Polyhydroxylated steroids from an endophytic fungus, Chaetomium globosum ZY-22 isolated from Ginkgo biloba

A novel polyhydroxylated C₂₉-sterol, 25ξ-methyl-22-homo-5α-cholest-7,22-diene-3β,6β,9α-triol, designated globosterol (1), together with one known tetrahydroxylated ergosterol (22E, 24R)-ergosta-7,22-diene-3β,5α,6β,9α-tetraol (2) has been isolated from the cultures of an endophytic fungus, Chaetomium globosum ZY-22 originated from the plant Ginkgo biloba. The structures and relative configurations of 1 and 2 were established on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analyses including 1D and 2D NMR (¹H-¹H COSY, HSQC, HMBC, and NOESY) experiments and comparison with the literature. Globosterol (1) possesses an unprecedented 25-methyl Δ²²-C₁₀-side chain and Δ⁷-3β,6β,9α-hydroxy-steroid nucleus, which represents the first example for C₂₉-steroids of the group.     

Toxic polyketides produced by Fusarium sp., an endophytic fungus isolated from Melia azedarach

A new isocoumarin derivative named fusariumin (1), together with two known related resorcylic acid lactones aigialomycin D (2) and pochonin N (3), has been isolated from the cultures of Fusarium sp. LN-10, an endophytic fungus originated from the leaves of Melia azedarach. Their structures were established on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analyzes including 1D- and 2D- NMR (¹H-¹H COSY, HSQC, HMBC, and NOESY) experiments. Compounds 1-3 displayed significant growth inhibitory activity against the brine shrimp (Artemia salina).     

Sannastatin, a novel toxic macrolactam polyketide glycoside produced by actinomycete Streptomyces sannanensis

A new rare 20-membered macrocyclic lactam incorporating a diene conjugated olefin, designated sannastatin (1), together with the known structurally related vicenistatin (2), has been isolated from the cultures of Streptomyces sannanensis, a bacteria found in the feces of Ailuropoda melanoleuca. The structure of the new compound was established on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analyses including 1D- and 2D-NMR (¹H-¹H COSY, TOCSY, HSQC, HMBC, and NOESY) experiments. Compounds 1 and 2 displayed significant growth inhibitory activity against the brine shrimp (Artemia salina) larvae.     

Synthesis of regioisomeric 17β-N-phenylpyrazolyl steroid derivatives and their inhibitory effect on 17α-hydroxylase/C17,20-lyase

The reaction of 3β-hydroxy-21-hydroxymethylidenepregn-5-en-3β-ol-20-one (1) with phenylhydrazine (2a) affords two regioisomers, 17β-(1-phenyl-3-pyrazolyl)androst-3-en-3β-ol (5a) and 17β-(1-phenyl-5-pyrazolyl)androst-5-en-3β-ol (6a). The direction of the ring-closure reactions of 1 with p-substituted phenylhydrazines (2b-e) depends strongly on the electronic features of the substituents. Oppenauer oxidation of 3β-hydroxy-17β-exo-heterocyclic steroids 5a-e and 6a-e yielded the corresponding Δ⁴-3-ketosteroids 9a-e and 10a-e. The inhibitory effects (IC₅₀) of these compounds on rat testicular C_17,20-lyase were investigated by means of an in vitro radioligand incubation technique.     

Bridged dinucleating N-heterocyclic carbene ligands and their double helical mercury(II) complexes

A series of six 3,6-bis(imidazolium-3-yl)pyridazine derivatives with different imidazole-N substituents have been synthesized and isolated as the salts [H₂L]Cl₂ (1a)-(6a) and [H₂L](PF₆)₂ (1b)-(6b). Solid state structures have been determined crystallographically for eleven out of the twelve compounds, revealing diverse hydrogen bonding patterns that involve the imidazolium-C²H units and the anions. N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) mercury(II) complexes [Hg₂L₂](PF₆)₄ (7)-(9) are readily formed in good yields from ligand precursors [H₂L](PF₆)₂ and Hg(OAc)₂, as long as imidazole-N substituents are not too bulky. X-ray crystallography reveals double helical bimetallic arrangements for the stable [Hg₂L₂]⁴⁺ cations. Ligand scrambling in [Hg₂L₂]⁴⁺ occurs only in the presence of free carbene precursor, presumably via an associative mechanism.     

