New Isoprenylated 2‐Arylbenzofurans and Pancreatic Lipase Inhibitory Constituents from Artocarpus nitidus

Two new isoprenylated 2‐arylbenzofurans, artonitidin A (=(2′R)‐2′,3′‐dihydro‐2′‐(1‐hydroxy‐1‐methylethyl)‐5′,7‐bis(3‐methylbut‐2‐en‐1‐yl)‐2,4′‐bi‐1‐benzofuran‐6,6′‐diol; 1 ) and artonitidin B (=5‐[6‐hydroxy‐7‐(3‐methylbut‐2‐en‐1‐yl)‐1‐benzofuran‐2‐yl]‐4‐(3‐methylbut‐2‐en‐1‐yl)benzene‐1,3‐diol; 2 ), together with 14 known compounds, 3 – 16 , were isolated from the stems of Artocarpus nitidus Trec. The structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods. Norartocarpin ( 3 ), cudraflavone C ( 5 ), brosimone I ( 8 ), artotonkin ( 11 ), albanin A ( 13 ), and artopetelin M ( 14 ) showed inhibitory effects on pancreatic lipase with IC₅₀ values ranging from 1.8±0.1 to 63.8±3.6 μM .     

Synthesis of a Natural Chalcone and Its Prenyl Analogs – Evaluation of Tumor Cell Growth‐Inhibitory Activities,and Effects on Cell Cycle and Apoptosis

Six prenyl (=3‐methylbut‐2‐en‐1‐yl) chalcones (=1,3‐diphenylprop‐2‐en‐1‐ones), 2 – 7 , and one natural non‐prenylated chalcone, 1 , have been synthesized and evaluated for their in vitro growth‐inhibitory activity against three human tumor cell lines. A pronounced dose‐dependent growth‐inhibitory effect was observed for all prenylated derivatives, except for 7 . The chalcone possessing one prenyloxy group at C(2′), i.e., 2 , was the most active derivative against the three human tumor cell lines (5.9<GI₅₀<7.7 μM ). The majority of compounds caused an increase in percentage of apoptotic cells and/or they interfered with cell cycle distribution in the MCF‐7 cell line.     

Further Thymol Derivatives from Ageratina cylindrica

From the leaves of Ageratina cylindrica, in addition to the described [(2S)‐2‐{4‐formyl‐5‐hydroxy‐2‐[(2‐methylpropanoyl)oxy]phenyl}oxiran‐2‐yl]methyl benzoate (cylindrinol A, 8 ), seven new thymol derivatives were isolated and named cylindrinols B – H ( 1 – 7 ). The structures of these compounds were established as (2‐{4‐(hydroxymethyl)‐2‐[(2‐methylpropanoyl)oxy]phenyl}oxiran‐2‐yl)methyl benzoate ( 1 ), (2‐{4‐formyl‐2‐[(2‐methylpropanoyl)oxy]phenyl}oxiran‐2‐yl)methyl benzoate ( 2 ), (2‐{4‐[(acetyloxy)methyl]‐2‐[(2‐methylpropanoyl)oxy]phenyl}oxiran‐2‐yl)methyl benzoate ( 3 ), [2‐(2‐[(2‐methylpropanoyl)oxy]‐4‐{[(2‐methylpropanoyl)oxy]methyl}phenyl)oxiran‐2‐yl]methyl benzoate ( 4 ), [2‐(5‐hydroxy‐2‐[(2‐methylpropanoyl)oxy]‐4‐{[(2‐methylpropanoyl)oxy]methyl}phenyl)oxiran‐2‐yl]methyl benzoate ( 5 ), 2‐{4‐(hydroxymethyl)‐2‐[(2‐methylpropanoyl)oxy]phenyl}prop‐2‐en‐1‐yl benzoate ( 6 ), and 2‐hydroxy‐2‐[2‐hydroxy‐4‐(hydroxymethyl)‐phenyl]‐3‐[(2‐methylpropanoyl)oxy]propyl benzoate ( 7 ), by spectroscopic means. Compounds 1 showed moderate antiprotozoal activity on both protozoa. Compounds 4 and 5 showed selectivity on Giardia lamblia trophozoites. All isolated compounds were less active than two antiprotozoal drugs, metronidazole and emetine, used as positive controls. Compound 5 exhibited a high inhibitory effect on hyperpropulsive movement of the small intestine in rats; its effect was best than loperamide, antidiarrheal drug used as a positive control.     

