(22<Emphasis Type="Italic">R</Emphasis>,23<Emphasis Type="Italic">R</Emphasis>)-3β-hydroxy-22,23-epoxy-5α-ergost-8(14)-en-15-one: Improved synthesis and toxicity to MCF-7 cells

The chemical synthesis of (22R,23R)-3β-hydroxy-22,23-epoxy-5α-ergost-8(14)-en-15-one from (22A)-3β-acetoxy-5α-ergosta-7,14,22-triene was improved. The stages of obtaining and isomerization of (22A)-3β-acetoxy-14α15α-epoxy-5α-ergosta-7,22-diene were optimized. The introduction of (22R,23R)-epoxide cycle was carried out by alkaline treatment of intermediate (22S,23R)-3β,23-diacetoxy-22-iodo-5α-ergost-8(14)-en-15-one. In cells of human breast carcinoma MCF-7, (22R,23R)-3β-hydroxy-22,23-epoxy-5α-ergost-8(14)-en-15-one showed a high toxicity (TC₅₀ = 0.4±0.1 μM at 48-h incubation in serum-free medium).     

Δ5-7-Ketosterols with modified side chain: The synthesis and the effects on viability and cholesterol biosynthesis in Hep G2 cells

(22E)-3β-Hydroxysitosta-5,22-dien-7-one, (22R,23R)-3β,22,23-trihydroxysitost-5-en-7-one, and (22R,23R)-3β-hydroxy-22,23-isopropylidenedioxysitost-5-en-7-one were synthesized. The cytotoxicity and effects on cholesterol biosynthesis of the resulting 7-ketosterols, 7-ketocholesterol, and (22S,23S)-3β-hydroxy-22,23-oxidositost-5-en-7-one were studied in hepatoblastoma Hep G2 cells.     

Trinorsesquiterpenoids from Inula racemosa

Four trinorsesquiterpenoids (1–4) were isolated from the roots of Inula racemosa and the structures of two new compounds, (4R,5S,10S)-5-hydroxy-11,12,13-trinoreudesm-6-en-8-one (1) and (4R,5R,10R)-4,15-epoxy-11,12,13-trinoreudesman-8-one (3), were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analysis. Furthermore, the structure of compound 2a should be revised as (4R,5R,10S)-5-hydroxy-11,12,13-trinoreudesm-6-en-8-one (2) and compound 2 showed antiproliferative activity against A549, HepG2, and HT1080 cell lines with IC50 values of 3.71, 5.94, and 3.95 μg/mL, respectively.     

Dammarane triterpenes from Cabralea canjerana (Vell.) Mart. (Meliaceae): Their chemosystematic significance

The stem of Cabralea canjerana (Vell.) Mart. yielded three new dammarane triterpenes 20S,24S-epoxy-7β,25-dihydroxy-3,4-secodammar-4(28)-en-3-oic acid, 20S,24S-epoxy-7β,15α,25-trihydroxy-3,4-secodammar-4(28)-en-3-oic acid and 20S,24R-epoxy-7β,22ξ,25-trihydroxy-3,4-secodammar-4(28)-en-3-oic acid, which were identified on the basis of spectroscopic methods. The known dammarane triterpenes ocotillone, eichlerianic acid, shoreic acid and the sterols sitosterol, campesterol, stigmasterol, sitostenone and stigmast-5-en-3-one were also isolated and identified. The branches yielded the above three known dammaranes and eichlerialactone. The dammaranes in C. canjerana display strong similarities with Trichilieae tribe, which contains several dammaranes. The data reported herein thus provide firm support for placing Cabralea within the subfamily Melioideae, Trichilieae tribe.     

Strophasterols E and F: Rearranged ergostane-type sterols from Pleurotus eryngii

Strophasterols E (1) and F (2) were isolated from the fruiting bodies of Pleurotus eryngii, together with four new ergostane-type sterols (3–6). Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis performed on the tris-p-bromobenzoate derivatives of compounds 1 and 2 allowed these two compounds to be identified as the structurally rare (22S,23R)- and (22S,23S)-5α,6α-epoxy-3β,7β,23-trihydroxy-15(14 → 22)-abeo-ergost-8-en-14-one, respectively. The inhibitory effects on nitric oxide production of the six new steroids thus isolated from the fruiting bodies of P. eryngii were also evaluated.     

