Novel antioxidant agents deriving from molecular combinations of vitamins C and E analogues: 3,4-dihydroxy-5(R)-[2(R,S)-(6-hydroxy-2,5,7,8-tetramethyl-chroman-2(R,S)-yl-methyl)-[1,3]dioxolan-4(S)-yl]-5H-furan-2-one and 3-O-octadecyl derivatives

Molecular combinations of two antioxidants (i.e., ascorbic acid and the pharmacophore of α-tocopherol), namely the 2,3-dihydroxy-2,3-enono-1,4-lactone and the chromane residues, have been designed and tested for their radical scavenging activities. When evaluated for their capability to inhibit malondialdehyde (MDA) production in rat liver microsomal membranes, the 3,4-dihydroxy-5R-2(R,S)-(6-hydroxy-2,5,7,8-tetramethylchroman-2(R,S)yl-methyl)-1,3]dioxolan-4S-yl]-5H-furan-2-one (11a–d), exhibited an interesting activity. In particular the 5R,2R,2R,4S and 5R,2R,2S,4S isomers (11c,d) displayed a potent antioxidant effect compared to the respective synthetic α-tocopherol analogue (5) and natural α-tocopherol or ascorbic acid, used alone or in combination. Moreover, the mixture of stereoisomers 11a–d also proved to be effective in preventing damage induced by reperfusion on isolated rabbit heart, in particular at the higher concentration of 300 μM. In view of these results our study represents a new approach to potential therapeutic agents for applications in pathological events in which a free radical damage is involved. Design, synthesis and preliminary biological activity are discussed.     

Phthalide mono- and dimers from the radix of Angelica sinensis

Phytochemical investigation of the radix of Angelica sinensis has led to the isolation and identification of a new phthalide dimer, (3Z)-(3aR,6S,3′R,8′S)-3a.8′,6.3′-diligustilide (1), along with three known phthalide dimers, including riligustilide (2), levistolide A (3), senkyunolide O (4), and three known phthalide monomers, including 3,9-dihydroxyl-ligustilide (5), (Z)-butylidene phthalide (6), (Z)-ligustilide (7). Their structures were determined by spectroscopic methods including IR, NMR (¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, COSY, HSQC, HMBC and NOESY) and MS. Meanwhile, the possible biosynthesis pathways of compounds 1 and 5 were hypothesized.     

Purification and characterization of a novel keto ester reductase from the green alga, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Chlorella sorokiniana</Emphasis>: comparison of enzymological properties with other microbial keto ester reductases

A novel keto ester reductase (Chlorella sorokiniana keto ester reductase, CSKER) from Chlorella sorokiniana SAG 211-8k cells was purified. The CSKER had a monomeric structure based on gel filtration chromatography (37 kDa) and SDS–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (34 kDa). The purified CSKER showed a high reducing activity with β-keto esters, in particular, ethyl 4-chloro-3-oxobutanoate and ethyl 2-chloro-3-oxobutanoate. However, the purified enzyme did not show any reducing activity with α-keto esters and 2-chlorobenzoylformamide (aromatic α-keto amide). The CSKER catalyzed the reduction of ethyl 4-chloro-3-oxobutanoate, ethyl 3-oxobutanoate, and methyl 3-oxobutanoate to the corresponding (R)-, (S)-, and (S)-hydroxy ester, respectively, with high enantioselectivity (>99% e.e.), respectively. Furthermore, the reduction of ethyl 2-methyl-3-oxobutanoate by CSKER exclusively yielded the corresponding syn-(2R, 3S)-hydroxy ester. The purified CSKER was inactive with NADH, used instead of NADPH. None of the keto ester-reducing enzymes already isolated from other microorganisms was identical to the CSKER. These results suggested that CSKER is a novel keto ester reductase that has not yet been reported.     

PAF-antagonistic bicyclo[3.2.1]octanoid neolignans from leaves of Ocotea macrophylla Kunth. (Lauraceae)

