Phloroglucinol diglycosides accompanying hydrolyzable tannins from Kunzea ambigua

Six phloroglucinol diglucosides—kunzeaphlogins A-F (1-6) and a hydrolyzable tannin, kunzeatannin A (7)—were isolated along with 10 known polyphenols from the leaf extract of Kunzea ambigua. Structural elucidation of these compounds was based on spectroscopic analyses and chemical properties.     

Reactivity of the N-heterocyclic carbene complexes [Ru(IMes)2(CO)HX] (X = OH, Cl) with alkynes

Treatment of the 16-electron hydroxy hydride complex [Ru(IMes)₂(CO)H(OH)] (1, IMes = 1,3-bis-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene) with HCCR affords the alkynyl species [Ru(IMes)₂(CO)H(CCR)] (R = Ph 3, SiMe₃, 4) and [Ru(IMes)₂(CO)(CCR)₂] (R = Ph, 5). Deuterium labelling studies show that the mono-alkynyl complexes are formed via hydrogen transfer from a coordinated alkyne ligand to Ru-OH, while bis-alkynyl formation is proposed to take place through hydrogen transfer to Ru-H. Both 3 and 5 readily coordinate CO to give the corresponding dicarbonyl species 6 and 7. Addition of HCCPh to the hydride chloride precursor [Ru(IMes)₂(CO)HCl] (2) results in a different reaction pathway involving alkyne insertion into the Ru-H bond to yield the alkenyl chloride complex [Ru(IMes)₂(CO)(CHCHPh)Cl] 8. Complexes 3-8 have been structurally characterised by X-ray crystallography.     

5α,8α-Epidioxysterols from the gorgonian Eunicella cavolini and the ascidian Trididemnum inarmatum: Isolation and evaluation of their antiproliferative activity

Three new (1, 4, 9) and nine previously reported (2, 3, 5-8, 10-12) 5α,8α-epidioxysterols were isolated from the organic extracts of the gorgonian Eunicella cavolini and the ascidian Trididemnum inarmatum. The structures and relative configurations of 1-12 were established on the basis of detailed NMR spectroscopic analyses and comparison with the literature. The growth inhibitory effects of 1-12 were evaluated against MCF-7 human breast cancer cells. Compound 1, bearing a cyclopropyl moiety in the side chain, exhibited the highest antiproliferative activity.     

NF kappa B inhibitors and antitrypanosomal metabolites from endophytic fungus Penicillium sp. isolated from Limonium tubiflorum

Chemical investigation of the endophytic fungus Penicillium sp. isolated from Limonium tubiflorum growing in Egypt afforded four new compounds of polyketide origin, including two macrolides, penilactone (1) and 10,11-epoxycurvularin (2), a dianthrone, neobulgarone G (7), and a sulfinylcoumarin, sulfimarin (14), along with twelve known metabolites (3-6, 8-13, 15 and 16). The structures of all compounds were assigned by comprehensive spectral analysis (1D and 2D NMR) and mass spectrometry. Compounds 3, 4, 13 and 16 showed pronounced antitrypanosomal activity with mean MIC values ranging from 4.96 to 9.75 ??M. Moreover, when tested against a panel of three human tumor cell lines compounds 3, 4, 6 and 12 showed selective growth inhibition against Jurkat and U937 cell lines with IC₅₀ values ranging from 1.8 to 13.3 ??M. The latter compounds also inhibited TNF??-induced NF-??B activity in K562 cells with IC₅₀ values ranging from 1.6 to 10.1 ??M, respectively.     

