Neue phloroglucin-derivate aus Leontonyx-arten sowie weitere verbindungen aus vertretern der tribus inuleae

The investigation of several South African species of the tribe Inuleae afforded in addition to known compounds 16 new constituents. From Leontonyx a group of 9 new phloroglucinol derivatives, from Stoebe species two new p-hydroxyacetophenone, two thymol and two coumaric acid derivatives and from Relhania a new euparine-derivative were isolated. The structures are elucidated mainly by spectroscopic methods. The chemotaxonomic aspects are discussed briefly. The phloroglucinol derivatives, which in part are derived from geraniol, seem to be especially characteristic.     

Eremophilane derivatives and other constituents from Senecio species

The investigation and reinvestigation respectively of 23 Senecio species afforded 11 further cacalol derivatives, a furoeremophilone, 17 eremophilanes, 4 bisabolene derivatives, a shikimic acid derivative, a bis-prenylated p-hydroxybenzaldehyde, menth-2-en- 1,7-diol and a cumol derivative. The configuration of some eremophilanes have been revised. Structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods. The results are summarized in a table. The chemotaxonomic aspects agree with those of previous investigations.     

Labdane and dehydronerolidol derivatives from Brickellia diffusa

An investigation of Brickellia diffusa afforded three new dehydronerolidol derivatives and five new labdane derivatives, all highly oxygenated. The structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods and a few chemical transformations. The compounds isolated showed close relationships to those isolated from Brickellia sp.     

Synthesis and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activities of tabersonine derivatives

Tabersonine, the main alkaloid in Voacanga seeds, was used as a lead compound to semi-synthesize tabersonine derivatives. In total, 13 compounds, containing 10 novel tabersonine derivatives, were synthesized by introducing substituent groups R₁–R₅. The acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activities of tabersnonine derivatives were evaluated using Ellman’s method. Among them, compound (7) showed the highest AChE inhibitory activity with the IC₅₀ value was 5.32 μM. The substituent groups R₁–R₅ showed different influences on the AChE inhibitory activities of tabersonine derivatives. The AChE inhibitory activities of tabersonine derivatives increased with the introduction of group R₁ and/or combined groups R₃, R₄, while decreased with the introduction of group R₅. And the group R₂ showed no significant influence on the AChE inhibitory activities of tabersonine derivatives.     

Caffeic acid derivatives isolated from the aerial parts of Galinsoga parviflora and their effect on inhibiting oxidative burst in human neutrophils

Four new caffeoyl -glucaric and -altraric acid derivatives along with eleven known compounds were isolated from aerial parts of Galinsonga parviflora. Their structures were elucidated by high-resolution spectroscopic studies. The four new compounds were determined as being 2,3,4,5-tetracaffeoylglucaric acid (1), 2,4,5-tricaffeoylglucaric acid (2), 2,3,4- or 3,4,5-tricaffeoylaltraric acid (3) and 2,3(4,5)-dicaffeoylaltraric acid (4). A reliable criterion for the determination of the linkage position of caffeic acids moieties in glucaric acid derivatives has been proposed, on the basis of detailed analysis of the respective J-couplings, including substitution and solvent influence on the observed values. All hexaric acids derivatives appeared as inhibitors of reactive oxygen species production by stimulated neutrophils.     

Neue phloroglucin-derivate aus Helichrysum natalitium und Helichrysum bellum

Helichrysum natalitium afforded four new phloroglucinol derivatives, while from H. bellum two further compounds of this type have been isolated; H. platypterum yielded two known derivatives. The new structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods and some chemical transformations. The chemotaxonomical situation is briefly discussed.     

Sesquiterpenes and a dimeric spiroketone from Cineraria fruticulorum

The aerial parts of Cineraria fruticulorum afforded in addition to known compounds three spathulenol derivatives, a hydroxymyrtenol and an oxo-humulene, while the roots gave in addition to known compounds a further humulene derivative, three cinalbicol derivatives, a sesquiterpene with a spirodienone moiety and its dimer. From C. parvifolia only known compounds were isolated which, however, confirmed previous results on this genus. The structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods and a few chemical transformations.     

