Kaurane and kaurene diterpenes from the stem bark of Xylopia acutiflora

Four diterpenes were isolated from the stem bark of Xylopia acutiflora and characterized as (?)-kauran-16α-ol, 7,8-acetoxy-(?)-kaur-16-en-19-oic acid, 15-oxo-(?)-kaur-16-en-19-oic acid, and 16α- hydroxy-(?)-kauran-19-oic acid.     

Phytoconstituents from the root of Streptocaulon tomentosum and their chemotaxonomical relevance for separation from S. juventas

A new cardenolide, 17β-H-periplogenin-3-O-β-d-digitoxoside (1), and a new pregnane glycoside, Δ⁵-pregnene-3β,16α-diol-d-O-[2,4-O-diacetyl-β-digitalopyranosyl-(1 → 4)-β-d-cymaropyranoside]-16-O-[β-d-glucopyranoside] (2) were isolated from the roots of Streptocaulon tomentosum (Asclepiadaceae) together with a series of known compounds. Their chemotaxonomic significance for the separation of S. tomentosum from Streptocaulon juventas is discussed, suggesting a rather clear distinction of these species.     

Polyoxygenated ent-kauranes and water-soluble conjugates in seed of Phaseolus coccineus

C-α and C-β, previously isolated from seed of Phaseolus coccineus, are shown respectively to be the bis-O-isopropylidene and the 16,17-mono-O-isopropylidene derivatives of ent-6α,7α,16β,17-tetrahydroxykauranoic acid. By GC-MS characterization of the products of acidic, basic and enzymatic hydrolysis, water soluble conjugates of the following compounds have been shown to occur in P. coccineus seed: GA₈, GA₁₇, GA₂₀, GA₂₈, ent-6α,7α,13-trihydroxykaurenoic acid, ent-6α,7α,17-trihydroxy-16β-kauranoic acid, ent-6α,7α,16β,17-tetrahydroxykauranoic acid, 7β,13-dihydroxykaurenolide and abscisic acid.     

Distribution of unsaturated aliphatic acid amides in japanese Zanthoxylum species

Seven species and two varieties of Zanthoxylum in Japan were investigated for unsaturated aliphatic acid amides. In addition to the known amides α-sanshoöl, γ-sanshoöl and hydroxy-γ-sanshoöl, a new compound, hydroxy-α-sanshoöl, was isolated and established by chemical and spectroscopic evidence. The compounds, corresponding to hydroxyl derivatives of the amides in the barks, commonly existed in the pericarps of all collected materials. Japanese Zanthoxylum species were divided chemotaxonomically into two taxa. These taxa ditter from the two assigned on the basis of botanical classification.     

New diterpene esters from Aleurites fordii fruits

A toxic diterpenoid diester and a monoester were isolated from the fruits of Aleurites fordii. The structure of the monoester was found to be 13-O-acetyl-16-hydroxyphorbol by transforming it into bisdehydrophorbol-(12,20)-diacetate. The structure of the toxic constituent was established as 12-O-palmityl-13-O-acetyl-16-hydroxyphorbol by partial synthesis from the monoester.     

Constituent acids of Pinus radiata stem cutin

Stem cutin from P. radiata seedlings grown under winter and summer environmental conditions comprised n-alkanoic, (C₁₀–C₂₆), α, ω-alkanedioic (C₁₄–C₂₂), ω-hydroxyalkanoic (C₁₂–C₂₄), hydroxy-α, ω-alkanedioic and polyhydroxyalkanoic acids. 9-Hydroxyheptadecane-1, 17-dioic, 9-hydroxyoctadecene-1, 18-dioic, 9-hydroxynonadecane-1, 19-dioic, and 10, 17-dihydroxyheptadecanoic acids are newly-identified constituents of gymnosperm cutin. Cutin grown under winter temperatures and photoperiod contained twice the amount of 9, 16-dihydroxyhexadecanoic acid than that in summer-grown cutin, suggesting that the winter-grown cutin was formed from a highly cross-linked polymer, and that summer-grown cutin contained more linear polyester portions in the polymer.     

