide derivatives aurentiamide acetate and N-benzoylphenylalanyl-N-benzoylphenylalaninate.     

Diterpenoids from the stem bark of Croton zambesicus

Three clerodane diterpenoids, crotozambefurans A, B and C were isolated from the stem bark of Croton zambesicus together with the known clerodane crotocorylifuran and two trachylobanes: 7 beta-acetoxytrachyloban-18-oic acid and trachyloban-7 beta, 18-diol. Betulinol, lupeol, sitosterol and its 3 beta-glucopyranosyl derivative were also obtained. The structures of crotozambefurans A, B and C were determined, respectively, as: 15,16-epoxy-1,3,13(16),14-clerodatetraen-20,12-olide-18,19-dioic acid dimethylester, 15,16-epoxy-1,3,13(16),14-clerodatetraen-18,19,20-trioic acid trimethylester and 15,16-epoxy-3,13(16),14-clerodatrien-19,1 alpha:20,12-diolide-18-oic acid methylester, using spectroscopic analysis, especially, NMR spectra in conjunction with 2D experiments, COSY, HSQC, HMBC and TOCSY.     

Identification of nucleopolyhedrovirus that infect Nymphalid butterflies Agraulis vanillae and Dione juno

Dione juno and Agraulis vanillae are very common butterflies in natural gardens in South America, and also bred worldwide. In addition, larvae of these butterflies are considered as pests in crops of Passiflora spp. For these reasons, it is important to identify and describe pathogens of these species, both for preservation purposes and for use in pest control. Baculoviridae is a family of insect viruses that predominantly infect species of Lepidoptera and are used as bioinsecticides. Larvae of D. juno and A. vanillae exhibiting symptoms of baculovirus infection were examined for the presence of baculoviruses by PCR and transmission electron microscopy. Degenerate primers were designed and used to amplify partial sequences from the baculovirus p74, cathepsin, and chitinase genes, along with previously designed primers for amplification of lef-8, lef-9, and polh. Sequence data from these six loci, along with ultrastructural observations on occlusion bodies isolated from the larvae, confirmed that the larvae were infected with nucleopolyhedroviruses from genus Alphabaculovirus. The NPVs from the two different larval hosts appear to be variants of the same, previously undescribed baculovirus species. Phylogenetic analysis of the sequence data placed these NPVs in Alphabaculovirus group I/clade 1b.     

Mulinane-type diterpenoids from Azorella compacta display antiplasmodial activity

Two mulinane-type diterpenoids were isolated from Azorella compacta; namely 20-hydroxymulin-11,13-dienyl acetate and 13,14-dihydroxymulin-11-en-20-oic acid. The structures were elucidated by analysis of their spectroscopic data. These compounds, as well as three previously isolated diterpenes, were evaluated as potential in vivo growth inhibitors of Plasmodium berghei NK 65 on infected mice at an intraperitoneal dose of 10 mg/kg/day. Sixty percent and forty-two percent growth inhibition were obtained with 17-acetoxymulin-11,13-dien-20-oic acid and 13, 14-dihydroxymulin-11-en-20-oic acid, respectively.     

Isolation and distribution of iridescent Cellulophaga and other iridescent marine bacteria from the Charente-Maritime coast,French Atlantic

An intense colored marine bacterium, identified as Cellulophaga lytica, was isolated previously from a sea anemone surface on the Charente-Maritime rocky shore (Atlantic Coast, France), and iridescence of its colonies under direct light was recently described. In addition, iridescence intensities were found to differ strongly between C. lytica strains from different culture collections. However, importantly, the occurrence and distribution of iridescent bacteria in the marine environment were still unknown. Therefore, in this study, a search was undertaken for marine iridescent bacterial strains in different biotopes of the Charente-Maritime coast. Various marine samples (water, sediment, macroalgae, other macroorganisms and detritus) were collected from seven biotopes using a direct plate inoculation method. As a result, 34 iridescent strains related to the genus Cellulophaga, as well as 63 iridescent strains affiliated to the genera Tenacibaculum and Aquimarina, were isolated. Iridescent colors were different according to the genera but iridescent marine bacteria were widely distributed. However, a majority of strains were isolated from rocky shores and, in particular, red seaweed surfaces and mollusks. The data from the study suggested that isolates with iridescent properties were well conserved in stressful environments such as the coastal shoreline. This origin may provide an insight into the ecological and biological functions of iridescence.     

