Acetylated allose-containing flavonoid glucosides from Stachys anisochila

In continuation of our chemosystematic study of Stachys (Labiatae) we have isolated the previously reported isoscutellarein 7-O-[6″'-O-acetyl-β-D-allopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-β-D-glucopyranoside] (1) and 3′-hydroxy-4′-O-methylisoscutellarein 7-O-[6″'-O-acetyl-β-D-allopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-β-D-glucopyranoside] (4) and four new allose-containing flavonoid glycosides from S. anisochila. The new glycosides are hypolaetin 7-O-[6″'-O-acetyl-β-D-allopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-β-D-glucopyranside] (6) as well as the three corresponding diacetyl analogues of 1, 4 and 6, isoscutellarein 7-O-[6″'-O-acetyl-β-D-allopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-6″-O-acetyl-β-D-glucopyranoside], 3′-hydroxy-4′-O-methylisoscutellarein 7-O-[6″'-O-acetyl-β-D-allopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-6″-O-acetyl-β-D-glucopyranoside] and hypolaetin 7-O-[6″'-O-acetyl-β-D-allopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-6″-O-acetyl-β-D-glucopyranoside]. Extensive two-dimensional NMR studies (proton-carbon correlations, COSY experiments) allowed assignment of all ¹H NMR sugar signals and a correction of the ¹³C NMR signal assignments for C-2 and C-3 of the allose.     

Synthesis of carbon-11-labeled CK1 inhibitors as new potential PET radiotracers for imaging of Alzheimer’s disease

The reference standards methyl 3-((2,2-difluoro-5H-[1,3]dioxolo[4′,5′:4,5]benzo[1,2-d]imidazol-6-yl)carbamoyl)benzoate (5a) and N-(2,2-difluoro-5H-[1,3]dioxolo[4′,5′:4,5]benzo[1,2-d]imidazol-6-yl)-3-methoxybenzamide (5c), and their corresponding desmethylated precursors 3-((2,2-difluoro-5H-[1,3]dioxolo[4′,5′:4,5]benzo[1,2-d]imidazol-6-yl)carbamoyl)benzoic acid (6a) and N-(2,2-difluoro-5H-[1,3]dioxolo[4′,5′:4,5]benzo[1,2-d]imidazol-6-yl)-3-hydroxybenzamide (6b), were synthesized from 5-amino-2,2-difluoro-1,3-benzodioxole and 3-substituted benzoic acids in 5 and 6 steps with 33% and 11%, 30% and 7% overall chemical yield, respectively. Carbon-11-labeled casein kinase 1 (CK1) inhibitors, [¹¹C]methyl 3-((2,2-difluoro-5H-[1,3]dioxolo[4′,5′:4,5]benzo[1,2-d]imidazol-6-yl)carbamoyl)benzoate ([¹¹C]5a) and N-(2,2-difluoro-5H-[1,3]dioxolo[4′,5′:4,5]benzo[1,2-d]imidazol-6-yl)-3-[¹¹C]methoxybenzamide ([¹¹C]5c), were prepared from their O-desmethylated precursor 6a or 6b with [¹¹C]CH₃OTf through O-[¹¹C]methylation and isolated by HPLC combined with SPE in 40–45% radiochemical yield, based on [¹¹C]CO₂ and decay corrected to end of bombardment (EOB). The radiochemical purity was >99%, and the molar activity (MA) at EOB was 370–740?GBq/μmol with a total synthesis time of ～40-min from EOB.     