Practical synthesis of O-β-d-mannopyranosyl-, O-α-d-mannopyranosyl-, and O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)-O-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→3)-d-galactoses

The koenigs-Knorr glycosylation of 4,6-O-ethylidene-1,2-O-isopropylidene-3-O-(2,3-O-isopropylidene-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl)-α-d-galactopyranose (3) by 4,6-di-O-acetyl-2,3-O-carbonyl-α-d-mannopyranosyl bromide (10), as well as Helferich glycosylations of 3 by tetra-O-acetyl-α-d-mannopyranosyl and -α-d-glucopyranosyl bromides, proceeded smoothly to give high yields of trisaccharide derivatives (12, 16, and 17). An efficient procedure for the transformation of 12, 16, and 17 into the α-deca-acetates of the respective trisaccharides has been developed. Zemplén de-acetylation then afforded the title trisaccharides in yields of 53, 52, and 62 %, respectively, from 3. A new route to 1,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-2,3-O-carbonyl-α-d-mannopyranose is suggested.     

Cycloartane-type glycosides from Astragalus amblolepis

Five cycloartane-type triterpene glycosides were isolated from the methanol extract of the roots of Astragalus amblolepis Fischer along with one known saponin, 3-O-β-D-xylopyranosyl-16-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-3β,6α,16β,24(S),25-pentahydroxy-cycloartane. Structures of the compounds were established as 3-O-β-D-xylopyranosyl-25-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-3β,6α,16β,24(S),25-pentahydroxy-cycloartane, 3-O-[β-D-glucuronopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-β-D-xylopyranosyl]-25-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-3β,6α,16β,24(S),25-pentahydroxy-cycloartane, 3-O-β-D-xylopyranosyl-24,25-di-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-3β,6α,16β,24(S),25-pentahydroxy-cycloartane, 6-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-16,24-di-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-3β,6α,16β,24(S),25-pentahydroxy-cycloartane, 6-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-16,25-di-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-3β,6α,16β,24(S),25-pentahydroxy-cycloartane by using 1D and 2D-NMR techniques and mass spectrometry. To the best of our knowledge, the glucuronic acid moiety in cycloartanes is reported for the first time.     

Phorbol derivatives from Sapium insigne

From an ether extract of the twigs and leaves of Sapium insigne four new diterpene esters were isolated. They were identified as 12-O-(2′E, 4′E-decadienoyl)-4-deoxy-16-hydroxyphorbol-13-acetate, 12-O-hexanoyl-4α-deoxy-phorbol-13-acetate, 12-O-hexanoyl-4α-deoxy-16-hydroxyphorbo-1-13-acetate and 12-O-dodecanoyl-4α-deoxy-16-hydroxyphorbol-13-acetate by spectroscopic and chemical methods.     

Three new cucurbitane triterpenoids from Hemsleya penxianensis and their cytotoxic activities

Two new cucurbitane glycosides, hemslepenside A (1) and 16,25-O-diacetyl-cucurbitacin F-2-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (3), one new cucurbitacin, 16-O-acetyl-cucurbitacin F (2), along with three known cucurbitane compounds, were isolated from the roots of Hemsleya penxianensis. The structures of 1–6 were established on the basis of extensive spectroscopic and chemical methods. The isolated compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxic activities against different three human cancer cell lines, with IC₅₀ values in the low microgram range.     

Anthocyanins and flavonols from the blue flowers of six Meconopsis species in Bhutan

Blue flowers of six Bhutani Meconopsis species, M. bhutanica, M. bella, M. horridula, M. simplicifolia, M. primulina and M. polygonoides, were surveyed for anthocyanins and other flavonoids. Four anthocyanins were isolated and identified as cyanidin 3-O-sambubioside-7-O-glucoside (1), cyanidin 3-O-[xylosyl-(1 → 2)-(6″-malonylglucoside)]-7-O-glucoside (2), cyanidin 3-O-sambubioside (4) and cyanidin 3-O-[xylosyl-(1 → 2)-(6″-malonylglucoside)] (5). On the other hand, 12 flavonols were isolated from their Meconopsis species with various combination and characterized as kaempferol 3-O-glycosides (8–12), kaempferol 3,7-O-glycosides (13–16), quercetin 3-O-glycosides (17 and 18) and isorhamnetin 3-O-glycoside (19). Of six Meconopsis species which were surveyed in this experiment, anthocyanin and flavonol composition of five species except for M. horridula was clarified for the first time. Their Meconopsis species showed the different flavonoid profiles, respectively, and flavonoid diversity within the glycosylation level of Meconopsis flowers were indicated.     

