Activity of lupane triterpenoids from Maytenus species as inhibitors of nitric oxide and prostaglandin E2

In the present study, we report that three new lupane triterpenes (1-3), in addition to 16 known ones (4-19), were isolated from the root bark of Maytenus cuzcoina and the leaves of Maytenus chiapensis. Their structures were elucidated by spectral analysis, including homonuclear and heteronuclear correlation NMR experiments (COSY, ROESY, HSQC, and HMBC). The natural compounds and derivatives 6a, 6b, 9a, and 9b have been tested for potential anti-inflammatory activity, and several compounds including 3-epicalenduladiol (2), 11alpha-hydroxy-glochidone (3), rigidenol (6), acetoxy-rigidenol (6a), 11alpha-acetoxy-30-chloro-3-oxo-lup-20(29)-ene (6b), betulin (9), 28-acetoxy-betulin (9a), epibetulin (12), epibetulinic acid (13), and betulonic acid (16) exhibited potent inhibitory effects on NO and prostaglandin E(2) production in mouse macrophages (RAW 264.7) stimulated with bacterial endotoxin. The structure-activity relationship is discussed in detail.     

Macrocarpins A-D, new cytotoxic nor-triterpenes from Maytenus macrocarpa

Macrocarpins A (1), B (2), C (3) and D (4), four new nor-triterpenes, have been isolated from the roots of Maytenus macrocarpa. The structures were established by spectroscopic examinations. Natural compounds 1, 2, 4 and the acetyl derivative 1a are cytotoxic against four tumoral cell lines with IC50 values ranging between 0.4 and 5.2 microM.     

New chemical constituents from the endophyte Streptomyces species LR4612 cultivated on Maytenus hookeri

From solid cultures of the biologically important endophyte Streptomyces species LR4612, cultivated on Maytenus hookeri, four new and two known compounds were isolated. The new compounds were identified as (2S*,3S*)-5-amino-3-hydroxy-5-oxopentan-2-yl 3-(formylamino)-2-hydroxybenzoate (1), N-[(3R*,4R*)-3-amino-3,4-dihydro-4-methyl-2,6-dioxo-2H,6H-1,5-benzodioxocin-10-yl]formamide (2), (5beta,6alpha)-6,11-dihydroxyeudesmane (3), and 5-(6,7-dihydroxy-6-methyloctyl)furan-2(5H)-one (4); the known compounds were elucidated as sorbicillin (5) and N-acetyltyramine (6). The structures were established by HR-ESI-MS and in-depth NMR analyses.     

Nine new isoxuxuarine-type triterpene dimers from Maytenus chuchuhuasca

Nine new isoxuxuarine-type triterpene dimers, named isoxuxuarines B alpha (1), B beta (2), 7,8-dihydro-B alpha (3), C alpha (4), C beta (5), 7,8-dihydro-C alpha (6), D alpha (7), D beta (8), and 7,8-dihydro-D alpha (9), were isolated from the South American medicinal plant 'xuxuá' (Maytenus chuchuhuasca). The structures were elucidated on the basis of several spectroscopic analyses, including 2D-NMR experiments, MS spectra, and CD spectral studies. The isolations and structure elucidations of the new triterpene dimers are presented, and a rationale for the divergent formation of the regiochemical and stereochemical isomers of triterpene dimers is discussed.     

Antitumour triterpenes of Maytenus diversifolia

The known compounds maytansine and sitosterol-β-D-glucoside as well as the new triterpenes maytenfoliol and maytenfolic acid were isolated as antileukemic agents from Maytenus diversifolia. Other triterpenes isolated included the new maytensifolin-A and -B as well as the known friedelin, canophyllal, β-amyrin, canophyllol, pachysonol, 29-hydroxyfriedelan-3-one and 30-hydroxyfriedelan-3-one.     

Antimitotic quinoid triterpenes from Maytenus chuchuhuasca

Four cytotoxic quinoid triterpenes, tingenone (1), 22 beta-hydroxytingenone (2), pristimerin (3), and celastrol (4), isolated from Maytenus chuchuhuasca, potently inhibit the polymerization of tubulin.     