石山巴豆枝叶的化学成分研究

石山巴豆( Croton euryphyllus)为大戟科( Euphorbiaceae)巴豆属( Croton)植物,主要分布于西南各省的岩溶石山地区,民间用于杀虫和治疗跌打损伤。为了阐明其化学物质基础,该研究采用硅胶柱层析、Sephadex LH-20、HPLC等方法对石山巴豆枝叶醇提物进行分离纯化。结果表明：共分离得到16个化合物,分别鉴定为异毛叶巴豆萜(1), jatrophoidin (2),山藿香定(3),异山藿香素(4),山藿香素(5),赖百当-13-烯-8,15-二醇(6),7-酮基-β-谷甾醇(7),(22E)-5α,8β-表二氧麦角甾-6,22-二烯-3β-醇(8),豆甾烷-4-烯-6β-醇-3-酮(9),齐墩果烷-12-烯-2α,3β-二醇(10),东莨菪内酯(11),催吐萝芙木醇(12), lyratol F (13),罗布麻酚A (14),芹菜素(15),金色酰胺醇酯(16)。所有化合物均为首次从该植物中分离得到,其中化合物8－16为首次从巴豆属中发现。     

Tetraoxygenated xanthones from the fruits of Garcinia cowa

Tetraoxygenated xanthones, cowaxanthones A-E, together with 10 previously reported tetraoxygenated xanthones, were isolated from the crude hexane extract of the fruits of Garcinia cowa. Cowaxanthone B has previously been reported as a synthetic xanthone. Their structures were elucidated by analysis of spectroscopic data, especially by 1D and 2D NMR. The antibacterial activities of the isolated compounds were also evaluated.     

Xanthones from Garcinia cowa Roxb. latex

Five xanthones named cowagarcinone A-E and six previously reported xanthones were isolated from the latex of Garcinia cowa Roxb. Their structures were determined on the basis of spectroscopic analysis. The crude latex and the isolated compounds were investigated for their radical scavenging activities.     

21beta-Hydroxy-oleanane-type triterpenes from Hippocratea excelsa

Stem bark of Hippocratea excelsa afforded six pentacyclic triterpenes, five oleanane and one ursane types. They were identified as 11beta,21beta-dihydroxy-olean-12-ene-3-one (2), 3alpha,11alpha,21beta-trihydroxy-olean-12-ene (3), 3alpha,21beta-dihydroxy-11alpha-methoxy-olean-12-ene (4), 3alpha,21beta-dihydroxy-olean-9(11),12-diene (5), 3alpha,21beta-dihydroxy-olean-12-ene (6) and 3alpha,21beta-dihydroxy-11alpha-methoxy-urs-12-ene, isolated as its diacetate derivative (7), as well as 3alpha,21beta-dihydroxy-olean-12-ene (1) previously isolated from the root bark. The known alpha- and beta-amyrin, oleanoic and ursolic acids, trans-polyisoprene, and the ubiquitous beta-sitosterol were also isolated. Structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analyses, including homo- and heteronuclear correlation NMR experiments (COSY, ROESY, HSQC and HMBC) and comparison with literature data. The antigiardial activity of compounds 2-5 was not significant.     

Further diterpenoids from Plectranthus ornatus and P. grandidentatus

A new halimane diterpenoid and the previously known labdane rhinocerotinoic acid were isolated from Plectranthus ornatus Codd. In addition, a new monoacetyl derivative of the abietane coleon U was found among the constituents of Plectranthus grandidentatus Gürke. These diterpenes could be significant from both chemotaxonomic and biogenetic points of view.     

