Two novel saponins from Cephalaria davisiana (Dipsacaceae)

Two novel hederagenin type triterpene saponins, namely davisianoside A (1) and davisianoside B (2) together with ten known compounds (3–12) were isolated from the aerial parts of Cephalaria davisiana (Dipsacaceae). One new prosapogenin (1a) was also obtained after the alkaline hydrolysis of compound 1. The chemical structures of all compounds were established mainly by 1D-, 2D-NMR and HR-ESI/MS analysis as well as chemical methods.The antibacterial and antifungal effects of compounds 1–2 were evaluated against Gram-positive, Gram-negative bacteria and unicellular yeast C. albicans by MIC method.     

Novel pyrazole integrated 1,3,4-oxadiazoles: Synthesis,characterization and antimicrobial evaluation

A novel series of 2-(5-methyl-1,3-diphenyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-5-phenyl-1,3,4-oxadiazoles 7(a–m) were synthesized either by cyclization of N′-benzoyl-5-methyl-1,3-diphenyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carbohydrazide 4a using POCl₃ at 120 °C or by oxidative cyclization of hydrazones derived from various arylaldehyde and (E)-N′-benzylidene-5-methyl-1,3-diphenyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carbohydrazide 5(a–d) using chloramine-T as oxidant. Newly synthesized compounds were characterized by analytical and spectral (IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR and LC–MS) methods. The synthesized compounds were evaluated for their antimicrobial activity and were compared with standard drugs. The compounds demonstrated potent to weak antimicrobial activity. Among the synthesized compounds, compound 7m emerged as an effective antimicrobial agent, while compounds 7d, 7f, 7i and 7l showed good to moderate activity. The minimum inhibitory concentration of the compounds was in the range of 20–50 μg mL⁻¹ against bacteria and 25–55 μg mL⁻¹ against fungi. The title compounds represent a novel class of potent antimicrobial agents.     

Chemical constituents from Cymbaria dahurica L. (Scrophulariaceae)

Phytochemical study of Cymbaria dahurica L. afforded 16 compounds, including 12 flavonoids (1–12) and 4 iridoids (13–16). Structure elucidation of these compounds was generated by a combination of spectroscopic means (ESI-MS, ¹H and ¹³C NMR) and comparisons with the published data. This is the first report of isolation of compounds (1–6, 10–16) from C. dahurica and compounds (5, 10, 12) from the family Scrophulariaceae, respectively. The chemotaxonomic data can support the genus Cymbaria being accepted as a member of transitional taxa between the family Scrophulariaceae and Orobanchaceae.     

Chemical constituents from Ficus natalensis hochst (Moraceae) and their chemophenetic significance

Phytochemical investigation of the stem bark of Ficus natalensis afforded eleven compounds including one ceramide (1), two anthraquinones (2, 3), four triterpenes (4–7), two polyols (8, 9) and two steroids (10, 11). The structures of the compounds were determined by spectroscopic analyses including IR, UV, MS, 1D- and 2D- NMR (¹H, ¹³C, ¹H–¹H COSY, HMQC, HMBC and NOESY), as well as by comparison with literature data. The antibacterial activity and the cytotoxicity of the extract, fractions and some isolated compounds (3, 5, 8 and 9) were evaluated. Some fractions and sub-fractions from various column chromatography displayed moderate antibacterial activity with diameter zone of inhibition (DZI) ranging from 7 to 10 mm. None of the compounds tested had activity. In the present study, all the compounds are isolated for the first time from the species F. natalensis. Compounds 2, 4–7, 10 and 11 were previously reported from the genus Ficus. The chemophenetic significance of the isolated compounds is discussed.     

Ecdysteroids from the flowers of Aerva javanica

Four new ecdysteroids (1–4), along with three known steroids, β-ecdysone (5), 5-β-2-deoxyintegristerone A (6) and 24-epi-makisterone A (7) (Fig. 1), were isolated from the methanolic extract of the flowers of Aerva javanica by using normal and reverse phase chromatography. The structures of the new compounds (1–4) were determined due to 1D (¹H and ¹³C), 2D NMR (HSQC, HMBC, COSY, NOESY) techniques and high resolution mass spectrometry (HREIMS). The known compounds (5–7) were characterized based on the 1D NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry and by comparison with the literature values. All isolates were evaluated for their inhibitory activities against enzymes acetylcholinesterase (AChE), butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) and lipoxygenase (LOX).     

Anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activities of novel pyrazole analogues

A new sequence of pyrazole derivatives (1–6) was synthesized from condensation technique under utilizing ultrasound irradiation. Synthesized compounds were characterized from IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, Mass and elemental analysis. Synthesized compounds (1–6) were screened for antimicrobial activity. Among the compounds 3 (MIC: 0.25 μg/mL) was exceedingly antibacterially active against gram negative bacteria of Escherichia coli and compound 4 (MIC: 0.25 μg/mL) was highly active against gram positive bacteria of Streptococcus epidermidis compared with standard Ciprofloxacin. Compound 2 (MIC: 1 μg/mL) was highly antifungal active against Aspergillus niger proportionate to Clotrimazole. Synthesized compounds (1–6) were screened for anti-inflammatory activity and the compound 2-((5-hydroxy-3-methyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)(4-nitrophenyl)methyl)hydrazinecarboxamide (4) was better activity against anti-inflammatory when compared with standard drugs (Diclofenac sodium). Compounds (2, 3 and 4) are the most important molecules and hence the need to develop new drugs of antibacterial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory agents.     

The triterpenes and steroids from the fruiting body Ganoderma duripora

Two new triterpenes (1–2) and seven steroids (3–9) were isolated from the fruiting bodies of Ganoderma duripora. Structure elucidation of these compounds was generated by a combination of spectroscopic means (HRTOFMS, ¹H and ¹³C NMR). There are significant differences between the compounds isolated from Ganoderma duripora and from the other Ganoderma species, suggesting that we need to reconsider the classification of G. duripora according to the taxonomy of chemistry.     

Design,synthesis, characterization and biological evaluation of novel pyrazole integrated benzophenones

A series of novel pyrazole integrated benzophenones (9a–j) have been designed, synthesized from 1-methyl-5-(2,4,6-trimethoxy-phenyl)-1H-pyrazole 6. The structures of the regioisomers 6 and 7 were determined by 2D ¹H–¹H COSY, ¹H–¹³C HSQC and ¹H–¹³C HMBC experiments. The newly synthesized compounds (9a–j) were evaluated for in vivo anti-inflammatory activity by carrageenan paw edema in rats and in vitro COX-1/COX-2 inhibition and antioxidant potential. Among the synthesized compounds, compounds 9b, 9d and 9f, were found to be active anti-inflammatory agents in addition to having potent antioxidant activity.     

Xanthone,benzophenone and bianthrone derivatives from the hypersaline lake-derived fungus Aspergillus wentii

Five new metabolites, including the xanthone derivative wentixanthone A (1), the benzophenone wentiphenone A (2), the diastereomeric mixtures of the bianthrones wentibianthrone A (3a, b) and wentibianthrone B (4a, b), as well as (10R,10′S)-wentibianthrone C (5a) and (10R,10′R)-wentibianthrone C (5b) were obtained from the fungus Aspergillus wentii, isolated from soil of the hypersaline lake El Hamra in Wadi El-Natrun, Egypt. The structures of the isolated compounds were established by one and two-dimensional NMR and MS spectroscopic analysis. The relative configuration of bianthrones (3–5) was elucidated by comparison of experimental and computed ¹H NMR chemical shifts. Results of biological assays are reported.     

Thaixylomolins D–F,new limonoids from the Thai true mangrove,Xylocarpus moluccensis

Three new limonoids, named thaixylomolins D–F (1–3), were obtained from the seeds of a Thai true mangrove, Xylocarpus moluccensis. The structures of these compounds were identified by extensive NMR and HR-ESIMS/MS investigations. They are further additions to the small group of phragmalins with a C-30 carbonyl moiety, among which thaixylomolins D–E (1–2) contain a Δ^8,14 double bond, whereas thaixylomolin F (3) possesses conjugated Δ^8,9 and Δ^14,15 double bonds.     

Three new terpenoids from the Eupatorium chinense

Three new terpenoids compounds (1–3) were obtained from ethyl acetate fraction, which was yielded from Eupatorium chinense’s ethanol extract. Their structures were determined on the basis of 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy, including ¹H-¹H COSY, HMBC, HSQC and NOESY experiments. All of the isolated compounds were tested in vitro for their cytotoxic activities against the HepG₂, HGC-27 and MDA-MB-231 cancer cell lines.     

Novel metabolites from the roots of Cadaba natalensis

From an extract of the roots of Cadaba natalensis Sond. the novel macrocyclic dibenzo-diazacyclododecanedione 1 was isolated together with (S)-2-ethyl-2-methyloxazolidin-5-one (2a). In addition, the five known compounds were obtained. Of these, (R)-5-ethyl-5-methyloxazolidin-2-one (3) is reported as a natural product for the first time. The structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated by analysis of the spectral data, 1D NMR (¹H, ¹³C, and DEPT), 2D NMR (COSY, HMQC, HMBC, and NOESY), and HRESIMS, as well as by the comparison with previously reported data.     