Chemical constituents from the roots of Fallopia multiflora var. Ciliinerve

Phytochemical investigations on the roots of Fallopia multiflora var. Ciliinerve led to the isolation of eighteen compounds, including six chromones [2-methyl-5- carboxymethyl-7-hydroxychromone (1), 2-methyl-5-methylcarboxymethyl-7- hydroxychromone (2), 2,5-dimethyl-7-hydroxychromone (3), 2-methyl-5-hydroxymeth-yl-7-hydroxychromone (4), 2-methyl-5-carboxylicacid-7-hydroxy-chromone (5), and 2,5-dimethyl-7-hydroxychromone-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (6)], three lignans [Isolariciresinol (8), 5-[4-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-2,3-dimethylbutyl]-1,3-benzodioxole (9), and isolariciresinol-9-O-β-D-xylopyranoside (10)], four anthraquinones [physcion-8-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (11), emodin-8-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (12), Rhein (13), and Chrysophanol (14)], three isobenzofurans [5,7-dihydroxy-isobenzofuran (15), 5-methoxy-7-hydroxy-isobenzofuran (16), and 5-methoxy-isobenzofuran-7-O-β-D-glucoside (17)], one phenolic acid [2,5-diacethylhy-droquinone (7)], and one pyran [Zanthopyranone (18)]. Among them, compounds 1, 3, 6, 13 and 14 were reported from F. multiflora var. Ciliinerve for the first time, compounds 2, 8, 10 and 15–17 were isolated from the genus Fallopia for the first time, and compounds 4, 9 and 18 were isolated for the first time from Polygonaceae family. Furthermore, the isolation of compounds 5 and 7 were reported for the first time in plants. Their structures were identified by spectroscopic methods and compared with those previously published. The chemotaxonomic significance of these isolated compounds has also been discussed.     

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.     

Pendulaosides A and B. Two acylated triterpenoid saponins from Harpullia pendula seed extract

Two new acylated triterpenoid saponins named pendulaosides A and B as well as the known phenolic compounds methyl gallate, gallic acid, 1,2,3,6-tera-O-galloyl-β-d-glucose and 1,2,3,4,6-penta-O-galloyl-β-d-glucose, were isolated from the seeds of Harpullia pendula. The structures of pendulaosides A and B were determined using extensive 1D and 2D NMR analysis and mass spectrometry as well as acid hydrolysis, as 3-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→2)-[α-L-arabinofuranosyl-(1→3)]-β-d-glucuronopyranosyl-22-O-angeloyl-3β,16α,22α,24β,28-pentahydroxylolean-12-ene and 3-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→2)-[α-L-arabinofuranosyl-(1→3)]-β-d-glucuronopyranosyl-16-O-(2-methylbutyroyl)-3β,16α,22α,24β,28-pentahydroxylolean-12-ene, respectively. To the best of our knowledge the two triterpene parts 22-O-angeloyl-3β,16α,22α,24β,28-pentahydroxylolean-12-ene and16-O-(2-methylbutyroyl)-3β,16α,22α,24β,28-pentahydroxylolean-12-ene have never been characterized before. The two isolated saponins were assayed for their in-vitro cytotoxic activity against the three human tumor cell lines HepG2, MCF7 and PC3. The results showed that pendulaoside A exhibited moderate activity on PC3 cell line with IC50value equal to 13.0 μM and weak activity on HepG2 cell line with IC50 value equal to 41.0 μM. Pendulaoside B proved to be inactive against the three used cell lines.     

Elaeodendrol and elaeodendradiol,new nor-triterpenes from Elaeodendron glaucum

The isolation of six known and two new D:A-friedooleananes is reported from the bark of Elaeodendron glaucum. The structures of the new nor-triterpenes, elaeodendrol and elaeodendradiol, were established respectively as 17β- hydroxy-28-norfriedelan-3-one and l7β,25-dihydroxy-28-norfriedelan-3-one by a study of the methyl chemical shifts in their ¹H NMR spectra.     

Cycloartane-type glycosides from Astragalus schottianus

Three new cycloartane-type triterpene glycosides were isolated from the roots of Astragalus schottianus Boiss. Their structures were established as 20(R),25-epoxy-3-O-β-d-xylopyranosyl-24-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-3β,6α,16β,24α-tetrahydroxycycloartane (1), 20(R),25-epoxy-3-O-[β-d-glucopyranosyl(1 → 2)]-β-d-xylopyranosyl-24-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-3β,6α,16β,24α-tetrahydroxycycloartane (2), 3-O-β-d-xylopyranosyl-3β,6α,16β,20(S),24(S),25-hexahydroxycycloartane (3) by the extensive use of 1D and 2D-NMR techniques and mass spectrometry.     

