Three cytotoxic Annonaceous acetogenins from the seeds of Annona squamosa

Three new Annonaceous acetogenins, squamocin-IV (1), squamocin-V (2) and squamoxinone-E (3), together with seven other known Annonaceous acetogenins (4–10) were isolated from the seeds of Annona squamosa. The structures of all of the isolates were established and characterized through spectral and chemical methods. The new Annonaceous acetogenins 1–3 were evaluated for their cytotoxicity against the Hep-G2, SMMC-7721, BEL-7402, BGC-803 and H460 human cancer cell lines. Compound 3 exhibited the best cytotoxic activity, with IC₅₀ values of 0.103, 0.687, 4.19, 0.43 and 6.56 μg/mL, respectively for the cell lines above; meanwhile, Compound 1 showed selective cytotoxic activity against H460, with an IC₅₀ value of 0.049 μg/mL. The first mono-ACG (2) composed of 38 carbons was discovered.     

Annojahnin from Annona jahnii: a possible precursor of mono-tetrahydrofuran acetogenins

A new cytotoxic Annonaceous acetogenin, annojahnin (1), was isolated from the twigs of Annona jahnii (Annonaceae) by bioactivity-directed fractionation using lethality to brine shrimp. Compound 1 represents an unusual type of C–37 Annonaceous acetogenin, lacking either tetrahydrofuran (THF) or epoxide rings, bearing a keto group at C–10, and possessing a double bond located two methylenes away from a vicinal diol. The structure and absolute configuration of 1 were elucidated by ¹H and ¹³C NMR, COSY, and single-relayed COSY and from chemical derivatives. 4-Deoxy-18/21-trans-annomontacin 10-one (4) and 4-deoxy-18/21-cis-annomontacin-10-one (5), two semisynthetic mono-THF acetogenins, were prepared from 1 by reactions that mimic the biogenetic pathways. These acetogenins showed selective cytotoxicities, comparable or superior to adriamycin, among six human solid tumor cell lines. Reduction of the 10-keto of 1, to the racemic 10-OH derivative (3), retained the bioactivities as did the conversion of 1 to 4 and 5.     

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.     

Angkorensides A and B – Two anti-inflammatory acyl glycosides from Gardenia angkorensis

Two new acyl glycosides, angkorensides A and B (1 and 2) together with twelve known compounds including hedyotol C 7″-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (3), proanthocyanidin A-1 (4), (-)-epicatechin (5), (+)-lyoniresinol 3α-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (6), kaempferol-3-O-β-D-galactopyranoside (7), cuneataside E (8), 4-hydroxyacetophenone 4-O-(6′-O-β-D-apiofuranosyl)-β-D-glucopyranoside (9), cinnamtannin B-1 (10), aesculitannin B (11), quercetin 3-O-rham-(1−6)-β-D-galactopyranoside (12), quercetin 3-O-β-D-galactopyranoside (13), and proanthocyanidin A-2 (14) have been unprecedentedly isolated from Gardenia angkorensis Pit. Angkorensides A and B (1 and 2) showed moderate anti-inflammatory inhibitory effects on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitric oxide (NO) production in RAW264.7 macrophages and the known compounds (4, 10-14) exhibited strong 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity.     

A pair of new sesquiterpene isomers containing spiro heterocyclic skeleton from plant-derived fungus Botryosphaeria dothidea

A pair of new sesquiterpene isomers containing a spiro heterocyclic skeleton, dothimes A (1) and B (2), together with six known compounds, quindoline (3), (S)-3-(3-indolyl)lactic acid methyl ester (4), dankasterone B (5), dibutyl phthalate (6), (1S,3R,4R,7S)-3,4-dihydroxy-α-bisabolol (7), and p-hydroxybenzaldehyde (8), were isolated from the plant-derived fungus Botryosphaeria dothidea. The structures of all isolated compounds were determined based on extensive spectroscopic analyses, including 1D/2D nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and high resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HRESIMS) data, as well as by comparison with literature reports. Compounds 1 and 2 exhibited inhibitory effects on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitric oxide (NO) production with IC₅₀ values of 63.66 and 58.29 μM, respectively.     

