Microbial transformation of xanthohumol

Microbial transformation of xanthohumol using the culture broth of Pichia membranifaciens afforded three metabolites, (E)-2"-(2"'-hydroxyisopropyl)-dihydrofurano[2",3":4',3']-2', 4-dihydroxy-6'-methoxychalcone, (2S)-2"-(2"'-hydroxyisopropyl)-dihydrofurano[2",3":7,8]-4'-hydroxy-5-methoxyflavanone and (E)-2"-(2"'-hydroxyisopropyl)-dihydrofurano[2",3":2',3']-4'-hydroxy-5-methoxychalcone.     

Flavonoids from the roots of Millettia erythrocalyx

From the roots of Millettia erythrocalyx, 6-methoxy-[2",3":7,8]-furanoflavanone, 2,5-dimethoxy-4-hydroxy-[2",3":7,8]-furanoflavan, and 3,4-methylenedioxy-2',4'-dimethoxychalcone were isolated, along with ten other known flavonoids. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of analyses of their spectroscopic data.     

Synthesis and cytotoxicity of 2-methyl-1-substituted-imidazo [4,5-g]quinoline-4,9-dione and 7,8-dihydro-10H-[1,4]oxazino[3',4':2,3]imidazo[4,5-g]quinoline-5,12-dio ne derivatives

2-Methyl-1-substituted-imidazo[4,5-g]quinoline-4,9-diones and 7,8-dihydro-10H-[1,4]oxazino-[3',4':2,3]imidazo[4,5-g]quinoline-5, 12-dione (19) derivatives have been synthesized from 6,7-dichloro-5,8-quinolinedione for developing the new anticancer drugs. Our study on the cytotoxicity of imidazoquinolinedione derivatives has revealed that 7,8-dihydro-10H-[1,4]oxazino-[3',4':2,3]imidazo[4,5-g]quinoline-5, 12-dione (19), a tetracyclic heteroquinone analogue, exhibited high cytotoxicity on human colon tumor cell (HCT 15) in vitro SRB assay. The IC50 value of this compound was 0.026 microg/mL whereas those of doxorubicin and cisplatin were 0.023 microg/mL and 1.482 microg/mL, respectively. Meanwhile compounds 5-7 and 12 in the series of 1-substituted-imidazoquinolinediones showed relatively good activity on human brain tumor cell lines (XF 498).     

Homoisoflavonoids and xanthones from the tubers of wild and in vitro regenerated Ledebouria graminifolia and cytotoxic activities of some of the homoisoflavonoids

Eleven homoisoflavonoids and two xanthones were isolated and characterized from the bulbs of Ledebouria graminifolia. Five of the homoisoflavonoids are new compounds and were identified as: 5-hydroxy-7-methoxy-3-(4'-hydroxybenzyl)-4-chromanone, 5-hydroxy-6,7-dimethoxy-3-(4'-hydroxybenzyl)-4-chromanone, 5,7,8-trimethoxy-3-(4'-hydroxybenzyl)-4-chromanone, 5-hydroxy-3',4',7-trimethoxyspiro[2H-1-benzopyran-7'-bicyclo[4.2.0]octa-trien]-4-one, 5,7-dihydroxy-3',4'-dimethoxyspiro[2H-1-benzopyran-7'-bicyclo[4.2.0]octa-trien]-4-one. Structures were elucidated by extensive 1D, and 2D NMR spectroscopy and HRMS. A method for tissue culture was developed and the bulbs of mature plants were found to contain all the compounds isolated from the wild specimens of L. graminifolia.     

Two biflavonoids from Ouratea flava stem bark

In a chemical investigation on the stem bark of Ouratea flava, two biflavonoids: 1-[3-(2,4-dihydroxy-benzoyl)-4,5,6-trihydroxy-2-(4-hydroxy-phenyl)-benzofuran-7-yl] -3-(4-hydroxy-phenyl) -propenone (flavumone A) and 3-(2,4-dihydroxy-benzoyl)-4-hydroxy-2,7-bis-(4-hydroxy-phenyl) -7,8- dihydro-furo[2,3-f]chromen-9-on (flavumone B) were isolated along with five known flavonoids. Their structures were established by various analyses including 2D-NMR spectroscopy.     