Two new antimicrobial steroids and other constituents from the whole plant of Ludwigia abyssinica

The genus Ludwigia belongs to the Onagraceae family and it encompasses seventy-five species of aquatic plants. The chemistry of this genus is scarcely investigated, although some studies have demonstrated the potential of Ludwigia leptocarpa to produce important bioactive compounds. Herein, we describe the phytochemical investigation of Ludwigia abyssinica A. Rich. Two new steroids named 3β-formyloxy-5α,6α-dihydroxysitostane (Ludwigiaformyl A, 1) and 3β,6α-diformyloxy-5α-hydroxysitostane (Ludwigiaformyl B, 2), along with six known compounds, 3β-formyloxysitost-5-en (3), 5α,6β-dihydroxysitosterol (4), maslinic acid (5), oleanolic acid (6) and a mixture of two iridoids: linearin (7) and 1-epilinearin (8) were obtained from whole plant of L. abyssinica. The structures of the isolated compounds were established by extensive analysis of their spectroscopic and spectrometric data, which included HR-TOF-ESIMS, ¹D NMR (¹H, ¹³C) and ²D NMR (¹H–¹H COSY, HSQC, HMBC and ROESY) and by comparison with data reported in the literature. The antimicrobial activities of extracts, fractions, and new compounds (1) and (2) were evaluated using broth microdilution method against fungi and bacteria strains. The MeOH extract and the ethyl acetate fraction displayed different degrees of antibacterial and antifungal activities (MIC = 32 – 512 µg/mL; MMC = 64 – 512 µg/mL) whereas compounds 1 and 2 showed moderate antimicrobial activities against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Shigella flexneri and Cryptococcus neoformans (MIC = 8 – 32 µg/mL; MMC = 8 – 64 µg/mL).     

New bis-thioglycosyl-1,1′-disulfides from Nasturtium officinale R. Br. and their anti-neuroinflammatory effect

As a part of our continuing search for bioactive constituents from Brassicaceae family, three new bis-thioglycosides (1–3) were isolated from the 80% MeOH extract of Nasturtium officinale, together with 13 known compounds (4–16). The chemical structures of three new bis-thioglycosides (1–3) were elucidated using NMR techniques (¹H and ¹³C NMR, ¹H–¹H COSY, HSQC, and HMBC), HRESIMS, and a chemical method. All the compounds were evaluated for their inhibitory effects on nitric oxide (NO) levels in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated murine microglia BV-2 cells. Among the isolates, compound 5 exhibited a strong inhibitory effect on NO production, and compounds 4 and 15 showed moderate inhibitory activities, suggesting the neuroprotective and anti-neuroinflammatory effects of bis-thioglycosides from N. officinale.     

Microwave-assisted synthesis and in vitro antibacterial activity of novel steroidal thiosemicarbazone derivatives

Herein, we reported the synthesis of 16 novel steroidal thiosemicarbazone derivatives via the condensation of steroidal ketones and substituted thiosemicarbazides under solvent-free conditions using microwave irradiation. The yields obtained are in the range of 84–96% using microwave method and 46–62% using conventional method. All the synthesized compounds (7a–p) have been characterized by ¹H NMR, ESI-MS, IR and elemental analyses. All the series compounds (7a–p) were evaluated for their antibacterial activity against and the results were compared with the standard drug Amoxicillin. Some of the compounds from the series like 7c, 7o and 7p were equipotent with Amoxicillin against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Also compound 7h was better than Amoxicillin against Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis.     

Flavonoid glycosides and triterpenoids from Atractylis flava

Two new flavonoid glycosides, together with twelve known compounds including seven flavonoids and five triterpenoids were isolated from the whole plant Atractylis flava Desf. The structures of new compounds have been elucidated as 6-hydroxykaempferol 6-methyl ether 7-O-β-glucopyranuronoside (1) and isorhamnetin 3-O-[(6″′-O-E-feruloyl)-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 2)]-β-d-galactopyranoside (2) named Atraflavoside A and B successively, on the basis of physical and spectroscopic analysis, including 1D and 2D NMR (¹H, ¹³C, COSY, TOCSY, HSQC, HMBC and NOESY) and mass spectrometry (HRESIMS) whereas those of the known compounds (3–14) were established by spectral comparison with those published in the literature.     