Inhibition of nitric oxide production in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophage cells by lignans isolated from Euonymus alatus leaves and twigs

The 80% methanolic extract of Euonymus alatus leaves and twigs afforded three new lignans, (−)-threo-4,9,4′,9′-tetrahydroxy-3,7,3′,5′-tetramethoxy-8-O-8′-neolignan (1), (−)-threo-4,9,4′,9′-tetrahydroxy-3,5,7,3′-tetramethoxy-8-O-8′-neolignan (2), (7R,8R,7′R)-(+)-lyoniresinol (3), together with seventeen known lignans (4-20). The structures of 1-20 were elucidated by extensive 1D and 2D spectroscopic methods including ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, ¹H-¹H COSY, HMQC, HMBC and NOESY. All the isolated compounds except for dilignans (19 and 20) significantly inhibited nitric oxide production in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW264.7 cells.     

Synthesis, structures and ligating properties of 2,6-bis(phosphino)thiophenol derivatives

New t-butyl-aryl thioethers where the aryl group is 2,6-bis(phosphino)phenyl have been synthesized. The syntheses were completed via sequential ortho-lithiations of t-butylphenylsulfide, followed by chlorophosphine (ClPR₂) quenches; symmetric (2,6-bis(diphenylphosphino)phenyl, (4a)) and unsymmetric (2-diisopropylphosphino-6-diphenylphosphino)phenyl, (4b) aryl groups were obtained. Treatment of 4a with Li or Na naphthalenide yielded 2,6-bis(diphenylphosphino)thiophenol 5. Reactions of 4a or 5 with NiCl₂ · 6H₂O yielded nickel bis(phosphinothiophenolate) 6. Compounds 4a,b, 5 and 6 were characterized by ¹H and ³¹P NMR, and by mass-spectrometry. In addition, 4a, 5 and 6 were characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction methods.     

Synthesis of aurones and their inhibitory effects on nitric oxide and PGE2 productions in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells

Sulfuretin is one of major constituents of Rhus verniciflua that exerts anti-inflammatory activities. Some of aurones were synthesized as sulfuretin derivatives and evaluated for their abilities to inhibit NO and PGE₂ production in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells in order to reveal the relationship. Of the aurones synthesized in the present study, 2h and 2i, which possess C-6 hydroxyl group in A-ring and methoxy substituents in B-ring, more potently inhibited NO and PGE₂ production and were less cytotoxic than sulfuretin.     

Synthesis, modification, and evaluation of (R)-de-O-methyllasiodiplodin and analogs as nonsteroidal antagonists of mineralocorticoid receptor

Macrolide (R)-de-O-methyllasiodiplodin (1), discovered to be a potent nonsteroidal antagonist of the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR), was synthesized via an efficient method and evaluated for MR antagonistic activity together with its analogs. Among all the tested compounds, compounds 18a, 18b and 18c, exhibited more potent antagonistic activity against MR with IC₅₀ values ranging from 0.58 to 1.11 μM. Generally, it was obviously demonstrated that acetylation at phenolic hydroxyl groups and the ring size in analogs of 1 were very important for MR antagonist activity.     

