Antiproliferative homoscalarane sesterterpenes from two Madagascan sponges

Dereplication of the antiproliferative ethyl acetate fraction of the Madagascan sponge Carteriospongia sp. led to the detection and isolation of the two known homoscalarane-type sesterterpenes 1 and 2. Investigation of a similar sponge containing closely related compounds afforded the four new antiproliferative homoscalarane sesterterpenes (3 and 5?7). The structures of all isolated compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, including UV, IR and 1D and 2D NMR. Compounds 1, 3 and 5 displayed submicromolar antiproliferative activity against the A2780 ovarian cell line with IC₅₀ values of 0.65, 0.26 and 0.28 μM, respectively, while compounds 6 and 7 showed moderate activity (4.5 and 8.7 μM, respectively). Compounds 3 and 5 also displayed anti-proliferative activity against the H522-T1 non-small cell lung and A2058 human melanoma cancer cell lines.     

Nor-sterols in Axinella proliferans, sponge from the Indian Ocean

An examination of the sterol mixture of the sponge Axinella proliferans collected in the Indian Ocean led to the isolation of nine A-nor-sterols, including two rare nor-sterols with a D-ring unsaturation. The known 3β-(hydroxymethyl)-A-nor-5α-cholest-15-ene has been identified by a comparison with mass spectrum and ¹H and ¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) data of the sterol isolated from Homoaxinella trachys, a marine sponge collected in the Indian Ocean. A new sterol, 3β-(hydroxymethyl)-A-nor-5α-cholest-14-ene-16α-ol, has been identified by their mass and two-dimensional NMR spectra compared with those of the D-ring unsaturated sterol, 5α-cholest-14-ene-3β,16α-diol isolated from the Mediterannean sponge Topsentia aurantiaca.     

A new sesquiterpene lactone from the roots of Saussurea lappa: structure-anticancer activity study

The dried roots of Saussurea lappa, called costus roots, are used in the traditional system of medicine for the treatment of cancer. In our investigation for the anticancer constituents from the hexane extract of this plant, a new sesquiterpene (1) was isolated along with the known compounds costunolide (2), β-cyclocostunolide (3), dihydro costunolide (4) and dehydro costuslactone (5). Their structures were established by the extensive spectroscopic analyses. In addition, costunolide and β-cyclocostunolide derivatives were synthesized using Michael-type addition reaction of NaOMe to the α-methylene-γ-lactone moiety. All the compounds were tested for their in vitro cytotoxic activity. Compound 1 exhibited potent cytotoxic activity and other compounds displayed moderate activity.     

Specific methylation and epoxidation of sinenxan A by Mucor genevensis and the multi-drug resistant tumor reversal activities of the metabolites

Mucor genevensis were used to bioconvert sinenxan A [2α,5α,10β,14β-tetraacetoxy-taxa-4(20),11-diene], a taxoid isolated from callus tissue cultures of Taxus spp., and 10 metabolites were obtained. On the basis of chemical and spectroscopic data analyses, their structures were determined as 10β-methoxy-2α,5α,14β-triacetoxy-taxa-4(20),11-diene (2), 10β-hydroxy-2α,5α,14β-triacetoxy-taxa-4(20),11-diene (3), 2α,5α,10β,14β-tetraacetoxy-4β,20-epoxy-taxa-11(12)-ene (4), 6α-hydroxy-2α,5α,10β,14β-tetraacetoxy-taxa-4(20),11-diene (5), 9α-hydroxy-2α,5α,10β,14β-tetraacetoxy-taxa-4(20),11-diene (6), 10β-hydroxy-2α,5α,14β-triacetoxy-4β,20-epoxy-taxa-11(12)-ene (7), 6α,10β-dihydroxy-2α,5α,14β-triacetoxy-taxa-4(20),11-diene (8), 6α-hydroxy-2α,5α,10β,14β-tetraacetoxy-4β,20-epoxy-taxa-11(12)-ene (9), and 9α,10β-dihydroxy-2α,5α,14β-triacetoxy-taxa-4(20),11-diene (10), and 9α,10β-O-(propane-2,2-diyl)-2α,5α,14β-triacetoxy-taxa-4(20),11-diene (11). Among them, metabolites 2, 4, and 9 were three new compounds. The three major metabolites 2, 3, and 4 along with 1 were pharmacologically evaluated for their multi-drug resistance (MDR) reversal activities towards taxol-resistant A549 tumor cells, and the results showed that 4 possessed about two-fold activity as verapamil, while 2, and 3 possessed lower activity than verapamil and 1.     