Synthesis and transition metal complexes of 3,3-bis(1-vinylimidazol-2-yl)propionic acid, a new N,N,O ligand suitable for copolymerisation

The new N,N,O heteroscorpionate ligand 3,3-bis(1-vinylimidazol-2-yl)propionic acid (Hbvip) (5) was synthesised in five steps starting from 1-vinylimidazole. This ligand is closely related to 3,3-bis(1-methylimidazol-2-yl)propionic acid (Hbmip), but contains two vinyl linker groups which can be used for radical-induced polymerisation reactions. The κ³-N,N,O coordination behaviour of 5 was proven by the synthesis of the tricarbonyl complexes [Re(bvip)(CO)₃] (6), [Mn(bvip)(CO)₃] (7) and [Cu(bvip)₂] (8). To obtain good yields of 6, it was synthesised in water instead of THF. The ligand as well as all three complexes were characterised by X-ray crystallography. Copolymerisation of 5 with pure methyl methacrylate (MMA) or a combination of MMA and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) led to the solid phases P1 and P2. Polymer-bound rhenium and manganese tricarbonyl complexes could be obtained by the reaction of deprotonated P1 with [MBr(CO)₅] (M = Re, Mn) and also by copolymerisation of 6 and 7 with MMA. In both cases, the facial tripodal binding behaviour was evidenced by IR spectra of the polymers. Furthermore, the content of metal incorporated in the polymers was determined by elemental analysis, AAS or ICP-OES measurements. Reaction of the deprotonated solid phase P1 with copper(II) chloride led to a blue solid-phase (P1-Cu). The UV-Vis absorption maximum of P1-Cu is found at 615 nm, which is almost identical to that found for 8. Thereby, it seems likely that P1 is flexible enough to form bisligand complexes with copper(II). This means that the copper centres act as a kind of crosslinking agents. In contrast, the heterogeneous reaction of P2 with copper(II) chloride yielded a lime green solid phase (P2-Cu). The bathochromic shift of the absorption maximum by 102 nm suggests one-sided bound copper centres.     

β-Diiminatolanthanoid(III) halides revisited

The crystalline compounds [LnCl₂(L)(thf)₂] [Ln = Ce (1), Tb (2), Yb (3)], [NdI₂(L)(thf)₂] (4), [LnCl(L′)₂] [Ln = Tb (5), Yb (6) (a known compound)] and [YbCl(L′′)(μ-Cl)₂Li(OEt₂)₂] (7) have been prepared [L = {N(C₆H₃Prⁱ₂-2,6)C(H)}₂CPh, L′ = {N(SiMe₃)C(Ph)}₂CH, L′′ = {N(SiMe₃)C(C₆H₄Ph-4)}₂CH]. The X-ray molecular structures of 2-7 have been established; in each, the monoanionic ligand L, L′ or L′′ is N,N′-chelating and essentially π-delocalised. Each of 1-7 was prepared from the appropriate LnCl₃, or for 4 [NdI₃(thf)₂], and an equivalent portion of the appropriate alkali metal [Li for 7, Na for 2, 3 and 5, or K for 1, 4 and 6] β-diiminate in thf; the isolation of exclusively 5 and 6 (rather than the L′ analogues of 2 or 3) is noteworthy, as is the structure of 7 which has no precedent in Group 3 or 4f metal β-diiminato chemistry.     

Osteogenic constituents from Pterospermum acerifolium Willd. flowers

Phytochemical investigation of ethanol extracts of the Pterospermumacerifolium flowers led to the isolation and identification of two new flavones, 4′-(2-methoxy-4-(1,2,3-trihydroxypropyl) phenoxy luteolin (1) and 5,7,3′-trihydroxy-6-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl flavone (2), and one new lactone, 3,5-dihydroxyfuran-2(5H)-one (3) along with 14 known compounds (4-17). The structure of compounds 1-17 was established based on MS, 1D and 2D NMR, spectroscopic analysis. Eight of these compounds (1-6, 8 and 9) were assessed for osteogenic activity by using primary cultures of rat osteoblast. The compounds 1, 3 and 4 significantly stimulated osteoblast differentiation and mineralization as evident from a marked increase in expression of alkaline phosphatase and alizarin red-S staining of osteoblasts.     

