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.     

Cyanogenic and non-cyanogenic pyridone glucosides from Acalypha indica (Euphorbiaceae)

Seven cyanopyridone derivatives and one corresponding seco compound have been isolated from a methanolic extract of the inflorescences and leaves of Acalypha indica L. (Euphorbiaceae). The absolute configuration of the main cyanogenic glucoside acalyphin, (−)-(5R,6S)-5-cyano-5-β-d-glucopyranosyloxy-6-hydroxy-4-methoxy-1-methyl-2(5,6-dihydro)-pyridone, was deduced from an X-ray crystallographic study. In addition, the 6R-epimer of acalyphin, epiacalyphin, and the corresponding pair of N-demethyl derivatives were isolated. The corresponding amide of acalyphin and a 1′,2′-glucosyl-fused epiacalyphin amide were isolated from air-dried material. Structural elucidation was performed by means of ¹H and ¹³C NMR-spectra, chiroptical methods such as CD-spectroscopy and optical rotation. Two further corresponding derivatives, an aromatized compound and an open-chain structure, were isolated from the aqueous phase.     

Germacrene derivatives and other sesquiterpenes from Senecio species and Lordhowea insularis

From Senecio galpinii six new highly oxygenated germacrene derivatives were isolated, while S. coronatus afforded in addition to known cacalol derivatives two new ones. This species also contained a rare tricyclic sesquiterpene angelate, so far only isolated from one species. From the aerial parts of S. pleistocephalus an angelate derived from cadinene was isolated, while Lordhowea insularis (Benth.) B. Nord. afforded farnesyl angelate, which was reported previously. The structures were elucidicated mainly by high field ¹H NMR spectroscopy.     

Novel γ-lactone derivatives from Trigonostemon heterophyllus with their potential antiproliferative activities

Two novel γ-lactone derivatives, trigoheterophines A (1) and B (2), together with four known furan derivatives (3–6), were isolated from the stems and leaves of Trigonostemon heterophyllus. The structures of 1 and 2 were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic methods and the known compounds were identified by comparing with the data reported in literature. Among them, trigoheterophines A (1) and B (2) represent an unusual type of γ-lactone derivatives, possessing 21 carbon atoms on the carbon skeleton, and known compouds (3–6) are rare furan derivatives in the plant kingdom with diverse long-chain hydrocarbyl groups as substituents at C-4. All isolated compounds were evaluated for their antiproliferative activities against five human cancer cell lines: HL-60, SMMC-7721, A-549, MCF-7 and SW480 in vitro. Compounds 1–6 showed significant antiproliferative effects against various human cancer cell lines with IC₅₀ values ranging from 0.28 to 12.06 μM. These findings suggest that the discoveries of these novel γ-lactone derivatives and furan derivatives with significant antiproliferative activities isolated from T. heterophyllus could be of great importance to the development of new anticancer agents.     

Chromones and flavans from Marshallia obovata

An investigation of Marshallia obovata afforded, in addition to known thymol derivatives, one new ester. Furthermore six new chromone derivatives, all prenylated, were present together with the known spathelia chromene. The main constituent was a flavan already isolated from M. grandiflora but five new flavans were also isolated. Besides other widespread compounds a tetraester of inositol was isolated in minute amounts. All the structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods or chemical transformations. Surprisingly, even the main 4-methoxyflavan could be split by periodic acid.     

Further guaianolides and 5-alkylcoumarins from gutenbergia and bothriocline species

From Gutenbergia marginata ten new guaianolides were isolated. Two guaianolides isolated previously from Erlangea inyangana are identical with two further lactones and their structures have been revised. From Bothriocline ripensis ethulia coumarin and two further 5-alkylcoumarin derivatives, one being a chromone, were isolated, while B. longipes and B. eupatorioides gave nine 5-alkylcoumarins and two related compounds. The structures were elucidated by highfield NMR techniques and a few chemical transformations.     

Heliangolides,and nerolidol and p-hydroxyacetophenone derivatives from Calea species

A new Calea species afforded a heliangolide, closely related to niveusin C, while from Calea teucrifolia two new nerolidol derivatives and eight p-hydroxyacetophenone derivatives were isolated. The structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods and a few chemical transformations. The spectral data of 8β-angeloylatripliciolide, the main constituent of C. teucrifolia, are also included. The chemotaxonomic situation is discussed briefly.     

Triterpenes of five euphorbiaceae species of Sri Lanka

Five endemic species of Euphorbiaceae have been investigated. Aleuritolic acid and its derivatives were isolated from P. thwaitesii. A. cardiosperma had friedelan derivatives. The Glochidion species contained the same triterpenes, viz. glochidonol, lup-20(29)-ene-3α,23-diol and glochidiol. The bark extractives of a new Glochidion species had, in addition, glochidone and probably lup-20(29)-ene-1α,3α,23-triol. The latter is a new natural product. Glochidone was isolated for the first time outside the genus Glochidion from Bridelia moonii.     

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.     