Chemical constituents from the infusion of Zollernia ilicifolia Vog. and comparison with Maytenus species

The new flavonoid glycoside kaempferol-3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1-->2)-O-[alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1-->6)]-O-beta-D-galactopyranoside-7-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranoside was isolated together with (S)-zierin from the leaves of Zollernia ilicifolia (Fabaceae), a medicinal plant used as analgesic and antiulcerogenic effects in Brazilian Tropical Atlantic Rain Forest. The structures were established on the basis of 1H, 13C NMR and 2D NMR (COSY, HMBC, HMQC), UV, MS and IV spectra. The infusion of Zollernia ilicifolia was qualitatively compared to the infusion of the espinheiras-santas (Maytenus aquifolium and Maytenus ilicifolia) by HPLC-DAD.     

Chemical Constitutents of the Suspension Cell Cultures of Maytenus hookeri

Suspension cell cultures of Maytenus hookeri Loes. (Celastraceae) in SH media were established from the calli induced from the leaves and young stems of M. hookeri on MS media with the supplement of 2 mg/L 2,4-D and 0.1 mg/L KIN (kinetin). Ethyl acetate extract of the cultures showed inhibitory activities against Penicillium avellaneum UC-4376 which was sensitive to maytansinoids. Exhaustive isolation of natural products from a large scale of suspension cell cultures did not yield maytansine instead of affording nine compounds including one novel triterp enoid, named 2,3-diacetoxyl maytenusone (1), and eight known ones including squalene (2), β-sitosterol (3), 2′,3′,4′-triacetyl-sitoindoside Ⅰ (4), salaspermic acid (5), maytenonic acid (6), 2α-hydroxy-maytenonic acid (7), 6,11,12-trihydroxy 8,11,13-abietrien-7-one (8) and 11,12 dihydroxy 8,11,13 abietatrien 7 one (9) elucidated on the basis of 1D and 2D-NMR data. The 1H-NMR and 13C-NMR assignments were made for 1, 5, 6 and 7, while the 13C-NMR assignments for 5 and 6 were revised. The chemical results suggested that the suspension cell cultures of M. hookeri did not produce maytansinoids under the reported experiment conditions.     

Insect growth regulator and insecticidal activity of beta-dihydroagarofurans from Maytenus spp. (Celastraceae)

From the aerial parts of Maytenus disticha, we have isolated 9beta-benzoyloxy-1alpha,2alpha,6beta,8alpha,15penta-acetoxy-dihydro-beta-agarofuran (1) and from seeds of Maytenus boaria 9beta-furoyloxy-1alpha,6beta,8alpha-triacetoxy-dihydro-beta-agarofuran (2). These compounds and their MeOH and hexane/ethyl acetate (1:1 v/v) extracts were evaluated for their effects on the fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda). Toosendanin, a commercial insecticide derived from Melia azedarach was used as a positive control. When tested for activity using neonate larvae in a nochoice artificial diet bioassays, the agarofurans 1, 2 and toosendanin as well as the MeOH and hexane/EtOAc extracts caused significant growth inhibitory effects with GC50 of 7.55; 3.84; 1.75; 14.0 and 7.3 ppm at 7 days, respectively. Compounds 1 and 2 caused 100% larval mortality at 25 and 15 ppm, respectively. MeOH and hexane/EtOAc extracts caused 100% larval mortality at 25.0 ppm, respectively, they also increased the development time of surviving larvae and a significant delay for the time of pupation and adult emergence. These compounds showed comparable potency of activity with toosendanin. Acute toxicity against adults of S. frugiperda was also found, for hexane/EtOAc extract and 2 had the most potent activity with LD50 value of 4.7 and 1.9 ppm, respectively. MeOH extract, hexane/EtOAc extract, 1 and 2 caused acetylcholinesterase inhibition with 78.0, 89.2, 79.3 and 100% inhibition at 15.0 ppm, respectively. Therefore, the furoyloxy agarofuran may be responsible for the insecticidal activity of these plants.     