Terpenoids and phenethyl glucosides from Hyssopus cuspidatus (Labiatae)

Monoterpenoids (3 and 4), sesquiterpenoid (2), diterpenoid (1) and four phenethyl glucosides (5-8), together with fourteen known compounds, were isolated from the whole herb of Hyssopus cuspidatus. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic means. The abietane-type diterpenoids (1, 9, 10), rosmarinic acid (15) and salvigenin (17) inhibited leukotriene (LT) C₄ secretion from primary alveolar cells of Wistar rats.     

Ecdysteroids from Polypodium vulgare L

Three new compounds (3, 7, and 11) together with eight known phytoecdysteroids (1, 2, 4-6, and 8-10) were isolated from the rhizomes of common polypody, Polypodium vulgare L. The structures of compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic methods including 1D and 2D NMR measurements. The ¹H and ¹³C NMR assignments of compounds 1, 6, 9 and 10 are included.     

Bis-sesquiterpenes and diterpenes from Chloranthus henryi

Bis-sesquiterpenes, henriols A (1), B (2), C (3), and D (4), and three diterpenes, henrilabdanes A (5), B (6), and C (7), together with two known bis-sesquiterpenes and three known labdane diterpenes, were isolated from the ethanol extract of the roots of Chloranthushenryi. Their structures and absolute configurations were elucidated by NMR spectroscopic, X-ray crystallographic and CD analyses. Compounds 1, 5, 6 and 7 showed moderate hepatoprotective activities with IC₅₀ values of 0.19, 0.66, 0.09 and 0.18 μM, respectively. They were not studied further due to the weak effects noted. Compounds 3 and 8 exhibited cytotoxic activities against three types of cancer cell lines including the hepatoma (BEL-7402), human gastric carcinoma (BGC-823), and colon cancer (HCT-8).     

Methylated anthocyanidin glycosides from flowers of Canna indica

Methylated anthocyanin glycosides were isolated from red Canna indica flower and identified as malvidin 3-O-(6-O-acetyl-β-d-glucopyranoside)-5-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (1), malvidin 3,5-O-β-d-diglucopyranoside (2), cyanidin-3-O-(6″-O-α-rhamnopyranosyl-β-glucopyranoside (3), cyanidin-3-O-(6″-O-α-rhamnopyranosyl)-β-galactopyranoside (4), cyanidin-3-O-β-glucopyranoside (5) and cyanidin-O-β-galactopyranoside (6) by HPLC-PDA. Their structures were subsequently determined on the basis of spectroscopic analyses, that is, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, HMQC, HMBC, ESI-MS, and UV-vis. Compounds (1-4) were found to be in major quantity while compounds (5-6) were in minor quantity.     

Phenolic compounds with NF-κB inhibitory effects from the fungus Phellinus baumii

Chemical investigation of the fungus Phellinus baumii has resulted in characterization of five previously undescribed hispidin derivatives, phellibaumins A-E (1-5), as well as two pairs of new non-equivalent epimeric benzyl dihydroflavones, methylphelligrin A (9), epi-methylphelligrin A (10), methylphelligrin B (11), and epi-methylphelligrin B (12), together with five known compounds, interfungin B (6), phelligridin H (7), phelligridimer A (8), phelligrin A (13), and epi-phelligrin A (14). Phellibaumin A (1) was a novel hispidin derivative with a unique 3,4-dihydroxybenzofuran unit. These compounds exhibited NF-κB inhibitory activity with IC₅₀ values of 52.96 μM (1), 41.40 μM (2), 52.92 μM (5), 36.44 μM (9 and 10), and 22.46 μM (11 and 12), respectively.     