22,23-Epoxides of Sitosterol and Related 7-Oxygenated Δ5-Sterols

(22S,23S)-22,23-Epoxysitosterol, (22R,23R)-22,23-epoxysitosterol, (22S, 23S)-22,23-epoxy-7-ketositosterol, (22R,23R)-22,23-epoxy-7-ketositosterol, (22S, 23S)-22,23-epoxy-7α-hydroxysitosterol, (22S,23S)-22,23-epoxy-7β-hydroxysitosterol, and (22R, 23R)-22,23-epoxy-7β-hydroxysitosterol were synthesized. Their ¹H and ¹³C NMR and the mass spectra of their trimethylsilyl derivatives were studied.     

Triterpenes from Simaba multiflora

A new triterpene has been isolated from Simaba multiflora (Simaroubaceae) and determined to have the structure 3S,23R,25-trihydroxytirucall-7-en-24-one (1). Hispidol B was confirmed to be 3S,23S,24R,25-tetrahydroxytirucall-7-ene (2) by X-ray crystallographic analysis. Canthin-6-one, 8-O-methyl retusin and vanillic acid were also obtained in the course of this work.     

Abietane diterpenoids from Clerodendrum mandarinorum

From the stem of Clerodendrum mandarinorum Diels (Verbenaceae), three new abietane derivatives, mandarones A, B and C, have been isolated. The structures were characterized as (5R,10S)-12-hydroxy-8,11,13-abietatriene-37-dione (mandarone A), (16 S)-12,16-epoxy-11,14-dihydroxy-17(15→16)-abeo-abieta-5,8,11,13-tetraene-7-one (mandarone B) and 12,16-epoxy-11,14-dihydroxy-17(15→16)-abeo-abieta-2,5,8,11,13,15-hexaene-7-one (mandarone C) on the basis of spectral analysis. Mandarones B and C possess a rearranged abietane skeleton which contains a 17(15→16)-abeo-abietane framework.     

Brassinosteroids and sterols from a green alga,Hydrodictyon reticulatum: Configuration at C-24

Two brassinosteroids, (24S)-24-ethylbrassinone [(22R,23R,24S)-2α,3α,22,23-tetrahydroxy-24-ethyl-5α-cholestan-6-one] and 24-epicastasterone [(22R,23R,24R)-2α,3α,22,23-tetrahydroxy-24-methyl-5α-cholestan-6-one] have been identified from Hydrodictyon reticulatum. Examination of the sterols of this alga has established that 24-ethylcholesterol is predominantly the 24α-epimer, but 24-methylcholesterol is a mixture of the 24α- and 24β-epimers. Thus, similarity with respect to the C-24 configuration was observed between the brassinosteroids and 4-demethylsterols.     

New erythrina alkaloids of Cocculus laurifolia

Four abnormal Erythrina alkaloids have been isolated from the leaves of Cocculus laurifolia. Of these, two new bases, isococculidine and coccoline, have been assigned the structures (3S,5S)-3,15-dimethoxyerythrin-1-ene and (3R,5S)-15-hydroxy-3-methoxyerythrin-1-en-8-one respectively.     

Cytotoxic derivatives of (22R,23R)-dihydroxystigmastane

(22R,23R)-22,23-dihydroxystigmast-4-en-3-one, (22R,23R)-22,23-dihydroxystigmast-4-en-3,6-dione, (22R,23R)-3β,5α,6β,22,23-pentahydroxystigmastane, (22R,23R)-5α,6α-oxido-3β,22,23-trihydroxystigmastane, (22R,23R)-5β,6β-oxido-3β,22,23-trihydroxystigmastane, and (22R,23R)-3β,6β,22,23-tetrahydroxystigmast-4-ene were synthesized. Their cytotoxicities were comparatively studied using the MCF-7 line of carcinoma cells of human mammary gland and cells of human hepatoma of the Hep G2 line.     