Neo-clerodane diterpenes from Teucrium fruticans

In addition to three out of the four previously reported neo-clerodanes already found in Teucrium fruticans (fruticolone, isofruticolone and 8 beta-hydroxyfruticolone), and 6-acetylteucjaponin B (isolated from T. scordium and T. grisebachii), four new neo-clerodanes, namely 7 beta-hydroxyfruticolone, 11-hydroxyfruticolone, deacetylfruticolone and 6-acetyl-10-hydroxyteucjaponin B were also isolated. The structures were unambiguously elucidated based on extensive NMR spectral studies (one- and two-dimensional experiments). Semi-prep-HPLC proved to be a convenient purification procedure, occasionally being followed by TLC. The new compounds were assayed against Spodoptera littoralis and two of them were shown to have potent antifeedant activity.     

Two benzophenone O-arabinosides and a chromone from Hypericum annulatum

Two benzophenone O-arabinosides, annulatophenonoside (1) and acetylannulatophenonoside (2) were isolated from the methanol extract of the herb of Hypericum annulatum. The structures of the benzophenones were established as 2-O-alpha-L-arabinofuranosyl-3',5',6-trihydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone (1) and 2-O-alpha-L-3"-acetylarabinofuranosyl-3',5',6-trihydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone (2) based on spectral and chemical evidence. A chromone, 5,7-dihydroxy-3-methylchromone (3) was isolated from the chloroform extract. Although it has been previously synthesized it is encountered in a plant source for the first time. Co-occurrence of the two new benzophenone O-arabinosides along with the biogenetically related 1,5,7-trihydroxy-3-methoxyxanthone was not found.     

Tetraprenyltoluquinols from the brown alga Cystophora fibrosa

Six cyclised tetraprenyltoluquinols and five stereoisomers with the previously reported amentol skeleton have been isolated from the lipophilic extract of the South African brown alga Cystophora fibrosa. Structures and relative stereochemistry were determined using spectrometric techniques, particularly 1D and 2D NMR, and molecular modelling experiments. The compounds isolated appear to be enantiomeric to compounds with the same skeleton isolated from brown algae of the genus Cystoseira collected in northern Africa and the Mediterranean Sea. The isolation of tetraprenyltoluquinols with the amentol skeleton from this alga suggests that C. fibrosa should be moved from the genus Cystophora into the Cystoseira.     

Indole alkaloids from Rauvolfia bahiensis A.DC. (Apocynaceae)

Four indole alkaloids, 12-methoxy-N(a)-methyl-vellosimine, demethoxypurpeline, 12-methoxyaffinisine, and 12-methoxy-vellosimine, in addition to picrinine, vinorine, raucaffrinoline, normacusine B, norseredamine, seredamine, 10-methoxynormacusine B, norpurpeline and purpeline, were isolated from the bark or leaf extracts of Rauvolfia bahiensis.     

Coprismycins A and B, neuroprotective phenylpyridines from the dung beetle-associated bacterium, Streptomyces sp

Two new phenylpyridines, named coprismycins A and B (1 and 2), and previously reported dipyridines (3-6) were isolated from a culture of Streptomyces sp. associated with the dung beetle, Copris tripartitus. The structures of the coprismycins (1 and 2) were elucidated by the analysis of 1D and 2D NMR spectra and mass, UV, and IR spectra. Coprismycins A-B (1 and 2) and dipyridines (5 and 6) displayed comparable neuroprotective effects against MPP(+) (1-methyl-4-phenylpyrimidium)-induced neurotoxicity in neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells.     

Curtisians E-H: four p-terphenyl derivatives from the inedible mushroom Paxillus curtisii

Four p-terphenyl derivatives named curtisians E-H (1-4) were isolated from the methanolic extract of fruit bodies of the Basidiomycete Paxillus curtisii by a combination of Sephadex LH-20, silica gel column chromatography and preparative reversed phase HPLC. The relative stereochemistries of the curtisians were elucidated by 2D NMR, MS, IR and UV spectroscopy with the absolute configurations at C(3a-3d) of the side chains being established as S by GC-MS on a chiral column previously used for separation of authentic standards.     

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).