2-(3′-Hydroxypropylidene)-1α-hydroxy-19-norvitamin D compounds with truncated side chains

Our recent studies with 2-(3′-hydroxypropylidene) analogs of 1α,25-dihydroxy-19-norvitamin D₃ showed that this 2-substituent creates compounds with very potent biological activity. In the continuing search for vitamin D compounds with selective activity profiles, we prepared a series of 1α-hydroxy-19-norvitamin D analogs characterized by the presence of a 3′-hydroxypropylidene substituent at C-2 and a truncated side chain. These vitamin D compounds were efficiently prepared using convergent syntheses. The C,D-fragments, namely the Grundmann ketones 19, 20, 27, 36 and 37 were synthesized from the known 8β-benzoyloxy-22-aldehydes 12 and 29. These hydrindanones were subjected to Lythgoe type Wittig–Horner coupling with phosphine oxide 21, prepared by us previously, and after hydroxyl deprotection the set of 19-norvitamins 7–11 was successfully obtained. According to our expectations, all analogs (with an exception of the 20R-compound 7) have pronounced in vitro activity. When compared to the natural hormone 1α,25-(OH)₂D₃ (1), they show the same or only slightly reduced affinity for the vitamin D receptor while being similarly effective as 1 in differentiation of HL-60 cells into monocytes.     

Biotransformation of 20(S)-protopanaxadiol by Mucor spinosus

Biotransformation of 20(S)-protopanaxadiol (1) by the fungus Mucor spinosus AS 3.3450 yielded eight metabolites (2–9). On the basis of NMR and MS analyses, the metabolites were identified as 12-oxo-15α,27-dihydroxyl-20(S)-protopanaxadiol (2), 12-oxo-7β,11α,28-trihydroxyl-20(S)-protopanaxadiol (3), 12-oxo-7β,28-dihydroxyl-20(S)-protopanaxadiol (4), 12-oxo-15α,29-dihydroxyl-20(S)-protopanaxadiol (5), 12-oxo-7β,15α-dihydroxyl-20(S)-protopanaxadiol (6), 12-oxo-7β,11β-dihydroxyl-20(S)-protopanaxadiol (7), 12-oxo-15α-hydroxyl-20(S)-protopanaxadiol (8), and 12-oxo-7β-hydroxyl-20(S)-protopanaxadiol (9), respectively. Among them, 2–5, 7, and 8 are new compounds. These results indicated that M. spinosus could catalyze the specific C-12 dehydrogenation of 20(S)-protopanaxadiol, as well hydroxylation at different positions. These biocatalytic reactions may be difficult for chemical synthesis. The biotransformed products showed weak in vitro cytotoxic activities.     

Biotransformation of chinensiolide B and the cytotoxic activities of the transformed products

Biotransformation of chinensiolide B, 10α-hydroxy-1α,5α,15-H-3-oxoguaia-11(13)-en-6α,12-olide (1), yielded three selectively reduced products, 3β,10α-dihydroxy-1α,5α,15α-H-guaia-11(13)-en-6α,12-olide (2), 3α,10α-dihydroxy-1α,5α,15α-H-guaia-11(13)-en-6α,12-olide (3), and 3β,10α-dihydroxy-1α,5α,11β,15α-H-guaia-6α,12-olide (4) by the cell suspension cultures of Catharanthus roseus. 2 and 3 were also obtained from 1 incubated with cell cultures of a fungus Abisidia coerulea IFO 4011 and Platycodon grandiflorum, respectively. Among them, 2, 3 are two new compounds. The three products, 2–4, along with 1 were preliminarily evaluated for their in vitro cytotoxic activity against 3 cell lines (HepG2, WI-38 and VA-13) and all showed potent inhibitory effects on the cell proliferation. Of the four compounds, 3 was the most toxic to the three cell lines tested with IC₅₀ values of 22.7, 0.33 and 3.30 μM, respectively.     

