Conformational,configurational, and supramolecular studies of podocephalol acetate from Lasianthaea aurea

Although podocephalol ( 1 ) and its derived acetate 2 were found in Lasianthaea podocephala four decades ago, and 1 was later detected in the essential oils of several vegetal species, its absolute configuration (AC) and conformational preferences remained to be established. The structures of ar‐himachalene 1 , now isolated from Lasianthaea aurea, and its derived acetate 2 , were herein confirmed by extensive 1D and 2D nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) studies, while the conformational preferences of the cycloheptene was established by density functional theory (DFT) calculations, which in combination with vibrational circular dichroism measurements provided the (R) absolute configuration of the molecules. The structure and AC were further verified through the Flack and Hooft parameters calculations derived from single crystal X‐ray diffraction data of 2 . In addition, careful evaluation of the crystal data allowed observing supramolecular layers cell package, an uncommon property in natural terpenes that might have potential applications. A transmission electron microscopy analysis of crystal of 2 was also possible, providing its physical characteristics at the micrometric scale.     

Isolation,Stereochemical Study,and Antioxidant Activity of Benzofuranone Derivatives from a Mangrove‐derived Fungus Eurotium rubrum MA‐150

Enantiomers of a 2‐benzofuran‐1(3H)‐one derivative [(–)‐ 1 and (+)‐ 1 ] and four known analogs ( 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ) were isolated and identified from the culture extract of Eurotium rubrum MA–150, a fungus obtained from the mangrove‐derived rizospheric soil. Their structures were established by detailed interpretation of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) data and the structure of (±)‐ 1 was confirmed by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis. The absolute configuration of the enantiomers (–)‐ 1 and (+)‐ 1 was determined by means of online high‐performance liquid chromatography – electronic circular dichroism (HPLC‐ECD) measurements and time‐dependent Density Functional Theory – electronic circular dichroism (TDDFT‐ECD) calculations. Compounds (±)‐ 1 as well as 2 and 3 exhibited potent DPPH radical scavenging activities with IC₅₀ values of 1.23, 2.26, and 3.99 μg/mL, respectively. Chirality 28:581–584, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Synthesis,Molecular Properties Prediction and Antimicrobial Activity of Imidazolyl Schiff Bases,Triazoles and Azetidinones

Benzylidenehydrazinyl imidazoles ( 3 ) are prepared from 2‐hydrazinyl imidazoles ( 2 ) on treatment with hydrazine. The imine functionality in 3 is utilized to develop 5′‐aryl‐N‐(4‐aryl‐1H‐imidazol‐2‐yl)‐1H‐1,2,3‐triazol‐1‐amines ( 5 ) by 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition of diazomethane followed by aromatization with I₂ in DMSO. Compounds 3 are also explored to prepare 4′‐aryl‐1‐(4‐aryl‐1H‐imidazol‐2‐ylamino)‐3‐chloroazetidin‐2‐ones ( 6 ) on treatment with chloroacetyl chloride. The Molinspiration calculations predicted that 3 , 5 and 6 have molecular hydrophobicity, conformational flexibility, good intestinal absorption and bioactivity scores. The chloro, bromo and nitro substituted imidazolyl azetidinones ( 6c , 6d , 6f ) and nitro substituted imidazolyl triazole ( 5f ) exhibited excellent antibacterial activity on B. subtilis, whereas chloro and nitro substituted imidazolyl triazoles ( 5c , 5f ) showed prominent antifungal activity on A. niger.     

Enzyme Kinetics of an Alternative Splicing Isoform of Mitochondrial 8‐Oxoguanine DNA Glycosylase,OGG1‐1b,and Compared with the Nuclear OGG1‐1a

Eight alternatively spliced isoforms of human 8‐oxoguanine DNA glycosylase (OGG1) (OGG1‐1a to ‐1c and ‐2a to ‐2e) are registered in the National Center for Biotechnology Information. OGG1(s) in mitochondria have not yet been fully characterized biochemically. In this study, we purified mitochondrial recombinant OGG1‐1b protein and compared its activity with nuclear OGG1‐1a protein. The reaction rate constant (k_g) of the 7,8‐dihydro‐8‐oxoguanine (8‐oxoG) glycosylase activity of OGG1‐1b was 8‐oxoG:C >> 8‐oxoG:T >> 8‐oxoG:G > 8‐oxoG:A (7.96, 0.805, 0.070, and 0.015 min^?1, respectively) and that of the N‐glycosylase/DNA lyase activity (k_gl) of OGG1‐1b was 8‐oxoG:C > 8‐oxoG:T ?8‐oxoG:G >> 8‐oxoG:A (0.286, 0.079, 0.040, and negligible min^?1, respectively). These reaction rate constants were similar to those of OGG1‐1a except for k_gl against 8‐oxoG:A. APEX nuclease 1 was required to promote DNA strand breakage by OGG1‐1b. These results suggest that OGG1‐1b is associated with 8‐oxoG cleavage in human mitochondria and that the mechanism of this repair is similar to that of nuclear OGG1‐1a.     

