Synthesis and pharmacological activity of amides and ozonolysis product of maleopimaric acid

The synthesis of a new group of maleopimaric acid amides containing fragments of the methyl esters of amino acids, aliphatic amines, imidazole and N-methylpiperazine was carried out. Ozonolysis of methyl maleopimarate flows through the cleavage of double bond C18(19) and the disclosure of anhydrous cycle with formation of secotriacid. As a result of screening of anti-inflammatory and antiulcer activity of maleopimaric acid derivatives new effective compounds such as methyl esters of maleopimaric acid and product of ozonolysis - diterpenic secotriacid, maleopimaric acid amide with L-leucine were revealed. An important advantage of the compounds studied is the low toxicity and the presence of bidirectional activity in the absence of adverse effects on the animal.     

Synthesis and pharmacological activity of amides and the ozonolysis product of maleopimaric acid

The synthesis of a new group of maleopimaric acid amides containing fragments of methyl ethers of amino acids, aliphatic amines, imidazole, and N-methylpiperazine was carried out. The ozonolysis of methylmaleopimarate occurs via the cleavage of the double bond C18(19) and the opening of an anhydrous ring with the formation of secotriacid. As a result of the screening of the anti-inflammatory and antiulcer activity of maleopimaric acid derivatives, new effective compounds such as maleopimaric acid and its methyl ether, a product of ozonolysis—diterpenic secotriacid—and maleopimaric acid amide with L-leucine were found. An important advantage of the studied compounds is the low toxicity and the presence of bidirectional activity in the absence of adverse effects on the animal.     

Fatty acid composition of seeds of Satureja thymbra and S. cuneifolia

The chemical composition of fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) from seeds of S. thymbra and S. cuneifolia were analyzed by GC/MS. 7 FAMEs were identified from the seeds of S. thymbra mainly as 9-octadecenoic acid methyl ester (43.9%), hexadecanoic acid methyl ester (11.4%), 9,12,15-octadecatrienoic acid methyl ester (Z,Z,Z) (30.2%), and octadecanoic acid methyl ester (14.1%), while from the seed of S. cuneifolia 10 FAMEs were obtained with the main components, similar to S. thymbra. These were identified as 9-octadecenoic acid methyl ester (10.1%), hexadecanoic acid methyl ester (methyl palmitate, 34.6%), 9,12,15-octadecatrienoic acid methyl ester (Z,Z,Z) (6.3%) and octadecanoic acid methyl ester (1.8%).     

Synthesis of ester-linked lithocholic acid dimers

Four lithocholic acid dimers were synthesised via esterification. The ester-linked dimer, 3-oxo-5beta-cholan-24-oic acid (cholan-24-oic acid methyl ester)-3-yl ester, (3alpha,5beta), was obtained by condensation of methyl lithocholate with 3-oxo-5beta-cholan-24-oic acid. Borohydride reduction of this ester-linked dimer gave 3alpha-hydroxy-5beta-cholan-24-oic acid (cholan-24-oic acid methyl ester)-3-yl ester, (3alpha,5beta), which was acetylated to 3alpha-acetoxy-5beta-cholan-24-oic acid (cholan-24-oic acid methyl ester)-3-yl ester, (3alpha,5beta). Reaction of methyl lithocholate with oxalyl chloride yielded the oxalate dimer, bis(5beta-cholan-24-oic acid methyl ester)-3alpha-yl oxalate.     

藏红花花瓣和雄蕊挥发油化学成分GC-MS分析及比较

采用水蒸气蒸馏法从藏红花花瓣和雄蕊中提取挥发油,用GC-MS技术结合计算机检索对其二者化学成分进行分离和鉴定,用色谱峰面积归一化法计算各组分的相对含量.花瓣中共鉴定出16种化合物,主要成分为正二十六烷(11.60％)、正十五烷(11.31％)、棕榈酸甲酯(10.82％)、油酸甲酯(10.35％)、2,4-二叔丁基苯酚(9.63％)、亚油酸甲酯(7.18％)、藏红花醛(5.66％);雄蕊中共鉴定出20种化合物,主要成分为油酸甲酯(30.83％)、亚油酸甲酯(24.12％)、环已醇(16.80％)、硬脂酸甲酯(12.88％)、棕榈酸甲酯(8.97％)、花生酸甲酯(1.18％)、苯并噻唑(1.01％).     