New Δ8(14)-15-Ketosterols with an Oxygenated Side Chain

New analogues of 3β-hydroxy-5α-cholest-8(14)-en-15-one (15-ketosterol) with modified 17-chains [(22S,23S,24S)- and (22R,23R,24S)-3β-hydroxy-24-methyl-22,23-oxido-5α -cholest-8(14)-en-15- ones and (22RS,23ξ,24S)-24-methyl-5α-cholesta-8(14)-ene-3β, 22,23-triol-15-one] were synthesized from (22E,24S)-3β-acetoxy-24-methyl-5α-cholesta-8(14), 22-dien-15-one. The chiralities of their 22 and 23 centers were determined by NMR spectroscopy. The isomeric 22,23-epoxides effectively inhibited cholesterol biosynthesis in hepatoma Hep G2 cells (IC₅₀ 0.9±0.2 and 0.7±0.2 μM, respectively), and their activities significantly exceeded those of 15-ketosterol (IC₅₀ 4.0±0.5 μM), (22E,24S)-3β-hydroxy-24-methyl-5α-cholesta-8(14),22- dien-15-one (IC₅₀ 3.1±0.4 μM), and the 3β,22,23-triol synthesized (IC₅₀ 6.0±1.0 μM).__________Translated from Bioorganicheskaya Khimiya, Vol. 31, No. 3, 2005, pp. 312–319.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Flegentov, Piir, Medvedeva, Tkachev, Timofeev, Misharin.     

Cycloartane glycosides from Astragalus gombo

Six new cycloartane-type triterpene glycosides named 3-O-[β-d-glucopyranosyl(1 → 2)-β-d-xylopyranosyl]-3β,16β,23(R),24(R),25-pentahydroxycycloartane (1), 3-O-[β-d-glucopyranosyl(1 → 2)-β-d-xylopyranosyl]-3β,16β,23(R),24(R)-tetrahydroxy-25-dehydrocycloartane (2), 3-O-[β-d-xylopyranosyl]-6α-acetoxy-23α-methoxy-16β,23(R)-epoxy-24,25,26,27-tetranorcycloartane (3), 3-O-[β-d-xylopyranosyl]-6α-acetoxy-23α-butoxy-16β,23(R)-epoxy-24,25,26,27-tetranorcycloartane (4), 3-O-[β-d-glucopyranosyl(1 → 2)]-β-d-xylopyranosyl]-6α-acetoxy-23α-methoxy-16β,23(R)-epoxy-24,25,26,27-tetranorcycloartane (5), 3-O-[β-d-glucopyranosyl(1 → 2)]-β-d-xylopyranosyl]-23α-methoxy-16β,23(R)-epoxy-4,25,26,27-tetranorcycloartane (6), in addition to three known secondary metabolites consisting of another cycloartane triterpene glycoside and two flavonol glycosides, were isolated from the aerial parts of Astragalus gombo Coss. & Dur. (Fabaceae). The structures of the isolated compounds were established by spectroscopic methods, including 1D and 2D-NMR, mass spectrometry and comparison with literature data.     

Discovery of (1R,6S)-5-[4-(1-cyclobutyl-piperidin-4-yloxy)-phenyl]-3,4-diaza-bicyclo[4.1.0]hept-4-en-2-one (R,S-4a): Histamine H3 receptor inverse agonist demonstrating potent cognitive enhancing and wake promoting activity

A series of fused cyclopropyl-4,5-dihydropyridazin-3-one (3,4-diaza-bicyclo[4.1.0]hept-4-en-2-one) phenoxypiperidine analogs was designed and synthesized, leading to the identification of (1R,6S)-5-[4-(1-cyclobutyl-piperidin-4-yloxy)-phenyl]-3,4-diaza-bicyclo[4.1.0]hept-4-en-2-one (R,S-4a) as a second-generation pyridazin-3-one H₃R antagonist. Compound R,S-4a was a potent H₃R functional antagonist in vivo in the rat dipsogenia model, demonstrated potent wake activity in the rat EEG/EMG model, and enhanced short-term memory in the rat social recognition memory model at doses as low as 0.03–0.3 mg/kg po.     