Cablinosides A and B,Two Glycosidic Phenylacetic Acid Derivatives from the Leaves of Pogostemon cablin

A pair of new glycosidic epimers, cablinosides A ( 1a ) and B ( 1b ) were isolated from the leaves of Pogostemon cablin. The structures with absolute configurations of 1a and 1b were elucidated by extensive NMR investigation, and quantum chemical CD calculations. The epimer mixture 1 showed moderate α‐glucosidase inhibitory activity and no significant cytotoxic activity against HepG2 cells.     

Tricalycoside,a New Cerebroside from Tricalysia coriacea (Rubiaceae)

A new cerebroside, named as tricalycoside ( 1 ), was isolated from the CH₂Cl₂/MeOH (1:1) extract of twigs and leaves of Tricalysia coriacea using repeated silica gel open column chromatography followed by preparative TLC and Sephadex LH‐20, together with six known compounds ( 2 – 7 ). The structure of the new compound was determined by analysis of 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR, MS data, chemical conversion, and by comparison of these data with those from the literature. Tricalycoside ( 1 ) possessed a weak antibacterial activity against Klebsiella pneumoniae (MIC = 75 μg/mL).     

Mesenchymal stem cells restore CCl4‐induced liver injury by an antioxidative process

We have investigated BM (bone marrow)‐derived MSCs (mesenchymal stem cells) for the treatment of liver injury. It was hypothesized that MSC‐mediated resolution of liver injury could occur through an antioxidative process. After being injected with CCl₄ (carbon tetrachloride), mice were injected with syngenic BM‐derived MSCs or normal saline. Oxidative stress activity of the MSCs was determined by the analysis of ROS (reactive oxygen species) and SOD (superoxide dismutase) activity. In addition, cytoprotective genes of the liver tissue were assessed by real‐time PCR and ARE (antioxidant‐response element) reporter assay. Up‐regulated ROS of CCl₄‐treated liver cells was attenuated by co‐culturing with MSCs. Suppression of SOD by adding an SOD inhibitor decreased the effect of MSCs on injured liver cells. MSCs significantly increased SOD activity and inhibited ROS production in the injured liver. The gene expression levels of Hmox‐1 (haem oxygenase‐1), BI‐1 (Bax inhibitor‐1), HGF (hepatocyte growth factor), GST (glutathione transferase) and Nrf2 (nuclear factor‐erythoid 2 p45 subunit‐related factor 20), attenuated by CCl₄, were increased up to basal levels after MSC transplantation. In addition, MSCs induced an ARE, shown by luciferase activity, which represented a cytoprotective response in the injured liver. Evidence of a new cytoprotective effect is shown in which MSCs promote an antioxidant response and supports the potential of using MSC transplantation as an effective treatment modality for liver disease.     

A Novel Tropoloisoquinoline Alkaloid,Neotatarine, from Acorus calamus L.

A novel tropoloisoquinoline alkaloid, neotatarine ( 1 ), was isolated from the 95% ethanol extract of the rhizome parts of Acorus calamus L. The chemical structure was unambiguously elucidated by spectroscopic and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis. Neotatarine ( 1 ) exhibited significantly inhibitory activity against Aβ_{25 – 35} induced PC12 cell death with 2, 4 and 8 μm comparing with the assay control (P < 0.01).     

Penicamedine A,a Highly Oxygenated Hexacyclic Indole Alkaloid from Penicillium camemberti

A highly oxygenated hexacyclic indole alkaloid, penicamedine A ( 1 ), bearing a rare furan ring, was isolated from the culture broth of Penicillium camemberti, together with two known analogs, iso‐α‐cyclopiazonic acid ( 2 ) and cyclopiazonic acid ( 3 ). The structure of 1 was elucidated by comprehensive spectroscopic analyses including NMR and HR‐ESI‐MS. Its absolute configuration was further confirmed unambiguously by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis. Compound 1 was evaluated for anti‐HIV activity with p24 assays and tested for cytotoxic activities against five human cancer cell lines, including HL‐60, SMMC‐7721, A‐549, MCF‐7, SW480, and the immortalized non‐cancerous human pulmonary epithelial cell line BEAS‐2B by MTS method.     