Neue labdan-derivate aus Carterothamnus anomalochaeta

The investigation of a Carterothamnus species afforded in addition to known euparine derivatives four new diterpenes, all being labdane derivatives. The structures are elucidated by ¹H-NMR-studies and by some chemical transformations. The chemotaxonomic situation is briefly discussed. The constituents of the Carterothamnus species show a distinct differentiation to those of the neighbouring groups; however, in addition they also indicate some relationships.     

Three diterpenes from Conyza podocephala

The investigation of Conyza podocephala afforded, in addition to known compounds, two clerodane derivatives and a dihydroxyfarnesyl methylfuran. Furthermore two new resorcinol derivatives were isolated. The structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods and by chemical transformations. The chemotaxonomic situation within the genus is discussed briefly.     

Neue pyron-derivate aus Helichrysum-arten

The investigation of five further Helichrysum species afforded in addition to known compounds nine α-pyrone derivatives all also being phloroglucinol derivatives. Furthermore, a new toxol derivative has been isolated. The structures were elucidated by extensive NMR studies and by some chemical transformations. The chemotaxonomic situation is discussed briefly.     

The significance of arbutin and its derivatives in therapy and cosmetics

The ongoing studies on biological activity of arbutin and its derivatives show a wide range of their possible applications. Arbutin containing plant substances are used mostly in the treatment of urinary tract infections (UTI). However, several in vitro and in vivo studies revealed anti-melanogenic activity of arbutin, which can be useful in hyperpigmentation therapy. Moreover, it was found that the modifications in arbutin structure lead to an increase of the above-mentioned activity. The lack of significant adverse effects of arbutin and its derivatives makes them a valuable alternative to hydroquinone. Therefore, an increasing interest in arbutin and its derivatives is observed especially in the cosmetics industry.The scope of biological activity covered by the findings of in vivo and in vitro studies on arbutin and its derivatives are discussed.     

Eudesmane derivatives from Verbesina species

The investigation of seven Verbesina species afforded, in addition to known compounds, several new eudesmane and germacrane derivatives, all bearing a cinnamate or derivatives as residue. Furthermore, a new bisabolene aldehyde and two acetophenone derivatives were isolated. The structures were elucidated mainly by spectroscopic methods and some chemical transformations. The chemotaxonomic situation is discussed briefly.     

Biotransformation of geranylated- and acetylated-phloroglucinols by Gibberella fujikuroi into molecules with increased antifungal activity against Botrytis cinerea

Terpenylated phenols possess interesting biological activities. These properties vary mainly according to the type of terpene associated and the degree of oxidation of the molecule. The search for new active molecules for application in different areas of knowledge includes the structural modification of these through ecological methodologies, such as biotransformation. The aims of this study were the biotransformation of geranylated- and acetylated-phloroglucinol by the fungus Gibberella fujikuroi and the evaluation of the antifungal activity of the derivatives. Five major derivatives were identified after biotransformation, highlighting the formation of specific monoacetylated products. In vitro antifungal activity assays against the phytopathogenic fungus Botrytis cinerea indicated that deacetylated derivatives possess higher activity compared to the precursor molecule. In other biotransformation reactions, a relationship between the release of the alkyl chain from the aromatic ring with a decrease of the antifungal activity, was observed. The in vivo tests in infected tomato plants with B. cinerea confirmed the antifungal activity of the derivatives observed in in vitro experiments.     