Redox‐Active Phenolic Compounds Mediate the Cytotoxic and Antioxidant Effects of Carpodesmia tamariscifolia (=Cystoseira tamariscifolia)

Carpodesmia tamariscifolia is a brown alga rich in (poly)phenols with important cytotoxic and antioxidant effects. However, the relationship between its chemical composition and its effects is unknown. The aim of this study is to identify the potential compounds and mechanisms responsible for its main effects. The alga was extracted consecutively with hexane, dichloromethane and methanol and further fractionated using Sephadex LH‐20 and silica gel columns when appropriate. The fractions were subjected to thin‐layer chromatography and liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry analysis and evaluated for their total phenolic content (Folin‐Ciocalteu assay), radical scavenging activity (DPPH assay), cytotoxic activity (MTT assay on the SH‐SY5Y cell line), and ability to generate H₂O₂ (Amplex Red assay). Chromatographic and phenolic analyses of the fractions indicate that abundant redox‐active phenols are present in all the fractions and that a high amount of prenylated hydroquinone derivatives is present in the apolar ones. In the hexane and dichloromethane fractions, the cytotoxic and antioxidant activities are closely related to their phenolic content, whereas in the methanol fractions, the cytotoxicity is negatively related to the phenolic content and the antioxidant activity is positively related to it. In the same tests, hydroquinone behaves as both strong cytotoxic and antioxidant agent. H₂O₂ assay shows that C. tamariscifolia fractions and hydroquinone can autoxidize and generate H₂O₂. Our results suggest that redox‐active phenols produce the pharmacological effects described for C. tamariscifolia and that the hydroquinone moiety of prenylated hydroquinone derivatives is responsible for both cytotoxic (through a pro‐oxidant mechanism secondary to its autoxidation) and antioxidant effects of the apolar fractions.     

A Novel Dimeric Coumarin Analog and Antimycobacterial Constituents from Fatoua pilosa

One novel dimeric coumarin analog, fatouapilosin ( 1 ), together with 18 known compounds, have been isolated from the whole plants of Fatoua pilosa. The structures of these isolates were elucidated by means of spectroscopic techniques (UV, IR, MS, ¹H‐ and ¹³C‐NMR, DEPT, COSY, NOESY, HSQC, HMBC, and MS analyses). Among the tested compounds 2 – 14 , scopoletin ( 3 ), isobavachalcone ( 12 ), and (E)‐1‐[2,4‐dihydroxy‐3‐(3‐methylbut‐2‐enyl)phenyl]‐3‐(2,2‐dimethyl‐8‐hydroxy‐2H‐benzopyran‐6‐yl)prop‐2‐en‐1‐one ( 14 ) exhibited the strongest antimycobacterial activities against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H₃₇Rv, with MIC values of 42, 18, and 30 μg/ml, respectively.     

Design and Synthesis of Novel Arylisoxazole‐Chromenone Carboxamides: Investigation of Biological Activities Associated with Alzheimer's Disease

