Chemical Constituents of Siegesbeckia orientalis L.

The aerial parts of Siegesbeckia have been used as the traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of rheumatic arthritis, hypertension, malaria, neurasthenia, and snakebite. In order to find new and bioactive compounds, the chemical constituents of the aerial parts of S. orientalis L. were investigated and two new compounds, namely β-D-glucopyranosyl-ent-2-oxo-15,16-dihydroxy-pimar-8（14）-en-19-oic-late （compound 1 ） and [1 （10） E,4Z]-8β-angeloyloxy-9α-methoxy-6α, 15-dihydroxy-14-oxogermacra-1 （10）,4,11 （13）-trien-12-oic acid 12,6-1actone （compound 2）, as well as five known ent-pimarane diterpenes （compounds 3-7） were isolated. The structures of the two new compounds were identified by their physicochemical properties and spectral analysis, particularly oneand two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance spectral methods.     

A Diterpene Endoperoxide from Microtoena insuavis （Hance） Prain ex Dunn

A novel endoperoxlde diterpene, 7a-hydroxy-abieta-8（14）-en-18-oi 9α,13α-endoperoxide （compound 1）, was isolated from the stems of Microtoena insuavis （Hance） Prain ex Dunn, along with 4,4＇-dlhydroxytruxillic acid （compound 2）, gallic acid （compound 3）, ellaglc acid （compound 4）, 3-O-methylellaglc acid 3＇-O-α- rhamnopyranoslde （compound 5）, 3＂＇-O-methylcrenatoslde （compound 6）, crenatoslde （compound 7）, aptgenin （compound 8）, succinic acid （compound 9）, β-sitosterot （compound 10）, and β-daucosterol （compound 11）. The structures of these compounds were elucidated on the basis of spectral evidence.     

Biotransformation of 4-Hydroxybenzen Derivatives by Hairy Root Cultures of Polygonum multiflorum Thunb.

The biotransformation of four 4-hydroxybenzen derivatives （1,4-benzenediol （compound 1）, 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde （compound 2）, 4-hydroxybenzyl alcohol （compound 3） and 4-hydroxybenzoic acid （compound 4）） by the hairy root cultures of Polygonum multiflorum Thunb. as a new biocatalyst was investigated. It was found that the substrates were transformed to their corresponding glucosides, 4-hydroxyphenyl β-D-glucopyranoside （arbutin, compound la）, 4-hydroxymethylphenyl β-D-glucopyranoside （gastrodin, compounds 2a, 3a） and 4-carboxyphenyl α-D- glucopyranoside （compound 4a）, respectively. In the meantime, the hairy roots of P. multiflorum were able to stereoselectively and regioselectively glucosylate phenolic hydroxyl groups of compounds 1-4, but the cultures could not glucosylate the aldehyde group of compound 2 or the benzyllc hydroxyl group of compound 3, and no glucosyl esterification of carboxyl groups of compound 4 was detected. On the other hand, the result also showed that the hairy roots of P. multiflorum were able to reduce the 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde to its corresponding alcohol. This is the first report that substrate 4 has been converted into its α-D-glucopyranoside by a plant biotransformα- tion system.     

Two New Sesquiterpenoid Glucosides from the Aerial Parts of Saussurea involucrate

Two new sesqulterpenoid glucosides, namely α-hydroxycostic acid 6-β-D-glucopyranoside （compound 1） and 11 βH-11,13-dlhydrodehydrocostuslactone 8α-O-（6＇-acetyl）-β-D-glucopyranoside （compound 2）, along with 11 known sesqulterpenoids （compounds 3-13） were isolated from the aerial parts of Saussurea involucrate （Kar. et Kir.） Sch.- BIp. The structures of the new sesquiterpenoid glucosides were established by one- and two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectrometry analysis.     

A Novel Flavonoid Glucoside from Anoectochilus roxburghii （Wall,） Lindl.