Inhibition of Biosynthesis of Polyisoprenol Sugars in Chick Embryo Microsomes by Tunicamycin

Changes in the phytoalexin content in unripe fruit of banana, Musa acuminata, were analyzed after various treatments. The results show that level of hydroxyanigorufone started to increase 1-2 day after either wounding or inoculation with conidia of Colletotrichum musae. Inoculation followed by wounding induced the formation of many other phenylphenalenones. The accumulation of hydroxyanigorufone decreased, after its transient maximum, on ripening by exposure of the wounded fruit to ethylene. The level of production of hydroxyanigorufone in ripe fruit treated by wounding and/or by inoculation was much lower than that in unripe fruit. 2-Aminooxyacetic acid, an inhibitor of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), inhibited the accumulation of hydroxyanigorufone in wounded fruit, and the PAL activity increased after wounding and ethylene treatment, respectively. Feeding experiments with [1-¹³C] and [2-¹³C]cinnamic acids, and [2-¹³C]malonate show that two molecules of cinnamic acid and one of malonate were incorporated into each molecule of hydroxyanigorufone. The phytoalexins isolated from fruit to which deuterated hydroxyanigorufone and irenolone had been administered revealed that 2-(4′-hydroxyphenyl)-1,8-naphthalic anhydride was biosynthesized from hydroxyanigorufone rather than from irenolone.     

Biosynthesis of Camptotheca acuminata alkaloids

Tracer feeding experiments with Camptotheca acuminata plants show that [1′-¹⁴C]L-tryptophan, [Ar-³H₄]L-tryptophan, [Ar-³H₄,1′-¹⁴C]tryptophan, [1′-¹⁴C]-tryptamine, [2-¹⁴C]DL-mevalonate, and [2-¹⁴C]geraniol-[2-¹⁴C]nerol are incorporated into camptothecin. Direct stem injection of the labeled precursors into C. acuminata plants resulted in a substantial increase in the activity of isolated Camptotheca alkaloids as compared to root feeding of the same tracer.     

Synthese von O-(3-desoxy-α-d-manno-2-octulopyranosylonsäure)-(2→4)-O-(3-desoxy-α-d-manno-2-octulopyranosylonsäure)- (2→6)-O-(2-amino-2-desoxy-β-d-glucopyranosyl)-(1→6)-2-amino-2-desoxy-d-glucopyranose

Benzyl-3-O-benzyl-2-benzyloxycarbonylamino-6-O-[2-benzyloxycarbonyl-amino-2-deoxy-3,4-O-(tetraisopropyldisiloxane-1,3-diyl)- β-d-glucopyranosyl]-2-deoxy-α-d-glucopyranoside was coupled with methyl (4,5,7,8-tetra-O-acetyl-3-deoxy-α-d-manno-2-octulopyranosyl bromide)onate (13) to yield the α-glycosidically linked trisaccharide. After deacetylation and selective introduction of a second 7′,8′-O-tetraisopropyldisiloxane group, a further glycosidation reaction with 13 led regioselectively to the tetrasaccharide benzyl O-[methyl (4,5,7,8-tetra-O-acetyl-3-deoxy-α-d-manno-2-octulopyranosyl)onate]-(2→4)-O-{methyl [3-deoxy-7,8-O-(tetraisopropyldisiloxane-1,3-diyl)-α-d-manno-2-octulopyranosyl]-onate}-(2→6)-O- [2-benzyloxycarbonylamino-2-deoxy-3,4-O-(tetraisopropyldisiloxane-1,3-diyl)-β-d-glucopyranosyl]- (1→6)-3-O-benzyl-2-benzyloxycarbonyl-amino-2-deoxy-α-d-glucopyranoside. A series of deblocking steps gave O-(3-deoxy-α-d-manno-2-octulopyranosylonic acid)-(2→4)-O-(3-deoxy-α-d-manno-2-octulopyranosylonic acid)- (2→6)-O-(2-amino-2-deoxy-β-d-glucopyranosyl)-(1→6)-2-amino-2-deoxy-d-glucopyranose which was identical with a tetrasaccharide that had been isolated by hydrazinolysis of the lipopolysaccharide from Salmonella minnesota R 595. Hence, synthetic proof is provided for the linkages in this part of the inner core region of lipopolysaccharides.     

Nuclear magnetic resonance studies on pyridine dinucleotides. Carbon-13 assignments and structure determination of NADHX and the primary acid product of NADH.