A novel series of hybrid arylisoxazole‐chromenone carboxamides were designed, synthesized, and evaluated for their cholinesterase (ChE) inhibitory activity based on the modified Ellman's method. Among synthesized compounds, 5‐(3‐nitrophenyl)‐N‐{4‐[(2‐oxo‐2H‐1‐benzopyran‐7‐yl)oxy]phenyl}‐1,2‐oxazole‐3‐carboxamide depicted the most acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activity (IC₅₀=1.23 μm ) and 5‐(3‐chlorophenyl)‐N‐{4‐[(2‐oxo‐2H‐1‐benzopyran‐7‐yl)oxy]phenyl}‐1,2‐oxazole‐3‐carboxamide was found to be the most potent butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) inhibitor (IC₅₀=9.71 μm ). 5‐(3‐Nitrophenyl)‐N‐{4‐[(2‐oxo‐2H‐1‐benzopyran‐7‐yl)oxy]phenyl}‐1,2‐oxazole‐3‐carboxamide was further investigated for its BACE1 inhibitory activity as well as neuroprotectivity and metal chelating ability as important factors involved in onset and progress of Alzheimer's disease. It could inhibit BACE1 by 48.46 % at 50 μm . It also showed 6.4 % protection at 25 μm and satisfactory chelating ability toward Zn²⁺, Fe²⁺, and Cu²⁺ ions. Docking studies of 5‐(3‐nitrophenyl)‐N‐{4‐[(2‐oxo‐2H‐1‐benzopyran‐7‐yl)oxy]phenyl}‐1,2‐oxazole‐3‐carboxamide and 5‐(3‐chlorophenyl)‐N‐{4‐[(2‐oxo‐2H‐1‐benzopyran‐7‐yl)oxy]phenyl}‐1,2‐oxazole‐3‐carboxamide confirmed desired interactions with those amino acid residues of the AChE and BChE, respectively.     

Cytotoxic Oleanane‐Type Saponins from the Leaves of Albizia anthelmintica Brongn.

Two new oleanane‐type saponins: β‐d ‐xylopyranosyl‐(1 → 4)‐6‐deoxy‐α‐l ‐mannopyranosyl‐(1 → 2)‐1‐O‐{(3β)‐28‐oxo‐3‐[(2‐O‐β‐d ‐xylopyranosyl‐β‐d ‐glucopyranosyl)oxy]olean‐12‐en‐28‐yl}‐β‐d ‐glucopyranose ( 1 ) and 1‐O‐[(3β)‐28‐oxo‐3‐{[β‐d ‐xylopyranosyl‐(1 → 2)‐α‐l ‐arabinopyranosyl‐(1 → 6)‐2‐acetamido‐2‐deoxy‐β‐d ‐glucopyranosyl]oxy}olean‐12‐en‐28‐yl]β‐d ‐glucopyranose ( 2 ), along with two known saponins: (3β)‐3‐[(β‐d ‐Glucopyranosyl‐(1 → 2)‐β‐d ‐glucopyranosyl)oxy]olean‐12‐en‐28‐oic acid ( 3 ) and (3β)‐3‐{[α‐l ‐arabinopyranosyl‐(1 → 6)‐[β‐d ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1 → 2)]‐β‐d ‐glucopyranosyl]oxy}olean‐12‐en‐28‐oic acid ( 4 ) were isolated from the acetone‐insoluble fraction obtained from the 80% aqueous MeOH extract of Albizia anthelmintica Brongn . leaves. Their structures were identified using different NMR experiments including: ¹H‐ and ¹³C‐NMR, HSQC, HMBC and ¹H,¹H‐COSY, together with HR‐ESI‐MS/MS, as well as by acid hydrolysis. The four isolated saponins and the fractions of the extract exhibited cytotoxic activity against HepG‐2 and HCT‐116 cell lines. Compound 2 showed the most potent cytotoxic activity among the other tested compounds against the HepG2 cell line with an IC₅₀ value of 3.60μm . Whereas, compound 1 showed the most potent cytotoxic effect with an IC₅₀ value of 4.75μm on HCT‐116 cells.     