发酵无花果香料的挥发性成分分析

利用微生物发酵无花果开发特色香料,并采用同时蒸馏萃取装置收集挥发性成分并用气相色谱一质谱仪对生物技术制备的无花果香料挥发性成分进行分离和鉴定,经毛细管色谱分离出47种组分,确认了其中的45种成分,并用面积归一化法测定了各种成分的百分含量,其主要成分为：9,12-十八碳二烯酸乙酯(27．34％)、十六酸乙酯(23．99％)、邻苯二甲酸二丁酯(6．18％)、邻苯二甲酸二异丁酯(5．52％)、9,12-十八碳二烯酸甲酯(4．72％)、十六酸甲酯(4．67％)、9,12,15-十八碳三烯酸乙酯(4．48％)、9-十八碳烯酸乙酯(3．80％)、糠醛(2．53％)、9,12,15-十八碳三烯酸甲酯(1．85％)、十八酸乙酯(1．42％)、9-十八碳烯酸甲酯(1．26％)等。     

Formation of lipoxin B by the pure reticulocyte lipoxygenase via sequential oxygenation of the substrate

The pure reticulocyte lipoxygenase converts 15LS-hydroxy-5,8,11,13(Z,Z,Z,E)-icosatetraenoic acid (15LS-HETE) methyl ester to a complex mixture of products containing 5DS,14LR,15LS-trihydro(pero)xy-6E,++ +8Z,10E,12E-icosatetraenoate methyl ester (lipoxin B methyl ester), 5DS,15LS-DiH(P)ETE methyl ester and four 8,15LS-DiH(P)ETE methyl ester isomers [DiH(P)ETE = dihydro(pero)xy-icosatetraenoic acid]. After a short incubation period (15 min) 5DS,15LS-DiH(P)ETE methyl ester was found to be the main product, whereas after a 3-h incubation lipoxin B methyl ester was the predominant product. The reaction shows a remarkable stereoselectivity since only small amounts of other trihydroxy tetraenes are formed. Anaerobiosis, heat inactivation of the enzyme, or incubation in the presence of lipoxygenase inhibitors (icosatetraynoic acid, nordihydroguaiaretic acid) completely abolished the reaction. The complete steric structure of the major tetraene product (lipoxin B methyl ester) was established by ultraviolet spectroscopy, HPLC on four different types of columns, gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, gas/liquid chromatography of the ozonolysis fragments of the menthoxycarbonyl derivatives, and by 400-MHz 1H-NMR. Atmospheric oxygen was incorporated at carbon-5 and carbon-14 into the major product. 5DS,15LS-DiH(P)ETE methyl ester was shown to be an intermediate in the synthesis. Lipoxin B was also formed during the oxygenation of arachidonic acid, 15LS-HETE and 5DS,15LS-DiHETE. The results presented here indicate that lipoxin B can be formed by pure lipoxygenases via a sequential oxygenation of arachidonic acid or its hydro(pero)xy derivatives.     

Dianthramide glucosides from tissue cell cultures of Delphinium staphisagria L

Tissue cell cultures of Delphinium staphisagria L. produced three dianthramide glucosides N-(2'-beta-glucopyranosylsalicyl)-5-hydroxyanthranilic acid methyl ester, N-(2'-beta-glucopyranosyl-5'-methoxysalicyl)-5-hydroxyanthranilic acid methyl ester and N-(2'-beta-glucopyranosyl-5'-hydroxysalicyl)-5-hydroxy-6-methoxyanthranilic acid methyl ester, together with known methyl esters of N-salicylanthranilic acid and N-(2'-beta-glucopyranosyl-5'-hydroxysalicyl)-5-hydroxyanthranilic acid. Structures of the glucosides were established by MS, 1-D and 2-D NMR techniques.     