Chemical constituents from Mentha canadensis

Phytochemical investigation on Mentha canadensis led to the isolation of two new compounds, 3,4-dihydro-3,6,7-trihydroxy-2(1H)-quinolinone (1), (E)-2-methoxy-2- oxethyl-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl) acrylate (2), along with nine known phenolic compounds, syringic acid (3), p-coumaric acid (4), esculetin (5), methyl rosmarinate (6), nepetoidin B (7), syringaresinol (8), methyl ester of caffeoyl glycollic acid (9), 2″,3″-diacetylmartynoside (10) and bracteanolide A (12). Additionally, cis-3-[2-[1-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-1-hydroxymethyl]-1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl]-(E)-2-propenoic acid (11), which was isolated as a natural product for the first time. All these compounds were reported for the first time from this species, and their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic techniques. Compound 11 may be a useful chemotaxonomic marker for M. canadensis. The p-coumaric acid derivatives identified in the present investigation may have chemotaxonomic significance at the generic level.     

Two new flavonol glycosides from the leaves of Cleome viscosa L.

From the leaves of Cleome viscosa L., two new flavonol glycosides, named visconoside A (1) and visconoside B (2), together with six known flavonol glycosides, vincetoxicoside A (3), vincetoxicoside B (4), kaempferitrin (5), kaempferide 3-O-β-d-glucopyranoside 7-O-α-l-rhamnopyranoside (6), kaempferol 3-O-β-d-glucopyranoside 7-O-α-l-rhamnopyranoside (7), and isorhamnetin 3-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (8) were isolated by various chromatography methods. Its chemical structure was elucidated by IR, UV, HR-ESI-MS, NMR 1D and 2D experiments and compared with literatures.     

Characterization of tautomeric limonoids from the fruits of Melia toosendan

Four nimbolinin-type limonoids, 12α/β-1-O-tigloyl-1-O-deacetyl-nimbolinin B (1), 1-deacetylnimbolinin B (2), nimbolinin B (3) and nimbolinin A (4), were isolated from the fruits of Melia toosendan. 1 was a new compound and existed as a mixture of a pair of tautomers, 12α- (1a) and 12β- (1b). The structures of both tautomers were fully determined by extensive spectroscopic methods including UV, IR, NMR and ESI-MS. Tautomeric behaviors and their relative molar ratios in compounds 1–4 were further investigated using optical rotation, TLC, ¹H NMR and HPLC. Equilibrium equation of nimbolinin was proposed accordingly, with 12α- and 12β-isomers interchanging via a 12-hemiacetal intermediate.     

Four new β-lactones from the endophytic Streptomyces sp. T1B1

The detailed investigation of endophytic Streptomyces sp. T1B1 was performed during a search for new structural and active compounds. The strain T1B1 was isolated from the old bast tissue of Taxus yunnanensis and determined to be a member of Streptomyces, according to the 16S rRNA analysis. The extracts from the PDA solid fermentation media of Streptomyces sp. T1B1 were purified and four β-lactones were isolated. They were identified as 4α-(3,5-dihydroxy hexyl)-3α-methyl-2-oxetanone (1), 4α-(3-methyl-4-formyloxy-hexyl)-3α-methyl-2-oxetanone (2), 4α-(3,5-dihydroxy-heptyl)-3α-methyl-2-oxetanone (3) and 4α-(3-methyl-4-formyloxy-heptyl)-3α-methyl-2-oxetanone (4) on the basis of spectral data.     

Isopimarane diterpenes and flavan derivatives from the twigs of Caesalpinia furfuracea

The first phytochemical investigation of Caesalpinia furfuracea twigs led to the isolation and identification of four new compounds including two isopimarane diterpenes, caesalfurfuric acids A (1) and B (2), and two flavans, (2R)-caesalflavans A (5) and B (6), together with four known compounds, 4-epi-isopimaric acid (3), methyl (E)-3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)acrylate (4), (E)-resveratrol (7) and oxyresveratrol (8). Their structures were elucidated by intensive spectroscopic analysis. Compound 1 was found to exhibit antibacterial activity against MRSA SK1 with an MIC value of 16 μg/mL.     

Saponins from Astragalus hareftae (NAB.) SIRJ.

Four cycloartane- (hareftosides A–D) and oleanane-type triterpenoids (hareftoside E) were isolated from Astragalus hareftae along with fifteen known compounds. Structures of the compounds were established as 3,6-di-O-β-d-xylopyranosyl-3β,6α,16β,24(S),25-pentahydroxycycloartane (1), 3,6,24-tri-O-β-d-xylopyranosyl-3β,6α,16β,24(S),25-pentahydroxycycloartane (2), 3-O-β-d-xylopyranosyl-3β,6α,16β,25-tetrahydroxy-20(R),25(S)-epoxycycloartane (3), 16-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-3β,6α,16β,25-tetrahydroxy-20(R),24(S)-epoxycycloartane (4), 3-O-[β-d-xylopyranosyl-(1→2)-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→2)-O-β-d-glucuronopyranosyl]-soyasapogenol B (5) by the extensive use of 1D- and 2D-NMR experiments along with ESI-MS and HR-MS analyses.     