Triterpenes from Maytenus horrida

The new triterpene 1β,3β,11α-trihydroxyolean-12-ene and the already known compounds, lupeol, germanicol, 3β-hydroxy-glutin-5-ene, β-amyrin, 3β-hydroxyolean-9(11),12-diene, 3-oxo-olean-9(11),12-diene, 3β,11α-dihydroxyolean-18-ene,3β,11α-dihydroxyolean-12-ene, 3β,29-dihydroxy-glutin-5-ene and dulcitol, were isolated from the root bark of Maytenus horrida.     

Antiproliferative terpenoids and alkaloids from the roots of Maytenus vitis-idaea and Maytenus spinosa

Investigation of the organic extracts of the roots of Maytenus vitis-idaea and Maytenus spinosa, collected in the province of Salta, Argentina, led to isolation of eighteen compounds belonging to several classes. From M. vitis-idaea, eight methylenequinone celastroids (1–8) were isolated, four of which (4–7) were hitherto unknown. Additionally, from M. spinosa, two known celastroids, a known celastroid dimer (9), three pentacyclic triterpenoids (10–12) and six β-dihydroagarofuran sesquiterpenoid alkaloids (13–18) were identified. Compounds 4–7 were active against six solid tumor cell lines at micromolar concentrations.     

Terpenoids from Maytenus species and assessment of their reversal activity against a multidrug-resistant Leishmania tropica line

The phytochemical analysis of the root bark extracts of the Chilean Maytenus, M. chubutensis, and M. magellanica (Celastraceae), led to the isolation of one phenolic nortriterpene, 1, and one diterpene with a nor-ent-kaurene skeleton, 2. In addition, four known compounds were isolated, among which compound 3 has been isolated for the first time from a natural source. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, including 1D- and 2D-NMR (COSY, ROESY, HSQC, and HMBC) experiments, comparison with data reported in the literature, and chemical correlations. The isolated compounds were assayed for their reversal activity against a multidrug-resistant Leishmania tropica line, overexpressing a P-glycoprotein related transporter. Compound 1 showed moderate multidrug-resistance reversal activity.     

Anti-tumor promoting effects of sesquiterpenes from Maytenus cuzcoina (Celastraceae)

Ten sesquiterpenoids (1-10), with a dihydro-beta-agarofuran skeleton, were isolated from Maytenus cuzcoina (Celastraceae). Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectral analysis, including homo- and heteronuclear correlations NMR experiments (COSY, ROESY, HMQC and HMBC), and chemical correlations. The compounds have been tested for their inhibitory effects on Epstein-Barr virus early antigen (EBV-EA) activation induced by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), as a test for potential cancer chemopreventive agents. Compounds 1-3, 6 and 7 showed strong inhibitory effects on EBV-EA induction (100% inhibition at 1000 mol ratio/TPA). Their structure-activity relationship is discussed.     

New terpenoids from Maytenus apurimacensis as MDR reversal agents in the parasite Leishmania

Two new sesquiterpenes (1-2) and one new lupane triterpene (3) have been isolated from the roots of Maytenus apurimacensis. The novel beta-dihydroagarofurans are the first sesquiterpenes with a basic polyhydroxy skeleton of 15-deoxyalatol and 4,15-dideoxyalatol that show high MDR reversing activity in the protozoan parasite Leishmania tropica.     

云南美登木内生真菌Beauveria sp.Lr89中的两个环肽

从云南美登木(Maytenus hookeri Loes.)的根部分离到内生真菌Lr89,根据ITS序列分析,鉴定为白僵菌属(Beauveria)真菌。在PDA琼脂平板发酵物中分离得到2个环肽类化合物,经波波谱鉴定为isaridin A(1)和isariin B(2),本文首次报道了这两个化合物的13C NMR数据。     