The ¹³C spectra of β-NADH, NADHX, and the primary acid product of NADH were obtained and assigned. The conversion of the NADHX isomers to the two isomers of NADH acid product is demonstrated through the use of ¹³C-enriched compounds. The structure of NADHX is assigned as β-6-hydroxy-1,4,5,6-tetrahydronicotinamide adenine dinucleotide and the structures of the primary acid products of NADH are assigned as α-O^2′-6B-cyclotetrahydronicotinamide adenine dinucleotide and α-O^2′-6A-cyclotetrahydronicotinamide adenine dinucleotide.The structures of NADHX and the major isomer of the primary acid product, derived from studies of model compounds, are consistent with those proposed by Oppenheimer and Kaplan [Biochemistry (1974) 13, 4675, 4685]. However, the spectra of ¹³C-enriched primary acid product also demonstrated the existence of the A isomer which was not observed in the latter ¹H study. The A and B isomers were found to exist in the same ratio even when the primary acid product was formed directly from NADHX. This observation is discussed in terms of the previously proposed mechanism for the acid decomposition of NADH.     

Synthesis of 2- (and 6-) -dithian-2-yluracil nucleosides and their conversion into nucleoside derivatives

Addition of 2,2′-anhydro-[1-(3-O-acetyl-5-O-trityl-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)uracil] (1) to excess 2-litho-1,3-dithiane (2)in oxolane at ?78° gave 2-(1,3-dithian-2-yl)-1-(5-O-trityl-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-4(1H)pyrimidinone (3), O²,2′-anhydro-5,6-di-hydro-6-(S)-(1,3-dithian-2-yl)-5′-O-trityluridine (4), and 2-(1,4-dihydroxybutyl)-1,3-dithiane (5) in yields of 15, 30, and 10% respectively. The structure of 3 was proved by its hydrolysis in acid to give 2-(1,3-dithian-2-yl)-4-pyrimidinone (6) and arabinose, and by desulfurization with Raney nickel to yield the known 2-methyl-1-(5-O-trityl-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-4(1H)-pyrimidinone (7). Detritylation of 3 without glycosidic cleavage could only be effected by prior acetylation to 1-(2,3-di-O-acetyl-5-O-trityl-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-2-(1,3-dithian-2-yl)-4(1H)-pyrimidinone (8) which, after treatment with acetic acid at room temperature for 65 h followed by the action of sodium methoxide gave 2-(1,3-dithian-2-yl)-1-β-D-arabinofuranosyl-4(1H)-pyrimidinone (10) in 45% yield. Detritylation of 4 in boiling acetic acid gave 5,6-dihydro-6-(S)-(1,3-dithian-2-yl)-1-β-D-arabinofuranosyluracil (12) and 3-[(S)-1-(1,3-dithian-2-yl)]propionamido-(1,2-dideoxy-β-D-arabinofurano)-[1,2-d]-2-oxazolidinone (13) in 10 and 90% yields, respectively. When 12 was kept in water or methanol for 7 days, quantitative conversion into 13 occurred. Acid hydrolysis of 12 afforded arabinose and 5,6-di-hydro-6-(1,3-dithian-2-yl)uracil (14), which was desulfurized with Raney nickel to the known 5,6-dihydro-6-methyluracil (15). Treatment of 13 with trifluoroacetic anhydride-pyridine yielded 77% of the cyano derivative 17. Similar dehydration of 3-(R)-1-methylpropionamido-(1,2-dideoxy-β-D-arabinofurano)-[1,2-d]-2-oxalidinone (18), obtained by desulfurization of 13, gave 60% of the nitrile 19. Hydrogenation of 19 over platinum oxide in acetic anhydride gave the acetamide derivative 20 in 95% yield. Nitrobenzoylation of 13 gave 3-[(S)-1-(1,3-dithian-2-yl)]cyanomethyl-3,5-di-O-p-nitrobenzoyl-(1,2-dideoxy-β-D-arabinofurano)-[1,2-d]-2-oxazolidinone (22), which was converted in 37% yield by treatment with methyl iodide in dimethyl sulfoxide into the aldehyde 24, characterized as the semicarbazone 25. The purification of 5 and its characterization as 2-(1,4-di-O-p-nitrobenzoylbutyl)-1,3-dithiane (27) is described.     