Substrate specificity of an α-amino acid ester hydrolase produced by Acetobacter turbidans A.T.C.C. 9325

A partially purified preparation of an alpha-amino acid ester hydrolase was obtained from Acetobacter turbidans A.T.C.C. 9325, which catalyses synthesis of 7-(d-alpha-amino-alpha-phenylacetamido)-3-cephem-3-methyl-4- carboxylic acid (cephalexin) from methyl d-alpha-aminophenylacetate and 7-amino-3-deacetoxycephalosporanic acid. The enzyme preparation catalysed both cephalosprin synthesis from 7-amino-3-deacetoxycephalosporanic acid and suitable amino acid esters (e.g. methyl d-alpha-aminophenylacetate, l-cysteine methyl ester, glycine ethyl ester, d-alanine methyl ester, methyl dl-alpha-aminoiso-butyrate, l-serine methyl ester, d-leucine methyl ester, l-methionine methyl ester) and the hydrolysis of such esters. The substrate specificity of the enzyme preparation for the hydrolysis closely paralleled the acyl-donor specificity for cephalosporin synthesis, even to the reaction rates. Only alpha-amino acid derivatives could act as acyl donors. The hydrogen atom on the alpha-carbon atom was not always required by acyl donors. The hydrolysis rate was markedly diminished by adding 7-amino-3-deacetoxycephalosporanic acid to reaction mixtures, but no effect on the total reaction rate (the hydrolysis rate plus synthesis rate) was observed with various concentrations of 7-amino-3-deacetoxycephalosporanic acid. Both the hydrolytic and the synthetic activities of the enzyme preparation were inhibited by high concentrations of some acyl donors (e.g. methyl d-alpha-aminophenylacetate, ethyl d-alpha-aminophenylacetate). The enzyme preparation hydrolysed alpha-amino acid esters much more easily than alpha-amino acid derivatives with an acid-amide bond.     

C-3 glucosiduronates of metabolites of adrenal steroids

On treatment with methyl 2,3,4-tri-O-acetyl-l-bromo-l-deoxy-α-D-glucuronate and silver carbonate, tetrahydrocortisone 21-acetate gave the corresponding 3-glucosiduronate triacetyl methyl ester. This product was converted into the 20-semicarbazone which, by treatment with alkali to hydrolyze the ester functions and acid to hydrolyse the semicarbazone moiety, gave tetrahydrocortisone 3-glucosiduronic acid. The acid was converted into the crystalline barium salt and into the methyl ester. An analogous series of reactions was carried out on tetrahydrocortexolone 21-acetate. Treatment of the 20-semicarbazone of tetrahydrocortisone 3-glucosiduronic acid with potassium borohydride reduced the 11-oxo function to an 11β hydroxyl group; acid-catalyzed removal of the semicarbazone group produced tetrahydrocortisol 3-glucosiduronic acid which also was obtained as the barium salt and the methyl ester.     

Purification and identification of antimicrobial sesquiterpene lactones from yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius) leaves

The extraction of yacon [Smallanthus sonchifolius (Poepp. and Endl.) H. Robinson; Asteraceae] leaves and chromatographic separation yielded two new antibacterial melampolide-type sesquiterpene lactones, 8beta-tigloyloxymelampolid-14-oic acid methyl ester and 8beta-methacryloyloxymelampolid-14-oic acid methyl ester, as well as the four known melampolides, sonchifolin, uvedalin, enhydrin and fluctuanin. The newly identified compound, 8beta-methacryloyloxymelampolid-14-oic acid methyl ester, exhibited potent antimicrobial activity against Bacillus subtilis and Pyricularia oryzae, while 8beta-tigloyloxymelampolid-14-oic acid methyl ester showed lower activity. Fluctuanin exhibited the strongest antibacterial activity against B. subtilis among these six sesquiterpene lactones.     

Cervical dilatation with prostaglandin analogues prior to vaginal termination of first trimester pregnancy in nulliparous patients.