Triterpenoid saponins from Pteleopsis suberosa stem bark

Thirteen oleanane saponins (1-13), four of which were new compounds (1-4), were isolated from Pteleopsis suberosa Engl. et Diels stem bark (Combretaceae). Their structures were determined by 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy and ESI-MS spectrometry. The compounds were identified as 2alpha,3beta,19alpha,23,24-pentahydroxy-11-oxo-olean-12-en-28-oic acid 28-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl ester (1), 2alpha,3beta,19beta,23,24-pentahydroxy-11-oxo-olean-12-en-28-oic acid 28-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl ester (2), 2alpha,3beta,19alpha,23-tetrahydroxy-11-oxo-olean-12-en-28-oic acid 28-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl ester (3), and 2alpha,3beta,6beta,19alpha,24-pentahydroxy-11-oxo-olean-12- en-28-oic acid 28-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl ester (4). The presence of alpha,beta-unsaturated carbonyl function was not common in the oleanane class and the aglycons of these compounds were not found previously in the literature. Moreover, the isolated compounds were tested against Helicobacter pylori standard and vacA, and cagA clinical virulence genotypes. Results showed that compound 6 has an anti-H. pylori activity against three metronidazole-resistant strains (Ci 1 cagA, Ci 2 vacA, and Ci 3).     

Ecdysteroids and bufadienolides from Helleborus torquatus (Ranunculaceae)

Three bufadienolides, hellebortin A (5-[beta-D-glucopyranosyloxy]-10,14,16-trihydroxy-19-nor-[5beta,10beta,14beta,16beta]-bufa-3,20,22-trienolide [1]), hellebortin B (5-[beta-D-glucopyranosyloxy]-3,4-epoxy-14-hydroxy-19-oxo-bufa-20,22-dienolide [2]) and hellebortin C (5-[beta-D-glucopyranosyloxy]-3,4-epoxy-10,14-dihydroxy-19-nor-bufa-20,22-dienolide [3]), together with 20-hydroxyecdysone 3-O-beta-D-glucoside (4) and 20-hydroxyecdysone (5) have been isolated by bioassay- and RIA-directed HPLC analyses of a methanol extract of the seeds of Helleborus torquatus. The structure and relative stereochemistry of the novel bufadienolide hellebortin A (1) and the structures of hellebortin B (2) and hellebortin C (3) were determined unambiguously by comprehensive analyses of their 1D and 2D NMR data. These five compounds are isolated from Hellborus torquatus for the first time. The biological activities of compound 1, 4 and 5 as ecdysteroid agonists and antagonists have been assessed.     

nor-Oleanene type triterpene glycosides from the leaves of Acanthopanax japonicus

Three new (1-3) and two known (4-5) triterpene glycosides were isolated from the leaves of Acanthopanax japonicus (Araliaceae) and elucidated structurally by mass, 1D, and 2D NMR spectroscopy. All the compounds possessed a nor-oleanene triterpene skeleton as the aglycone. The structures of 1-5 were established as 28-O-alpha-L-rhamno-pyranosyl-(1-->4)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->6)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl ester of 3beta-hydroxy- 30-nor-olean-12,20(29)-diene-23,28-dioic acid, designated as acanjaposide A, 3beta- hydroxy-23-oxo-30-nor-olean-12,20(29)-diene-28-oic acid, named acanjaposide B, 3beta,20alpha-dihydroxy-23-oxo-30-nor-olean-12-en-28-oic acid, named acanjaposide C, and nipponoside E, a known saponin, respectively.     

Phenolic glycosides from Symplocos racemosa: natural inhibitors of phosphodiesterase I

One new phenolic glycoside named benzoylsalireposide (1) along with one known phenolic glycoside named salireposide (2) have been isolated from Symplocos racemosa. Four other known compounds i.e. beta-amyrin (3), oleonolic acid (4), beta-sitosterol (5) and beta-sitosterol glycoside (6) were also isolated from this plant. The structure elucidation of the isolated compounds was based primarily on 1D- and 2D-NMR analysis, including COSY, HMQC, and HMBC correlations. The compound 1 and 2 showed inhibitory activity against snake venom phosphodiesterase I.     

Loesenerine,an alkaloid from Maytenus loeseneri

Loesenerine has been isolated from Maytenus loeseneri and its structure has been elucidated as (R)-1-acetyl-8-[(Z)-1-heptenyl]-1,5,9-triazacyclotridecan-6-one.