Eight compounds were isolated from the ethyl acetate- and n-butanol-soluble fractions of the ethanollc extract of the whole plant of Anoectochllus roxburghll（Wali.） Lindi. （Orchidaceee）. On the basis of spectroscopic methods, the structures of these compounds were elucidated as quercetin-7-O-β-D-[6＂-O-（trans-feruloyi）]- giucopyranosids （compound 1）, 8-C-p-HydroxybenzyiquerceUn （compound 2）, isorhamnetin-7-O-β-D- giucopyranoside （compound 3）, isorhamnetin-3-O-β-D-giucopyranoside （compound 4）, kaempferoi-3-O-β-D- giucopyranoside （compound 5）, kaempferoi-7-O-β-D-giucopyranoside （compound 6）, 5-hydroxy-3＇,4＇,7- trimethoxyfiavonoi-3-O-β-D-rutinoside （compound 7）, and isorhamnetin-3-O-β-D-rutinoside （compound 8）. Of the compounds isoisted, compound 1 was a new flavonoid giucoside and exhibited strong scavenging activity against the 1,1-diphenyi-2-picryihydrazyi free radical, whereas the ethanolic extract showed weak activity. Compounds 2-8 were obtained from this family for the first time.     

Water-Soluble Constituents of Cudrania tricuspidata （Carr.） Bur.

In order to find new structural and biologically active compounds, the constituents of the bark of Cudrania tricuspidata （Carr.） Bur. were investigated and a new 6-p-hydroxybenzyltaxifolin glucoside, named tricusposide （compound 1）, together with 16 known compounds, was isolated by solvent partition, macroporous adsorption resin AB-8, silica gel, Sephadex LH-20 chromatography. Using spectroscopic methods, the structures of the compounds were elucidated as 6-p-hydroxybenzyl taxifolin-7-O-β-D-glucoside （compound 1）, dihydroquerctin-7-O-β-D-glucoside （compound 2）, dihydrokaempferol-3-O-β-D-glucoside （compound 3）, dihydroquercetin （compound 4）, peonoside （compound 5）, sphaerobioside （compound 6）, quercimeritrin （compound 7）, genistein （compound 8）, aromadendrin （compound 9）, kaempferol （compound 10）, genistin （compound 11）, 3,4-dihydroxystyryl alcohol （compound 12）, sucrose （compound 13）, 1,3,5,6-tetrahydroxyxanthone （compound 14）, gericudranin E （compound 15）, gericudranin C （compound 16）, and orobol （compound 17）. Compounds 2-6, 8, 9, 12-14, and 17 were isolated from this genus for the first time.     

Chemical Constituents of Daphne giraldii Nitsche

In a search for structurally interesting substances from traditional Chinese medicines, eight compounds were isolated from an ethanolic extract of the stem bark of Daphne giraldii Nitsche. On the basis of one- and two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectrometry data, and chemical methods, their structures were determined to be 2H-1-benzopyran-2-one-8-hydroxy-7-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-5-（2-oxo- 2H-1-benzopyran-7-hydroxy-8-yloxy） （compound 1）, 1-pentanone, 1-（4-hydroxyphenyl）-5-phenyl （compound 2）, octadecyl caffeate （compound 3）, （＋）syringaresinol-4,4＇-diglycoside （compound 4）, daphnetin-8-O-β-D- glucopyranoside （compound 5）, p-hydroxybenzoic acid （compound 6）, 7,7＇-dihydroxy-[6, 8＇-bi-2H-benzopyran]- 2, 2＇-dione （compound 7）, and daphnorin （compound 8）, respectively. Of the compounds isolated, compounds 1 and 2, which we named daphnolin and daphnolon, respectively, were new, and the others were obtained from this plant for the first time.     

A Cytotoxic Neolignan from Schisandra propinqua （Wall.） Baill.