C-4′-Branched-chain sugar nucleosides: synthesis of isomers of psicofuranine

Photoamidation of 3-O-acetyl-1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-α-d-erythro-hex-3-enofuranose (1) afforded 3-O-acetyl-4-C-carbamoyl-1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-α-d-gulofuranose (2) and 3-O-acetyl-3-C-carbamoyl-1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-d-α-allofuranose (3) in 65 and 26% yields, respectively (based on consumed1). Treatment of2 with 5% hydrochloric acid in methanol yielded the spiro lactone5, which was deacetylated to yield7. Reduction of5 with sodium borohydride afforded 4-C-(hydroxymethyl)-1,2-O-isopropylidene-α-d-gulofuranose (9) in 79% yield. Oxidation of9 with sodium metaperiodate afforded a dialdose that was reduced with sodium borohydride to give 4-C-(hydroxymethyl)-1,2-O-isopropylidene-α-d-erythro-pentofuranose (11) in 88% yield. Treatment of the acetate12, derived from11, with trifluoroacetic acid, followed by acetylation, afforded the branched-chain sugar acetate14. Condensation of the glycosyl halide derived from14 withN⁶-benzoyl-N⁶, 9-bis-(trimethylsilyl)adenine yielded an equimolar anomeric mixture of protected nucleosides15 and16 in 40% yield. Treatment of the latter compounds with sodium methoxide in methanol afforded 9-[4-C-(hydroxymethyl)-β-d-erythro-pentofuranosyl]-adenine (17) and the α-d anomer18. The structure of3 was determined by correlation with the known 5,3′-hemiacetal of 3-C-(hydroxymethyl)-1,2-O-isopropylidene-α,α′-d-ribo-pentodialdose (25).     

Synthesis of oleanolic acid saponins mimicking components of Chinese folk medicine Di Wu

3,28-Di-O-rhamnosylated oleanolic acid saponins, mimicking components of Chinese folk medicine Di Wu, have been designed and synthesized. One-pot glycosylation and ‘inverse procedure’ technologies have been applied thus significantly simplifying the preparation of desired saponins. The cytotoxic activity of compounds 3-O-[α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-β-d-xylopyranosyl]oleanolic acid 28-O-[α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→4)-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→6)-β-d-glucopyranosyl] ester (3), 3-O-[α-l-rhamnopyranosyl]oleanolic acid 28-O-[α-l-rhamnopyranosyl- (1→4)-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→6)-β-d-glucopyranosyl] ester (4), 3-O-[α-l-rhamnopyranosyl]oleanolic acid 28-O-[α-l-rhamnopyranosyl] ester (5), and 3-O-[α-l-rhamnopyranosyl]oleanolic acid 28-O-[6-O-(α-l-rhamnopyranosyl)hexyl] ester (6) was preliminarily evaluated against HL-60 human promyelocytic leukemia cells. The natural saponin 3 and designed saponin 4 exhibited comparable moderate cytotoxic activity under our testing conditions.     

The stepwise synthesis of an aldopentaouronic acid derivative related to branched (4-O-methylglucurono)xylans