Di-nor-benzofuran neolignan aldehydes, Δ⁷-3,4-methylenedioxy-3′-methoxy-8′,9′-dinor-4′,7-epoxy-8,3′-neolignan-7′-aldehyde (ocophyllal A) 1, Δ⁷-3,4,5,3′-tetramethoxy-8′,9′-dinor-4′,7-epoxy-8,3′-neolignan-7′-aldehyde (ocophyllal B) 2, and macrophyllin-type bicyclo[3.2.1]octanoid neolignans (7R, 8R, 3′S, 4′S, 5′R)-Δ⁸′-4′-hydroxy-5′-methoxy-3,4-methylenedioxy-2′,3′,4′,5′-tetrahydro-2′-oxo-7.3′,8.5′-neolignan (ocophyllol A) 3, (7R, 8R, 3′S, 4′S, 5′R)-Δ⁸′-4′-hydroxy-3,4,5′-trimethoxy-2′,3′,4′,5′-tetrahydro-2′-oxo-7.3′,8.5′-neolignan (ocophyllol B) 4, (7R, 8R, 3′S, 4′S, 5′R)-Δ⁸′-4′-hydroxy-3,4,5,5′-tetramethoxy-2′,3′,4′,5′-tetrahydro-2′-oxo-7.3′,8.5′-neolignan (ocophyllol C) 5, as well as 2′-epi-guianin 6 and (+)-licarin B 7, were isolated and characterized from leaves of Ocotea macrophylla (Lauraceae). The structures and configuration of these compounds were determined by extensive spectroscopic analyses. Inhibition of platelet activating factor (PAF)-induced aggregation of rabbit platelets were tested with neolignans 1–7. Although compound 6 was the most potent PAF-antagonist, compounds 3–5 showed some activity.     

Biotransformation of p-, m-, and o-hydroxybenzoic acids by Panax ginseng hairy root cultures

The regioselective glycosylation of three isomers of hydroxybenzoic acids was observed in Panax ginseng hairy root cultures. p-Hydroxybenzoic acid (1) and m-hydroxybenzoic acid (2) were converted into their corresponding glycosides (1a and 2a) and glycosyl esters (1b and 2b) while no metabolite of o-hydroxybenzoic acid (3) was detected. A new compound, m-hydroxybenzoic acid β-d-xylopyranosyl (1 → 6)-β-d-glycopyranosyl ester (2c) was identified as a biotransformation product of 2. Further time-course studies of the biotransformation reactions showed that the glycosides were major products in the latter stage. The addition of carbohydrates or antioxidants increased glycosyl esters formation.     

柯拉斯那沉香的生物活性成分研究

为了解柯拉斯那(Aquilaria crassna)的化学成分,从其所产沉香中分离得到10个化合物,经波谱分析分别鉴定为:6,8-羟基-2-(2-苯乙基)色酮(1),6,8-二羟基-2-[2-(4-甲氧基苯)乙基]色酮(2),rel-(1a R,2R,3R,7b S)-1a,2,3,7b-tetrahydro-2,3-dihydroxy-5-(2-phenylethyl)-7H-oxireno[f][1]benzopyran-7-one(3),rel-(1a R,2R,3R,7b S)-1a,2,3,7b-tetrahydro-2,3-dihydroxy-[2-(4-methoxyphenyl)-ethyl]-7H-oxireno[f][1]benzopyran-7-one(4),rel-(1a R,2R,3R,7b S)-1a,2,3,7b-tetrahydro-2,3-dihydroxy-5-[2-(3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-ethyl]-7H-oxireno[f][1]benzopyran-7-one(5),oxidoagarochromone B(6),oxidoagarochromone C(7),(5S,6R,7S,8R)-2-[2-(3′-hydroxy-4′-methoxyphenyl)ethyl]-5,6,7,8-tetrahydroxy-5,6,7,8-tetrahydrochromone(8),6,7-cis-dihydroxy-2-(2-phenylethyl)-5,6,7,8-tetrahydrochromone(9),N-trans-feruloyltyramine(10)。化合物3~5和8~10为首次从柯拉斯那沉香中分离得到。化合物1,3,6,7,9和10对乙酰胆碱酯酶具有一定的抑制活性,化合物4对人慢性髓原白血病细胞株K-562和人胃癌细胞株SGC-7901均具有较小的抑制作用,化合物1和3对人肝癌细胞株BEL-7402也有抑制活性。     

Enantioselective ester hydrolase from Sphingobacterium sp. 238C5 useful for chiral resolution of β-phenylalanine and for its β-peptide synthesis

A novel enzyme, β-phenylalanine ester hydrolase, useful for chiral resolution of β-phenylalanine and for its β-peptide synthesis was characterized. The enzyme purified from the cell free-extract of Sphingobacterium sp. 238C5 well hydrolyzed β-phenylalanine esters (S)-stereospecifically. Besides β-phenylalanine esters, the enzyme catalyzed the hydrolysis of several α-amino acid esters with l-stereospecificity, while the deduced 369 amino acid sequence of the enzyme exhibited homology to alkaline d-stereospecific peptide hydrolases from Bacillus strains. Escherichia coli transformant expressing the β-phenylalanine ester hydrolase gene exhibited an about 8-fold increase in specific (S)-β-phenylalanine ethyl ester hydrolysis as compared with that of Sphingobacterium sp. 238C5. The E. coli transformant showed (S)-enantiomer specific esterase activity in the reaction with a low concentration (30 mM) of β-phenylalanine ethyl ester, while it showed both esterase and transpeptidase activity in the reaction with a high concentration (170 mM) of β-phenylalanine ethyl ester and produced β-phenylalanyl-β-phenylalanine ethyl ester. This transpeptidase activity was useful for β-phenylalanine β-peptide synthesis.     