Synthesis and antitubercular evaluation of novel substituted aryl and thiophenyl tethered dihydro-6H-quinolin-5-ones

A series of novel aryl and thiophenyl tethered dihydro-6H-quinolin-5-ones have been synthesized in very good yields through CeCl₃·7H₂O-NaI catalyzed one-pot condensation of β-enaminones derived from the respective methyl ketones; 1,3-cyclohexanedione & 5,5-dimethyl-1,3-cyclohexanedione and ammonium acetate refluxing in 2-propanol. Dihydro-6H-quinolin-5-ones 3a-f was further derivatized to the respective hydroxymethyl analogs using proline as an organocatalyst in aqueous media. Among the all 18 compounds screened for in vitro antimycobacterial activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H₃₇Rv (MTB), dihydro-6H-quinolin-5-ones 4e and 4f were found to be most active with MIC 3.13 μg/mL.     

Cobalt(III) complexes with linear hexadentate N6 or N4S2 donor set atoms providing pyridyl-amide-amine/thioether coordination

Two new cobalt(III) complexes of symmetric hexadentate ligand with N₆ [1,10-bis(2-picolinamide)-4,7-diazadecane (pycdpnen)] and N₄S₂ [1,8-bis(2-picolinamide)-3,6-dithiaoctane (pycdadt)] donor set atoms have been synthesized as perchlorate salts and characterized by spectroscopic methods. All two ligands with strong-field pyridylcarboxamido N donor stabilize Co(III) as demonstrated by the facile oxidation of the cobalt center. The structures of [Co(pycdpnenH₋₂)](ClO₄) (1) and [Co(pycdadtH₋₂)](ClO₄) · H₂O (2) investigated by COSY, HMBC, HMQC and NOESY NMR studies show that compounds 1 and 2 have the same geometrical configuration. The X-ray analysis reveals that complex 2 crystallizes in a orthorhombic space group Pccn. The cation [Co(pycdadtH₋₂)]⁺ is distorted octahedral with the two pyridyl groups in cis position.     

Identification and in vitro anti-esophageal cancer activity of a series of halogenated monoterpenes isolated from the South African seaweeds Plocamium suhrii and Plocamium cornutum

Five known (1, 2, 4, 6 and 7) halogenated monoterpenes together with 1Z,3R^∗,4S^∗,5E,7Z)-1-bromo-3,4,8-trichloro-7-(dichloromethyl)-3-methylocta-1,5,7-triene (3) and (3R^∗,4S^∗)-3,4,6,7-tetrachloro-3,7-dimethyl-octen-1-ene (5) were isolated from the red macroalga Plocamium suhrii and their structures deduced from their spectroscopic data. The seven compounds from P. suhrii together with five related compounds from Plocamium cornutum have been evaluated for their cytotoxic effects on an esophageal cancer cell line (WHCO1). Compounds 1-6 showed greater cytotoxicity in this assay as compared to the known anticancer drug cisplatin.     

Syntheses and characterization of titanium malonato and amino acid complexes: [Ti(cp)2(OOCCH2NMe2)] - The first structurally characterized α-amino acid titanium(III) complex

The reaction of [Ti(cp^∗)₂(BTMSA)] (1) (cp^∗ = η⁵-C₅Me₅, BTMSA = bis(trimethylsilyl)acetylene) with malonic acids ((HOOC)₂CR₂, R = H, Me) and N,N-dimethylglycine resulted in the formation of titanium(IV) dicarboxylato complexes [Ti(cp^∗)₂{(OOC)₂CR₂}] (R = H, 2; R = Me, 3) and an α-amino acid titanium(III) complex [Ti(cp^∗)₂(OOCCH₂NMe₂)] (4). The identities of complexes 2-4 were confirmed by microanalysis, ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy (2, 3), ESI-MS and CID experiments (2, 3) as well as by ESR and magnetic measurements (μ_eff = 1.81, 298 K) for 4. Single X-ray diffraction analyses of 2 and 4 exhibited monomolecular complexes in which the titanium atom is distorted tetrahedrally coordinated by two η⁵-C₅Me₅ rings and by the chelating bound malonato-κ²O,O′ (2) and N,N-dimethylglycinato-κ²O,O′ ligand (4).     