Benzylation of methyl 2,3-anhydro-4-O-[2-O-benzyl-3,4-di-O-(β-D-xylop yranosyl]-β-D-xylopyranosyl]-β-D-ribopyranoside (1) afforded the crystalline. fully benzylated tetrasaccharide derivative 2. The octa-O-benzyl derivative 3, having only HO-2 unsubstituted, obtained by treatment of 2 with benzyl alcoholate anion in benzyl alcohol, was allowed to react in dichloromethane with methyl 2,3-di-O-benzyl- 1-chloro-1-deoxy-4-O-methy]-α,β-glucopyranuronate in the presence of silver perchlorate and triethylamine to give the branched, 4-O-methyl-α-D-glucuronic acid-containing pentasaccharide derivative 4a as the major product. Subsequent debenzylation afforded the aldopentaouronic acid derivative 5a, which contains all the basic structural features of branched, hardwood (4-O-methylglucurono)xylans. The structure of 5a was confirmed by analysis of its ¹³C-n.m.r. spectrum and the mass-spectral fragmentation pattern of the corresponding fully methylated derivative 6a.     

Synthesis of 3- and 2′-fucosyl-lactose and 3,2′-difucosyl-lactose from partially benzylated lactose derivatives

O-β-d-Galactopyranosyl-(1→4)-O-[α-l-fucopyranosyl-(1→3)]-d-glucose has been synthesised by reaction of benzyl 2,6-di-O-benzyl-4-O-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-benzyl-β-d-galactopyranosyl)-β-d-glucopyranoside with 2,3,4-tri-O-benzyl-α-l-fucopyranosyl bromide in the presence of mercuric bromide, followed by hydrogenolysis. Benzylation of benzyl 3′,4′-O-isopropylidene-β-lactoside, via tributylstannylation, in the presence of tetrabutylammonium bromide or N-methylimidazole, gave benzyl 2,6-di-O-benzyl-4-O-(6-O-benzyl-3,4-O-isopropylidene-β-d-galactopyranosyl)-β-d-glucopyranoside (6). α-Fucosylation of 6 in the presence of tetraethylammonium bromide provided either benzyl 2,6-di-O-benzyl-4-O-[6-O-benzyl-3,4-O-isopropylidene-2-O-(2,3,4-tri-O-benzyl-α-l-fucopyransoyl)-β-d- galactopyranosyl]-β-d-glucopyranoside (13, 73%) or a mixture of 13 (42%) and benzyl 2,6-di-O-benzyl-4-O-[6-O-benzyl-3,4,-O-isopropylidene-2-O-(2,3,4-tri-O-benzyl-α-l-fucopyranosyl)-β-d- galactopyranosyl-3-O-(2,3,4-tri-O-benzyl-α-l-fucopyranosyl)-β-d-glucopyranoside (16, 34%). α-Fucosylation of 13 in the presence of mercuric bromide and 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylpyridine gave 16 (73%). Hydrogenolysis and acid hydrolysis of 13 and 16 afforded O-α-l-fucopyranosyl-(1→2)-O-β-d-galactopyranosyl-(1→4)-d-glucose and O-α-l-fucopyranosyl-(1→2)-O-β-d-galactopyranosyl-(1→4)-O-[α-l-fucopyranosyl-(1→3)]-d-glucose, respectively.     

Flavonoid diversification in different leaf compartments of Primula auricula (Primulaceae)

Populations of Primula auricula L. subsp. auricula from Austrian Alps were studied for flavonoid composition of both farinose exudates and tissue of leaves. The leaf exudate yielded Primula-type flavones, such as unsubstituted flavone and its derivatives, while tissue flavonoids largely consisted of flavonol 3-O-glycosides, based upon kaempferol (3, 4) and isorhamnetin (5–7). Kaempferol 3-O-(2″-O-β-xylopyranosyl-[6″-O-β-xylopyranosyl]-β-glucopyranoside) (3) and isorhamnetin 3-O-(2″-O-β-xylopyranosyl-[6″-O-β-xylopyranosyl]-β-glucopyranoside) (6) are newly reported as natural compounds. Remarkably, two Primula type flavones were also detected in tissues, namely 3′-hydroxyflavone 3′-O-β-glucoside (1) and 3′,4′-dihydroxyflavone 4′-O-β-glucoside (2), of which (1) is reported here for the first time as natural product. All structures were unambiguously identified by NMR and MS data. Earlier reports on the occurrence of 7,2′-dihydroxyflavone 7-O-glucoside (macrophylloside) in this species could not be confirmed. This structure was now shown to correspond to 3′,4′-dihydroxyflavone 4′-O-glucoside (2) by comparison of NMR data. Observed exudate variations might be specific for geographically separated populations. The structural diversification between tissue and exudate flavonoids is assumed to be indicative for different ecological roles in planta.     