Anti-HBV active constituents from Piper longum

In the screening search for Hepatitis B virus inhibitory agents from medicinal plants, the ethanol extract of Piper longum Linn. was found to possess superior anti-HBV activity in vitro. Bioassay-guided fractionation coupled with repeated purification resulted in the isolation of four new compounds, involving two new glycosides longumosides A (1) and B (2) and two new amide alkaloids erythro-1-[1-oxo-9(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)-8,9-dihydroxy-2E-nonenyl]-piperidine (3), threo-1-[1-oxo-9(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)-8,9-dihydroxy-2E-nonenyl]-piperidine (4), as well as two compounds 3β,4α-dihydroxy-2-piperidinone (5), 5,6-dihydro-2(1H)-pyridinone (6) from natural source for the first time. The structures of the four new compounds were determined by extensive analyses of the MS, IR, 1D and 2D NMR data. Besides, the compounds 2–6, together with the known compounds 7–11 obtained previously, were assayed for their anti-HBV activity by using Hep G 2.2.15 cell line in vitro. Results suggested the compound piperine (7) possessed remarkable inhibitory HBV activity, against the secretion of hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg) and hepatitis B virus e antigen (HBeAg) with the Selectivity Index (SI) values of 15.7 and 16.8, respectively.     

Microbial metabolism of cannflavin A and B isolated from Cannabis sativa

Microbial metabolism of cannflavin A (1) and B (2), two biologically active flavonoids isolated from Cannabis sativa L., produced five metabolites (3–7). Incubation of 1 and 2 with Mucor ramannianus (ATCC 9628) and Beauveria bassiana (ATCC 13144), respectively, yielded 6″S,7″-dihydroxycannflavin A (3), 6″S,7″-dihydroxycannflavin A 7-sulfate (4) and 6″S,7″-dihydroxycannflavin A 4′-O-α-l-rhamnopyranoside (5), and cannflavin B 7-O-β-d-4?-O-methylglucopyranoside (6) and cannflavin B 7-sulfate (7), respectively. All compounds were evaluated for antimicrobial and antiprotozoal activity.     

Alkaloids from the leaves of Isatis indigotica fortune and their chemotaxonomic significance

From the leaves of Isatis indigotica Fortune, one new alkaloid, namely (2E)-N-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-2-(1-hydroxy-3-oxoindolin-2-ylidene) acetamide (1), together with four known ones, such as phaitanthrin D (2), methyl quindoline-11-carboxylate (3), cephalandole B (4) and 2,2-di (3-indolyl)-3-indolone (5) were isolated and identified. The structure of compound 1 was elucidated by means of spectroscopic analysis, including HRESIMS together with 1D and 2D NMR experiments. Compounds 1, 2 and 5 were obtained from this genus for the first time. Chemotaxonomic significance of these compounds is described herein.     

Minor phenolics from Angelica keiskei and their proliferative effects on Hep3B cells

A new coumarin, (?)-cis-(3′R,4′R)-4′-O-angeloylkhellactone-3′-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (1) and two new chalcones, 3′-[(2E)-5-carboxy-3-methyl-2-pentenyl]-4,2′,4′-trihydroxychalcone (4) and (±)-4,2′,4′-trihydroxy-3′-{2-hydroxy-2-[tetrahydro-2-methyl-5-(1-methylethenyl)-2-furanyl]ethyl}chalcone (5) were isolated from the aerial parts of Angelica keiskei (Umbelliferae), together with six known compounds: (R)-O-isobutyroyllomatin (2), 3′-O-methylvaginol (3), (?)-jejuchalcone F (6), isoliquiritigenin (7), davidigenin (8), and (±)-liquiritigenin (9). The structures of the new compounds were determined by interpretation of their spectroscopic data including 1D and 2D NMR data. All known compounds (2, 3, and 6–9) were isolated as constituents of A. keiskei for the first time. To identify novel hepatocyte proliferation inducer for liver regeneration, 1–9 were evaluated for their cell proliferative effects using a Hep3B human hepatoma cell line. All isolates exhibited cell proliferative effects compared to untreated control (DMSO). Cytoprotective effects against oxidative stress induced by glucose oxidase were also examined on Hep3B cells and mouse fibroblast NIH3T3 cells and all compounds showed significant dose-dependent protection against oxidative stress.     