Antitumor agents 287. Substituted 4-amino-2H-pyran-2-one (APO) analogs reveal a new scaffold from neo-tanshinlactone with in vitro anticancer activity

4-Amino-2H-benzo[h]chromen-2-one (ABO) and 4-amino-7,8,9,10-tetrahydro-2H-benzo[h]chromen-2-one (ATBO) analogs were found to be significant in vitro anticancer agents in our previous research. Our continuing study has now discovered a new simplified (monocyclic rather than tricyclic) class of cytotoxic agents, 4-amino-2H-pyran-2-one (APO) analogs. By incorporating various substituents on the pyranone ring, we have established preliminary structure-activity relationships (SAR). Analogs 19, 20, 23, and 26-30 displayed significant tumor cell growth inhibitory activity in vitro. The most active compound 27 exhibited ED₅₀ values of 0.059-0.090 μM.     

Diversity oriented design of various hydrazides and their in vitro evaluation against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv strains

Control and prevention of tuberculosis is a major challenge, as one-third of the world’s population is infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The resurgence of tuberculosis and the emergence of multidrug-resistance strains of mycobacteria, necessitate the search for new class of antimycobacterial agents. As a part of investigation of new antitubercular agents in this laboratory, we describe the syntheses of various hydrazides of comarins, quinolones and pyrroles and screening against M. tuberculosis (Mtb) H37_Rv by using rifampin as a standard drug. Among the designed molecules, the most prominent compounds 2a-g, 4a and 9a showed >90% GI at MIC <6.25 μg/mL. Finally, these studies suggests that compounds 2a-g, 4a and 9a may serve as promising lead scaffolds for further generation of new anti-TB agents.     

Sn-S and Ru-Ru bonds cleavage reactions between [Ph3SnS(CH2)3SSnPh3] and Ru3(CO)12: X-ray crystal structures of [Ph3SnS(CH2)3SSnPh3] and trans-[Ru(CO)4(SnPh3)2]

The organotin complex [Ph₃SnS(CH₂)₃SSnPh₃] (1) was synthesized by PdCl₂ catalyzed reaction between Ph₃SnCl and disodium-1,3-propanedithiolate which in turn was prepared from 1,2-propanedithiol and sodium in refluxing THF. Reaction of 1 with Ru₃(CO)₁₂ in refluxing THF affords the mononuclear complex trans-[Ru(CO)₄(SnPh₃)₂] (2) and the dinuclear complex [Ru₂(CO)₆(μ-κ²-SCH₂CH₂CH₂S)] (3) in 20 and 11% yields, respectively, formed by cleavage of Sn-S bond of the ligand and Ru-Ru bonds of the cluster. Treatment of pymSSnPPh₃ (pymS = pyrimidine-2-thiolate) with Ru₃(CO)₁₂ at 55-60 °C also gives 2 in 38% yield. Both 1 and 2 have been characterized by a combination of spectroscopic data and single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis.     

Crystal structures and third-order NLO properties in DMF solution of Co(II)-bpfp coordination polymers (bpfp=N,N-bis(pyridylformyl)piperazine)

Two novel Co(II) coordination polymers {[Co(H₂O)₂(CH₃OH)₂(4-bpfp)](NO₃)₂}_n1 (4-bpfp=N,N^′-bis(4-pyridylformyl)piperazine) and [Co(NCS)₂(CH₃OH)₂(3-bpfp)]_n2 (3-bpfp=N,N^′-bis(3-pyridylformyl)piperazine) have been synthesized and characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction. Both the polymers consist of one-dimensional chains constructed by bridging bpfp ligands and Co(II) ions. The existence of O?H-O hydrogen bond in 1 and S?H-O hydrogen bond in 2 play important roles in creating interesting supramolecular structures. Their third-order nonlinear optical (NLO) properties in DMF solution have been studied by Z-scan technique. The results reveal that polymers 1 and 2 exhibit strong NLO absorption effects (α₂=9.00×10⁻¹¹ m W⁻¹ for 1; 1.41 × 10⁻¹⁰ m W⁻¹ for 2) and self-focusing performance (n₂=3.24×10⁻¹⁶ esu for 1; 3.05 × 10⁻¹⁶ esu for 2) in DMF solutions. The corresponding effective NLO susceptibilities χ⁽³⁾ values are 3.08 × 10⁻¹² esu (1) and 4.70 × 10⁻¹² esu (2). All of the values are comparable to those of the reported good NLO materials. Additionally, the TG-DTA results of the two polymers are in agreement with the crystal structures.     