Microbial transformation of isosteviol oxime and the inhibitory effects on NF-κB and AP-1 activation in LPS-stimulated macrophages

Microbial transformation of isosteviol oxime (ent-16-E-hydroxyiminobeyeran-19-oic acid) (2) with Aspergillus niger BCRC 32720 and Absidia pseudocylindrospora ATCC 24169 yielded several compounds. In addition to bioconverting the d-ring to lactone and lactam moieties, 4α-carboxy-13α-hydroxy-13,16-seco-ent-19-norbeyeran-16-oic acid 13,16-lactone (7) and 4α-carboxy-13α-amino-13,16-seco-ent-19-norbeyeran-16-oic acid 13,16-lactam (10), one known compound, ent-1β,7α-dihydroxy-16-oxo-beyeran-19-oic acid (6), and five new compounds, ent-7α-hydroxy-16-E-hydroxyiminobeyeran-19-oic acid (3), ent-1β,7α-dihydroxy-16-E-hydroxyiminobeyeran-19-oic acid (4), ent-1β-hydroxy-16-E-hydroxyiminobeyeran-19-oic acid (5), ent-8β-cyanomethyl-13-methyl-12-podocarpen-19-oic acid (8), and ent-8β-cyanomethyl-13-methyl-13-podocarpen-19-oic acid (9), were isolated from the microbial transformation of 2. Elucidation of the structures of these isolated compounds was primarily based on 1D and 2D NMR, and HRESIMS data, and 3–5 were further confirmed by X-ray crystallographic analyses. Additionally, the inhibitory effects of all of these compounds were evaluated on NF-κB and AP-1 activation in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. Among the compounds tested, 5 and 10 significantly inhibited NF-κB activation, with 5 showing equal potency to dexamethasone; 3 and 6–9 significantly inhibited AP-1 activation, particularly 8, which showed more inhibitory activity than dexamethasone.     

A chemosystematically significant 6,8,11-trihydroxygermacrane derivative from the New Zealand Apiaceae Anistome pilifera

Roots of Anisotome pilifera yielded typical Apiaceae compounds 6,7-dimethoxy-coumarin 1 and falcarindiol 2, plus the irregular diterpenes anisotomenoic acid 3 and anisotomene alcohol 4. The new germacrane derivative 8-O-senecioyl-6β,8α,11-trihydroxygermacra-1(10)E,4E-diene 5 was also isolated and the structure established by means of high resolution mass spectrometry and 1-D and 2-D NMR spectroscopy. Distribution and chemosystematic significance of 6,8-dihydroxygermacra-1(10)E,4E-dienes and 6,8,11-trihydroxygermacra-1(10)E,4E-dienes are discussed. Additionally, leaves of A. pilifera yielded chlorogenic acid 6 and high amounts of luteolin 7-O-α- -rhamnosyl(1→6)-β- -glucoside 7.     

Tryptamine-based human β3-adrenergic receptor agonists. Part 2: SAR of the methylene derivatives

A series of tryptamine derivatives with modified sulfonamide were designed, synthesized, and evaluated for their ability to stimulate cAMP accumulation in CHO cells expressing the cloned human β₃-adrenergic receptor (AR). For this series of compounds, our objective was to symmetrize the α-position of the tryptamine moiety maintaining its activity and reducing the cost of production. Compound 11h, having m-aminobenzene, exhibited excellent agonistic activity for β₃-AR with excellent subtype selectivity.     