Phenylpropanoid derivatives from Clausena harmandiana fruits

A new phenylpropanoid derivative, harmandianone (1), along with four known compounds: verimol B (2), (E)-3-(2-hydroxy-4-methoxy-phenyl)propanoate (3), (E)-methyl p-coumarate (4), and (E)-5-methoxy-2-(prop-1-enyl)phenol (5) was isolated from the acetone extract of Clausena harmandiana fruits. All structures were characterized by spectroscopic methods (UV, IR, NMR and ESI-TOF-MS). Compounds 1 and 3–5 demonstrated weak antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli TISTR 780, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus SK1, Salmonella typhimurium TISTR 292 and S. aureus TISTR1466, with MIC values between 64 and 128 μg/mL.     

The isolation of two new lanostane triterpenoid derivatives from the edible mushroom Astraeus asiaticus

Two lanostane triterpenoid derivatives, astrasiaone (2), (22S, 25R, 26R)-26-methoxy-22-26-epoxylanost-8-en-3-one, and astrasiate (3), (3α, 22S, 25R)-3, 22-dihydroxylanost-8-en-26 -oate, together with six known compounds, astraodorol (1), artabotryol B (4), artabotryol C1 (5), 6-dehydrocerevisterol (6), ergosterol (7) and hypaphorine (8) were isolated from the edible mushroom Astraeus asiaticus. 3 and 4 exhibited weak cytotoxicity against KB and NCI-H187 cancer cell lines. A comparison of the structures of 2 and 3 to that of 1, 4 and 5 suggest that these two new compounds could be the intermediate form that occurs during biogenesis.     

Diphenyl ether and benzophenone derivatives from the marine mangrove-derived fungus Penicillium sp. MA-37

Further investigation of the marine mangrove-derived fungal strain Penicillium sp. MA-37 led to the isolation of one new benzophenone, iso-monodictyphenone (1), two new diphenyl ether derivatives penikellides A (2) and B (3), and two known analogs monodictyphenone (4) and 6-[2-hydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)-4-methylphenoxy]-2-methoxy-3-(1-methoxy-3-methylbutyl)benzoic acid (5). The structures of these compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic analyses including 1D- and 2D-NMR and mass spectrometry. The brine shrimp lethality and antibacterial activity against five aquaculture pathogens were evaluated.     

Phenylethanoid glycosides from the leaves of Magnolia hodgsonii

Three new phenylethanoid glycosides, 2-(3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl)ethyl 1-O-β-d-allopyranoside (hodgsonialloside A, 1), 2-(3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl)ethyl 1-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 4)-β-d-allopyranoside (hodgsonialloside B, 2) and 2-(3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenyl)ethyl 1-O-β-d-allopyranoside (hodgsonialloside C, 3) were isolated from the leaves of Magnolia hodgsonii in addition to six known compounds, tyrosol 4-O-β-d-xylopyranosyl-(1 → 6)-β-d-glucopyranoside (4), kaempferol 3-O-neohesperidoside (5), kaempferol 3-O-rutinoside (6), kaempferol 3-O-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-[α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 6)]-β-d-glucopyranoside (7), (+)-syringaresinol O-β-d-glucopyranoside (8), and oblongionoside C (9). The structure elucidation of these compounds was based on analyses of physical and spectroscopic data including 1D and 2D NMR experiments.     

Isolation of hopane triterpenes and other constituents from Machaerium brasiliense vogel (Fabaceae)

Phytochemical study of Machaerium brasiliense leaves extract afforded three hopane triterpenes 3,4-seco-21β-H-hop-22 (29)-en-3-oic acid (1), hopenone B (2), hopene B (3). In addition, lupeol (4), stigmasterol (5), β-sitosterol (6), daucosterol (7), uracil (8), allantoin (9) and trans-4-hydroxy-N-methylproline (10) were isolated. The structures of these compounds were established based on spectroscopic data in comparison to those described in literature. Considering the chemotaxonomic relevance of the isolated compounds, this is the first report of triterpenes 1, 2 and 3 in Fabaceae family and compounds 7, 8 and 9 in the genus Machaerium. Besides, preliminary screening on antiproliferative and antioxidant activities was performed for MBEB and its fractions.