Alkaloids of the leaves of Glycosmis bilocularis

Six alkaloids have been isolated from the leaves of Glycosmis bilocularis, 5 of which are known compounds viz. arborine, arborinine, glycorine, kokusaginine and skimmianine, all previously isolated from other species of Glycosmis. The sixth alkaloid was identified as 1,5-dihydroxy-2,3-dimethoxy-10-methyl-9-acridone (5-hydroxy-arborinine).     

Dimeric hydroanthracenes from the unripe seeds of Cassia torosa

From the unripe seeds of Cassia torosa three new dimeric hydroanthracene derivatives were isolated along with stigmasterol, sitosterol, campesterol, physcion-9-anthrone, torosachyrsone and the phlegmacins A₂ and B₂. The structures of the new derivatives were established as physcion-10, 10′-bianthrone, anhydrophlegmacin B₂ [2-(6′-methoxy-3′-methyl-3′, 8′, 9′-trihydroxy-1′-oxo-1′, 2′, 3′, 4′-tetrahydroanthracene-10′-yl)-1, 8-dihydroxy-3-methoxy-6-methyl-9-oxo-9, 10-dihydroanthracene] and torosanin [2-(6′-methoxy-3′-methyl-3′, 8′,9′-trihydroxy-1′-oxo-1′, 2′, 3′,4′-tetrahydroanthracene-5′-yl)-1, 8-dihydroxy-3-methoxy-6-methyl-9-oxo-9, 10-dihydroanthracene], respectively.     

Thymol derivatives from schizogyne glaberrima

An investigation of Schizogyne glaberrima afforded in addition to known compounds 3-(acetoxy-methyl)-6-methyl-5-methoxy-benzofuran,10-acctoxy-8,9-epoxy-6-methoxy-thymol isobutyrate, 10-acetoxy-8-hydroxy-9-isobutyryloxy-6-methoxy-thymol,8-hydroxy-9,10-isobutyryloxy-thymol and 8,10-dihydroxy-9-isobutyryloxy-thymol, five new thymol derivatives, 8-ethoxy-9-isobutyryloxy-thymol, 10-acetoxy-8,9-dehydro-6-methoxy-thymol isobutyrate, 6-acetoxy-8,9-dehydro-9-carbomethoxy-10-hydroxy-thymol and 8,9-dihydroxy-10-isobutyryloxy-6-methoxy-thymol.     

A fluorescence assay for 4'-(9-acridinylamino)methanesulfon-m-anisidide, a new antitumor agent.

A sensitive fluorescent method is described for the detection of 4′-(9-acridinylamino)-methanesulfon-m-anisidide (AMSA) in serum. The assay is based on the alkaline hydrolysis of AMSA into 9(10H)-acridone. While AMSA has negligible fluorescence, 9(10H)-acridone fluoresces brilliantly (excitation 266 nm, emission 470 nm). The assay is shown to be linear from 0.01 to 1.0 μm. In addition, the assay is shown to be useful, in conjunction with an ethyl acetate extraction, in distinguishing serum levels of parent AMSA from metabolized or protein-bound AMSA.     

Oxanthrone esters from the aerial parts of Cassia kleinii

From the aerial parts of Cassia kleinii two new oxanthrone esters, kleinioxanthrone-1 and kleinioxanthrone-2 have been isolated. Their structures were established as 1,8-dihydroxy-3-methyl-6-methoxy-9(10H)-anthracenone-10-oxydecanoate 1 and 1,8-dihydroxy-3-methyl-9(10H)-anthracenone-10-oxytetradecanoate 2 respectively based on degradative and spectroscopic evidence.     

