Xanthones of Swertia bimaculata

The whole plant of Swertia bimaculata Hf. & T. has been shown to contain four tetra-and five penta-oxygenated xanthones, three of which are previously unreported in nature. The xanthones are broadly based on 1,3,5- and 1,3,7-oxygenated systems with added oxygen functions at C₂, C₄ and/or C₈ positions and represent a number of methoxylated patterns. In addition, three xanthones have been found to be present in a bound form, the sugar moiety containing glucose and glucuronic acid. This is the first demonstration of the occurrence of xanthones and xanthone disaccharides in a Swertia species which are common to both Swertia and Frasera species. The results are thus of considerable phylogenetic significance.     

Xanthones of Centaurium pulchellum

1-Hydroxy-3,7,8-trimethoxyxanthone, 1,8-dihydroxy-3,7-dimethoxyxanthone and 1,8-dihydroxy-3,5-dimethoxyxanthone have been isolated from the whole plant of Centaurium pulchellum; the compounds were characterized by UV and NMR spectroscopy.     

Xanthones from the stem bark of Garcinia nigrolineata

Nine xanthones, nigrolineaxanthones A-I, together with nine known xanthones, were isolated from the crude methanol extract of the stem bark of Garcinia nigrolineata; two of which have previously been reported as synthetic xanthones. The structures were elucidated by analysis of spectroscopic data, especially using 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic data.     

Tetraoxygenated xanthones from the fruits of Garcinia cowa

Tetraoxygenated xanthones, cowaxanthones A-E, together with 10 previously reported tetraoxygenated xanthones, were isolated from the crude hexane extract of the fruits of Garcinia cowa. Cowaxanthone B has previously been reported as a synthetic xanthone. Their structures were elucidated by analysis of spectroscopic data, especially by 1D and 2D NMR. The antibacterial activities of the isolated compounds were also evaluated.     

Two new 1,3,5,6,7-pentaoxygenated xanthones from Canscora decussata

One new pentaoxygenated free xanthone and a new pentaoxygenated xanthone-O-glucoside have been isolated and characterized from the flowering top of a fresh batch of Canscora decussata. The structure previously assigned to ‘xanthone 9’ has now been confirmed by application of NOE. The biochemical significance of xanthone formation and glucosidation in plants is appraised.     

Xanthones from Hypericum chinense

Six xanthones, 1,3,7-trihydroxy-2-(2-hydroxy-3-methyl-3-butenyl)-xanthone (1), 1,7-dihydroxy-2,3-[2'-(1-hydroxy-1-methylethyl)-dihydrofurano]-xanthone (2), 1,3,7-trihydroxy-5-methoxyxanthone (3), 1,7-dihydroxy-5,6-dimethoxyxanthone (4), 4,5-dihydroxy-2,3-dimethoxyxanthone (5), 1,3-dihydroxy-2,4-dimethoxyxanthone (6) and 21 known xanthones were isolated from the leaves and stems of Hypericum chinense. Their structures were established based on spectroscopic studies.     

Cuticular hydrocarbon synthesis and its maternal provisioning to embryos in the viviparous cockroach Diploptera punctata

Embryos of the viviparous cockroach Diploptera punctata accumulate large amounts of hydrocarbon (HC) of either maternal or embryonic origin. HC synthesis and its accumulation in maternal and embryonic tissues were measured over the course of gestation. Female abdominal integument was the only tissue that synthesized appreciable amounts of HC in vitro, and did so at an increasing rate from the time of mating to mid-pregnancy, when rates of synthesis declined. The embryos synthesized HC at rates <1% those of the female, showing that the majority of HC detected in and on embryos was of maternal origin. The brood sac that houses the developing embryos did not synthesize HC in vitro, indicating that HC must be transported from the female abdominal integument to the embryos. The mass of female epicuticular HC was constant at approximately 183 microg, while her internal HC increased fourfold from mating to mid-pregnancy, then declined until parturition. The decline in internal HC reflected both declining HC synthesis in the female and greater export to the embryos, as embryonic internal HC increased 250-fold prior to parturition. An external HC coating over the oothecal covering and chorion of the embryos increased to mid-pregnancy, then declined. Unlike oviparous cockroaches, D. punctata females fed throughout the reproductive cycle, reflecting the nutritional demands of continuously provisioning the developing embryos.     

Xanthones and benzophenones from Garcinia griffithii and Garcinia mangostana

A new polyisoprenylated benzophenone, guttiferone I, together with the known compounds cambogin, 1,7-dihydroxyxanthone, 1,3,6,7-tetrahydroxyxanthone and 1,3,5,6-tetrahydroxyxanthone were isolated from the stem bark of Garcinia griffithii. The acetone extract of the heartwood of Garcinia mangostana contained one new diprenylated xanthone (mangoxanthone) and a new benzophenone (3',6-dihydroxy-2,4,4'-trimethoxybenzophenone) as well as the known xanthones dulxanthone D, 1,3,7-trihydroxy-2-methoxyxanthone, 1,3,5-trihydroxy-13,13-dimethyl-2H-pyran[7,6-b]xanthen-9-one. Their structures were established on the basis of spectroscopic studies and chemical correlation.     