Ceriopsins A–D, diterpenoids from Ceriops decandra

Chemical examination of the ethyl acetate solubles of the CH₃OH:CH₂Cl₂ (1:1) extract of the roots of Ceriops decandra collected from Kauvery estuary resulted in the isolation of four new diterpenoids, ceriopsins A–D (1–4). The structures of the new diterpenoids were elucidated by a study of their physical and spectral data as methyl 17-hydroxy-16-oxobeyeran-18-oate (1), methyl 16(R)-16,17-dihydroxybeyeran-18-oate (2), 1β,15(S)-isopimar-7-ene-1,15,16-triol (3), and 8,15(R)-epoxypimarane-1β,16-diol (4).     

The free reducing oligosaccharides of angico branco (Anadenanthera colubrina) gum exudate: an aid for structural assignments in the heteropolysaccharide

A novel method is described for the determination of sequential side-chain structures in the complex, high-arabinose polysaccharide of the gum exudate of angico branco (Anadenanthera colubrina), using as basis the structurally similar reducing oligosaccharides present in small quantities. Of the ten detected, eight were characterized as disaccharides (2, 3, and 9), linear trisaccharides (1 and 4), branched pentasaccharides (5 and 6), and a doubly branched heptasaccharide (8). The oligosaccharides are substituents of the polysaccharide, which has a (1→3)-linked β- -galactopyranosyl main chain, and with two exceptions they had 6-O-substituted galactopyranosyl reducing ends, probably corresponding to its main-chain units. Characterization was effected through their 1D and 2D NMR correlation spectra, which were better resolved and more readily interpretable than those of the polysaccharide. These spectral data were supported by monosaccharide composition and rotation values. Controlled Smith degradations and methylation analyses were carried out when it was necessary. These data were confirmed by field-desorption MS.     

The synthesis of P-(2-acetamido-2-deoxy-α-D-glucopyranosyl) P-ficaprenyl pyrophosphate

2-Acetamido-3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-2-deoxy-α,β-D-glucopyranosylammonium phosphate was prepared by the action of crystalline phosphoric acid on 2-acetamido-1,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-β-D-glucopyranose. The α-D anomer (3) was the main product, and was isolated pure by preparative thin-layer chromatography or by removal of the β-D anomer (6) by selective acid hydrolysis. Ficaprenyl phosphate was prepared from ficaprenol, obtained as an isomeric mixture (mainly C₅₅) from an extract of Ficus elastica. Compound 3 was converted into the free acid and then into the tributyl-ammonium salt, which was treated with P¹-diphenyl P²-ficaprenyl pyrophosphate to give the acetylated pyrophosphate diester 8, characterized by analytical, spectral, and hydrogenolytic studies. Deacetylation of 8 gave the synthetic “lipid intermediate”, P¹-(2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-glucopyranosyl) P²-ficaprenyl pyrophosphate (9), the properties of which were compared with those of natural substances considered to be active in the biosynthesis of teichoic acids.     

Effects of modifications of the linker in a series of phenylpropanoic acid derivatives: Synthesis, evaluation as PPARalpha/gamma dual agonists, and X-ray crystallographic studies

A new series of α-aryl or α-heteroarylphenyl propanoic acid derivatives was synthesized that incorporate acetylene-, ethylene-, propyl-, or nitrogen-derived linkers as a replacement of the commonly used ether moiety that joins the central phenyl ring with the lipophilic tail. The effect of these modifications in the binding and activation of PPARα and PPARγ was first evaluated in vitro. Compounds possessing suitable profiles were then evaluated in the ob/ob mouse model of type 2 diabetes. The propylene derivative 40 and the propyl derivative 53 demonstrated robust plasma glucose lowering activity in this model. Compound 53 was also evaluated in male Zucker diabetic fatty rats and was found to achieve normalization of glucose, triglycerides, and insulin levels. An X-ray crystal structure of the complex of 53 with the PPARγ-ligand-binding domain was obtained and discussed in this report.     