Bioactive butylphthalide derivatives from Ligusticum chuanxiong

Seven new butylphthalide derivatives, ligusticumolide A-G (1–7), together with two known butylphthalide derivatives (8–9) were isolated from an ethanol extract of Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort. The structures of these derivatives were elucidated from analysis of 1D/2D NMR, UV, IR and HRESIMS data. The absolute configurations of these derivatives were determined by electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculations and Mosher′s method. Ligusticumolide A (1) and ligusticumolide B (2) are enantiomers that were obtained by chiral separation. Ligusticumolide C (3) and ligusticumolide D (4) are diastereomers. All of the compounds were evaluated for their hepatoprotective activity against N-acetyl-p-aminophenol-induced HepG2 cell injury. Compounds 4, 5, and 7–9 showed more significant hepatoprotective activity than that of the positive control drug (bicyclol) at a concentration of 10 μM (p < 0.01).     

Acidic Nα-acylarginine derivatives in apple and pear trees

The annual shoots of apple and pear trees which accumulated a high concentration of arginine during the dormant stage also contained N^α-acylarginine derivatives. N^α-(2-Hydroxysuccinyl)arginine, N^α-(3-hydroxysuccinyl)arginine and N^α-oxalylarginine were found in apple trees, and N^α-succinylarginine and N^α-(2-carboxymethyl-2-hydroxysuccinyl)arginine, besides the former three, were found in pear trees. N^α-(3-Hydroxysuccinyl)arginine, N^α-oxalylarginine and N^α-succinylarginine are new arginine derivatives.     

Neue ent-atisiren- und ent-kaurensäure-derivate aus Helianthus-arten

The investigation of four Helianthus species afforded, in addition to known compounds, four new atisirenic acid derivatives, a new ent-kaurenic acid derivative, three new labdane derivatives and an unknown C₁₅-acetylenic compound. The structures of the diterpenes were elucidated by intensive NMR studies and some chemical transformations. An unusual fragmentation in the mass spectra of the atisirenes is discussed briefly.     

New labdane derivatives from Madia sativa

The aerial parts of Madia sativa afforded, in addition to known compounds, two labdane derivatives whose structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods. The absolute configuration was determined by chemical transformations. From the roots a new tremetone derivative was isolated. The constituents indicated close relationships of Madia to Hemizonia.     

Pseudoguaianolides and other sesquiterpene lactones from Gaillardia species

The aerial parts of two Gaillardia species afforded in addition to known sesquiterpene lactones 23 new pseudoguaianolides, two dugaldiolide derivatives and two seco-neopulchellin derivatives. The structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods. Biogenetic relationships are discussed briefly.     

Bioactive cytosporone derivatives isolated from the mangrove-derived fungus Dothiorella sp. ML002

Three new cytosporone derivatives dothiorelones K–M (1, 2 and 7), together with six known ones (3–6, 8 and 9) were isolated from the mangrove-derived fungus Dothiorella sp. ML002. Their structures were determined by comprehensive 1D, 2D NMR spectroscopic and HR-ESI-MS spectroscopic data. Compounds 1, 2 and 5 displayed inhibitory activities against α-glucosidase with the IC₅₀ values of 22.0, 77.9 and 5.4 μg/mL, respectively. Additionally, compounds 1, 2, and 5 also exhibited antibacterial activities against Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538) with the same MIC values of 50 μg/mL, respectively. The results indicated that cytosporone derivatives will be useful to as diabetes control agents.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation against Leishmania amazonensis of a series of alkyl-substituted benzophenones

Nine O-alkyl and O-prenyl derivatives were synthesized from commercial 2,4-dihydroxybenzophenone, 4,e4,4′-dihydroxybenzophenone and were evaluated for their leishmanicidal activity against promastigote forms of Leishmania amazonensis, as well their toxicity in murine macrophages. All derivatives exhibited better biological activity than their hydroxylated benzophenones precursors, and new compound LFQM-123 (3c) was 250-fold more active than its precursor 4,4′-dihydroxybenzophenone (3). Moreover, some of the results were comparable to the standard drug Amphotericin B, suggesting that the increase in lipophilicity could facilitate protozoa membrane permeation. In this study we confirmed that benzophenone derivatives exhibit leishmanicidal properties, with relatively low toxicity, and thus could be exploited as promise prototypes for the design and development of new drug for the treatment of leishmaniasis.