Isolation of two new phenolic compounds from the fruit of Chaenomeles speciosa (Sweet) Nakai

Phytochemical research on the anti-inflammatory activities of Chaenomeles speciosa (Sweet) Nakai (Rosaceae) to investigate the main components of 10% ethanol fraction of the crude extract of C. speciosa fruit in an attempt to find bioactive compounds or new compounds from this medicinal plant. The phytochemical investigation succeeded in isolating two new phenolic compounds, specpolyphenol A (1) and specphenoside A (2), together with three known phenyl glycosides (3–5) from the fraction. The structures of the new compounds were deduced from comprehensive spectroscopic analyses including IR, EI-MS, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, DEPT, COSY, HMBC and HMQC. The structures of the three known compounds 3, 4 and 5 were identified by comparison of their spectral data with those reported in the literature.     

Phytochemical and chemotaxonomic study on Piper pleiocarpum Chang ex Tseng

The phytochemical study of Piper pleiocarpum Chang ex Tseng led to the isolation of eighteen compounds (1–18), including ten lignanoids, galbelgin (1), (+) sesamin (2), denudatin A (3), hancinone (4), (7S,8S, 3′R)-Δ^8'-3,3′,4-trimethoxy-3′,6′-dihydro-6′-oxo-7.0.4′,8.3′-lignan[(2S,3S,3aR)-2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-3,3a-dihydro-3a-methoxy-3-methyl-5-(2-propenyl)-6(2H))-benzofuranone] (5), (−)-(7R,8R)-machilin D (6), (1R,2R)-2-[2-methoxy-4-((E)-prop-1-enyl)phenoxy]-1-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)propyl acetate (7), piperbonin A (8), machilin D (9), 4-methoxymachilin D (10), one amide alkaloid, Δ^α,β-dihydropiperine (11), six polyoxygenated cyclohexenes, ent-curcuminol F (12), uvaribonol E (13), ellipeiopsol A (14), 1S,2R,3R,4S-1-ethoxy-2-[(benzoyloxy)methyl]cyclohex-5-ene-2,3,4-triol, 3-acetate (15), (+)-crotepoxide (16), (+)-senediol (17), and one benzoate derivative, 2-acetoxybenzyl benzoate (18). Their structures were established by spectroscopic data and by comparison with the literature. All the compounds were firstly isolated from P. pleiocarpum, while ten compounds 6–7, 9–10, 12–15, 17–18 were isolated from the genus Piper and the family Piperaceae for the first time. The chemotaxonomic significance of these compounds was also discussed. The isolation of compounds 6–7, 9–10 may be used as chemotaxonomic markers for the genus of Piper.     

Sesquiterpenes and nor sesquiterpenes from Schefflera leucantha R.Vig. (Araliaceae)

One new nor sesquiterpenes, Schesesquiterpene (1), together with nine reported sesquiterpenes and nor sesquiterpenes (2–10) were obtained from Schefflera leucantha R.Vig. (Araliaceae). The structures were determined according to spectroscopic data analysis and chemical evidence. Noteworthily, Compound 7 was isolated as a new natural product, and other compounds (2–6 and 8–10) were obtained from the family Araliaceae for the first time.     

New α-Glucosidase inhibitors from the resins of Boswellia species with structure–glucosidase activity and molecular docking studies

Phytochemical investigation of the oleo-gum resins from Boswellia papyrifera afforded one new triterpene, named 3α-hydroxyurs-5:19-diene (1) together with twelve known compounds including eight triterpenoids (2–9), two diterpenoids (10 and 11) and two straight chain alkanes (12 and 13). Similarly ten more known compounds were isolated from the resin of Boswellia sacra including one triterpene (20) and nine boswellic acids (14–19 and 21–23). Herein the compound 2 was first time reporting from natural source along with complete NMR assignment, while compounds 3–11 are known, but reported for the first time from the resin of B. papyrifera. The structure elucidation was done by advance spectroscopic ¹D and ²D NMR techniques viz., ¹H, ¹³C, DEPT, HSQC, HMBC, and COSY, and NEOSY, ESI-MS and compared with the reported literature. All compounds were evaluated for their α-glucosidase inhibitory activity and as result eight of them 1, 3, 10, 11, 15, and 17–19 were found significantly active against α-glucosidase with an IC₅₀ value ranging from 15.0 ± 0.84 to 80.3 ± 2.33 µM, while 21 exhibited moderate activity with IC₅₀ of 799.9 ± 4.98 µM. Furthermore, two compounds 24 and 25 were synthesised from 16 and 17 to see the effect of carboxyl group in structural-activity relationship (SAR) study. Compounds 24 and 25 retained good α-glucosidase inhibition as compared to 16 and 17, indicating that carboxylic group play a key role in SAR. In addition, the aforementioned activity of all the active compounds was first time reported for their α-glucosidase inhibition potential. The molecular docking studies showed that all the active compounds well accommodate in the active site of the enzyme. Moreover pharmacokinetic properties of the compounds were predicted in silico, suggesting that the compounds possess drug like properties and excellent ADMET profile.