Novel polymeric microspheres: Synthesis,enzyme immobilization,antimutagenic activity,and antimicrobial evaluation against pathogenic microorganisms

New polymeric microspheres containing azomethine ( 1a ‐ 1c and 2a ‐ 2c ) were synthesized by condensation to compare the enzymatic properties of the enzyme glucose oxidase (GOx) and to investigate antimutagenic and antimicrobial activities. The polymeric microspheres were characterized by elemental analysis, infrared spectra (FT‐IR), proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectra, thermal gravimetric analysis, and scanning electron microscopy analysis. The catalytic activity of the glucose oxidase enzyme follows Michaelis‐Menten kinetics. Influence of temperature, reusability, and storage capacity of the free and immobilized glucose oxidase enzyme were investigated. It is determined that immobilized enzymes exhibit good storage stability and reusability. After immobilization of GOx in polymeric supports, the thermal stability of the enzyme increased and the maximum reaction rate (V_max) decreased. The activity of the immobilized enzymes was preserved even after 5 months. The antibacterial and antifungal activity of the polymeric microspheres were evaluated by well‐diffusion method against some selected pathogenic microorganisms. The antimutagenic properties of all compounds were also examined against sodium azide in human lymphocyte cells by micronuclei and sister chromatid exchange tests.     

Enantiomeric Specificity of Biologically Significant Cu(II) and Zn(II) Chromone Complexes Towards DNA

Novel chiral Schiff base ligands (R)/(S)‐2‐amino‐3‐(((1‐hydroxypropan‐2‐yl)imino)methyl)‐4H‐chromen‐4‐one (L₁ and L₂) derived from 2‐amino‐3‐formylchromone and (R/S)‐2‐amino‐1‐propanol and their Cu(II)/Zn(II) complexes ( R1 , S1 , R2 , and S2 ) were synthesized. The complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, infrared (IR), hydrogen (¹H) and carbon (¹³C) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), electrospray ionization‐mass spectra (ESI‐MS), and molar conductance measurements. The DNA binding studies of the complexes with calf thymus were carried out by employing different biophysical methods and molecular docking studies that revealed that complexes R1 and S1 prefers the guanine–cytosine‐rich region, whereas R2 and S2 prefers the adenine–thymine residues in the major groove of DNA. The relative trend in K_b values followed the order R1 S1 R2 S2 . This observation together with the findings of circular dichroic and fluorescence studies revealed maximal potential of (R)‐enantiomeric form of complexes to bind DNA. Furthermore, the absorption studies with mononucleotides were also monitored to examine the base‐specific interactions of the complexes that revealed a higher propensity of Cu(II) complexes for guanosine‐5′‐monophosphate disodium salt, whereas Zn(II) complexes preferentially bind to thymidine‐5′‐monophosphate disodium salt. The cleavage activity of R1 and R2 with pBR322 plasmid DNA was examined by gel electrophoresis that revealed that they are good DNA cleavage agents; nevertheless, R1 proved to show better DNA cleavage ability. Topoisomerase II inhibitory activity of complex R1 revealed that the complex inhibits topoisomerase II catalytic activity at a very low concentration (25 μM). Furthermore, in vitro antitumor activity of complexes R1 and S1 were screened against human carcinoma cell lines of different histological origin. Chirality 24:977–986, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Antiviral activity of Distictella elongata (Vahl) Urb. (Bignoniaceae), a potentially useful source of anti-dengue drugs from the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil

Aims: To investigate the in vitro antiviral activity of Distictella elongata (Vahl) Urb. ethanol extracts from leaves (LEE), fruits (FEE), stems and their main components. Methods and Results: The antiviral activity was evaluated against human herpesvirus type 1 (HSV‐1), murine encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV), vaccinia virus Western Reserve (VACV‐WR) and dengue virus 2 (DENV‐2) by the 3‐(4, 5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) colorimetric assay. LEE presented anti‐HSV‐1 [EC₅₀ 142·8 ± 5·3 μg ml^?1; selectivity index (SI) 2·0] and anti‐DENV‐2 activity (EC₅₀ 9·8 ± 1·3 μg ml^?1; SI 1·5). The pectolinarin ( 1 ) isolated from LEE was less active against HSV‐1 and DENV‐2. A mixture of the triterpenoids ursolic, pomolic and oleanolic acids was also obtained. Ursolic and oleanolic acids have shown antiviral activity against HSV‐1. A mixture of pectolinarin ( 1 ) and acacetin‐7‐O‐rutinoside ( 2 ) was isolated from FEE and has presented anti‐DENV‐2 activity (EC₅₀ 11·1 ± 1·6 μg ml^?1; SI > 45). Besides the antiviral activity, D. elongata has disclosed antioxidant effect. Conclusions: These data shows that D. elongata has antiviral activity mainly against HSV‐1 and DENV‐2, besides antioxidant activity. These effects might be principally attributed to flavonoids isolated. Significance and Impact of the Study: Distictella elongata might be considered a promising source of anti‐dengue fever phytochemicals.     