Alkylsulfanyl analogs as potent α2δ ligands

We identified novel (3R, 5S)-3-aminomethyl-5-methanesulfanyl hexanoic acid (5a: DS75091588) and (3R, 5S)-3-aminomethyl-5-ethanesulfanyl hexanoic acid (6a: DS18430756) as sulfur-containing γ-amino acid derivatives that were useful for the treatment of neuropathic pain. These two compounds exhibited a potent analgesic effect in animal models of both type I diabetes and type II diabetes, and good pharmacokinetics.     

Synthesis and in vitro antitumor activity of novel iridium(III) complexes with enantiopure C2-symmetrical vicinal diamine ligands

Four novel iridium(III) complexes with enantiopure C₂-symmetrical vicinal diamine ligands were designed, synthesized, and characterized by FT-IR, NMR, and MS. The cytotoxicities of all of the complexes against the human solid tumor cell lines A2780, A549, KB, and MDA-MB-231 were evaluated. Both R,R-configured complexes (R,R)-5a and (R,R)-5b exhibited more potent or similar activity compared with oxaliplatin, whereas their corresponding (S,S)-isomers (S,S)-5a and (S,S)-5b were found to be mostly inactive. As indicated by the activation of caspase-3, the cleavage of PARP, and the upregulation of p53, the preliminary mechanism studies revealed that the mode of cell death initiated by (R,R)-5a in A2780 cells was predominantly p53-mediated apoptosis. In addition, the structure of (R,R)-5a was unambiguously confirmed through single crystal X-ray structure determination.     

Evaluation of enantioselectivity in lipase-catalyzed acylation of hydroxyalkylphosphine oxides

The lipase-catalyzed optical resolution of 2-, 3-, and 5-hydroxyalkyl phosphorus compounds 1 provided the corresponding optically pure diastereomers in good yields. (S_P, R)- and (R_P, S)-1 were acylated faster than (S_P, S)- and (R_P, R)-1. The stereoselectivity at the phosphorus atom changed with the flexibility of the active sites in the lipases. The stereoselectivity at the phosphorus atom was higher in the reaction of 1a than in the reaction of 1b,c. The reaction rate of -hydroxyalkylphosphine oxide 1c was faster than that of 1a, although less enantioselectivity was observed at the phosphorus atom.     

Enzymatic resolution of albicanol and its application to the synthesis of (−)-copalic acid

The optical resolution of racemic albicanol (rac-1) based on the lipase-catalyzed transesterification by using vinyl myristate as an acyl donor afforded (8aR)-1 (99% ee) in 43% yield and (8aS)-1 (99% ee) in 37%. E value of the enzymatic reaction was 56.7 which was superior to that of the reported value (E = 25) by using isopropenyl acetate as an acyl donor. As the synthetic application of obtained (8aR)-1, (−)-copalic acid ((8aR)-3) and (−)-copalol ((8aR)-4) were synthesized from (8aR)-1 in 35% and 34% total yield, respectively.     

Four tetracyclic oxindole alkaloids and a taberpsychine derivative from a Malayan Tabernaemontana

Four tetracyclic oxindole alkaloids, 7(R)- and 7(S)-geissoschizol oxindole (1 and 2), 7(R),16(R)- and 7(S),16(R)–19(E)-isositsirikine oxindole (3 and 4), in addition to a taberpsychine derivative, N(4)-demethyltaberpsychine (5), were isolated from the Malayan Tabernaemontana corymbosa and the structures were established using NMR and MS analysis.     