New oleanane-type saponins: Leptocarposide B-D,from Ludwigia leptocarpa (Onagraceae)

Three new oleanane-type saponins, leptocarposide B-D (1–3), were isolated from the whole plant of Ludwigia leptocarpa (Nutt.) Hara, together with ten known compounds 4–13.The structures of these compounds were determined by interpretation of their spectral data, mainly HR-TOFESIMS, 1D-NMR (¹H, ¹³C) and 2D-NMR (¹H–¹H COSY, HSQC, HMBC, and NOESY), and by comparison with the literature data. The structures of the new compounds were established as 28-O-β-d-xylopyranosyl-(1 → 4)-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-[α-l-arabinopyranosyl-(1 → 3)]-4-O-(3′-hydroxybutanoyloxy-3-hydroxybutanoyloxy)-β-d-fucopyranosyl zanhic acid (1); 3-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-28-O-β-d-xylopyranosyl-(1 → 4)-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-4-O-(3′-hydroxybutanoyloxy-3-hydroxybutanoyloxy)-β-d-fucopyranosyl medicagenic acid (2); 3-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 4)-β-d-glucopyranosyl-28-O-β-d-xylopyranosyl-(1 → 4)-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-[α-l- arabinopyranosyl-(1 → 3)]-4-O-(3′-hydroxybutanoyloxy-3-hydroxybutanoyloxy)-β-d-fucopyranosyl zanhic acid (3).     

Phytochemical and chemotaxonomic study of Pulsatilla cernua (Thunb.) Bercht. ex J. Presl

Twenty-two compounds were isolated from the 70% EtOH–H₂O extract of Pulsatilla cernua (Thunb.) Bercht. ex J. Presl roots, and their structures were determined based on ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR and MS spectroscopic data, including (+)-pinoresinol (1), matairesinol (2), 4-ethoxycinnamic acid (3), p-hydroxy ethyl cinnamate (4), 3-(4′-methoxyphenyl)-2(E)-propenoic acid (5), methyl 4-hydroxycinnamate (6), radicol (7), cryptomeridiol (8), fraxinellone (9), diolmycin B2 (10), hederagonic acid (11), hederagenin (12), oleanolic acid (13), 3-O-α-L-arabinopyranosyl-oleanolic acid (14), hederagenin 3-O-α-L-arabinopyranoside (15), 3-O-[α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-α-L-arabinopyranosyl] oleanolic acid (16), hederasaponin B (17), kizutasaponin K₁₂ (18), patrinia saponin H3 (19), hederacholichiside F (20), cernuoside A (21) and cernuoside B (22). Eight compounds (3–10) were isolated and identified from the genus Pulsatilla for the first time.     

Dihydrochalcone glucosides and antioxidant activity from the roots of Anneslea fragrans var. lanceolata

Bioassay-guided fractionation of the roots of Anneslea fragrans var. lanceolata led to the isolation of four dihydrochalcone glucosides, davidigenin-2′-O-(6″-O-4″′-hydroxybenzoyl)-β-glucoside (1), davidigenin-2′-O-(2″-O-4″′-hydroxybenzoyl)-β-glucoside (2), davidigenin-2′-O-(3″-O-4″′-hydroxybenzoyl)-β-glucoside (3), and davidigenin-2′-O-(6″-O-syringoyl)-β-glucoside (4), and 13 known compounds. The structures were identified by means of spectroscopic analysis. Davidigenin-2′-O-(6″-O-syringoyl)-β-glucoside (4), 1-O-3,4-dimethoxy-5-hydroxyphenyl-6-O-(3,5-di-O-methylgalloyl)-β-glucopyranoside (5), lyoniresinol (10), and syringic acid (13) showed ABTS [2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)] cation radical scavenging activity, with SC₅₀ values of 52.6 ± 5.5, 26.0 ± 0.7, 6.0 ± 0.2, and 27.5 ± 0.6 μg/mL in 20 min, respectively. Lyoniresinol (10), isofraxidin (12), and syringic acid (13) also showed DPPH [1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl] radical scavenging activity, with SC₅₀ values of 8.4 ± 1.8, 51.6 ± 2.2, and 4.3 ± 0.7 μg/mL in 30 min, respectively.     