Synthesis of aminoglycoside conjugates of 2'-O-methyl oligoribonucleotides

Aminoglycoside conjugates of 2'- O-methyl oligoribonucleotides have been synthesized entirely on a solid phase using conventional phosphoramidate chemistry. For this purpose, appropriately protected neamine-derived phosphoramidites, viz., 2-cyanoethyl [6,3',4'-tri- O-levulinoyl- N (1), N (3), N (2) (') , N (6) (') -tetra(trifluoroacetyl)neamine-5- O-ethyl] N,N-diisopropylphosphoramidite, 1, and 2-cyanoethyl [6,3',4',2',3'-penta- O-levulinoyl- N (1), N (3), N (2) (') , N (6) (') -tetra(trifluoroacetyl) ribostamycin-5'-yl] N, N-diisopropylphosphoramidite, 2, have been prepared and attached via phosphodiester linkage to an appropriate 2'- O-methyl oligoribonucleotide. Levulinoyl esters are used to cap the hydroxyl groups of the aminoglycoside moieties, since they may be selectively removed prior to ammonolysis. In this manner, the potential O-->N acyl migration is excluded. Applicability of the strategy has been demonstrated by the synthesis of eight different aminoglycoside conjugates, in which 1 and 2 are attached directly to the 5'-end ( 6 and 10) or, alternatively, to an inserted non-nucleosidic hydroxyalkyl armed branching unit ( 3, 4, or 5), which results in intrachain conjugates ( 7- 9, 11- 13). The potential of these conjugates to act as a sequence-selective artificial nuclease has been studied.     

Flavones and isoflavones from the west African Fabaceae Erythrina vogelii

The CH(2)Cl(2)/MeOH extract of the stem bark of Erythrina vogelii (Fabaceae) from Nigeria has yielded two novel isoflavones, 7,4'-dihydroxy-8-(gamma,gamma-dimethylallyl)-2'zeta-(4'-hydroxyisopropyl)dihydrofurano[1',3':5,6]isoflavone (vogelin H) (1) and 7,4'-dihydroxy-8-[(2'zeta,3'-dihydroxy-3'-methyl)butyl]-2',2'-dimethyl-3',4'-dehydropyrano[1',4':5,6]isoflavone (vogelin I) (2), a novel flavone, 7,4'-dihydroxy-2',2'-dimethyl-3',4'-dehydropyrano[1',4':5,6]flavone (vogelin J) (3), and eight known flavonoids.     

Biosynthesis of tetrahydrofolate. Stereochemistry of dihydroneopterin aldolase

7,8-Dihydroneopterin aldolase catalyzes the formation of the tetrahydrofolate precursor, 6-hydroxymethyl-7,8-dihydropterin, and is a potential target for antimicrobial and anti-parasite chemotherapy. The last step of the enzyme-catalyzed reaction is believed to involve the protonation of an enol type intermediate. In order to study the stereochemical course of that reaction step, [1',2',3',6,7-13C5]dihydroneopterin was treated with aldolase in deuterated buffer. The resulting, partially deuterated [6alpha,6,7-13C3]6-hydroxymethyl-7,8-dihydropterin was converted to partially deuterated 6-(R)-[6,7,9,11-13C4]5,10-methylenetetrahydropteroate by a sequence of three enzyme-catalyzed reactions followed by treatment with [13C]formaldehyde. The product was analyzed by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy. The data show that the carbinol group of enzymatically formed 6-hydroxymethyl-dihydropterin contained 2H predominantly in the pro-S position.     