Three cadinene derivatives and a prostaglandin-like acid from Chromolaena species

An investigation of the aerial parts of Chromolaena chasleae afforded a prostaglandin-like acid, whose structure followed from the ¹H NMR spectral data and from the reaction with periodate, which afforded a hemiacetal. From a new Chromolaena species, three novel cadinene derivatives were isolated, which were closely related to those isolated previously from this genus.     

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.     

Oxygenated nerolidol derivatives from Artemisia alba

From the aerial parts of Artemisia alba of Calabrian origin, five oxygenated nerolidol derivatives were isolated, two of them bearing hydroperoxyl groups. Structures were elucidated by spectral data and chemical reactions. Acetylation of the major hydroperoxyl constituent afforded a tris-nor aldehydic derivative as a result of loss of acetone from an unstable intermediate perester. An internally consistent set of ¹³C NMR assignments for the natural products and some derivatives is presented.     

Labdane derivatives from hemizonia species

The investigation of three Hemizonia species afforded in addition to known compounds seven new labdane derivatives, all derived from labd-13-en-15-ol. The absolute configuration of these diterpenes was determined by degradation of the triol by periodate cleavage, which afforded a known norditerpene ketone. From H. fitchii two new chromene esters and the cis-isomer of a known coumarate were isolated. H. congesta afforded in addition to labdane derivatives a hydroxycubebol.     

Bibenzyls from Radula tokiensis and R. Japonica

A new bibenzyl having a dihydrooxepin ring was isolated from the acetone extract of the liverwort Radula tokiensis, together with the previously known 5 bibenzyls and 3 sesquiterpenes, trans-β-farnesene, cuparene and (Jcuparenol. Two known bibenzyls were isolated from R. japonica. The bibenzyl derivatives are significant chemosystematic markers of the Radulaceae.     

Polyprenylated benzophenone derivatives from Clusia burle-marxii and their chemotaxonomic significance

Six polyprenylated benzophenone derivatives (1–6) with the central bicyclo[3.3.1]nonane-2,4,9-trione core were isolated from Clusia burle-marxii trunks. Despite their highly conserved structural characteristics, this is the very first time that these polyprenylated benzophenone derivatives are isolated from a single plant species, highlighting the biochemical plasticity of Clusia burle-marxii to produce such unique class of bioactive compounds. Compounds 1, 2, and 6 are reported for the first time in Clusia burle-marxii, whereas compounds 3, 4 and 5 are reported for the first time in the Clusiaceae family. Their structures were established by careful analysis of spectroscopic data, including ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, and 2D-NMR (COSY, NOESY, HSQC, HMBC). These polyprenylated benzophenone derivatives have the potential to be used as chemosystematics biomarkers for the family Clusiaceae. Their putative biosynthesis pathway is also discussed.     

Further sesquiterpene lactones from the genus Dittrichia

The aerial parts of Dittrichia graveolens afforded in addition to compounds isolated previously five new sesquiterpene lactones, two benzoic acid derivatives while D. viscosa gave two further derivatives of costic acid. The structures were elucidated by high field NMR spectroscopy.     

Cuauthemone sesquiterpenoids from Blumea alata

The investigation of five Blumea species afforded, in addition to known compounds, several cuauthemone derivatives, most of them being 7,11-epoxides, some thymol derivatives, an eremophilane epoxide and a himachalane diol. From Pterocaulon virgatum a further himachalane derivative was isolated. The structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods and in part by partial synthesis.     

Fern constituents: Cycloartane triterpenoids and allied compounds from Polypodium formosanum and P. niponicum

From the rhizomes of Polypodium formosanum, new triterpenoids of the cycloartane group, (24R)-cyclolaudenol and (24R)-cyclomargenol, were isolated as the corresponding acetates, alcohols and ketones, and their structures were established. Also, from the rhizomes of P. niponicum eight acetates of cycloartane derivatives and two acetates of new methyl sterols were isolated and characterized.     

Polyamine derivatives from the bee pollen of Quercus mongolica with tyrosinase inhibitory activity

Eighteen constituents, including nine new compounds, were isolated from the bee pollen of Quercus mongolica. The structures of the new compounds were established on the basis of combined spectroscopic analysis. Structurally, the nine new compounds are polyamine derivatives with phenolic moieties which were assigned as one putrescine derivative, mogolicine A (2), seven spermidine derivatives, mongolidines A-G (3–5, 8, 12, 14, 17) and one spermine derivative, mogoline A (18). Evaluation of the biological activity of isolated compounds revealed that the polyamine derivatives with coumaroyl and caffeoyl moieties showed tyrosinase inhibition with IC₅₀ values of 19.5–85.8 μM; however, the addition of a methoxy group to phenolic derivatives reduced the inhibitory activity.     

N-(ϱ-coumaryl)-tryptamine and N-ferulyl tryptamine in kernels of Zea mays

N-(?-coumaryl)tryptamine and N-ferulyltryptamine were isolated from aqueous acetone extracts of ground kernels of Zea mays by successive column chromatography on partially sulfonated styrenedivinylbenzene copolymer resin, lipophilic Sephadex and preparative TLC. Identification of these compounds was made by GCMS of their trimethylsilyl derivatives and the trimethylsilyl derivatives of their acid hydrolysis products.