In the course of our study of bioactive natural products from Schisandra plants, we isolated a neolignan from an EtOAc extract of the stems of Schisandra propinqua （Wall.） Baill. The structure of the new com- pound was determined to be 4, 4-di （4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenly）-2, 3-dimethylbutanol （compound 1） on the basis of 1H- and 13C-NMR spectra and 2D NMR methods. Eight known compounds, compounds 2-9, were also isolated and identified, of which compounds 3, 4, 6 and 9 were isolated for the first time from this plant. In addition, compounds 1-4 were evaluated for cytotoxicity by an 3-（4,5-dimethyl-2 thiazoyl）-2,5-diphenyl-2H- tetrazolium bromide （MTT） assay. Compound 1 showed significant potential cytotoxic ability in the bioassay.     

Chemical Constituents of the Roots of Anemone altaica Fisch. ex C. A. Mey.

The roots of Anemone altaica Fisch. ex C. A. Mey. have been used in the treatment of epilepsia, neurasthenia, and arthritis in Chinese folk medicine for a long time. In order to find new and bioactive compounds, the chemical constituents of the roots of A. altaica were investigated and nine compounds were isolated from the EtOH extract of this plant. On the basis of spectroscopic methods, the structures of these compounds were elucidated as 4-（9H-β-carbolin- 1-yl）-4-oxo-butyric acid （1）, carboxymethyl isoferulate （2）, isoferulic acid （3）, cirsiumaldehyde （4）, 5-hydroxy-4-oxo-pentanoic acid （5）, triacontane （6）, palmic acid （7）, β-sitosterol （8）, and daucosterol （9）. Among them, 1 and 2 were new compounds, and 3 and 4 were obtained from this genus for the first time.     

Two New Coumarins from Fraxinus chinensis Rexb.

The ethanol extract of the stem bark of Fraxinus chinensis Roxb. showed good inhibitory bioactivity against VEGF receptor-1 kinase （IC50：13.8 μg/mL）. In order to find new and bioactive compounds, the chemical constituents of the stem bark of F. chinensis were investigated and two new coumarins, namely 6＇-O-sinapinoyl esculin （compound 1） and 6＇-O-vanillyl esculin （compound 2）, together with eleven known compounds （compounds 3-13） were isolated. The structures of the two new compounds were identified by their physicochemical properties and spectral analysis, particularly one- and two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance spectral methods. The known compound, oleuropein （compound 11）, exhibited moderate activity （IC50：（8.7 ± 1.3） μmol/L） to inhibit VEGF receptor- 1 kinase.     

Triterpenoids from the Roots of Craibiodendron henryi W. W. Smith

A new triterpenoid, 11a.O.trans-p-coumaroyltaraxerol （1）, along with 11 known triterpenoids, taraxerone （2）, taraxerol （3）, 2α,3β,23,24-tetrahydroxyolean-12-en-28-oic acid （4）, oleanolic acid （5）, β-amyrin （6）, 3β,23-dihydroxylursan-12-en- 28-oic acid （7）, 2α,3β-dihydroxyursan-12-en-28-oic acid （8）, 2α,3β,23-trihydroxyursan-12-en-28-oic acid （9）, 2α,3β,24- trihydroxyursan-12-en-28-oic acid （10）, u rsolic acid （11）, and 3-O-acetylursolic acid （12）, was isolated from Craibiodendron henryi W. W. Smith （Ericaceae）. The structures of these compounds were elucidated on the basis of spectral evidence. Antioxidant activity and vasodilator effect of compound 1 were assessed.     

云南割舌树的化学成分

从云南割舌树（Walsura yunnanensis C.Y.Wu.)树皮的乙醇提取物中分离鉴定了12个化合物,它们分别是walsurol(1),tocopherol(2),sitoindoside Ⅰ（3）,3β-stigmast-5-en-3-yl-β-D-xylopyranoside(4),stigmast-4-en-6β-ol-3-one(5),7-oxositosterol(6),3β-hydroxy-5α,8α-epidioxyergosta-6,22-diene(7),(-)epicatechin(8),3,5-dihydroxy-4-methoxylphenylethanol(9),间三甲氧基苯,（β－谷甾醇和胡萝卜甙,新化合物1命名为割舌醇（walsurol)。     

Oxidation of Two Pregnane Steroids Catalyzed by the Fungus Cephalosporium aphidicola

Two pregnane steroids, pregnane (1) and 3β-hydroxypregnane (2), were oxidized by fermentation with the fungus Cephalosporium aphidicola. The fermentation of pregnane (1) yielded 3β-hydroxypregnane (2) and 3β, 6β,11α-trihydroxypregnane (3), while that of 3β-hydroxypregnane (2) afforded 6β,11α-dihydroxypregn-3,20-dione (4), 3β,6β,15α-trihydroxypregn-20-one (5) and 3β,5α,11α-trihydroxypregn-20-one (6). The metabolites are characterized by detailed physical and spectroscopic studies.     