Dilatation of the cervix with prostaglandin analogues prior to vaginal termination of pregnancy was attempted in 125 nulliparous women in the first trimester of pregnancy. The patients were divided into five groups (25 in each group) and given a single extra-amniotic dose of one of the following prostaglandin analogues 14-16 hours prior to the evacuation of the uterus by vacuum aspiration. (Group A) 15 (S) 15 methyl PGE2 (free acid); (Group B) 15 (S) 15 methyl PGE2 methyl ester; (Group C) 15 (S) 15 methyl PGF2alpha (free acid); (Group D) 15 (S) 15 methyl PGF2alpha methyl ester and(Group E) a mixture of 15 (S) 15 methyl PGE2methyl ester and 15 (S) 15 methyl PGF2alpha methyl ester. Evacuation of the uterus without mechanical dilatation of the cervix was possible in 111 (90%) of the patients. In an additional 10 patients (8%) there was some degree of cervical dilatation and further mechanical dilatation could be performed easily. With the combination of 15 (S) 15 methyl PGE2 methyl ester and 15 (S) 15 methyl PGF2alpha methyl ester the incidence of gastrointestinal side effects and pyrexia were considerably reduced.     

Synthesis of mixed esters of ascorbic acid using methyl esters of palm and soybean oils

Mixed esters of ascorbic acid were synthesized using methyl esters of palm and soybean oils as acyl donors, in acetone at 50 degrees C, and catalyzed by Novozym 435. A conversion of 62% was obtained with palm oil methyl ester at an ascorbic acid to acyl donor molar ratio of 1:4; the mixed ester contained 45.89% ascorbyl palmitate, 42.59% ascorbyl oleate and 10.1% ascorbyl linoleate. Acylation with soybean oil methyl ester resulted in 17% conversion, yielding a mixed ester containing 10.08% ascorbyl palmitate, 20.68% ascorbyl oleate, and 64.96% of ascorbyl linoleate. The mixed esters of ascorbic acid can find direct use in food and cosmetics.     

Phenanthrene derivatives from Aristolochia argentina

Aristolochic acid Ia, aristolochic acid I methyl ester and aristolochic acid II methyl ester were identified in the roots of Aristolochia argentina.     

An advanced method for the determination of carboxyl methyl esterase activity using gas chromatography-chemical ionization-mass spectrometry

We developed a quantitative method for the determination of methyl esterase activity, analyzing substrate specificity against three major signal molecules, jasmonic acid methyl ester (MeJA), salicylic acid methyl ester (MeSA), and indole-3-acetic acid methyl ester (MeIAA). We used a silylation reagent for chemical derivatization and used gas chromatography (GC)-mass spectroscopy in analyses, for high precision. To test this method, an Arabidopsis esterase gene, AtME8, was expressed in Escherichia coli, and then the kinetic parameters of the recombinant enzyme were determined for three substrates. Finally, this method was also applied to the direct quantification of phytohormones in petals from lilies and roses.     

云南使君子仁油化学成分的GC-MS分析

以常规溶剂萃取得使君子仁油,取两份油,一份经甲酯化处理,别一份不甲酯化,然后采用重量法和气相色谱-质谱联用技术分别测定使君子仁油含量和脂肪酸成分。结果表明：使君子仁油含量为15％;从甲酯化脂肪油中共检测出5种成分,其中E-9-十八烯酸占脂肪酸总量的46．99％,十六烷酸甲酯占脂肪酸总量的28．25％;另外,从未甲酯化脂肪油中共检测出7种成分,其中含防十八烯酸63．19％,十六烷酸甲酯15．26％,同时还检测出11．79％的γ-生育酚。使君子仁油是具有抗氧化性的植物源脂肪油,是开发和利用E-9-十八烯酸,十六烷酸甲酯和γ-生育酚的理想原料,在食用、医疗保健方面具有巨大潜力和广阔前景。     