Toxicity of Thiophenes from Echinops transiliensis (Asteraceae) against Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) Larvae

Structure? activity relationships of nine thiophenes, 2,2′: 5′,2″‐terthiophene ( 1 ), 2‐chloro‐4‐[5‐(penta‐1,3‐diyn‐1‐yl)thiophen‐2‐yl]but‐3‐yn‐1‐yl acetate ( 2 ), 4‐(2,2′‐bithiophen‐5‐yl)but‐3‐yne‐1,2‐diyl diacetate ( 3 ), 4‐[5‐(penta‐1,3‐diyn‐1‐yl)thiophen‐2‐yl]but‐3‐yne‐1,2‐diyl diacetate ( 4 ), 4‐(2,2′‐bithiophen‐5‐yl)‐2‐hydroxybut‐3‐yn‐1‐yl acetate ( 5 ), 2‐hydroxy‐4‐[5‐(penta‐1,3‐diyn‐1‐yl)thiophen‐2‐yl]but‐3‐yn‐1‐yl acetate ( 6 ), 1‐hydroxy‐4‐[5‐(penta‐1,3‐diyn‐1‐yl)thiophen‐2‐yl]but‐3‐yn‐2‐yl acetate ( 7 ), 4‐(2,2′‐bithiophen‐5‐yl)but‐3‐yne‐1,2‐diol ( 8 ), and 4‐[5‐(penta‐1,3‐diyn‐1‐yl)thiophen‐2‐yl]but‐3‐yne‐1,2‐diol ( 9 ), isolated from the roots of Echinops transiliensis, were studied as larvicides against Aedes aegypti. Structural differences among compounds 3, 5 , and 8 consisted in differing AcO and OH groups attached to C(3″) and C(4″), and resulted in variations in efficacy. Terthiophene 1 showed the highest activity (LC₅₀, 0.16 μg/ml) among compounds 1 – 9 , followed by bithiophene compounds 3 (LC₅₀, 4.22 μg/ml), 5 (LC₅₀, 7.45 μg/ml), and 8 (LC₅₀, 9.89 μg/ml), and monothiophene compounds 9 (LC₅₀, 12.45 μg/ml), 2 (LC₅₀, 14.71 μg/ml), 4 (LC₅₀, 17.95 μg/ml), 6 (LC₅₀, 18.55 μg/ml), and 7 (LC₅₀, 19.97 μg/ml). These data indicated that A. aegypti larvicidal activities of thiophenes increase with increasing number of thiophene rings, and the most important active site in the structure of thiophenes could be the tetrahydro‐thiophene moiety. In bithiophenes, 3, 5 , and 8 , A. aegypti larvicidal activity increased with increasing number of AcO groups attached to C(3″) or C(4″), indicating that AcO groups may play an important role in the larvicidal activity.     

Structure and Chemical Analysis of Major Specialized Metabolites Produced by the Lichen Evernia prunastri

We performed comparative profiling of four specialized metabolites in the lichen Evernia prunastri, collected at three different geographic locations, California and Maine, USA, and Yoshkar Ola, Mari El, Russia. Among the compounds produced at high concentrations that were identified in all three specimens, evernic acid, usnic acid, lecanoric acid and chloroatranorin, evernic acid was the most abundant. Two depsidones, salazinic acid and physodic acid, were detected in the Yoshkar‐Ola collection only. The crystalline structure of evernic acid (2‐hydroxy‐4‐[(2‐hydroxy‐4‐methoxy‐6‐methylbenzoyl)oxy]‐6‐methylbenzoate) (hmb) revealed two crystallographically and conformationally distinct hmb anions, along with two monovalent sodium atoms. One hmb moiety contained an exotetradentate binding mode to sodium, whereas the other exhibited an exohexadentate binding mode to sodium. Embedded edge‐sharing {Na₂O₈}_n sodium‐oxygen chains connected the hmb anions into the full three‐dimensional crystal structure of the title compound. The crystal used for single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction exhibited non‐merohedral twinning. The data suggest the importance of the acetyl‐polymalonyl pathway products to processes of maintaining integrity of the lichen holobiont community.     