Phloroglucinol Derivatives from the Fruits of Eucalyptus globulus and Their Cytotoxic Activities

A new phloroglucinol derivative, named eucalyptin B ( 1 ), along with five related known compounds ( 2 – 6 ), was isolated from the fruits of Eucalyptus globulus. Their structures were elucidated by means of 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR spectroscopy, with the absolute configuration of 1 determined by electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculations. All isolated compounds ( 1 – 6 ) were evaluated for their cytotoxic activities against lung (A549), breast (4T1), and skin (B16F10) cancer cell lines. On the basis of cell viability assay, the cytotoxic activity of eucalyptin B ( 1 ) was further confirmed by apoptosis assay. Additionally, after treatment with eucalyptin B ( 1 ), the apoptosis factor proteins (Bcl2 and Bax) and caspase‐3 levels in A549 cells were also determined by Western‐blot analysis. By cytotoxic assay, eucalyptin B ( 1 ) exhibited potent cytotoxicity against A549 cells with an IC₅₀ value of 1.51 μm and induced concentration dependent apoptosis of up to 49%. Additionally, eucalyptin B ( 1 ) inhibited 5‐fold and increased 10‐folds in the level of Bcl2 and Bax, respectively. Furthermore, the 11‐fold increase in the level of caspase‐3 confirmed eucalyptin B ( 1 ) activated caspase dependent apoptosis pathway. In conclusion, the isolated compound eucalyptin B ( 1 ) has promising cytotoxic activity in tumor cells, especially in A549.     

Total synthesis,structural, and biological evaluation of stylissatin A and related analogs

The natural product cyclic peptide stylissatin A ( 1a ) was reported to inhibit nitric oxide production in LPS‐stimulated murine macrophage RAW 264.7 cells. In the current study, solid‐phase total synthesis of stylissatin A was performed by using a safety‐catch linker and yielded the peptide with a trans‐Phe⁷‐Pro⁶ linkage, whereas the natural product is the cis rotamer at this position as evidenced by a marked difference in NMR chemical shifts. In order to preclude the possibility of 1b being an epimer of the natural product, we repeated the synthesis using d ‐allo‐Ile in place of l ‐Ile and a different site for macrocyclization. The resulting product (d ‐allo‐Ile²)‐stylissatin A ( 1c ) was also found to have the trans‐Phe⁷‐Pro⁶ peptide conformations like rotamer 1b . Applying the second route to the synthesis of stylissatin A itself, we obtained stylissatin A natural rotamer 1a accompanied by rotamer 1b as the major product. Rotamers 1a , 1b , and the epimer 1c were separable by HPLC, and 1a was found to match the natural product in structure and biological activity. Six related analogs 2–7 of stylissatin A were synthesized on Wang resin and characterized by spectral analysis. The natural product ( 1a ), the rotamer ( 1b ), and (d ‐allo‐Ile²)‐stylissatin A ( 1c ) exhibited significant inhibition of NO^.. Further investigations were focused on 1b , which also inhibited proliferation of T‐cells and inflammatory cytokine IL‐2 production. The analogs 2–7 weakly inhibited NO^. production, but strongly inhibited IL‐2 cytokine production compared with synthetic peptide 1b . All analogs inhibited the proliferation of T‐cells, with analog 7 having the strongest effect. In the analogs, the Pro⁶ residue was replaced by Glu/Ala, and the SAR indicates that the nature of this residue plays a role in the biological function of these peptides. Copyright © 2016 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Volatile Composition and Biological Activities of the Leaf Essential Oil from Zanthoxylum limoncello Grown in Oaxaca,México