Cytotoxic Steroidal Saponins from the Rhizomes of Tacca integrifolia

Three new steroid saponins (3β,25R)‐spirost‐5‐en‐3‐yl 6‐deoxy‐α‐L ‐mannopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐[β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→4)‐6‐deoxy‐α‐L ‐mannopyranosyl‐(1→3)]‐β‐D ‐glucopyranoside ( 1 ), (3β,22R,25R)‐26‐(β‐D ‐glucopyranosyloxy)‐22‐hydroxyfurost‐5‐en‐3‐yl 6‐deoxy‐α‐L ‐mannopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐[6‐deoxy‐α‐L ‐mannopyranosyl‐(1→3)]‐β‐D ‐glucopyranoside ( 3 ), and (3β,22R,25R)‐26‐(β‐D ‐glucopyranosyloxy)‐22‐hydroxyfurost‐5‐en‐3‐yl 6‐deoxy‐α‐L ‐mannopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐[β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→4)‐6‐deoxy‐α‐L ‐mannopyranosyl‐(1→3)]‐β‐D ‐glucopyranoside ( 5 ), as well as the new pregnane glycoside (3β,16β)‐3‐{[6‐deoxy‐α‐L ‐mannopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐[6‐deoxy‐α‐L ‐mannopyranosyl‐(1→3)]‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl]oxy}‐20‐oxopregn‐5‐en‐16‐yl (4R)‐5‐(β‐D ‐glucopyranosyloxy)‐4‐methylpentanoate ( 6 ), were isolated from the rhizomes of Tacca integrifolia together with two known (25R) configurated steroid saponins (3β,25R)‐spirost‐5‐en‐3‐yl 6‐deoxy‐α‐L ‐mannopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐[6‐deoxy‐α‐L ‐mannopyranosyl‐(1→3)]‐β‐D ‐glucopyranoside ( 2 ) and (3β,22R,25R)‐26‐(β‐D ‐glucopyranosyloxy)‐22‐methoxyfurost‐5‐en‐3‐yl 6‐deoxy‐α‐L ‐mannopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐[6‐deoxy‐α‐L ‐mannopyranosyl‐(1→3)]‐β‐D ‐glucopyranoside ( 4 ). The cytotoxic activity of the isolated compounds was evaluated in HeLa cells and showed the highest cytotoxicity value for compound 2 with an IC₅₀ of 1.2±0.4 μM . Intriguingly, while compounds 1 – 5 exhibited similar cytotoxic properties between 1.2±0.4 ( 2 ) and 4.0±0.6 μM ( 5 ), only compound 2 showed a significant microtubule‐stabilizing activity in vitro.     

桂火绳中化学成分的研究

从梧桐科火绳属桂火绳中提取分离到22个化合物,经结构鉴定为:羽扇豆醇(1),白桦脂酸(2),齐墩果酸(3),丁香脂素(4),(+)-异落叶松树脂醇(5),东莨菪内酯(6),对羟基肉桂酸(7),二十七碳酸单甘油酯(8),2-十八烯酸单甘油酯(9),sitoindosideⅡ(10),儿茶素(11),表儿茶素(12),表儿茶素3-O-β-D-吡喃木糖甙(13),山奈酚3-O-β-D-吡喃葡萄糖甙(14),5,7,4'-三羟基异黄酮(15),4'-O-methylgallocatechin(16),反式-二氢槲皮素-3-O-α-阿拉伯糖甙(17),顺式-二氢槲皮素-3-O-α-阿拉伯糖甙(18),反式-二氢槲皮素-3-O-β-吡喃葡萄糖甙(19),3,5,7,3',5'-五羟基-4'-甲氧基异黄酮(20),山奈酚-3-O-β-D-吡喃葡萄糖(6→1)-α-L-吡喃鼠李糖甙(21),以及槲皮素3-O-β-D-吡喃葡萄糖(6→1)-β-D-吡喃葡萄糖甙(22),这些化学成分首次从该属植物中分离出来。     