Benzofurans and another constituent from seeds of Styrax officinalis

The benzofuran constituents of the seeds of Styrax officinalis were investigated. From the hexane extract, two new constituents named 5-(3"benzoyloxypropyl)-7-methoxy-2-(3',4'-methylenedioxyphenyl)-benzofuran (5) and 4-[3"-(1c-methylbutanoyloxy)propyl]-2-methoxy-(3',4'-methylenedioxyphenyl)-1a, 5b-dihydrobenzo-[3,4]-cyclobutaoxirene (6) were isolated together with four known compounds, 5-[3"-(1c-methylbutanoyloxy)propyl]-7-methoxy-2-(3',4'-dimethoxyphenyl)-benzofuran (4), 5-[3"-(1c-methylbutanoyloxy)propyl]-7- methoxy-2-(3',4'-methylenedioxyphenyl)-benzofuran (3), 5-(3"-acetoxypropyl)-7-methoxy2-(3',4'-methylenedioxphenyl)-benzofuran (2) and 5-(3"-hydroxypropyl)-7-methoxy-2-(3',4'-met hylenedioxyphenyl)-benzofuran (1). Although the compounds 1, 2, and 3 have been isolated previously from the seeds of Styrax obassia, this is the first record of their isolation from seeds of Styrax officinalis. The structures of the isolated compounds were established by 1D- and 2D-NMR (HMBC, HMQC, COSY), FABMS and high-resolution ESI FTMS.     

Diprenylated chalcones and other constituents from the twigs of Dorstenia barteri var. subtriangularis

The twigs of Dorstenia barteri var. subtriangularis yielded three diprenylated chalcones: (-)-3-(3,3-dimethylallyl)-5'-(2-hydroxy-3-methylbut-3-enyl)-4,2',4'-trihydroxychalcone, (+)-3-(3,3-dimethylallyl)-4',5'-[2'-(1-hydroxy-1-methylethyl)-dihydrofurano]-4,2'-dihydroxychalcone and 3,4-(6",6"-dimethyldihydropyrano)-4',5'-[2',-(1-hydroxy-1-methylethyl)-dihydrofurano]-2'-hydroxychalcone for which the names bartericins A, B and C, respectively, are proposed. Stipulin, beta-sitosterol and its 3-beta-D-glucopyranosyl derivative were also isolated. The structures of these secondary metabolites were determined on the basis of spectroscopic analysis, especially, NMR spectra in conjunction with 2D experiments, COSY, HMQC and HMBC. The structural relationship of bartericins B and C was further established by the chemical cyclization of one to the other.     

A benzil and isoflavone derivatives from Derris scandens Benth

A benzil derivative: scandione, 2',2"-dihydroxy-4'-methoxy-4",5"-methylenedioxybenzil and two isoflavones: scandenal, 3'-formyl-4',5-dihydroxy-2",2"-dimethylchromeno-[6,7:5",6"]isoflavone and scanderone, 4',5-dihydroxy-3'-prenyl-2",2"-dimethylchromeno-[7,8:6",5"]isoflavone together with fifteen known compounds were isolated from the stem of D. scandens. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic methods. Radical scavenging, antibacterial and hypertensive activities of some of the compounds were investigated.     

Geranylated flavanones from the secretion on the surface of the immature fruits of Paulownia tomentosa

Chemical investigation of the methanol extract of the viscous secretion on the surface of immature fruits of Paulownia tomentosa furnished nine geranylated flavanones, 6-geranyl-5,7-dihydroxy-3',4'-dimethoxyflavanone (1), 6-geranyl-3',5,7-trihydroxy-4'-methoxyflavanone (2), 6-geranyl-4',5,7-trihydroxy-3',5'-dimethoxyflavanone (3), 6-geranyl-4',5,5',7-tetrahydroxy-3'-methoxyflavanone (4), 6-geranyl-3,3',5,7-tetrahydroxy-4'-methoxyflavanone (5), 4',5,5',7-tetrahydroxy-6-[6-hydroxy-3,7-dimethyl-2(E),7-octadienyl]-3'-methoxyflavanone (6), 3,3',4',5,7-pentahydroxy-6-[6-hydroxy-3,7-dimethyl-2(E),7-octadienyl]flavanone (7), 3,3',4',5,7-pentahydroxy-6-[7-hydroxy-3,7-dimethyl-2(E)-octenyl]flavanone (8), and 3,4',5,5',7-pentahydroxy-3'-methoxy-6-(3-methyl-2-butenyl)flavanone (9), along with six known geranylated flavanones. Among these, compounds 4, 6-9 and the known 6-geranyl-3',4',5,7-tetraahydroxyflavanone (diplacone), 6-geranyl-3,3',4',5,7-pentahydroxyflavanone (diplacol) and 3',4',5,7-pentahydroxy-6-[7-hydroxy-3,7-dimethyl-2(E)-octenyl]flavanone showed potent radical scavenging effects towards DPPH radicals.     