β3-Adrenoceptor agonists for the treatment of frequent urination and urinary incontinence: 2-[4-(2-{[(1S,2R)-2-hydroxy-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-1-methylethyl]amino}ethyl)phenoxy]-2-methylpropionic acid

In a search for novel analogues of β₃-adrenoceptor (AR) agonists relaxing the bladder for treatment of urinary dysfunction, 2-[4-(2-{[(1S,2R)-2-hydroxy-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-1-methylethyl]amino}ethyl)phenoxy]-2-methylpropionic acids (1a–e), into which a fibrate-like structure had been incorporated, were synthesised. Compound 1a was found to be a selective β₃-AR agonist in functional assays using the ferret detrusor (β₃-AR), rat uterus (β₂-AR), and rat atrium (β₁-AR); β₃: EC₅₀=7.8 nM, β₂: IC₅₀=7,300 nM, β₁: EC₂₀=23,000 nM. The introduction of a chlorine atom or methyl substituent at the ortho-position on the phenyl ring of 1a further improved β₃-AR selectivity. In an in vivo study, 1a lowered intrabladder pressure (ED₅₀=31 μg/kg) in rats, without increasing heart rate, in keeping with the in vitro results. Consequently, it is proposed that 1a and its analogues (1b–e), possess β₃-AR agonistic activity in the absence of undesirable β₁- or β₂-AR mediated actions, and may be useful for clinical treatment and pharmacological studies.     

Single-crystal and powder X-ray diffraction and solid-state C NMR of p-nitrophenyl glycopyranosides, the derivatives of d-galactose, d-glucose, and d-mannose

The X-ray diffraction patterns, ¹³C CP MAS NMR spectra, and powder X-ray diffraction analyses were obtained for selected p-nitrophenyl glycosides: α- and β-d-galactopyranosides (1 and 2), α- and β-d-glucopyranosides (3 and 4), and α- and β-d-mannopyranosides (5 and 6). In X-ray diffraction analysis of 1 and 2, characteristic shortening and lengthening of selected bonds were observed in the molecules of 1 due to anomeric effect, and in the crystal lattice of 1 and 2, hydrogen bonds of complex network were detected. In the crystal asymmetric unit of 1 there were two independent molecules, whereas in 2 there was one molecule. For 1 and 3–6 the number of resonances in solid-state ¹³C NMR spectra exceeded the number of the carbon atoms in the molecules, while for 2 there were distinct singlet resonances in its solid-state NMR spectrum. Furthermore, the powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) performed for 1–3 and 5 revealed that 1, 3, and 5 existed as single polymorphs proving that the doublets observed in appropriate solid-state NMR spectra were connected with two non-equivalent molecules in the crystal asymmetric unit. On the other hand 2 existed as a mixture of two polymorphs, one of them was almost in agreement with the calculated pattern obtained from XRD (the difference in volumes of the unit cells), and the subsequent unknown polymorph existed in small amounts and therefore it was not observed in solid-state NMR measurements.     

CO substitution and diphosphine ligand chelation in the reaction between 4,5-bis(diphenylphosphino)-4-cyclopenten-1,3-dione (bpcd) and Re(2(CO)8(μ-H)(μ-η,η-C CPh)

The reaction between the redox-active diphosphine ligand 4,5-bis(diphenylphosphino)-4-cyclopenten-1,3-dione (bpcd) and the dirhenium compound Re₂(CO)₈(μ-H)(μ-η¹,η²-C CPh) in CH₂Cl₂ at room temperature proceeds by CO loss to give the dirhenium complex Re₂(CO)₇(bpcd)(μ-H)(η¹-C CPh) (1). This new complex was characterized in solution by IR and NMR (¹H and ³¹P) spectroscopy and in the solid state by X-ray diffraction analysis. Re₂(CO)₇(bpcd)(μ-H)(η¹-C CPh) crystallizes in the triclinic space group

Full-size image

γ = 69.240(6)°, V = 2024.9(3) ų, Z = 2, d_calc = 1.862 g cm⁻³ R = 0.0221, R_w = 0.243 for 4066 observed reflections. The bpcd ligand in 1 adopts a chelating mode with a linear phenylacetylide ligand being located on the adjacent rhenium center cis to the bpcd ligand. This complex represents the first structurally characterized example of a hydrido-bridged dirhenium complex possessing both a linear acetylide ligand and a chelating diphosphine ligand.     