Melanogenesis‐Inhibitory and Cytotoxic Activities of Limonoids,Alkaloids, and Phenolic Compounds from Phellodendron amurense Bark

Four limonoids, 1  –  4 , five alkaloids, 5  –  9 , and four phenolic compounds, 10  –  13 , were isolated from a MeOH extract of the bark of Phellodendron amurense (Rutaceae). Among these, compound 13 was new, and its structure was established as rel‐(1R,2R,3R)‐5‐hydroxy‐3‐(4‐hydroxy‐3‐methoxyphenyl)‐6‐methoxy‐1‐(methoxycarbonylmethyl)indane‐2‐carboxylic acid methyl ester (γ‐di(methyl ferulate)) based on the spectrometric analysis. Upon evaluation of compounds 1  –  13 against the melanogenesis in the B16 melanoma cells induced with α‐melanocyte‐stimulating hormone (α‐MSH), four compounds, limonin ( 1 ), noroxyhydrastinine ( 6 ), haplopine ( 7 ), and 4‐methoxy‐1‐methylquinolin‐2(1H)‐one ( 8 ), exhibited potent melanogenesis‐inhibitory activities with almost no toxicity to the cells. Western blot analysis revealed that compound 6 inhibited melanogenesis, at least in part, by inhibiting the expression of protein levels of tyrosinase, TRP‐1, and TRP‐2 in α‐MSH‐stimulated B16 melanoma cells. In addition, when compounds 1  –  13 were evaluated for their cytotoxic activities against leukemia (HL60), lung (A549), duodenum (AZ521), and breast (SK‐BR‐3) cancer cell lines, five compounds, berberine ( 5 ), 8 , canthin‐6‐one ( 9 ), α‐di‐(methyl ferulate) ( 12 ), and 13 , exhibited cytotoxicities against one or more cancer cell lines with IC₅₀ values in the range of 2.6 – 90.0 μm . In particular, compound 5 exhibited strong cytotoxicity against AZ521 (IC₅₀ 2.6 μm ) which was superior to that of the reference cisplatin (IC₅₀ 9.5 μm ).     

Microbial Reactions on 7α‐Hydroxyfrullanolide and Evaluation of Biotransformed Products for Antibacterial Activity

7α‐Hydroxyfrullanolide ( 1 ), a known sesquiterpenoid, was isolated from Sphaeranthus indicus using an antibacterial‐activity‐directed fractionation method. This compound had exhibited a significant antibacterial activity against Gram‐positive bacteria. Chemical and microbial reactions were performed to prepare eight different analogues of compound 1 in order to evaluate these newly synthesized compounds for antibacterial activity. These compounds were 1β,7α‐dihydroxyfrullanolide ( 2 ), 7α‐hydroxy‐1‐oxofrullanolide ( 3 ), 4,5‐dihydro‐7α‐hydroxyfrullanolide ( 4 ), 11,13‐dihydro‐7α‐hydroxyfrullanolide ( 5 ), 13‐acetyl‐7α‐hydroxyfrullanolide ( 6 ), 2α,7α‐dihydroxysphaerantholide ( 7 ), 4α,5α‐epoxy‐7α‐hydroxyfrullanolide ( 8 ), and 4β,5β‐epoxy‐7α‐hydroxyfrullanolide ( 9 ). Microbial reactions on 1 using whole‐cell cultures of Cunninghamella echinulata and Curvularia lunata yielded compounds 2 – 4 . Incubation of compound 1 with the liquid cultures of Apsergillus niger and Rhizopus circinans yielded metabolites 5 – 7 , while 8 and 9 were prepared by carrying out an epoxidation reaction on 1 using meta‐chloroperbenzoic acid (mCPBA). Structures of compounds 2 – 9 were elucidated with the aid of extensive NMR spectral studies. Compounds 2 – 4 were found to be new metabolites. Compounds 1 – 9 were evaluated for antibacterial activity and found to exhibit a wide range of bioactivities. Antibacterial‐activity data of 1 – 9 suggested that the bioactivity of 1 is largely due to the presence of C(4)?C(5), C(11)?C(13), and a γ‐lactone moiety.     