MK-8825: a potent and selective CGRP receptor antagonist with good oral activity in rats

Rational modification of the clinically tested CGRP receptor antagonist MK-3207 (3) afforded an analogue with increased unbound fraction in rat plasma and enhanced aqueous solubility, 2-[(8R)-8-(3,5-difluorophenyl)-8-methyl-10-oxo-6,9-diazaspiro[4.5]dec-9-yl]-N-[(6S)-2'-oxo-1',2',5,7-tetrahydrospiro[cyclopenta[b]pyridine-6,3'-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridin]-3-yl]acetamide (MK-8825) (6). Compound 6 maintained similar affinity to 3 at the human and rat CGRP receptors but possessed significantly improved in vivo potency in a rat pharmacodynamic model. The overall profile of 6 indicates it should find utility as a rat tool to investigate effects of CGRP receptor blockade in vivo.     

Derivatives of methanopterin, a coenzyme involved in methanogenesis

Degradational studies of methanopterin, a coenzyme involved in methanogenesis, are reported. The results of these studies are in full accordance with the proposed structure of methanopterin as N-[1'-(2'-amino-4'-hydroxy-7' -methyl-6'-pteridinyl)ethyl]-4-[2', 3', 4', 5'-tetrahydroxypent-1'-yl(5'-1' )O-alpha-ribofuranosyl-5'-phosphoric acid] aniline in which the phosphate group is esterified with alpha-hydroxyglutaric acid. Acid hydrolysis of methanopterin cleaved the 5'----1' glycosidic bond and yielded a 'hydrolytic product' which was identified as N-[1'-(2'-amino-4'-hydroxy-7' -methyl-6'-pteridinyl)ethyl]-4-[2', 3', 4', 5'-tetrahydroxypent-1'-yl]aniline. Alkaline permanganate oxidation of methanopterin yielded 7-methylpterin-6-carboxylic acid. Catalytic (or enzymatic) hydrogenation of methanopterin gave a mixture of 6-ethyl-7-methyl-7,8-dihydropterin, 6-ethyl-7-methylpterin and a third compound, named methaniline which was identified as 4-[2', 3', 4', 5'-tetrahydroxypent-1'-yl(5'----1')O-alpha -ribofuranosyl-5'-phosphoric acid]aniline, in which the phosphate group is esterified with alpha-hydroxyglutaric acid. Methanosarcina barkeri contains a closely related coenzyme called sarcinapterin, which was identified as a L-glutamyl derivative of methanopterin, where the glutamate moiety is attached to the alpha-carboxylic acid group of the alpha-hydroxyglutaric acid moiety of methanopterin via an amide linkage.     

Dichromenoxanthones from Tovomita brasiliensis

Two dichromenoxanthones [1,6-dihydroxy-6',6'-dimethylpyrano(2',3':3,4)-6',6'-dimethylpyrano(2',3':7,8)xanthone (brasilixanthone A) and 1,6-dihydroxy-6',6'-dimethylpyrano(2',3':2,3)-6',6'-dimethylpyrano(2',3':7,8)xanthone (brasilixanthone B)], along with betulinic acid, friedelin, sitosterol and stigmasterol were isolated from the roots and stems of Tovomita brasiliensis. Their structures were characterized on the basis of 1H and 13C NMR spectral data, including 2D NMR experiments.     

