Acylated flavonol diglucosides from Lotus polyphyllos

Three acylated flavonol diglucosides, kaempferol 3-O-β-(6″-O-E-p-coumaroylglucoside)-7-O-β-glucoside; quercetin 3-O-β-(6″-O-E-p-coumaroylglucoside)-7-O-β-glucoside; isorhamnetin 3-O-β-(6″-O-E-p-coumaroylglucoside)-7-O-β-glucoside were isolated from the whole plant aqueous alcohol extract of Lotus polyphyllos. The known 3,7-di-O-glucosides of the aglycones kaempferol, quercetin and isorhamnetin were also characterized. All structures were established on the basis of chemical and spectral evidence.     

Biotransformation of paeonol by Panax ginseng root and cell cultures

Panax ginseng root and cell cultures were shown to biotransform paeonol (1) into its 2-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (2). P. ginseng root cultures were also able to biotransform paeonol (1) into its 2-O-β-d-xylopyranoside (3), 2-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl(1 → 6)-β-d-glucopyranoside (4) and 2-O-β-d-xylopyranosyl(1 → 6)-β-d-glucopyranoside (5), and its demethylated derivate, 2′,4′-dihydroxyacetophenone (6). Compounds 3 and 4 are new glycosides. It is the first example that the administrated compound was converted into its xylopyranoside by plant biotransformation.     

An acetophenone and three naphthalides from turkish Rhamnus libanoticus

A new acetophenone glycoside and two new naphthalide glycosides have been isolated from the bark of Turkish Rhamnus libanoticus together with 7-hydroxy-5-methoxyphthalide 7-O-β-D-glucoside. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic methods as 2,6-dihydroxy-4-methoxyacetophenone 2-O-β- rutinoside, 8,9-dihydroxy-6-methoxynaphthalide 8-O-β-rutinoside, 8,9-dihydroxy-6-methoxynaphthalide 8-O-/3b-D glucoside, respectively.     

Cycloartane triterpene glycosides from Astragalus trigonus

Three new cycloartane glycosides, trigonoside I, II and III, and the known astragalosides I and II were isolated from the roots of Astragalus trigonus. The structures of the new glycosides were totally elucidated by high field (600 MHz) NMR analyses as cycloastragenol-6-O-β-xylopyranoside, cycloastragenol-3-O-[-l-arabinopyranosyl(1 → 2)-β-d-xylopyranosyl]-6-O-β- d-xylopyranoside and cycloastragenol-3-O-[-l-arabinopyranosyl(1 → 2)-β-d-(3-O-acetyl)-xylopyranosyl]-6-O-β-d-xylopyranoside.     

Streptococcus pneumoniae type XIV polysaccharide: synthesis of a repeating branched tetrasaccharide with dioxa-type spacer-arms

β-Glycosides of 2-acetamido-2-deoxy- -glucopyranose were synthesized, using either 7-methoxycarbonyl-3,6-dioxa-1-heptanol or 8-azido-3,6-dioxa-1-octanol. Selective β-lactosylation of 7-methoxycarbonyl-3,6-dioxaheptyl 2-acetamido-3-O-benzyl-2-deoxy-β- -glucopyranoside with hepta-O-acetyl-lactosyl-trichloroacetimidate, followed by β-galactosylation of the secondary hydroxyl group with O-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-- -galactopyranosyl)trichloroacetimidate, catalytic hydrogenolysis, and O-deacetylation, gave 7-methoxycarbonyl-3,6-dioxaheptyl 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-4-O-β- -galactopyranosyl-6-O-(4-O-β- -galactopyranosyl-β- -glucopyranosyl)β- -glucopyranoside. Selective β-lactosylation of 8-azido-3,6-dioxaocytl 2-acetamido-3-O-benzyl-2-deoxy-β- -glucopyranoside with hepta-O-acetyl-lactosyl bromide in the presence of silver triflate, followed by condensation with 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-- -galactopyranosyl bromide in the presence of silver triflate, catalytic hdyrogenolysis, and O-deacetylation, gave 8-azido-3,6-dioxaoctyl 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-4-O-β- -galactopyranosyl-6-O-(4-O-β- -galactopyranosyl-β- -glucopyranosyl)-β- glucopyranoside.     