Four New Steroidal Glycosides,Protolinckiosides A – D,from the Starfish Protoreaster lincki

Four new steroidal glycosides, protolinckiosides A – D ( 1 – 4 , resp.), were isolated along with four previously known glycosides, 5 – 8 , from the MeOH/EtOH extract of the starfish Protoreaster lincki. The structures of 1 – 4 were elucidated by extensive NMR and ESI‐MS techniques as (3β,4β,5α,6β,7α,15α,16β,25S)‐4,6,7,8,15,16,26‐heptahydroxycholestan‐3‐yl 2‐O‐methyl‐β‐d ‐xylopyranoside ( 1 ), (3β,5α,6β,15α,24S)‐3,5,6,8,15‐pentahydroxycholestan‐24‐yl α‐l ‐arabinofuranoside ( 2 ), sodium (3β,6β,15α,16β,24R)‐29‐(β‐d ‐galactofuranosyloxy)‐6,8,16‐trihydroxy‐3‐[(2‐O‐methyl‐β‐d ‐xylopyranosyl)oxy]stigmast‐4‐en‐15‐yl sulfate ( 3 ), and sodium (3β,6β,15α,16β,22E,24R)‐28‐(β‐d ‐galactofuranosyloxy)‐6,8,16‐trihydroxy‐3‐[(2‐O‐methyl‐β‐d ‐xylopyranosyl)oxy]ergosta‐4,22‐dien‐15‐yl sulfate ( 4 ). The unsubstituted β‐d ‐galactofuranose residue at C(28) or C(29) of the side chains was found in starfish steroidal glycosides for the first time. Compounds 1 – 4 significantly decreased the intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) content in RAW 264.7 murine macrophages at induction by proinflammatory endotoxic lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from E. coli.     

In vivo antigenotoxic potential and possible mechanism of action of selected 4-hydroxy-2H-chromen-2-one derivatives

The in vivo sex‐linked recessive lethal test was carried out in Drosophila melanogaster to investigate whether or not five substituted 4‐hydroxy‐2H‐chromen‐2‐ones can modulate the genotoxicity of the well‐established mutagenic agent ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS). For this purpose, 3 days old Canton S males were treated with the potent mutagen EMS alone in concentration of 0.75 ppm, as well as in combination with one of the five 4‐hydroxycoumarins, namely diethyl 2‐(1‐(4‐hydroxy‐2‐oxo‐2H‐chromen‐3‐yl)ethylidene)malonate ( 2b ), 3‐(1‐(4‐hydroxy‐2‐oxo‐2H‐chromen‐3‐yl)ethylidene)pentane‐2,4‐dione ( 6b ), 4‐(4‐(4‐hydroxy‐2‐oxo‐2H‐chromen‐3‐yl)thiazol‐2‐ylamino) benzenesulfonic acid ( 4c ), 4‐hydroxy‐3‐(2‐(2‐nitropheny lamino)thiazol‐4‐yl)‐2H‐chromen‐2‐one ( 9c ), and (E)‐4‐hydroxy‐3‐(1‐(m‐tolylimino)ethyl)‐2H‐chromen‐2‐one ( 5d ), in concentration of 70 ppm. The frequency of germinative mutations increased significantly after the treatment with EMS and decreased after treatments with coumarins. The maximum reduction was observed after treatments with 2b , 6b , 4c , and 5d . By the formation of hydrogen bonds or electrostatic interactions with O⁶ of DNA guanine, tested coumarins prevent EMS‐induced alkylation. The results indicate a protective role of five 4‐hydroxycoumarins under the action of a strong mutagen. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 26:322–330, 2012; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com . DOI 10.1002/jbt.21426     

Pyranochromones from Dictyoloma vandellianum A. Juss and Their Cytotoxic Evaluation

One new chromone 3,3‐dimethylallylspatheliachromene methyl ether ( 1 ), as well as five known chromones, 6‐(3‐methylbut‐2‐enyl) allopteroxylin methyl ether ( 2 ), 6‐(3‐methylbut‐2‐enyl) allopteroxylin ( 3 ), 3,3‐dimethylallylspatheliachromene ( 4 ), 5‐O‐methylcneorumchromone K ( 5 ) and spatheliabischromene ( 6 ), two alkaloids, 8‐methoxy‐N‐methylflindersine ( 7 ) and 8‐methoxyflindersine ( 8 ), and two limonoids, limonin diosphenol ( 9 ) and rutaevin ( 10 ), were isolated from Dictyoloma vandellianum A. Juss (Rutaceae). Cytotoxic activities towards tumor cell lines B16‐F10, HepG2, K562 and HL60 and non‐tumor cells PBMC were evaluated for compounds 1  –  6 . Compound 1 was the most active showing IC₅₀ values ranging from 6.26 to 14.82 μg/ml in B16‐F10 and K562 cell lines, respectively, and presented IC₅₀ value of 11.65 μg/ml in PBMC cell line.     

