Sesquiterpene lactones of Conocephalum conicum

Investigation of the plant growth inhibitory activity of the extract of the liverwort, Conocephalum conicum afforded five sesquiterpene lactones, tulipinolide, zaluzanin C, zaluzanin D, 8α-acetoxyzaluzanin C and 8α-acetoxy-zaluzanin D. The latter two compounds are reported for the first time. Tulipinolide is responsible for the characteristic pungency of the female gametophyte of C. conicum. The guaianolides showed inhibitory activity toward the germination and growth of roots of rice in the husk. The male gametophyte of C. conicum indicated no pungency, showing the lack of tulipinolide.     

Mono- and sesquiterpenoids from Wiesnerella denudata

The characteristic pungency of the liverwort Wiesnerella denudata is due to a germacranolide, tulipinolide. In addition to the previously known sesquiterpene lactones, tulipinolide, zaluzanin C, zaluzanin D, 8α-acetoxyzaluzanin C and 8α-acetoxyzaluzanin D, a novel germacranolide, dihydrotulipinolide with a pseudoaxial configuration of the C-11 methyl bond has been isolated. Inhibitory activity against the germination and growth of roots of rice in the husk is due to the guaianolides. The fragrant odor of W. denudata is responsible for the high content of monoterpenoids, particularly, (+)-bornyl acetate.     

Two guaiane-type sesquiterpene lactones and their related sesquiterpene lactones from Porella japonica

Two new guaiane-type sesquiterpene dilactones, porelladiolide and 3α,4α-epoxyporelladiolide and a new germacranolide, 3β-hydroxycostunolide, together with the previously known germacranolides, guaianolides, pinguisane-type sesquiterpenes, and a sacculatane-type diterpene dialdehyde have been isolated from the liverwort, Porella japonica and their structures have been established by the spectral evidence and some chemical transformations. Porelladiolide, 3α,4α-epoxyporelladiolide and the sesquiterpene with α-methylene γ-lactone group showed inhibitory activity toward the germination and growth of roots of rice in the husk.     

Seven sesquiterpene lactones from Ferreyanthus species

The investigation of two Ferreyanthus species afforded seven germacranolides which have not been isolated previously. Two derivatives of linalol were also present. The structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods. Chemotaxonomic relationships are briefly discussed.     

Ant-repellent sesquiterpene lactones from Eupatorium quadrangularae

The chloroform extract from the leaves of Eupatorium quadrangularae has been systematically fractionated by following biological activity in a bioassay which measures repellency to the leafcutter ant Atta cephalotes (Formicidae, Attini). Several sesquiterpene lactones were isolated, two of which showed significant ant-repellency.     

Two sesquiterpene lactones from Trichogonia gardneri

The structures and stereochemistries of two sesquiterpene lactones from Trichogonia gardneri were established as (6R,7S,8S,9S,IOR)-4E-9,10-dihydroxy-8-tigloxygermacr-4-en-6,12-olide) and (5R*,6R*,7S*,8S*,9R*)-14-acetoxy-3-chloro-9-hydroxy-2-oxo-8-tigloxyguia-1(10),3-dien-6,12-of olide by a combination of NMR spectrometry and X-ray diffraction. The results show that the structures of several sesquiterpene lactones which were isolated previously from related species require revision.     

Glaucolide-like sesquiterpene lactones from Cotula cinerea

The aerial parts of Cotula cinerea gave, in addition to widespread compounds, a characteristic diacetylenic spiroketal enolether and several sesquiterpene lactones, three of them being glaucolide-like lactones. The structures were elucidated by highfield ¹H NMR spectroscopy.     

Further sesquiterpene lactones from Calea and Viguiera species

The aerial parts of Calea clematidea gave three new germacranolides, those of Viguiera procumbens two orizabin derivatives and those of V. linearis dihydrobudlein A. In addition to these lactones, several known ones were isolated.     

Pseudoguaianolides and other sesquiterpene lactones from Gaillardia species

The aerial parts of two Gaillardia species afforded in addition to known sesquiterpene lactones 23 new pseudoguaianolides, two dugaldiolide derivatives and two seco-neopulchellin derivatives. The structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods. Biogenetic relationships are discussed briefly.     