Sequence and chromosomal localisation of the gene encoding ovine latent transforming growth factor-β1

Transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) plays important roles in pathologic processes. To further investigate the actions of this cytokine in sheep, the entire 1170-bp ovine TGF-βl pro-protein-encoding sequence has been determined by the cloning and sequencing of specific polymerase-chain-reaction amplification products of TGF-β1 cDN A sequences. In addition, these sequences have been used to estimate the length of the TGF-β1 mRNA as 1.5-1.7 kb by Northern blot hybridization and determine that the ovine TGF-β1 gene occupies a single locus in the sheep genome by chromosomal in situ hybridization.     

Six new C21 steroidal glycosides from Asclepias curassavica L

Six new C₂₁ steroidal glycosides, named curassavosides A–F (3–8), were obtained from the aerial parts of Asclepias curassavica (Asclepiadaceae), along with two known oxypregnanes, 12-O-benzoyldeacylmetaplexigenin (1) and 12-O-benzoylsarcostin (2). By spectroscopic methods, the structures of the six new compounds were determined as 12-O-benzoyldeacylmetaplexigenin 3-O-β-d-oleandropyranosyl-(1 → 4)-β-d-digitoxopyranoside (3), 12-O-benzoylsarcostin 3-O-β-d-oleandropyranosyl-(1 → 4)-β-d-digitoxopyranoside (4), sarcostin 3-O-β-d-oleandropyranosyl-(1 → 4)-β-d-canaropyranosyl-(1 → 4)-β-d-oleandropyranosyl-(1 → 4)-β-d-digitoxopyranoside (5), sarcostin 3-O-β-d-oleandropyranosyl-(1 → 4)-β-d-canaropyranosyl-(1 → 4)-β-d-canaropyranosyl-(1 → 4)-β-d-digitoxopyranoside (6), 12-O-benzoyldeacylmetaplexigenin 3-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 4)-β-d-oleandropyranosyl-(1 → 4)-β-d-canaropyranosyl-(1 → 4)-β-d-oleandropyranosyl-(1 → 4)-β-d-digitoxopyranoside (7), and 12-O-benzoylsarcostin 3-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 4)-β-d-oleandropyranosyl-(1 → 4)-β-d-canaropyranosyl-(1 → 4)-β-d-oleandropyranosyl-(1 → 4)-β-d-digitoxopyranoside (8), respectively. All compounds (1–8) were tested for in vitro cytotoxicity; only compound 3 showed weak inhibitory activity against Raji and AGZY cell lines.     

Triterpenoidal saponins from Dumasia Truncata

Extraction of the aerial parts of Dumasia truncata Sieb et Zucc. afforded two new triterpenoidal saponins, together with four known ones. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by spectral analysis as 3-O--l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 3)-β-d-glucuronopyranosy-28-O-β-d-glucopyransoyl hederagenin and 3-O-β-d-xylopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-[-l-rhamnopyranosyl(1 → 3)]-β-d-glucuronopyranosyl oleanic acid.     

Iridoid glucosides from Thunbergia laurifolia

Two iridoid glucosides, 8-epi-grandifloric acid and 3′-O-β-glucopyranosyl-stilbericoside, were isolated from the aerial part of Thunbergia laurifolia along with seven known compounds, benzyl β-glucopyranoside, benzyl β-(2′-O-β-glucopyranosyl) glucopyranoside, grandifloric acid, (E)-2-hexenyl β-glucopyranoside, hexanol β-glucopyranoside, 6-C-glucopyranosylapigenin and 6,8-di-C-glucopyranosylapigenin. Strucural elucidation was based on the analyses of spectroscopic data.     

Chemotaxonomic significance of flavonoids and phenolic acids in the Hieracium rohacsense group (Hieracium sect. Alpina; Lactuceae, Compositae)

Five apomictic taxa from the Hieracium rohacsense group were studied for their phenolic constituent composition. The following substances represent dominant compounds in the leaves: chlorogenic acid, 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid, luteolin 7-O-β- -glucopyranoside, luteolin 4′-O-β- -glucuronopyranoside and apigenin 4′-O-β- -glucuronopyranoside. Within the group only quantitative differences were found, luteolin 7-O-glucoside being the most important chemotaxonomic marker. Each taxon has its own specific quantitative pattern, invariable within the taxon. Based on these characteristic profiles, H. rohacsense can be distinguished from a closely related and still undescribed taxon from Mt. Pip Ivan. The proportion of luteolin 7-O-glucoside to apigenin 4′-O-glucuronoside also clearly separates the individuals of two morphologically close species—H. ratezaticum and H. pseudocaesium, which corresponds to a few slight but recognisable morphological and phenological characteristics. The ontogenetic stage of leaf development and seasonal variation are also important factors, which must be taken into consideration, as the quantity of the substances changes during leaf ontogeny and with season.     