Diverse Secondary Metabolites Produced by Marine‐Derived Fungus Nigrospora sp. MA75 on Various Culture Media

Bioassay‐guided isolation of a fungal strain Nigrospora sp. MA75, an endophytic fungus obtained from the marine semi‐mangrove plant Pongamia pinnata, which was fermented on three different culture media, resulted in the isolation and identification of seven known compounds, 2, 3 , and 5 – 9 , from a medium containing 3.5% NaCl, while a new compound, 2,3‐didehydro‐19α‐hydroxy‐14‐epicochlioquinone B ( 10 ) was obtained from the medium containing 3.5% NaI. In addition, two new griseofulvin derivatives, 6‐O‐desmethyldechlorogriseofulvin ( 1 ) and 6′‐hydroxygriseofulvin ( 4 ), were isolated and identified from the rice solid medium. Dechlorogriseofulvin ( 2 ) and griseofulvin ( 3 ) were the major components in fermentation extracts of all these culture media, while compounds 1 and 4, 5 and 6 , and 10 were only present in the extract of respective culture medium. The structures of these compounds were elucidated by detailed spectroscopic analysis, and the absolute configuration of 1 was determined by CD measurement. Compounds 9 and 10 exhibited antibacterial activities toward five tested bacterial strains, while compounds 5, 6 , and 8 selectively inhibited MRSA, E. coli, and S. epidermidis, and compound 3 showed moderate activity against V. mali and S. solani. Moreover, compound 10 potently inhibited the growth of MCF‐7, SW1990, and SMMC7721 tumor cell lines with IC₅₀ values of 4, 5, and 7 μg/ml, respectively.     

Phytochemical Investigation and Cytotoxic Evaluation of the Components of the Medicinal Plant Ligularia atroviolacea

A phytochemical investigation of the roots of Ligularia atroviolacea resulted in the isolation of 24 compounds including seven new eremophilanoids named eremophila‐3,7(11),8‐triene‐12,8;14,6α‐diolide ( 1 ), 3β‐(angeloyloxy)eremophil‐7(11)‐en‐12,8β‐olid‐14‐oic acid ( 2 ), 1α‐chloro‐10β‐hydroxy‐6β‐(2‐methylpropanoyloxy)‐9‐oxo‐7,8‐furoeremophilane ( 3 ), (10βH)‐8‐oxoeremophila‐3(4),6(7)‐diene‐12,14‐dioic acid ( 4 ), (10αH)‐8‐oxoeremophila‐3(4),6(7)‐diene‐12,14‐dioic acid ( 5 ), 8β‐[eremophila‐3′,7′(11′)‐diene‐12′,8′α;14′,6′α‐diolide]eremophila‐3,7(11)‐diene‐12,8α;14,6α‐diolide ( 6 ), and ligulatrovine A ( 7 ), eleven known eremophilanoids, 8 – 18 , four steroids, one glucose derivative, and one fatty acid. The structures of these compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic methods including 2D‐NMR experiments. The structure of 3 was also established by an X‐ray diffraction study. The in vitro cytotoxicity evaluation of selected compounds was performed on seven cultured tumor cell lines, i.e., KB, BEL‐7404, A549, HL‐60, HeLa, CNE, and P‐388D1. The preliminary taxonomy of this species was also discussed, and the possible biogenesis of a dimer possessing a new noreremophilanoid type skeleton, 7 , is presented in a preliminary form.