Ypsilandrosides C-G, five new spirostanol saponins from Ypsilandra thibetica

A further phytochemical investigation on the whole plants of Ypsilandra thibetica yielded one sapogenin and 12 spirostanol saponins. Five of these are new compounds, designated as ypsilandrosides C-G (2–6). Their structures were determined by detailed spectroscopic analysis, including extensive 1D and 2D NMR data, and by the result of a hydrolytic reaction. Compounds 2–5 were rare steroidal saponins that an apiofuranosyl unit was directly linked at C-3 of the aglycone. Selected spirostanol saponins (2–6, 9) were tested for their cytotoxic activities against K562, SPC-A-1, BGC-823, Eca-109, and AGS cell lines. Compounds 6 and 9 showed moderate inhibitory activity against all five cell lines. The antifungal properties of the new spirostanol saponins (2–6) against Candida albicans were also determined.     

Synthesis and calpain inhibitory activity of peptidomimetic compounds with constrained amino acids at the P2 position

The effect of incorporating α,α′-diethylglycine and α-aminocyclopentane carboxylic acid at the P₂ position of inhibitors on μ-calpain inhibition was studied. Compound 3 with α,α′-diethylglycine was over 20-fold more potent than 2 with α-aminocyclopentane carboxylic acid. Additionally, 3 was over 35-fold selective for μ-calpain compared to cathepsin B, while 2 was 3-fold selective for cathepsin B compared to μ-calpain. Thus, the conformation induced by the P₂ residue influenced the activities of the compounds versus the closely related cysteine proteases, and suggests an approach to the discovery of selective μ-calpain inhibitors.     

Synthesis and biological activity of O-(N-acetyl-β-muramoyl-l-alanyl-d-isoglutamine)-(1→6)-2-acylamino-2-deoxy-d-glucoses

Benzoylation of benzyl 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-4,6-O-isopropylidene-α-d-glucopyranoside, benzyl 2-deoxy-2-(dl-3-hydroxytetradecanoylamino)-4,6-O-isopropylidene-α-d-glucopyranoside, and benzyl 2-deoxy-4,6-O-isopropylidene-2-octadecanoylamino-β-d-glucopyranoside, with subsequent hydrolysis of the 4,6-O-isopropylidene group, gave the corresponding 3-O-benzoyl derivatives (4, 5, and 7). Hydrogenation of benzyl 2-acetamido-4,6-di-O-acetyl-2-deoxy-3-O-[d-1-(methoxycarbonyl)ethyl]-α-d-glucopyranoside, followed by chlorination, gave a product that was treated with mercuric actate to yield 2-acetamido-1,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-2-deoxy-3-O-[d-1-(methoxycarbonyl)ethyl]-β-d-glucopyranose (11). Treatment of 11 with ferric chloride afforded the oxazoline derivative, which was condensed with 4, 5, and 7 to give the (1→6)-β-linked disaccharide derivatives 13, 15, and 17. Hydrolysis of the methyl ester group in the compounds derived from 13, 15, and 17 by 4-O-acetylation gave the corresponding free acids, which were coupled with l-alanyl-d-isoglutamine benzyl ester, to yield the dipeptide derivatives 19–21 in excellent yields. Hydrolysis of 19–21, followed by hydrogenation, gave the respective O-(N-acetyl-β-muramoyl-l-alanyl-d-isoglutamine)-(1→6)-2-acylamino-2-deoxy-d-glucoses in good yields. The immunoadjuvant activity of these compounds was examined in guinea-pigs.