Two new dihydrobenzofuran-type neolignans from Breynia fruticosa

(7S,8R,7′S)-9,7′,9′-Trihydroxy-3,4-methylenedioxy-3′-methoxy [7-O-4′,8-5′] neolignan (1) and (7S,8R,7′S)-9,9′-dihydroxy-3,4-methylenedioxy-3′,7′-dimethoxy [7-O-4′,8-5′] neolignan (2), two new natural dihydrobenzofuran-type neolignans, along with 9,9′-dihydroxy-3,4-methylenedioxy-3′-methoxy [7-O-4′,8-5′] neolignan (3) and (-)-machicendiol (4), were isolated from the whole plants of Breynia fruticosa. The structures of 1 and 2, including the absolute configurations, were determined by spectroscopic methods and circular dichroism (CD) techniques. The absolute configuration of 4 was confirmed by calculations of the OR spectrum, together with OR and ECD spectra of its p-bromobenzoate ester (4a).     

Biocatalytic application of nitrilases from Fusarium solani O1 and Aspergillus niger K10

The nitrilases from Fusarium solani O1 and Aspergillus niger K10 showed a broad substrate specificity for carbocyclic and nonaromatic heterocyclic amino nitriles, the preferred substrates being five-membered γ-amino nitrile (±)-1a, six-membered γ-amino nitriles (±)-3a, (±)-5a and (±)-6a, pyrrolidine-3-carbonitriles (±)-9a and (±)-10a as well as piperidine-4-carbonitriles 14a and 15a. Both enzymes showed a strong diastereopreference for cis- vs. trans-γ-amino nitriles. The electronic and steric effects of N-protecting groups affected the reactivity of the nitriles. Amides as by-products of the nitrilase-catalyzed reaction were produced from heterocyclic amino nitriles (±)-9a, (±)-10a, 14a and 15a by the A. niger enzyme but only from nitrile (±)-9a by the F. solani enzyme.     

Synthesis of hydantoin analogues of (2S,3R,4S)-4-hydroxyisoleucine with insulinotropic properties

The first synthesis of an optically pure (2R,3R,4S)-hydantoin 2, analogue of (2S,3R,4S)-4-hydroxyisoleucine, was achieved in two steps in un-optimized 35% overall yield from previously reported aldehyde synthon 1. (2R,3R,4S)-Hydantoin is stable at acidic pH. This solves the major drawback of (2S,3R,4S)-4-hydroxyisoleucine that easily cyclizes into inactive lactone. Furthermore, (2R,3R,4S)-hydantoin stimulates the insulin secretion by 150% at 25 μM compared with 4-hydroxyisoleucine and insulin secretagogue drug repaglinide. In view of its stability and biological activity, (2R,3R,4S)-hydantoin represents a good candidate for type-2 diabetes management and control.     

Chiral syntheses of methyl (R)‐2‐Sulfanylcarboxylic esters and acids with optical purity determination using HPLC

Accessible chiral syntheses of 3 types of (R)‐2‐sulfanylcarboxylic esters and acids were performed: (R)‐2‐sulfanylpropanoic (thiolactic) ester (53%, 98%ee) and acid (39%, 96%ee), (R)‐2‐sulfanylsucciinic diester (59%, 96%ee), and (R)‐2‐mandelic ester (78%, 90%ee) and acid (59%, 96%ee). The present practical and robust method involves (i) clean S_N2 displacement of methanesulfonates of (S)‐2‐hydroxyesters by using commercially available AcSK with tris(2‐[2‐methoxyethoxy])ethylamine and (ii) sufficiently mild deacetylation. The optical purity was determined by the corresponding (2R,5R)‐trans‐thiazolidin‐4‐one and (2S,5R)‐cis‐thiazolidin‐4‐one derivatives based on accurate high‐performance liquid chromatography analysis with high‐resolution efficiency. Compared with the reported method utilizing AcSCs (generated from AcSH and CsCO₃), the present method has several advantages, that is, the use of odorless AcCOSK reagent, reasonable reaction velocity, isolation procedure, and accurate, reliable optical purity determination. The use of accessible AcSK has advantages because of easy‐to‐handle odorless and hygroscopic solid that can be used in a bench‐top procedure. The Ti(OiPr)₄ catalyst promoted smooth trans‐cyclo‐condensation to afford (2R,5R)‐trans‐thiazolidin‐4‐one formation of (R)‐2‐sulfanylcarboxylic esters with available N‐(benzylidene)methylamine under neutral conditions without any racemization, whereas (2S,5R)‐cis‐thiazollidin‐4‐ones were obtained via cis‐cyclo‐condensation and no catalysts. Direct high‐performance liquid chromatography analysis of methyl (R)‐mandelate was also performed; however, the resolution efficiency was inferior to that of the thaizolidin‐4‐one derivatizations.     