Antiproliferative and apoptotic sesquiterpene lactones from Carpesium faberi

Four new (1-4) and 13 known (5-17) sesquiterpene lactones along with two known diterpenes (18, 19) were isolated from the whole plant of Carpesium faberi. The new structures were elucidated by means of spectroscopic techniques and some chemical transformations to be pseudoguaian-1α(H)-8α,12-olide-4β-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (1), 4β,10α-dihydroxy-5α(H)-1,11(13)-guaidien-8α,12-olide (2), 4β,10β-dihydroxy-5α(H)-1, 11(13)-guaidien-8β,12-olide (3), and (4S)-acetyloxyl-11(13)-carabren-8β,12-olide (4). All isolates were tested against MCF-7 human breast cancer cells using the MTT assay. Among them, the sesquiterpene lactones (except tomentosin 17) possessing an α-methylene-γ-lactone moiety were found to have in vitro antiproliferative activities, with IC₅₀ values of 3.0-38.8 μg/mL. The effects of four selected sesquiterpene lactones (guaianolide 2, carabranolide 4, pseudoguaianolide 9, eudesmanolide 13) on the cell cycle were examined using flow cytometry (FCM).     

Philadelphicalactones C and D and other cytotoxic compounds from Physalis philadelphica

Two new withanolides, philadelphicalactone C (1) and philadelphicalactone D (4), along with the known withaphysacarpin (3), ixocarpanolide (5), philadelphicalactone A (6), and ixocarpalactone A (7) were isolated from the aerial parts of Physalis philadelphica Lam. Structures of these compounds were determined by spectroscopic analyses and that of philadelphicalactone C (1) was confirmed by X-ray crystallographic analysis. Evaluation of the cytotoxic activity of all isolates and the derivative 2 against a panel of human cancer cell lines indicated a potent activity of compounds 2, 3, 6, and 7.     

Copper(II) complexes with tridentate pyrazole-based ligands: synthesis, characterization, DNA cleavage activity and cytotoxicity

Tridentate pyrazole-containing ligands of the Schiff base type, SalPz — HL¹, Cl₂SalPz — HL² and I₂SalPz — HL³, were used to prepare a series of new Cu(II) complexes (CuSalPz — 1, CuCl₂SalPz — 2 and CuI₂SalPz — 3). These new complexes have been studied by different analytical techniques (electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS), elemental analysis, FT-IR and EPR). The spectroscopic properties of 1-3 are consistent with the formation of Cu(II) complexes coordinated by monoanionic and tridentate (N,N,O)-chelators, behaving as monomeric species in aqueous solution, as shown by EPR studies. Crystals of 2 and 3, obtained by slow concentration of methanolic solutions of the compounds, were also analyzed by X-ray diffraction analysis. The X-ray structural study has shown that 2 crystallized as a dinuclear compound, [Cu₂(μ-Cl)₂(Cl₂SalPz)₂], while the solid state structure determined for 3 is best described by monomeric units of [CuCl(I₂SalPz)] displaying short Cu···Cl intermolecular contacts. The in vitro evaluation of 1-3 comprised the study of their DNA-cleaving ability using plasmid DNA and the assessment of their cytotoxic activity against several human cancer cell lines (PC-3 prostate, MCF-7 breast and A2780 and A2780cisR-ovary). The studies with plasmid DNA have shown that 2 and 3 induce extensive DNA cleavage in the presence of different additives. The cytotoxic activity of 2 and 3 is comparable to the one presented by cisplatin, with the exception of the A2780 cell line where cisplatin is more active. It has been found that the introduction of halogen substituents in the phenolate rings of the chelators enhanced the cytotoxicity of the respective Cu(II) complexes.     

Biologically active constituents from the fruiting body of Taiwanofungus camphoratus