In vitro cytotoxic activity of isolated acridones alkaloids from Zanthoxylum leprieurii Guill. et Perr

Chemical investigation of the roots and fruits of Zanthoxylum leprieurii Guill. et Perr. led to the isolation of three new alkaloids including two acridone derivatives, 3-hydroxy-1,4-dimethoxy-10-methyl-9-acridone (2) and 3-hydroxy-1,2-dimethoxy-10-methyl-9-acridone (3) named helebelicine A and B, respectively, and one secobenzo[c]phenantridine, 10-O-demethyl-12-O-methylarnottianamide (10), together with thirteen other compounds. The structures of compounds 2, 3 and 10 as well as those of the known compounds were elucidated by using spectroscopic methods and by comparison with reported data. The brine-shrimp (artemia salina) lethality bioassay of the chloroform extract of the fruits showed modest cytotoxicity with LD₅₀ at 13.1 μg/mL. Isolated compounds 1, 4–6 were found to be moderately active against lung carcinoma cells (A549), colorectal adenocarcinoma cells (DLD-1) and normal cells (WS1) with IC₅₀ values ranging from 27 to 77 μM. In contrast to the positive control etoposide used, the cytotoxicity of the most active compound 4 was found to be selective against cancer cells in comparison to normal cells WS1 with IC₅₀ of 51 ± 8 μM and 4.3 ± 0.4 μM, respectively.     

Lipophilic C-methylflavonoids with no B-ring oxygenation in Metrosideros species (Myrtaceae)

Five unusual C-methylflavonoids lacking B-ring oxygenation (2′,4′-dihydroxy-3′,5′-dimethyl-6′-methoxychalcone, 2′,4′-dihydroxy-3′-methyl-6′-methoxychalcone, 2′,6′-dihydroxy-3′-methyl-4′-methoxychalcone, 2′-hydroxy-3′-methyl-4′,6′-dimethoxychalcone and 5,7-dihydroxy-6,8-dimethylflavanone) were found for the first time in Metrosideros excelsa. The flavanone was the major constituent in leaves, whereas 2′,6′-dihydroxy-3′-methyl-4′-methoxychalcone dominated all other aerial plant parts studied. Other Metrosideros species were investigated for these five flavonoids. C₁₉–C₃₆ aldehydes and C₂₂–C₃₂ alcohols were also identified from the dried seed capsules of M. excelsa.     

Post-infectional metabolites from infected potato tubers

The C-1′ epimers of the sesquiterpenoids 2-(1′,2′-dihydroxy-1′-methylethyl)-6,10-dimethylspiro[4,5]dec-6,9-dien-8-one and 2-(1′,2′-dihydroxy-1′-methylethyl)-6,10-dimethyl-9-hydroxyspiro[4,5]dec-6-en-8-one were isolated from potato tubers infected with Phoma foveata and Fusarium spp., in addition to 4,4a,5,6,7-hexahydro-3-hydroxy-6-(1′,2′-dihydroxy-1′-methylethyl)-4-methyl-2(3H)-naphthalenone, N-trans-p-coumaroyl tyramine and N-trans-feruloyl tyramine. Three of the compounds are novel.     

Chromones from the tubers of Eranthis cilicica and their antioxidant activity

Chemical studies on the constituents of Eranthis cilicica led to isolation of ten chromone derivatives, two of which were previously known. Comprehensive spectroscopic analysis, including extensive 1D and 2D NMR data, and the results of enzymatic hydrolysis allowed the chemical structures of the compounds to be assigned as 8,11-dihydro-5-hydroxy-2,9-dihydroxymethyl-4H-pyrano[2,3-g][1]benzoxepin-4-one, 5,7-dihydroxy-8-[(2E)-4-hydroxy-3-methylbut-2-enyl]-2-methyl-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one, 5,7-dihydroxy-2-hydroxymethyl-8-[(2E)-4-hydroxy-3-methylbut-2-enyl]-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one, 7-[(β-d-glucopyranosyl)oxy]-5-hydroxy-8-[(2E)-4-hydroxy-3-methylbut-2-enyl]-2-methyl-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one, 7-[(β-d-glucopyranosyl)oxy]-5-hydroxy-2-hydroxymethyl-8-[(2E)-4-hydroxy-3-methylbut-2-enyl]-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one, 9-[(O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→6)-β-d-glucopyranosyl)oxy]methyl-8,11-dihydro-5,9-dihydroxy-2-methyl-4H-pyrano[2,3-g][1]benzoxepin-4-one, 8,11-dihydro-5,9-dihydroxy-9-hydroxymethyl-2-methyl-4H-pyrano[2,3-g][1]benzoxepin-4-one, and 7-[(O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→6)-β-d-glucopyranosyl)oxy]methyl-4-hydroxy-5H-furo[3,2-g][1]benzopyran-5-one, respectively. The isolated compounds were evaluated for their antioxidant activity.     