Isolation and characterization of Acinetobacter sp. ES-1 excreting a lipase with high enantioselectivity for (S)-ketoprofen ethyl ester

A new Acinetobacter sp. ES-1, grown on triolein, tryptone and Triton X-100, excreted a lipase that hydrolyzed 10m M (R,S)-ketoprofen ethyl ester into (S)-ketoprofen. The crude lipase had an activity of 10Uml^-1 and, at 30°C and pH7 over 48h, gave a conversion yield of 35% with an enantiomeric excess for the product 96%.     

Enantiomeric lignans with anti-β-amyloid aggregation activity from the twigs and leaves of Pithecellobium clypearia Benth

To develop potential agents for slowing the progression of Alzheimer′s disease, two pairs of new enantiomeric lignans, including a couple of rarely 8′,9′-dinor-3′,7-epoxy-8,4′-oxyneolignanes named (7S, 8S)- and (7R, 8R)-pithecellobiumin A (1a/1b) and a pair of 2′,9′-epoxy-arylnaphthalenes named (7R, 8R, 8′R)- and (7S, 8S, 8′S)-pithecellobiumin B (2a/2b) were separated by chiral high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Their planar structures were elucidated by spectroscopic data analyses. The absolute configurations were determined by comparing of experimental and calculated electronic circular dichroism (ECD). The inhibitory activity on Aβ aggregation of all optical pure compounds was tested by ThT assay. Interestingly, enantiomeric inhibitors 1a (62.1%) and 1b (81.6%) exhibited different degrees of anti-Aβ aggregation activity. However, 2a (65.4%) and 2b (68.4%) showed similar inhibition rate. The different inhibition profiles were explained by molecular dynamics and docking simulation studies.     

Synthesis and characterization of pyridoxine,nicotine and nicotinamide salts of dithiophosphoric acids as antibacterial agents against resistant wound infection

The pyridine-derived biomolecules are of considerable interest in developing medicinal compounds with various specific activities. Novel ammonium salts of pyridoxine, (S)-(–)-nicotine and nicotinamide with O,O-diorganyl dithiophosphoric acids (DTPA) were synthesized and characterized. The complexation of chiral monoterpenyl DTPA, including (S)-(–)-menthyl, (R)-(+)-menthyl, (1R)-endo-(+)-fenchyl, (1S,2S,3S,5R)-(+)-isopinocampheolyl derivatives, with pyridoxine and nicotine provided effective antibacterial compounds 3a,b,e,f, and 5a,b,d,f with MIC values against Gram-positive bacteria as low as 10?µM (6?µg/mL). Two selected pyridoxine and nicotine salts based on menthyl DTPA 3a and 5a were similarly active against antibiotic-resistant bacteria from burn wounds including MRSA. The compounds had enhanced amphiphilic and hemolytic properties and effectively altered surface characteristics and matrix-secreting ability of P. aeroginosa and S. aureus. MBC/MIC ratios of 3a and 5a suggested the bactericidal mode of their action. Furthermore, the compounds exhibited moderate cytotoxicity towards human skin fibroblasts (IC₅₀?=?48.6 and 57.6?µM, respectively, 72?h), encouraging their further investigation as potential antimicrobials against skin and wound infections.     

Microbial production of optically active β-phenylalanine ethyl ester through stereoselective hydrolysis of racemic β-phenylalanine ethyl ester

The ability to produce (R)- or (S)-β-phenylalanine ethyl ester (3-amino-3-phenylpropionic acid ethyl ester, BPAE) from racemic BPAE through stereoselective hydrolysis was screened for in BPAE-assimilating microorganisms. Sphingobacterium sp. 238C5 and Arthrobacter sp. 219D2 were found to be potential catalysts for (R)- and (S)-BPAE production, respectively. On a 24-h reaction, with 2.5% (w/v) racemic BPAE (130 mM) as the substrate and wet cells of Sphingobacterium sp. 238C5 as the catalyst, 1.15% (w/v) (R)-BPAE (60 mM) with enantiomeric purity of 99% e.e. was obtained, the molar yield as to racemic BPAE being 46%. On a 48-h reaction, with 2.5% (w/v) racemic BPAE (130 mM) as the substrate and wet cells of Arthrobacter sp. 219D2 as the catalyst, 0.87% (w/v) (S)-BPAE (45 mM) with enantiomeric purity of 99% e.e. was obtained, the molar yield as to racemic BPAE being 35%. The enzyme stereoselectively hydrolyzing (S)-BPAE was purified to homogeneity from the cell-free extract of Sphingobacterium sp. 238C5. The enzyme was a monomeric protein with a molecular mass of about 42,000. The enzyme catalyzed hydrolysis of β-phenylalanine esters, while the common aliphatic and aromatic carboxylate esters were not catalyzed.