Nonesterified galacturonic acid sequence homology of pectins

The methyl ester distribution of pectins was studied with a recently developed enzymatic method. Endopolygalacturonase of Kluyveromyces fragilis was used to degrade pectin and the composition of the degradation products was determined with high-performance anion-exchange chromatography at pH 5. Three characteristics indicative for the distribution of nonesterified galacturonic acid residues were obtained: the percentage of nonesterified galacturonic acid residues liberated of the total number of nonesterified galacturonic acid in the undigested polymer, the proportion of nonesterified mono-, di-, and trigalacturonic acid released, and the ratio of the sum of the peak areas of methyl ester containing oligomers divided by the sum of the peak areas of the nonesterified oligomers detected. From these characteristics and the degree of methyl esterification, the mean sequence similarity of the methyl ester distributions was calculated. Computational techniques commonly employed in the determination of the sequence similarity of DNA and proteins were used to discriminate the various types of distributions found and to construct a distance tree. In general, three types of methyl ester distributions could be discerned in pectin: random, high, and blockwise esterified. This report is the first to describe a parametric approach for the comparison of the substituent distribution in polymers. The importance of this novel approach in the study of the methyl ester distribution and the functional properties of pectin is discussed.     

Tournefolic acid B methyl ester attenuates glutamate-induced toxicity by blockade of ROS accumulation and abrogating the activation of caspases and JNK in rat cortical neurons

The effects of nine polyphenolic compounds on glutamate-mediated toxicity were investigated. The underlying mechanisms by which a polyphenolic compound confers its effect were also elucidated. Treatment of cortical neurons with 50 microm glutamate for 24 h decreased cell viability by 45.8 +/- 7.9%, and 50 microm of tournefolic acid B methyl ester attenuated glutamate-induced cell death by 46.8 +/- 17.8%. Glutamate increased the activity of caspase 35.2-fold, and to a similar extent for caspase 2, 6, 8 and 9. Tournefolic acid B methyl ester abrogated glutamate-induced activation of caspase 2, 3, 6 and 9 by about 70%, and to a lesser extent for caspase 8. Treatment with glutamate for 1 h elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS) by 208.3 +/- 21.3%. Tournefolic acid B methyl ester eliminated the glutamate-induced accumulation of ROS. Glutamate increased the phosphorylation of p54-c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) concomitantly with activation of the endogenous antioxidant defense system. Tournefolic acid B methyl ester at 50 microm diminished the activity of p54-JNK in control and glutamate-treated cells, coinciding with the abolishment of the glutamate-triggered antioxidant defense system. Therefore, tournefolic acid B methyl ester blocked the activation of the caspase cascade, eliminated ROS accumulation and abrogated the activation of JNK, thereby conferring a neuroprotective effect on glutamate-mediated neurotoxicity.     

Gas chromatographic-mass spectroscopic identification and quantification of arachidonic acid in wheat-germ oil

Gas chromatographic-mass spectroscopic evidence is presented for the presence of arachidonic acid ((all-Z)-5,8,11,14-eicosatetraenoic acid) in virgin wheat-germ oil. The amount of arachidonic acid in wheat-germ oil, determined as methyl ester using gas chromatographic detection, was quantified with reference to a standard methyl ester from authentic arachidonic acid. The presence of arachidonic acid and prostaglandins in higher plants is discussed.     

Whole‐cell biotransformation of oleanolic acid by free and immobilized cells of Nocardia iowensis: Characterization of new metabolites

In this study, Nocardia iowensis was used to transform oleanolic acid (OA) into oleanane derivatives. The first derivative, which was found after 24 h of cultivation, was the known and already described OA methyl ester. After 1 week, two other derivatives (oleanonic acid methyl ester and an unknown metabolite) were identified as new products of a biotransformation by N. iowensis. These oleanane metabolites were characterized by HPLC, HPLC‐ESI‐MS, and HPLC‐¹H NMR spectroscopy. The biotransformation was performed by suspended and immobilized cells (ICs) of N. iowensis. Cells immobilized in alginate beads were used in order to prepare a continuous process. The substrate uptake of free and ICs was similar, whereas the peak area of OA methyl ester of the ICs was only about 10% of the native cells. However, the final product (oleanonic acid methyl ester) concentrations were similar in both approaches, whereas the unknown metabolite 3 was only detected transiently in the medium of ICs. Based on these results, a new biosynthetic pathway for the biotechnological production of oleanonic acid methyl ester is proposed.