Triterpenoid saponins from Fatsia japonica

Five triterpenoid saponins isolated from the flowers, the mature fruits and the leaves of Fatsia japonica were identified as 3-O-[β-d-glucopyranosyl(1→4)-β-d-glucopyranosyl]-hederagenin (1), 3-O-[β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)-α-l-arabinopyranosyl]-oleanolic acid (2), 3-O-[α-l-arabinopyranosyl]-hederagenin (3), 3-O-[β-d-glucopyranosyl]-hederagenin (4) and 3-O-[β-d-glucopyranosyl(1→4)-α-l-arabinopyranosyl]-hederagenin (5). The saponins 1 and 2 are new, naturally occurring, triterpenoid saponins. The distribution of the five saponins in three parts of the plant was investigated. Saponins 2, 3 and 5 were present in the flowers, saponins 1, 3, 4 and 5 were in the mature fruits and saponins 2, 3, 4 and 5 were in the leaves.     

Synthesis of 6-substituted uridines. synthesis of (R or S)-6-(3-amino-2-carboxypropyl)uridine

Addition of 5-bromo-2′,3′-O-isopropylidene-5′-O-trityluridine (2) in pyridine to an excess of 2-lithio-1,3-dithiane (3) in oxolane at 78° gave (6R)-5,6-dihydro-(1,3-dithian-2-yl)-2′,3′-O-isopropylidene -5′-O-trityluridine (4), (5S,6S)-5-bromo-5,6-dihydro-(1,3-dithian-2-yl)-2′,3′-O-isopropylidene-5′-O-trityluridine (5), and its (5R) isomer 6 in yields of 37, 35, and 10%, respectively. The structure of 4 was proved by Raney nickel desulphurization to (6S)-5,6-dihydro-2′,3′-O-isopropylidene-6-methyl-5′-O-trityluridine (7) and by acid hydrolysis to give D-ribose and (6R)-5,6-dihydro-6-(1,3-dithian-2-yl)uracil (9). Treatment of 4 with methyl iodide in aqueous acetone gave a 30&%; yield of (R,S)-5,6-dihydro-6-formyl-2′,3′-O-isopropylidene-5′-O-trityl-uridine (10), characterized as its semicarbazone 11. Both 5 and 6 gave 4 upon brief treatment with Raney nickel. Both 5 and 6 also gave 6-formyl-2′,3′-O-isopropylidene-5′- O-trityluridine (12) in ～41%; yield when treated with methyl iodide in aqueous acetone containin- 10%; dimethyl sulfoxide. A by-product, identified as the N-methyl derivative (13) of 12 was also formed in yields which varied with the amount of dimethyl sulfoxide used. Reduction of 12 with sodium borohydride, followed by deprotection, afforded 6-(hydroxymethyl)uridine (17), characterized by hydrolysis to the known 6-(hydroxymethyl)uracil (18). Knoevenagel condensation of a mixture of the aldehydes 12 and 13 with ethyl cyanoacetate yielded 38%; of E- (or Z-)6-[(2-cyano-2-ethoxycarbonyl)ethylidene]-2′,3′-O-isopropylidene-5′-O-trityluridine (19) and 10%; of its N-methyl derivative 20. Hydrogenation of 19 over platinum oxide in acetic anhydride followed by deprotection gave R (or S)-6-(3-amino-2-carboxypropyl)uridine (23).     