Oxanthrone esters from the roots of Cassia kleinii

From the roots of Cassia kleinii two new oxanthrone esters, kleinioxanthrone-3 and kleinioxanthrone-4 have been isolated. Their structures were established as 1,8-dihydroxy-3-methyl-9(10H)-anthracenone-10-oxyhexadecanoate 3 and 2,6,7-trihydroxy-1,8-dimethoxy-3-methyl-9(10H)-anthracenone-10-oxydecanoate 4 respectively based on degradative and spectroscopic evidence.     

The neolignans of Licaria canella

The trunk wood of Licaria canella contains, besides dillapiol and elemicin, the neolignans canellin-A, -B and -C, for which the respective structures of 1-allyl-4,8-dihydroxy-3,5-dimethoxy-7-methyl-6-piperonylbicyclo-[3,2,1]octane; 3a-allyl-4,5-dimethoxy-3-methyl-2-piperonyl-2,3,3a,6,7,7a-hexahydro-6-oxobenzofuran and 1-allyl-4,8-dihydroxy-5-methoxy-7-methyl-6-piperonyl-3-oxobicyclo-[3,2,1] octane are proposed.     

Sesquiterpene lactone from Salmalia malbarica

A new cadalane type sesquiterpenoid, 1, 6-dihydroxy-3-methyl-5-(1-methylethyl)-7-methoxy-8-carboxylic acid (8 → 1 lactone) has been isolated from a 50% aqueous methanolic extract of 6–9 months old cultivated roots of Salmalia malbarica (Bombax malbaricum).     

Conversion of DOPA to tetrahydroisoquinolines and stizolobic acid in a callus culture of Stizolobium hassjoo

Isolation and identification of l-3-carboxy-6,7-dihydroxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline and l-1-methyl-3-carboxy-6,7-dihydroxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline from seeds and callus of S. hassjoo are described. Administration of [β-¹⁴C]-labelled DOPA to a callus culture of this legume resulted in the incorporation of radioactivity into l-3-carboxy-6,7-dihydroxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline, l-1-methyl-3-carboxy-6,7-dihydroxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline and stizolobic acid, which was confirmed by constant specific radioactivity after co-crystallization with authentic samples of each compound.     

Steroidal constituents of Solanum xanthocarpum

From the extract of the fruits of Solanum xanthocarpum (Solanaceae), five new steroidal compounds were isolated and characterized: 4α-methyl-24ξ-ethyl-5α-cholest-7-en-3β,22ξ-diol (1), 3β,22ξ-dihydroxy-4α-methyl-24ξ-ethyl-5α-cholest-7-en-6-one (2), 3β-benzoxy-14β,22ξ-dihydroxy-4α-methyl-24ξ-ethyl-5α-cholest-7-en-6-one (3), 3β-benzoxy-14α,22ξ-dihydroxy-4α-methyl-24ξ-ethyl-5α-cholest-7-en-6-one (4) and 3β-(p-hydroxy)-benzoxy-22ξ-hydroxy-4α-methyl-24ξ-ethyl-5α-cholest-7-en-6-one (5).     

Canarion,ein neues naphthochinon aus Usnea canariensis

The structure of canarione, a new naphthoquinone from the lichens Usnea canariensis and U. hookeri was elucidated by UV, ¹H-NMR, ¹³C-NMR, mass spectrometry, and chemical degradation as 5,8-dihydroxy-2-methyl-4H-naphtho [2,3b]-pyran-4,6,9 (6H, 9H)- trione.     