Pregnane glycosides from fruits of Balanites aegyptiaca

From the mesocarp of Balanites aegyptiaca fruits, two pregnane glycosides were isolated. One is new and identified as pregn-5-ene-3β,16β,20(R)-triol 3-O-(2,6-di-O--l-rhamnopyranosyl)-β-d-glucopyranoside (balagyptin), while the other is known and assigned as pregn-5-ene-3β,16β,20(R)-triol 3-O-β-d-glucopyranoside.     

Some substrates and inhibitors of cytosolic epoxide hydrolase induce sister-chromatid exchanges in mammalian cells, but do not induce gene mutations in Salmonella typhimurium and V79 cells

Trans-stilbene oxide, trans-β-methylstyrene, 7,8-oxide, trans-β-ethylstyrene, 7,8-oxide, trans-β-propylstyrene 7,8-oxide and 4-fluorochalcone oxide were investigated for genotoxic activity in bacterial and mammalian cells, in the absence of external xenobiotic-metabolising systems. All compounds strongly enhanced the frequency of sister-chromatid exchanges (SCE) in cultured human lymphocytes. None of them was mutagenic in Salmonella typhimurium (reversion of the his⁻ strains TA98, TA100 and TA104). The limit of detection was 1/20,000 to 1/10⁶ of the activity of the positive control, benzo[a]pyrene 4,5-oxide, depending on the compound and the bacterial strain. Trans-β-methylstyrene 7,8-oxide and 4-fluorochalcone oxide were additionally tested for induction of SCE and gene mutations in the same target cells, namely Chinese hamster V79 cells. Their influence on the level of SCE was similar to that observed in human lymphocytes, whilst gene mutations (at the hprt locus) were not induced. The four investigated styrene oxide derivatives are known to be excellent substrates for a mammalian enzyme, cytosolic epoxide hydrolase (cEH). 4-Fluorochalcone oxide is a potent selective inhibitor of this enzyme and is structurally similar to the investigated styrene oxide derivatives. These properties of the test compounds however cannot explain the observed discrepancies in the results, since the genetic end point (SCE versus gene mutations) was decisive, and SCE were induced in cEH-proficient human lymphocytes as well as in cEH-deficient V79 cells.     

A triterpenoid glucoside from Barringtonia acutangula

The structure of a new triterpenoid glucoside from Barringtonia acutangula was deduced as 2,3β,19-trihydroxy-olean-12-ene-23,28-dioic acid 28-O-β- -glucopyranoside from chemical reactions and spectral data.     

A triterpenoid and its saponin from Phytolacca esculenta.

A new triterpenoid, esculentagenin, and its glycoside, esculentoside M, were isolated from the roots of Phytolacca esculenta and characterized as 11-oxo-3-O-methyloleanata-12-en-2β,3β,23-trihydroxy-28-oic acid and 3-O-[β - -glucopyranosyl (1→4)-β- -Xylopyranosyl]-28-O-β- -glucopyranosyl-11-oxo-30-methyloleanate-12-en-2β,3β,23-trihydroxy-28-oic acid by spectral and chemical evidence.     

Biotransformation of steviol by cultured cells of eucalyptus perriniana and Coffea arabica

A new biotransformation product, steviol 19-β-gentiobiosyl ester, together with steviol 19-β-glucopyranosyl ester and steviol-13-O-β-glucopyranoside 19-β-glucopyranosyl ester (rubusoside), was isolated from Eucalyptus perriniana jar fermentor culture following the administration of steviol. Only rubusoside was isolated as a biotransforination product of steviol from Coffea arabica cell suspension culture.     

Chalconoid and stilbenoid glycosides from Guibourtia tessmanii

Phytochemical studies on the stem bark of Guibourtia tessmanii yielded a dihydrochalcone glucoside, 2′,4-dihydroxy-4′-methoxy-6′-O-β-glucopyranoside dihydrochalcone and a new stilbene glycoside, 3,5-dimethoxy-4′-O-(β-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→6)-β- glucopyranoside) stilbene besides the known pterostilbene. Their structures were established on the basis of one and two dimensional NMR spectroscopic techniques, FABMS and chemical evidence.     