Biosynthetic relations between protoberberine-, benzo(C)phenanthridine- and B-secoprotoberberine type alkaloids in Corydalis incisa

The biosynthetic relations between protoberberine-, benzo[C]phenanthridine- and B-secoprotoberberine type alkaloids were demonstrated by use of (±)-tetrahydrocoptisine-[8,14-³H HCl, (±)-tetrahydrocorysamine-[8,14-³H]HCl and corynoline-[6-³H]HCl in Corydalis incisa, and the following results were presented. (±)-Tetrahydrocoptisine was converted to corynoline, corydalic acid methyl ester and corydamine hydrochloride. (±)-Tetrahydrocorysamine was converted to corynoline and corydalic acid methyl ester. Evidence that N-methyl-3-[6′-(3′,4′-methylenedioxyphenethylalcohol)]-4-methyl-7,8-methylenedioxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-[α-³H] HCl was incorporated into corynoline-[11-³H] indicates the occurrence of the ring fission at C₆-N followed by linking ofthe C₆ and C₁₃ positions in (±)-tetrahydrocoptisine and (±)-tetrahydrocorysamine, and suggests the participation of one of two possible intermediates in the biosynthesis of these alkaloids.     

1-(3,4,5-Trimethoxyphenyl)ethane-1,2-diyl esters,a novel compound class with potent chemoreversal activity

1-(3,4,5-Trimethoxyphenyl)ethane-1,2-diyl esters, which share a fragment from (±)-3′-O-4′-O-bis(3,4-dimethoxycinnamoyl)-cis-khellactone (DMDCK) and 3′R,4′R-disubstituted-2′,2′-dimethyldihydropyrano[2,3-f]chromone (DSP), exhibited remarkable chemoreversal activity on multidrug resistant human nasopharyngeal carcinoma (KB) when combined with three anticancer drugs, paclitaxel, vincristine and doxorubicin. Among 15 novel synthesized analogs, bis-trimethoxybenzoyl derivative 15 was the most active (340-fold more active than verapamil when used with vincristine) followed by two di-cinnamoyl derivatives, 10 and 11, and then di-cyclohexanecarbonyl derivative 9. All aliphatic chain derivatives, 3–5, showed no activity. Structure-activity relationship study indicated that a di-ester structure was critical to enhance the activity resulting from the maintenance of the spatial arrangement proposed by the pharmacophore based on the verapamil-binding site. Further mechanism of action study showed 15 inhibited mainly P-glycoprotein efflux pump function, while 13 exhibited an additional multidrug resistance-associated protein efflux pump function.     

Synthesis of branched-chain,pyrrolidino-sugar derivatives related to apiose

3-C-(Acetamidomethyl)-1,2-O-isopropylidene-β-l-threofuranose (4) and the 3-acetate (5) have been prepared in high yields from mono-O-isopropylidene-d-apiose [3-C-(hydroxymethyl)-1,2-O-isopropylidene-β-l-threofuranose] (1). Acid-catalyzed methanolysis of 4 caused migration of the isopropylidene group and the formation of methyl 4-acetamido-4-deoxy-3-C-(hydroxymethyl)-2,3-O-isopropylidene-β-d-erythrofuranoside (8) in 25% yield. The major product (45%) from the acetolysis of 4 was also a pyrrolidine derivative, namely, 4-acetamido-3-C-(acetoxymethyl)-1-O-acetyl-4-deoxy-2,3-O-isopropylidene-β-d-erythrofuranose (10). Acetolysis of 5 removed the isopropylidene group and gave four acetylated pyrrolidines (isomeric at C-1 and C-2). Conditions which resulted in minimal epimerization at C-2 were established, and the major isomers 12 and 13 were isolated in reasonable yields. ¹H- and ¹³C-n.m.r. data for equilibrium solutions of the pyrrolidines, and for intermediates 1-5, are given.