Site Mapping and Characterization of O-Glycan Structures on α-Dystroglycan Isolated from Rabbit Skeletal Muscle

The main extracellular matrix binding component of the dystrophin-glycoprotein complex, α-dystroglycan (α-DG), which was originally isolated from rabbit skeletal muscle, is an extensively O-glycosylated protein. Previous studies have shown α-DG to be modified by both O-GalNAc- and O-mannose-initiated glycan structures. O-Mannosylation, which accounts for up to 30% of the reported O-linked structures in certain tissues, has been rarely observed on mammalian proteins. Mutations in multiple genes encoding defined or putative glycosyltransferases involved in O-mannosylation are causal for various forms of congenital muscular dystrophy. Here, we explore the glycosylation of purified rabbit skeletal muscle α-DG in detail. Using tandem mass spectrometry approaches, we identify 4 O-mannose-initiated and 17 O-GalNAc-initiated structures on α-DG isolated from rabbit skeletal muscle. Additionally, we demonstrate the use of tandem mass spectrometry-based workflows to directly analyze glycopeptides generated from the purified protein. By combining glycomics and tandem mass spectrometry analysis of 91 glycopeptides from α-DG, we were able to assign 21 different residues as being modified by O-glycosylation with differing degrees of microheterogeneity; 9 sites of O-mannosylation and 14 sites of O-GalNAcylation were observed with only two sites definitively exhibiting occupancy by either type of glycan. The distribution of identified sites of O-mannosylation suggests a limited role for local primary sequence in dictating sites of attachment.     

Chemical constituents from Gentianella turkestanorum (Gentianaceae)

Phytochemical investigation of Gentianella turkestanorum (Gentianaceae) afforded nineteen compounds, including six xanthones (1–6), two triterpenoids (7–8), eight flavones (9–16) and three iridoids (17–19). Here, we firstly reported that 1-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxyxanthone (4), 1, 8-dihydroxy-3-methoxyxanthone (5), apigenin (9), quercetin (10), luteolin-7-O-glucoside (12) and three other compounds (1, 8-dihydroxy-3-methoxyxanthone (5), apigenin-7-O-gluco (1″ → 3‴) glucoside (15) and luteolin-7-O-gluco (1″ → 3‴) glucoside (16)) could be isolated from G. turkestanorum. The occurrence of chemical data and the sequence data might be employed as common constituents of the genera Gentianella, Lomatogonium and Swertia.     

Neo-clerodane diterpenoids from Teucrium pyrenaicum

From the aerial part of Teucrium pyrenaicum three new neo-clerodane diterpenoids have been isolated. Their structures, 3β-acetoxy-4α,18:12S,2OS: 15,16:19, 2OS-tetraepoxy-neo-cleroda-13(16),14-dien-6-one (teupyrenone), 3β,6α,19-triacetoxy- 4α,18:15,16-diepoxy-neo-cleroda-13(16),14-dien-20,12S-olide (teupyreinin), and 3β, 6α,19,2OS-tetra-acetoxy-4α,18:12S,2OS: 15,16-triepoxy-neo-cleroda-13(16), 14-diene (teupyreinidin), were established mainly by spectroscopic means.     

Estrogenic activity of constituents from the rhizomes of Rheum undulatum Linné

Stilbenes have been reported to be phytoestrogen compounds owing to its structural similarity to the estrogenic agent diethylstilbestrol. To find new stilbene-derivative phytoestrogens, isolation of stilbene-rich R. undulatum was performed and led to identify six new compounds (1–5 and 28), one newly determined absolute configurations compound (27) together with 21 previously reported compounds (6–26). The structures of compounds were determined on the basis of extensive spectroscopic methods including 1D and 2D NMR and CD spectra data. All the isolated compounds were tested for their estrogenic activities in HepG2 cells transiently transfected with ERα, ERβ and ERE-reporter plasmid. Among them, stilbene-derivatives, piceatannol 3′-O-β-d-xylopyranoside (12), cis-rhaponticin (16) and rhapontigenin 3′-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (17), showed the more potent binding affinity for estrogen receptors than 17β-estrodiol.