New Alkaloids and α‐Glucosidase Inhibitory Flavonoids from Ficus hispida

Two new pyrrolidine alkaloids, ficushispimines A ( 1 ) and B ( 2 ), a new ω‐(dimethylamino)caprophenone alkaloid, ficushispimine C ( 3 ), and a new indolizidine alkaloid, ficushispidine ( 4 ), together with the known alkaloid 5 and 11 known isoprenylated flavonoids 6  –  16 , were isolated from the twigs of Ficus hispida. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods. Isoderrone ( 8 ), 3′‐(3‐methylbut‐2‐en‐1‐yl)biochanin A ( 11 ), myrsininone A ( 12 ), ficusin A ( 13 ), and 4′,5,7‐trihydroxy‐6‐[(1R*,6R*)‐3‐methyl‐6‐(1‐methylethenyl)cyclohex‐2‐en‐1‐yl]isoflavone ( 14 ) showed inhibitory effects on α‐glucosidase in vitro.     

Quinazolin‐4(3H)‐one‐Based Hydroxamic Acids: Design,Synthesis and Evaluation of Histone Deacetylase Inhibitory Effects and Cytotoxicity

The present article describes the synthesis and biological activity of various series of novel hydroxamic acids incorporating quinazolin‐4(3H)‐ones as novel small molecules targeting histone deacetylases. Biological evaluation showed that these hydroxamic acids were potently cytotoxic against three human cancer cell lines (SW620, colon; PC‐3, prostate; NCI?H23, lung). Most compounds displayed superior cytotoxicity than SAHA (suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid, Vorinostat) in term of cytotoxicity. Especially, N‐hydroxy‐7‐(7‐methyl‐4‐oxoquinazolin‐3(4H)‐yl)heptanamide ( 5b ) and N‐hydroxy‐7‐(6‐methyl‐4‐oxoquinazolin‐3(4H)‐yl)heptanamide ( 5c ) (IC₅₀ values, 0.10–0.16 μm ) were found to be approximately 30‐fold more cytotoxic than SAHA (IC₅₀ values of 3.29–3.67 μm ). N‐Hydroxy‐7‐(4‐oxoquinazolin‐3(4H)‐yl)heptanamide ( 5a ; IC₅₀ values of 0.21–0.38 μm ) was approximately 10‐ to 15‐fold more potent than SAHA in cytotoxicity assay. These compounds also showed comparable HDAC inhibition potency with IC₅₀ values in sub‐micromolar ranges. Molecular docking experiments indicated that most compounds, as represented by 5b and 5c , strictly bound to HDAC2 at the active binding site with binding affinities much higher than that of SAHA.     

BACE1 (Beta‐Secretase) Inhibitory Phenolic Acids and a Novel Sesquiterpenoid from Homalomena occulta

Four phenolic acids, namely 2‐[(Z)‐heptadec‐11‐enyl]‐6‐hydroxybenzoic acid ( 1 ), 2‐[(6Z,9Z,12Z)‐heptadeca‐6,9,12‐trienyl]‐6‐hydroxybenzoic acid ( 2 ), 2‐[(9Z,12Z)‐heptadeca‐9,12‐dienyl]‐6‐hydroxybenzoic acid ( 3 ), and 2‐hydroxy‐6‐(12‐phenyldodecyl)benzoic acid ( 4 ), and one sesquiterpene, asperpenoid ( 5 ), were isolated from the 95% EtOH extract of the roots of Homalomena occulta, among which 1, 2 , and 5 represent new compounds. Further, the phenolic acids 1 – 4 exhibited BACE1 (β‐secretase) inhibitory activity with IC₅₀ values of 6.23±0.94, 6.28±0.63, 7.93±0.38, and 7.65±0.62 μM , respectively.     