Zanthoxylum limoncello is a native plant from southern Mexico which is used as a timber source, condiment and as a traditional medicine. Herein, we report on the volatile content of the leaf essential oil and its biological activities. The annual essential oils (2015–2018) contained volatile organic compounds which exhibited a moderate growth inhibitory activity against H. pylori ATCC 53504 (MIC 121.4–139.7 μg mL^?1), 26695 (MIC 85.5–94.9 μg mL^?1) and J99 (MIC 94.7–110.4 μg mL^?1). These hydrodistillates contained 2‐undecanone (31.6–36.8 %; MIC 185.3–199.2 μg mL^?1) and 2‐undecenal (25.1–35.7 %; MIC 144.8–111.3 μg mL^?1) as the most abundant compounds which were partially involved in the anti‐H. pylori activity. The human ornithine decarboxylase enzyme (ODC1), which shows increased activity in several cancer types, was non‐competitively inhibited (V_max 2.7>0.8 K_cat s^?1) by the essential oil of Z. limoncello as well as by 2‐undecanone and 2‐undecenal in accordance to in vitro kinetic studies. In silico calculations strongly suggest that the carbonyl group of these oxygenated hydrocarbons interacts with both Asn319 and Ala39 at the subunit A of ODC1. Considering that Ala39 is located close to Asn44, a crucial amino acid of the ODC's allosteric site, the non‐competitive inhibition of the enzyme by 2‐undecanone and 2‐undecenal is endorsed. Finally, the essential oil of Z. limoncello and its main volatiles showed a significant (p<0.01) and prolonged repellent effect against Aedes aegypti.     

DFT calculation–assisted stereo-structural assignment of arundifungin

Arundifungin ( 1 ) has been reported as a potent antifungal agent against Candida and Aspergillus spp; however, only its planar structure has been disclosed. This paper describes the assignment of the relative and absolute configuration of 1 , which includes (a) determination of the relative configuration of the ABCD polycyclic ring moiety on the basis of detailed nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis, followed by the confirmation with density functional theory (DFT)–based ¹³C NMR chemical shift calculations, (b) determination of the absolute configuration of the ABCD polycyclic ring moiety by observing a positive Cotton effect at 217 nm because of the C-8/C-9 tetrasubstituted double bond and its reproduction using DFT calculations, (c) determination of the configurational relationship between C-17 and C-20 by a combination of nuclear Overhauser effect (NOE) analysis and DFT-based conformational analysis, and (d) determination of the relative and absolute configuration of the C-24 and C-25 asymmetric centers on the acyclic side chain by a combination of chemical derivatization including modified Mosher's method and DFT-based conformational analysis, followed by electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectral reproduction. Present study also discovered 26-deoxyarundifungin ( 2 ) of which relative structure was readily elucidated by ¹H and ¹³C spectral comparison with those of 1 . Since 2 exhibits slightly weaker antifungal activity against Cochliobolus miyabeanus than 1 , the hydroxy group at C-26 moderately contributes to the activity.     

Fraxitoxin,a New Isochromanone Isolated from Diplodia fraxini

A new isochromanone, named fraxitoxin, was isolated together with (–)‐mellein and tyrosol from liquid cultures of Diplodia fraxini, a pathogen involved in the etiology of canker and dieback disease of Fraxinus spp. in Europe. It was characterized as 5‐methoxy‐3‐methylisochroman‐1‐one using spectroscopic methods (essentially NMR and HR‐EI‐MS). Its absolute configuration (R) at C(3) was assigned by electronic circular dichroism (ECD) measurements and calculations. Phytotoxic activity of the compound was evaluated on ash, cork and holm oak leaves at concentration of 1 mg/ml by the leaf‐puncture assay. Interestingly, fraxitoxin caused necrotic lesions only on ash leaves.     

Salvisertin A,a New Hexacyclic Triterpenoid,and Other Bioactive Terpenes from Salvia deserta Root

Using various chromatographic methods, a new hexacyclic triterpenoid, 2β,3β,24β‐trihydroxy‐12,13‐cyclotaraxer‐l4‐en‐28oic acid ( 1 ), together with ten known compounds, 2α,3α,23‐trihydroxyurs‐12,20(30)‐dien‐28oic acid ( 2 ), 6,7‐dehydroroyleanone ( 3 ), horminone ( 4 ), 7‐O‐methylhorminone ( 5 ), sugiol ( 6 ), demethylcryptojaponol ( 7 ), 14‐deoxycoleon U ( 8 ), 5,6‐didehydro‐7‐hydroxy‐taxodone ( 9 ), ferruginol ( 10 ), and dichroanone ( 11 ), were isolated from the roots of Salvia deserta. Their structures were identified on the basis of spectroscopic analysis and comparison with the reported data. The individual compounds ( 1 , 3  –  8 ) were screened for cytotoxic activity, using the sulforhodamine B bioassay (SRB) method. As the results, Compounds 3 , 5 , and 8 showed cytotoxic potency against A549, MDA‐MB‐231, KB, KB‐VIN, and MCF7 cell lines with IC₅₀ values ranging from 6.5 to 10.2 μm .