Acylphloroglucinol and xanthones from Hypericum ellipticum

An acylphloroglucinol, elliptophenone A, and two xanthones, elliptoxanthone A and elliptoxanthone B, were isolated from the aerial portions of Hypericum ellipticum together with three known xanthones, 1,3,7-trihydroxy-8-(3-methyl-2-butenyl)-9H-xanthen-9-one, 1,6-dihydroxy-4-methoxy-9H-xanthen-9-one, and 1,4,5-trihydroxy-9H-xanthen-9-one. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic analyses. The acylphloroglucinol and xanthones were evaluated for cytotoxicity using three human colon cancer cell lines cell lines (HT-29, HCT-116 and Caco-2) and a normal human colon cell line (CCD-18Co).     

Anthraquinones from Cassia sophera root bark

Two new anthraquinones have been isolated from the root bark of Cassia sophera and characterized as 1,8-dihydroxy-3,6-dimethoxy-2-methyl-7-vinylanthraquinone and 1,3-dihydroxy-5,7,8-trimethoxy-2-methylanthraquinone.     

Oxanthrone C-glycosides and epoxynaphthoquinol from the roots of Rumex japonicus

Five oxanthrone C-glycosides, namely rumejaposide A-E, and an epoxynaphthoquinol, together with eight known compounds, 2,6-dihydroxy benzoic acid, 4-hydroxy benzoic acid, epicatechin, 4-hydroxy-3-methoxy benzoic acid, 2,6-dimethoxy-4-hydroxyl benzoic acid, rutin, emodin and 2-acetyl-1,8-dihydroxy-3-methyl-6-methoxynaphthalene, were isolated from the roots of Rumex japonicus. The structures of the oxanthrone C-glycosides were elucidated by application of spectroscopic methods as (10R)10-C-beta-glucopyranosyl-1,8,10-trihydroxy-2-carboxyl-3-methyl-9(10H)-anthracenone, (10S)10-C-beta-glucopyranosyl-1,8,10-trihydroxy-2-carboxyl-3-methyl-9(10H)-anthracenone, (10R)10-C-beta-glucopyranosyl-1,6,8,10-tetrahydroxy-2-carboxyl-3-methyl-9(10H)-anthracenone, (10R)10-C-beta-glucopyranosyl-1,6,8,10-tetrahydroxy-3-hydroxymethyl-9(10H)-anthracenone, and (10R)10-C-beta-glucopyranosyl-1,6,8,10-tetrahydroxy-3-methyl-9(10H)-anthracenone. Absolute configurations for each compound were deduced by analyses of CD spectra and comparison with those known similar compounds. The structure of epoxynaphthoquinol was elucidated by spectroscopic methods as 3-acetyl-2-methyl-1,4,5-trihydroxy-2,3-epoxynaphthoquinol, and its relative configuration was determined by a 2D-ROESY experiment.     

Terpenoids from Tripterygium wilfordii var. regelii

The methanol extract of dried stem barks of Tripterygium wilfordii Hook fil. var regelii afforded two new triterpenes: 22-hydroxy-3, 19,24-trinor-D:A-friedoolenane-1(10), 5, 7-triene-2-oic acid methyl ester, named regelone, and 3-methyl-23-ol-oxotingenol; a new diterpene—8β, 19-dihydroxy-3-oxopimar- 15-ene; and three known triterpenes-3-methyl-22-β, 23-diol-6-oxotingenol, tingenin B and cangoronin. Their structures were established on the basis of chemical and spectroscopic studies. ©1997 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved     

Structure and synthesis of atalaphylline and related alkaloids

The structure of atalaphylline, (1; 1,3,5-trihydroxy-4-(γ,γ-dimethylallyl)acridone an alkaloid of Atalantia monophylla, was confirmed by oxidative degradation and by total synthesis. The synthesis involved the preparation of 1,3,5-trihydroxy-9-acridone followed by direct prenylation to give atalaphylline and a monoprenylated product.