Synthesis, structure-activity relationship of novel substituted 4H-chromen-1,2,3,4-tetrahydropyrimidine-5-carboxylates as potential anti-mycobacterial and anticancer agents

Series of 4H-chromen-1,2,3,4-tetrahydropyrimidine-5-carboxylate derivatives 7a-7zb, 8a-8d and 9a-9d were synthesized and screened for their in vitro anti-mycobacterial activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H₃₇Rv (MTB) and cytotoxicity against three human cancer cell lines including A549, SK-N-SH and HeLa. The results indicate that six compounds are more potent and 7za is most effective anti-mycobacterial derivative compared to the standard drugs Ethambutol and Ciprofloxacin. However, 12 compounds exhibited cytotoxicity against human neuroblastoma cell line; amongst them the compound 7v is most effective compared to the standard drug Doxorubicin. This is the first report assigning in vitro anti-mycobacterial, anticancer and structure-activity relationship for this new class of 4H-chromen-1,2,3,4-tetrahydropyrimidine-5-carboxylates.     

Synthesis, characterisation and solution behaviour of fluoroalkyl phosphoryl complexes of tin tetrachloride

The synthesis, characterisation and solution behaviour of a series of octahedral complexes SnCl₄·2L (L = R₂NP(O)(OCH₂CF₃)₂; R = Me (1); Et (2) or L = P(O)(OCH₂R_f)₃; R_f = CF₃ (3); C₂F₅ (4)) are described. Complexes 1-4 were prepared from SnCl₄ and 2 equiv. of the ligand, L, in anhydrous CH₂Cl₂ solution. The adducts have been characterised by multinuclear (¹H, ³¹P and ¹¹⁹Sn) NMR, IR spectroscopy and elemental analysis. In dichloromethane solution, the NMR data showed the presence of a mixture of cis and trans isomers for 1 and 2 and only the cis isomer for 3 and 4. The difference could be interpreted in terms of the electronic effects of the substituents on the phosphorus atom of the ligand. In addition, the solution structure of the complexes studied by variable temperature ³¹P-{¹H} and ¹H NMR in the presence of excess ligand indicated that the ligand exchange on the cis isomer dominates the chemistry. The metal-ligand exchange barriers were estimated to be 13.38 and 11.39 kcal/mol for 1 and 3, respectively. The results are discussed and compared with those previously reported for the related hexamethylphosphoramide adduct, SnCl₄·2HMPA.     

Mono- and dinuclear (o-thioetherphenolato)-copper(II) complexes. Structural models for galactose oxidase

Three new o-thioetherphenol ligands have been synthesized: 1,2-bis(3,5-di-tert-butyl-2-hydroxyphenylsulfanyl)ethane (H₂bse), 1,2-bis(3,5-di-tert-butyl-2-hydroxyphenylsulfanyl)benzene (H₂bsb), and 4,6-di-tert-butyl-2-phenylsulfanylphenol (Hpsp). Their complexes with copper(II) were prepared and investigated by UV-Vis-, EPR-spectroscopy; their electro- and magnetochemistry have also been studied: [Cu^II(psp)₂] (1), [Cu^II₂(bse)₂] (2), [Cu^II₂(bsb)₂] (3), [Cu^II(bsb)(py)₂] (4). The crystal structures of the ligands H₂bse, H₂bsb, Hpsp and of the complexes 1, 2, 3, 4 have been determined by X-ray crystallography.