Efficient Synthesis of (22R,23R,24S)-22,23-Isopropylidenedioxy-5α-ergost-2-en-6-one,a Key Intermediate in the Preparation of Brassinolide

(22R,23R,24S)-22,23-Isopropylidenedioxy-5α-ergost-2-en-6-one 2b is an important intermediate of brassinolide. We found that the enone 2b can be prepared by transformation of (22R,23R,24S)-3α,5-cyclo-22,23-isopropylidenedioxy-5α-ergostan-6-one 5b with catalytic amount of both p-TsOH and NaBr in DMF under reflux. 5b was prepared from (22R,23R,24S)-3α,5-cyclo-22,23-dihydroxy-6β-methoxy-5α-ergostane 9b or a 6β-benzyloxy compound 9c, which was obtained in a manner similar to Mori’s brassinolide synthesis. The enone 2b was eventually prepared via a benzyl ether 9c from stigmasterol 3a in a 15.5% yield in 11 steps.     

One-pot efficient synthesis of 13(R),14(R)-epoxy-17β-methyl-20(S)-hydroxyl-18-nor-pregna-4-en-3-one via a tandem epoxidation-rearrangement-epoxidation reaction sequence

One-pot synthesis of an 18-norsteroid compound, 13(R),14(R)-epoxy-17β-methyl-20(S)-hydroxyl-18-nor-pregna-4-en-3-one has been achieved with peracetic acid/acetic acid under a mild condition, via a proved tandem epoxidation-rearrangement-epoxidation sequence. Its structure was designated on the basis of NMR and X-ray crystallography data.     

Neolignans from Aniba lancifolia

The branches of the shrub Aniba lancifolia Kubitzki et Rodrigues (Lauraceae) contain besides 2-hydroxy-4,5- dimethoxyallylbenzene and its dimer cyclohexan-2-allyl- 5-en-4,5-dimethoxy-4-O-(2′-allyl-4′,5′-dimethoxyphenyl)-1-one (lancilin, 2) 6 further novel neolignans: (4S,2′R)- and (4R,2′E)-cyclohexan-2-allyl-2,5-dien-4,5-dimethoxy-4-[2′-(1′-guaiacyl)-propyl]-1-one (lancifolins A and B, 3a and 3b), (4S,2′R)- and (4R,2′R)-cyclohexan- 2-allyl-2,5-dien-4,5-dimethoxy-4-[2′-(1′-veratryl)-propyl]-1-one (lancifolins C and D, 3c and 3d), (4S,2′R)-and (4R,2′R)-cyclohexan-2-allyl-2,5-dien-4,5-dimethoxy-4-[2′-(1′-piperonyl)-propyl]-1-one (lancifolins E and F, 3e and 3f).     

Biotransformation of zerumbone by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Caragana chamlagu</Emphasis>

Suspension cultured cells of Caragana chamlagu (Leguminosae) converted zerumbone (1) into zerumbone epoxide (2) as the intermediate, (2R,3R,7R)-2,3-epoxy-9-humulen-8-one (3) and (2R,3S,7R)-2,3-epoxy-9-humulen-8-one (4) as new sesquiterpenes in 11%, 36% and 21% yields, respectively.     

Dolabellane diterpenoids from Aglaia odorata

Dolabellane diterpenoids, (1R,3E,7E,10S,11S,12R)-dolabella-3,7-dien-10,18-diol (1), (1R,3S,7E,11S,12R)-dolabella-4(16),7-dien-3,18-diol (2), (1R,7E,11S,12R)-18-hydroxydolabella-4(16),7-dien-3-one (3), (1R,3S,4S,7E,11S,12R)-3,4-epoxydolabella-7-en-18-ol (4), and (1R,3R,7E,11S,12R)-dolabella-4(16),7,18-trien-3-ol (5), were obtained from the ornamental plant Aglaia odorata. Their structures were characterized on the basis of spectroscopic analyses and further confirmed by X-ray diffraction. Compounds 1 and 5 showed weak cytotoxicity against the human myeloid leukemia HL-60, hepatocellular carcinoma SMMC-7721, and lung cancer A-549 cells.     

Algal carotenoids with novel end groups

The structures of three previously unidentified carotenoids from Eutreptiella gymnastica are reported. These include siphonein with defined n-2-trans-2-dodecenoic esterifying acid and assigned 3R(?), 3′R,6′R chirality, (3R)-3′,4′-anhydrodiatoxanthin and eutreptiellanone (3,6-epoxy-3′,4′,7′,8′-tetradehydro-5,6-dihydro-β,β-caroten-4-one) with probable 3S,5R,6S chirality.