Antifungal activity of sesquiterpene lactones

Forty-five sesquiterpene lactones were screened for their antifungal activities against Microsporum cookei, Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Fusarium sp. The screening tests showed that a majority of sesquiterpene examined possess at least weak antifungal activity, the eudesmanolides being the most active. The antifungal activity of sesquiterpene lactones cannot be explained by the presence or absence of two potential active sites (the exocyclic methylene and, in pseudoguaianolides, a β-unsubstituted cyclopentenonel) but other functions must play a role in enhancing or reducing this activity.     

Structure-antimicrobial activity relationships among the sesquiterpene lactones and related compounds

Thirty-six sesquiterpene lactones and related compounds were evaluated for antimicrobial activity against six strains of bacteria. The results obtained show that the beta unsubstituted cyclopentenone ring moiety contributes to moderate antimicrobial activity against Gram positive bacteria. The corresponding saturated compounds gave a more than ten-fold decrease in activity. The significant antimicrobial activity appears to be independent of the presence or absence of an α-methylene-γ-lactone moiety. A more than ten-fold diminution in antimicrobial activity was also observed when the beta position of the cyclopentenone ring was substituted. A similar result was found when the beta unsubstituted enone system was present in a six-membered ring. Enhanced activity was obtained by esterification of the hydroxyl group of helenalin as well as epoxidation of mexicanin-A.     

Diterpenes and sesquiterpene lactones from Mikania congesta

The chloroform extract of the aerial parts of Mikania congesta, afforded four new geranylnerol derivatives, new analogs of deoxyelephantopin, a new melampolide and several known compounds. Structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods and chemical transformations.     

Two sesquiterpene lactones of Calea ternifolia var. Calyculata

Chemical analysis of Calea ternifolia var. calyculata yielded the known sesquiterpene lactone calein A, as well as two new modified heliangolid     

New sesquiterpene lactones from Artemisia herba alba

The structures of herbolides A, B and C, new sesquiterpene lactones isolated from Artermisia herba alba, were determined by chemical and spectroscopic methods.     

Hirsutinolides and other sesquiterpene lactones from Vernonia species

The investigation of Vernonia compactiflora afforded in addition to known compounds a hirsutinolide and a glaucolide; the latter is most probably the direct precursor of the former. The aerial parts of V. monocephala contain the same hirsutinolide as well as the corresponding acetate, while those of V. chalybaea afforded glaucolide B. A reinvestigation of the aerial parts of V. cotoneaster gave in addition to the allenic lactone isolated before two further known ones as well as a new glaucolide. The structures of the lactones were elucidated by spectroscopic methods and some chemical transformations. The erroneously assigned stereochemistry at C-10 in the hirsutinolides has been revised. The biogenetic relationship of the Vernonia lactones is discussed briefly.     

Anticancer sesquiterpene lactones of Michelia compressa (magnoliaceae)

Investigation of the cytotoxic active components of Michelia compressa afforded two new cytotoxic sesquiterpene lactones, michelenolide and micheliolide. Parthenolide, costunolide, santamarine, reynosin and liriodenine were also isolated and exhibited cytotoxic activity. The known sesquiterpene lactones, lanuginolide and dihydroparthenolide, were isolated but were not active. Two other new inactive sesquiterpene lactones, compressanolide and dihydroreynosin, were also obtained. The structures of michelenolide and micheliolide were confirmed by partial synthesis from parthenolide and the structure of compressanolide by partial synthesis from dihydroparthenolide.     

Sesquiterpene lactones from Viguiera deltoidea

Three sesquiterpene lactones, 2′,3′-dihydroniveusin-A, 2′,3′-dihydroniveusin-B and 3-acetylchamissonin, were isolated from the dichloromethane extract of leaves of Viguiera deltoidea. The structures were established on the basis of physical and spectroscopic data and that of 3-acetylchamissonin was also confirmed by X-ray analysis.     

Ineupatorolide-like sesquiterpene lactones from Dittrichia viscosa

Dittrichia viscosa afforded, in addition to known compounds, minute amounts of nine sesquiterpene lactones, all closely related to ineupatorolide B     

Deterrent activity of sesquiterpene lactones from the umbelliferae against storage pests

The deterrent activity of eight native sesquiterpene lactones isolated from the species Laserpitium siler L., L. archangelica Wulf. and Laser trilobum (L.) Borkh. and one synthetically prepared lactone have been tested against selected storage pest insects. All nine lactones under investigation showed deterrent activity differing according to their structure.     

Minor sesquiterpene lactones of Helianthus pumilus

The isolation of four known and two new germacradienolides and one known heliangolide from Helianthus pumilus, in addition to the previously report