Synthesis and in Vitro Antiviral Activities of [(Dihydrofuran‐2‐yl)oxy]methyl‐phosphonate Nucleosides with 2‐Substituted Adenine as Base

The synthesis of [(2′,5′‐dihydrofuran‐2‐yl)oxy]methyl‐phosphonate nucleosides with a 2‐substituted adenine base moiety starting from 2‐deoxy‐3,5‐bis‐O‐(4‐methylbenzoyl)‐α‐L ‐ribofuranosyl chloride and 2,6‐dichloropurine is described. The key step is the regiospecific and stereoselective introduction of a phosphonate synthon at C(2) of the furan ring. None of the synthesized compounds showed significant in vitro activity against HIV, BVDV, and HBV.     

Phytochemical Analysis,Biological Activity,and Secretory Structures of Stachys annua (L.) L. subsp. annua (Lamiaceae) from Central Italy

Stachys annua subsp. annua, well‐known in central Italy as ‘stregona annuale’, is an annual, small, slightly‐scented herb, commonly found in fields and uncultivated areas in almost all regions of Italy. In folk medicine, its aerial parts were used as anti‐catarrhal, febrifuge, tonic, and vulnerary. In the present work, the chemical composition of the flowering aerial parts was studied. The hydrodistilled volatile oil, analysed by GC/MS, showed sesquiterpenoids as the major fraction (42.5%); phytol (9.8%), germacrene D (9.2%), and spathulenol (8.5%) were the most abundant constituents. The volatile oil was assayed for antioxidant and cytotoxic activity by DPPH, ABTS, FRAP, and MTT methods. The cytotoxicity results against HCT116, A375, and MDA‐MB 231 human tumor cell lines were significant, with IC₅₀ values of 23.5, 37.2, and 41.5 μg/ml, respectively, whereas the antioxidant power was negligible. The EtOH extract was composed mainly of three glycosidic flavonoids, namely 7‐{[2‐O‐(6‐O‐acetyl‐β‐D ‐allopyranosyl)‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl]oxy}‐5,8‐dihydroxy‐2‐(4‐methoxyphenyl)‐4H‐1‐benzopyran‐4‐one ( 1 ), 7‐{[6‐O‐acetyl‐2‐O‐(6‐O‐acetyl‐β‐D ‐allopyranosyl)‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl]oxy}‐2‐(3,4‐dihydroxyphenyl)‐5,8‐dihydroxy‐4H‐1‐benzopyran‐4‐one ( 2 ), and 7‐{[6‐O‐acetyl‐2‐O‐(β‐D ‐allopyranosyl)‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl]oxy}‐2‐(3‐hydroxy‐4‐methoxyphenyl)‐5,8‐dihydroxy‐4H‐1‐benzopyran‐4‐one ( 3 ). On the contrary, iridoids, considered chemotaxonomic markers of the genus Stachys, were absent in this species. Finally, the morphological and histochemical survey showed that glandular trichomes were composed of two main types, i.e. peltate type A and capitate types B and C giving positive response for both lipids and polyphenols.     

Cytotoxic Mannopyranosides of Indole Alkaloids from Zanthoxylum nitidum

Three new mannopyranosides of indole alkaloids, methyl 7‐(β‐D ‐mannopyranosyloxy)‐1H‐indole‐2‐carboxylate ( 1 ), methyl 7‐[(3‐O‐acetyl‐β‐D ‐mannopyranosyl)oxy]‐1H‐indole‐2‐carboxylate ( 2 ), and 2‐methyl‐1H‐indol‐7‐yl β‐D ‐mannopyranoside ( 3 ), were isolated from an EtOH extract of the roots of Zanthoxylum nitidum. Their structures were identified as new compounds on the basis of the spectroscopic analyses. Bioactivity evaluation revealed that these alkaloids possess significant cytotoxicities against all the tested tumor cell lines with IC₅₀ values of less than 30 μM .     