Bangangxanthone A and B, two xanthones from the stem bark of Garcinia polyantha Oliv

Two xanthones, bangangxanthone A (1) [1,5,8-trihydroxy-6'-methyl-6'-(4-methylpent-3-enyl)- pyrano[2',3':3,4]xanthone] and B (2) [1,4,8-trihydroxy-2-prenylxanthone], along with two known xanthones, 1,5-dihydroxyxanthone, 2-hydroxy-1,7-dimethoxyxanthone and the pentacyclic triterpenoids, friedelin, oleanolic acid and lupeol were isolated from the chloroform extract of the stem bark of Garcinia polyantha. The structures of these compounds were assigned by spectroscopic analysis. Compounds 1-4 showed antioxidant DPPH radical scavenging activities.     

Indole alkoloids from Nauclea officinalis with weak antimalarial activity

Five indole alkaloids (naucleofficines A-E) were isolated from the stems (with bark) of Nauclea officinalis: (E)-2-(1-beta-d-glucopyranosyloxybut-2-en-2-yl)-3-(hydroxymethyl)-6,7-dihydro-indolo[2,3-a]quinolizin-4(12H)-one (1), (E)-1-propenyl-12-beta-d-glucopyranosyloxy-2,7,8-trihydro-indolo[2,3-a]pyran[3,4-g]quinolizin-4,5(13H)-dione (2), (E)-2-(1-hydroxybut-2-en-2-yl)-11-beta-d-glucopyranosyloxy-6,7-dihydro-indolo[2,3-a]quinolizin-4(12H)-one (3), (E)-1-propenyl-4-hydroxy-2,4a,7,8,13b,14,14a-hepthydro-(4alpha,4abeta,13balpha,14abeta)indolo[2,3-a]pyran[3,4-g]quinolizin-5(13H)-one (4) and 1-(1-hydroxyethyl)-10-hydroxy-7,8-dihydro-indolo[2,3-a]pirydine[3,4-g]quinolizin-5(13H)-one (10-hydroxyangustoline) (5), together with two known compounds, naucleidinal (6) and angustoline (7). All of the structures of the seven compounds above were elucidated by spectroscopic methods including use of 1D- and 2D-NMR spectroscopic analyses. Compounds 2 and 3 are rare examples of monoterpene indole alkaloids with a glucopyranosyloxy group attached to position C-12. In vitro activity screening of the above seven compounds showed weak to moderate inhibitory activity against Plasmodium falciparum.     

Flavonoids from Lonchocarpus latifolius roots

From the petrol extract of Lonchocarpus latifolius roots, 10 flavonoids were isolated. These included: 3,5-dimethoxy-2',2'-dimethylpyrano-(5',6':8,7)-flavone, 3-methoxy-(2',3':7,8)-furanoflavanone, 3',4'-methylenedioxy-(2',3':7,8)-furanoflavanone, and (2,3-trans-3,4-trans)-3,4-dimethoxy-(2',3':7,8)-furanoflavan, as well as the previously known karanjachromene, karanjin, lanceolatin B, pongachromene, pongaglabrone and ponganpin. Only nine flavonoids could be quantified through HPLC analysis.     

Inhibitory effect on NO production of phenolic compounds from Myristica fragrans

Three new phenolics: ((7S)-8'-(benzo[3',4']dioxol-1'-yl)-7-hydroxypropyl)benzene-2,4-diol (1), ((7S)-8'-(4'-hydroxy-3'-methoxyphenyl)-7-hydroxypropyl)benzene-2,4-diol (2) and ((8R,8'S)-7-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-8'-methylbutan-8-yl)-3'-methoxybenzene-4',5'-diol (3), along with four known compounds (4-7) were isolated from the seeds of Myristica fragrans. Their chemical structures were established mainly by 1D and 2D NMR techniques and mass spectrometry. Their anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated against LPS-induced NO production in macrophage RAW264.7 cells.     

Flavonoids from Brosimum acutifolium

4'-Hydroxy-7,8-[2-(2-hydroxyisopropyl)dihydrofuran]flavan and 4',7-dihydroxy-8-(3,3-dimethylallyl)flavan, together with 10 known plant constituents, were obtained from the trunk bark of Brosimum acutifolium. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, including 2D NMR spectroscopic techniques.