Synthesis and characterization of 1-O-β-lactosyl-(R,S)-glycerols and 1,3-di-O-β-lactosylglycerol

The synthesis of 1-O-β-lactosyl-(R,S)-glycerols was achieved by three methods: (a) in 25% yield by the trimethylsilyl trifluoromethanesulfonate-promoted reaction of octa-O-acetyl-β-lactose (11) with 0.5 mol-equiv. of 2-O-benzylglycerol (4), (b) in 34% yield by the coupling of 4 with an equimolar amount of hepta-O-acetyl--lactosyl bromide (12) in the presence of mercury(II) cyanide, and (c) in 50% yield by the coupling of equimolar amounts of 12 and 1,2-di-O-benzyl-(R,S)-glycerols in the presence of mercury(II) cyanide, followed in each case by the removal of the blocking groups. 1,3-Di-O-β-lactosylglycerols were prepared in 21% yield by the coupling of 11 with 0.5 mol-equivalent of 4 by method (a), and in 38% yield by the coupling of 12 with 0.5 mol-equiv. of 4 by method (b), followed by the removal of the blocking groups. The configuration of the glycosidic linkage between the lactose units and the glycerol residue was established by high-resolution, two-dimensional ¹H-n.m.r. spectroscopy.     

Labeling studies of some carbonylation reactions of styrene with cationic palladium complexes

The dicarbonylation reaction of E-β-deuteriostyrene to syndiotactic poly(1-oxo-2-phenyltrimethylene) as well as to dimethyl-2-phenylbutanedioate and dimethyl-2,5-diphenyl-4-oxoheptanedioate using Pd(CF₃COO)₂/2,2′-bipyridine as the catalyst precursor in the presence of 1,4-benzoquinone in methanol takes place stereospecifically in a syn-fashion with complete retention of the label. The same result was found for the dicarbonylation to dimethyl 2-phenylbutanedioate catalyzed by [Pd(CF₃COO)₂(Diop)]. In the absence of the oxidant the latter catalytic system produces methyl 2- and 3-phenylpropionates for which some scrambling of deuterium is observed when using either -deuteriostyrene or CH₃OD as the labeled substrate. [Pd(CH₃CN)₄][BF₄]₂ modified with different ligands catalyses the formation of E-1,5-diphenylpent-1-en-3-one or of E-1,4-diphenylpent-1-en-3-one in tetrahydrofuran as the solvent. The label distribution using E-β-deuteriostyrene as the substrate (or styrene in the presence of dideuterium) suggests that in the synthesis of ketones catalyzed by [Pd(p-CH₃C₆H₄SO₃)₂(Dppp)]·2H₂O the regioselectivity of the first inserted olefin unit does not determine the ketone regioisomer; rather which regioisomeric product preferentially forms depends on the rate of carbon monoxide insertion in either the branched or linear metal-hydrocarbyl intermediate. β-Hydrogen elimination is very rapid both after the first and the second olefin insertion.     

Structural studies of the O-antigen from vibrio cholerae O:2

The structure of the O-antigen from Vibrio cholerae O:2 has been investigated, mainly by methylation analysis, specific degradations, and n.m.r. spectroscopy, and concluded to involve the trisaccharide repeating-unit in which QuiNAc is 2-acetamido-2,6-dideoxyglucose and Sug is tentatively assigned as 5-acetamidino-7-acetamido-3,5,7,9-tetradeoxy- -glycero-β- -manno-nonulosonic acid. The acetamidino group is basic and, consequently, the polysaccharide is neutral. When this group is transformed into an N-acetyl group, by treatment with aqueous triethylamine, the polysaccharide becomes acidic.     

Stereoselective glycosylations using benzoylated glucosyl halides with inexpensive promoters

Reactions of O-benzoylated glucopyranosyl halide (I, Br), isolated or generated in situ from per-benzoylated glucose (8a) and trimethylsilyl halide, with various alcohols were efficiently promoted by zinc halide (Cl, Br) or N-bromosuccinimide with a catalytic ZnI₂ to give the corresponding 1,2-trans-β-glucosides in good to high yields. When the anomeric halogenation of 8a was carried out in the presence of reactive alcohols, 1,2-cis--glucosides were selectively formed.