Optimization of Insecticidal Triterpene Derivatives by Biomimetic Oxidations with Hydrogen Peroxide and Iodosobenzene Catalyzed by MnIII and FeIII Porphyrin Complexes

Semisynthetic functionalized triterpenes (4α,14‐dimethyl‐5α,8α‐8,9‐epoxycholestan‐3β‐yl acetate; 4α,14‐dimethyl‐5α‐cholest‐8‐ene‐3,7,11‐trione; 4α,14‐dimethyl‐5α‐cholesta‐7,9(11)‐dien‐3‐one and 4α,14‐dimethyl‐5α‐cholest‐8‐en‐3β‐yl acetate), previously prepared from 31‐norlanostenol, a natural insecticide isolated from the latex of Euphorbia officinarum, have been subjected to oxidation with hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and iodosobenzene (PhIO) catalyzed by porphyrin complexes (cytochrome P‐450 models) in order to obtain optimized derivatives with high regioselectivity. The main transformations were epoxidation of the double bonds and hydroxylations of non‐activated C–H groups and the reaction products were 25‐hydroxy‐4α,14‐dimethyl‐5α‐cholesta‐7,9(11)‐dien‐3β‐yl acetate (59 %), 25‐hydroxy‐4α,14‐dimethyl‐5α‐cholest‐8‐ene‐3,7,11‐trione (60 %), 4α,14‐dimethyl‐5α,7β‐7,8‐epoxycholest‐9(11)‐en‐3‐one (22 %), 8‐hydroxy‐4α,14‐dimethyl‐5α‐cholest‐9(11)‐ene‐3,7‐dione (16 %), 12α‐hydroxy‐4α,14‐dimethyl‐5α,7β‐7,8‐epoxycholest‐9(11)‐en‐3‐one (16 %), and 4α,14‐dimethyl‐5α,8α‐8,9‐epoxycholestan‐3β‐yl acetate (26 %), respectively. We also investigated the insect (Myzus persicae, Rhopalosiphum padi and Spodoptera littoralis) antifeedant and postingestive effects of these terpenoid derivatives. None of the compounds tested had significant antifeedant effects, however, all were more effective postingestive toxicants on S. littoralis larvae than the natural compound 31‐norlanostenol, with 4α,14‐dimethyl‐5α,8α‐8,9‐epoxycholestan‐3β‐yl acetate being the most active. The study of their structure–activity relationships points out at the importance of C3 and C7 substituents.     

Calcium Dependence of Eugenol Tolerance and Toxicity in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Eugenol is a plant-derived phenolic compound which has recognised therapeutical potential as an antifungal agent. However little is known of either its fungicidal activity or the mechanisms employed by fungi to tolerate eugenol toxicity. A better exploitation of eugenol as a therapeutic agent will therefore depend on addressing this knowledge gap. Eugenol initiates increases in cytosolic Ca²⁺ in Saccharomyces cerevisiae which is partly dependent on the plasma membrane calcium channel, Cch1p. However, it is unclear whether a toxic cytosolic Ca²⁺elevation mediates the fungicidal activity of eugenol. In the present study, no significant difference in yeast survival was observed following transient eugenol treatment in the presence or absence of extracellular Ca²⁺. Furthermore, using yeast expressing apoaequorin to report cytosolic Ca²⁺ and a range of eugenol derivatives, antifungal activity did not appear to be coupled to Ca²⁺ influx or cytosolic Ca²⁺ elevation. Taken together, these results suggest that eugenol toxicity is not dependent on a toxic influx of Ca²⁺. In contrast, careful control of extracellular Ca²⁺ (using EGTA or BAPTA) revealed that tolerance of yeast to eugenol depended on Ca²⁺ influx via Cch1p. These findings expose significant differences between the antifungal activity of eugenol and that of azoles, amiodarone and carvacrol. This study highlights the potential to use eugenol in combination with other antifungal agents that exhibit differing modes of action as antifungal agents to combat drug resistant infections.