Xanthones from the bark of Garcinia merguensis

The bark of Garcinia merguensis yielded 10 xanthones, merguenone, 1,5-dihydroxy-6'-methyl-6'-(4-methyl-3-pentenyl)-pyrano(2',3':3,2)-xanthone, subelliptenone H, 8-deoxygartanin, rheediaxanthone A, morusignin G, 6-deoxyjacareubin, 1,3,5-trihydroxy-4,8-di(3-methylbut-2-enyl)-xanthone, rheediachromenoxanthone and 6-deoxyisojacareubin. The structure of merguenone was determined using spectroscopic techniques, mainly 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy.     

Six naphthylisoquinoline alkaloids and a related benzopyranone from a Congolese Ancistrocladus species related to Ancistrocladus congolensis

From the roots of a recently discovered Ancistrocladus taxon, with close affinities to Ancistrocladus congolensis regarding molecular ITS sequence data, six naphthylisoquinoline alkaloids, 5'-O-demethylhamatine (2), 5'-O-demethylhamatinine (3), 6-O-demethylancistroealaine A (4), 6,5'-O,O-didemethylancistroealaine A (5), 5-epi-6-O-methylancistrobertsonine A (6), and 5-epi-4'-O-demethylancistrobertsonine C (7), have been isolated, along with a likewise benzopyranone carboxylic acid, 8. The structural elucidation succeeded by chemical, spectroscopic, and chiroptical methods. Their bioactivities were tested against protozoan parasites causing severe tropical diseases. Furthermore, eight known related alkaloids were identified.     

Xanthones from the heartwood of Garcinia mangostana

Twelve xanthones were isolated from the hexane extract of the heartwood of Garcinia mangostana from Myanmar. Their structures were determined using 1D and 2D NMR techniques     

Xanthones from Tovomita pyrifolium

The wood of Tovomita pyrifolium (Guttiferae) contains the novel tovopyrifolins A [1,6-dihydroxy-7-methoxy-5-prenyl-6′,6′-dimethylpyrano (2′,3′:3,2)xanthone], B (1,5-dihydroxy-3,4-dimethoxyxanthone) and C (1,3,5-trihydroxy-2-methoxyxanthone) and also the known tovophyllins A and B [structure revised to 1,6-dihydroxy-5-prenyl-6′, 6′-dimethylpyrano(2′,3′:3,2)-6″,6″-dimethylpyrano(2″,3″:7,8)xanthone].     

Cytotoxic Alangium alkaloids from Alangium longiflorum

Seven alkaloids (1-7) were isolated from the stem bark of Alangium longiflorum. Compound 1, (-)-10-O-demethylisocephaeline, was isolated for the first time as a naturally occurring product from a plant source. All structures were elucidated by detailed spectroscopic analysis. Biological evaluation showed that 2, 10-O-demethylcephaeline, exhibited potent cytotoxic activity against human lung carcinoma (A549) and breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7) with ED(50) values of 0.013 and 0.062 microM, respectively. The stereoisomer 1 was less potent than 2, and related compounds with different hydroxy/methoxy substitution patterns were also less potent or inactive. Thus, compound 2 merits attention as a cytotoxic lead for further study.     

Xanthones from a microfungus of the genus Xylaria

Chemical investigations of a microfungus Xylaria sp. isolated from the Australian rainforest tree Glochidion ferdinandi have afforded two new natural products, 2-hydroxy-6-methyl-8-methoxy-9-oxo-9H-xanthene-1-carboxylic acid (1) and 2-hydroxy-6-hydroxymethyl-8-methoxy-9-oxo-9H-xanthene-1-carboxylic acid (2). Compound 1 has previously been synthesised but only partially characterised. Methylation of 1 using diazomethane afforded the crystalline compound 2,8-dimethoxy-6-methyl-9-oxo-9H-xanthene-1-carboxylic acid methyl ester (3), whose structure was determined by single crystal X-ray analysis. This paper reports the full spectroscopic characterisation of compounds 1-3 by NMR, UV, IR and MS data. All compounds were inactive in a brine shrimp lethality assay and several antimicrobial screens.     

LC-ESI/MS determination of xanthone and secoiridoid glycosides from in vitro regenerated and in vivo Swertia chirayita

A rapid analytical method has been developed to determine xanthone and secoiridoid glycoside in in vitro and in vivo Swertia chirayita extracts. Ultra performance liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (LC-ESI/MS) was applied and validated for the analysis of xanthone and secoiridoid glycoside a potential active component isolated from methanolic extracts of in vitro and in vivo Swertia chirayita plantlets. Chromatographic separation was achieved on a RP-C18 column using gradient elution. Mangiferin (Xanthone), Amarogentin and Swertiamarin (Secoiridoid glycosides) were identified in both the extracts. In the LC/ESI-MS spectra, major [M + H] ⁺ and [M + Na] ⁺ ions were observed in positive ion mode and provided molecular mass information. An ultra-performance liquid-chromatography in combination with electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry involving metal cationisation was successfully utilized for the rapid identification of xanthone and secoiridoid glycosides. This method is suitable for the routine analysis, as well as for the separation and identification of known and novel secoiridoid glycoside and xanthone.