Five new benzenoids, benzocamphorins A-E (1-5), and 10 recently isolated triterpenoids, camphoratins A-J (16-25), together with 23 known compounds including seven benzenoids (6-12), three lignans (13-15), and 13 triterpenoids (26-38) were isolated from the fruiting body of Taiwanofungus camphoratus. Their structures were established by spectroscopic analysis. Selected compounds were examined for cytotoxic and anti-inflammatory activities. Compounds 9 and 21 showed moderate cytotoxicity against MCF-7 and Hep2 cell lines with ED₅₀ values of 3.4 and 3.0 ??g/mL, respectively. Compounds 21, 25, 26, 29-31, 33, and 36 demonstrated potent anti-inflammatory activity by inhibiting lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitric oxide (NO) production with IC₅₀ values of 2.5, 1.6, 3.6, 0.6, 4.1, 4.2, 2.5, and 1.5 ??M, respectively, which were better than those of the nonspecific nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor N-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME) (IC₅₀: 25.8 ??M). These results may substantiate the use of T. camphoratus in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for the treatment of inflammation and cancer-related diseases. The newly discovered compounds deserve further development as anti-inflammatory candidates.     

Bioactive polyhydroxylated sterols from the marine sponge Haliclona crassiloba

Four new polyhydroxylated sterols, named halicrasterols A–D (1–4), together with six known analogs (5–10) were isolated from the marine sponge Haliclona crassiloba. Compounds 1 and 2 represented rare examples of steroids featuring 17(20)E-double bonds. The structures of 1–10 were elucidated by spectroscopic analysis and comparison with reported data. This is the first report of a steroid profile for this species. The antimicrobial activities of 1–10 were evaluated against a panel of bacterial and fungal strains in vitro, and compounds 4 and 9 showed moderate activity against some of the Gram-positive strains with MICs ranging from 4 to 32 μg/mL.     

Antioxidant activity of a new C-glycosylflavone from the leaves of Ficus microcarpa

By bioactive-guided fractionation of methanol extract of the Ficus microcarpa leaves, one new C-glucosylflavone, ficuflavoside (1), one new megastigmane glycoside, ficumegasoside (8), and twelve known compounds including flavonoids (2-6), phenylpropanoids (7), megastigmanes (9-11) and sterol derivatives (12-14) were isolated. Their chemical structures were elucidated by mass, 1D, and 2D NMR spectroscopies. The antioxidant activities of these compounds were measured using the oxygen radical absorbance capacity methods. Compounds 1-6 exhibited potent antioxidant activities of 6.6-9.5 μM Trolox equivalents at the concentration of 2.0 μM. The results indicated 2, 3, and 5 having meaningful reducing capacity of copper (I) ions concentration of 6.1-8.4 μM.     

Steroidal saponins from the whole plants of Agave utahensis and their cytotoxic activity

Phytochemical investigation of the whole plants of Agave utahensis Engelm. (Agavaceae) has resulted in the isolation of 15 steroidal saponins (1-15), including five spirostanol saponins (1-5) and three furostanol saponins (11-13). Structures of compounds 1-5 and 11-13 were determined by spectroscopic analysis and the results of hydrolytic cleavage. The isolated compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxic activity against HL-60 human promyelocytic leukemia cells.     

Osteogenic activity of diphenyl ether-type cyclic diarylheptanoids derived from Acer nikoense

Osteogenic activity of six diarylheptanoids, acerogenin A (1), (R)-acerogenin B (2), aceroside I (3), aceroside B₁ (4), aceroside III (5) and (−)-centrolobol (6) and two phenolic compounds; (+)-rhododendrol (7) and (+)-cathechin (8), isolated from the stem bark of Acer nikoense (Nikko maple) was evaluated using alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity as a marker for early osteoblast differentiation. We found that the diphenyl ether-type cyclic diarylheptanoids 1-5 promoted ALP activity in mouse preosteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells without affecting cell proliferation, but linear-type diarylheptanoid 6 and phenolic compounds 7 and 8 did not. Diphenyl ether-type cyclic diarylheptanoids 1-4 also increased protein production of osteocalcin, a late stage maker for osteoblast differentiation, and induced osteoblastic mineralization. Structure-activity relationships of these compounds demonstrated that the stimulative efficacy of aglycones was higher than that of its glycosides. Taken together, diphenyl ether-type cyclic diarylheptanoids promote early- and late-stage osteoblastogenesis, which may open the possibility for the development of novel osteogenic agents.