Monoterpenoid indole alkaloids from Kopsia hainanensis Tsiang

A phytochemical investigation on the twigs and leaves of Kopsia hainanensis Tsiang resulted in the isolation and identification of 18 alkaloids, including two sarpagine type alkaloids (1 and 2), five eburnane type alkaloids (3–7), three aspidofractinine type alkaloids (8–10), one vincadine type alkaloid (11), three akuammiline type alkaloids (12–13 and 15), one corynanthean type alkaloid (14), two ajmalicine-like type alkaloids (16 and 17), and one aspidospermine type alkaloid (18). The new structure of compound 1 was elucidated by means of spectroscopic analysis, including HRESIMS, and 1D and 2D NMR experiments. Compounds 1–2, 4–5, 7, and 10–17 are herein reported for the first time from this plant, while the compounds 1, 2, 7, and 12–17 have not been previously recorded in the Kopsia genus. The chemotaxonomic significance and distribution of these monoterpenoid indole alkaloids in Kopsia genus are discussed.     

Five new diterpenoid alkaloids from Aconitum sczukinii Turcz.

Ten diterpenoid alkaloids, including five new ones, sczukiniline A–E (1-5), were isolated from the root of Aconitum sczukinii. Their structures were elucidated based on the interpretation of spectroscopic data (HRESI-MS, IR, 1D- and 2D-NMR). Among the five new diterpenoid alkaloids, 1-3 are hetidine-type C₂₀-diterpenoid alkaloids, while compounds 4 and 5 are lycoctonine-type C₁₉-diterpenoid alkaloids. Noteworthily, sczukiniline A (1) features a novel ester group between C-12 and C-14, forming a D ring containing a lactone structure, resulting in a new skeleton of hetidine-type C₂₀-diterpenoid alkaloid.     

Taxonomic significance and antitumor activity of alkaloids from Clausena lansium Lour. Skeels (Rutaceae)

Phytochemical analysis of isolates from the aerial parts of Clausena lansium Lour. Skeels (Rutaceae) led to the identification of 14 alkaloids, including two indole alkaloids (1 and 2), one quinoline alkaloid (3), two pyridine alkaloids (4 and 5), four carbazole alkaloids (6–9) and five amides alkaloids (10–14). The phytochemical structures of the alkaloids were established by means of NMR and MS spectral analyses. Compounds (4, 5, 14) were three new natural products, while 1–3 and 10 were firstly reported from the genus Clausena and 8 and 9 were isolated from this species for the first time. The chemotaxonomic significance of these isolated alkaloids has also been discussed. All the isolated alkaloids were tested for their cytotoxic activity against Hela cancer cell line. Among them, four carbazole alkaloids 6–9 exhibited weak cytotoxicity with IC₅₀ values ranging from 69.31 to 138.32 μM.     

Alkaloids from Galanthus rizehensis

Two new Amaryllidaceae alkaloid N-oxides, incartine N-oxide (1) and lycorine N-oxide (2) together with one β-carboline alkaloid, 1-acetyl-β-carboline (3) and six known alkaloids namely, incartine (4), N-trans feruloyltyramine (5), lycorine (6), O-methylnorbelladine (7), vittatine (8) and 11-hydroxyvittatine (9) were isolated from Galanthus rizehensis Stern (Amaryllidaceae). The structures of the alkaloids were elucidated by spectroscopic analyses (UV, IR, MS, 1D and 2D NMR). Acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity potentials of the compounds were also determined.     

Five new alkaloids from Aconitum apetalum (Ranunculaceae)

Twenty-one alkaloids, including five new ones, acoapetaldines A–E (1–5), were isolated from the whole plants of Aconitum apetalum. Among them, 1 is an aconitine-type diterpenoid alkaloid, 2 and 3 are aporphine alkaloids and 4 and 5 are napelline-type diterpenoid alkaloids. The structures of the new alkaloids were elucidated by spectroscopic data analysis and that of acoapetaldine D (4) was confirmed by single crystal X-ray crystallography. Acoapetaldine A (1) and aconorine (12) exhibited moderate anti-tobacco mosaic virus (anti-TMV) activity, while corydine (15) displayed moderate antimicrobial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa.     

Chemical constituents of Gardneria ovata wall

A phytochemical investigation on the aerial parts of Gardneria ovata Wall resulted in the isolation and identification of 14 compounds, including three gardneria glycoalkaloids (1–2 and 6), seven gardneria alkaloids (3–5 and 7–10), and four oxindole alkaloids (11–14). The structure of compound 1 was elucidated by means of spectroscopic analysis, including HRESIMS together with 1D and 2D NMR experiments. Compounds 1–2 and 11–14 are the first time reported from of G. ovate, while the compounds 3–4, 6, and 8 are also the characteristic secondary metabolites of the title plant. The chemotaxonomic significance and distribution of these monoterpenoid indole alkaloids in Gardneria genus are discussed.     

Bioactive aporphine alkaloids from the stems of Dasymaschalon rostratum

Three undescribed aporphine alkaloids dasymaroine A (1), 3-methoxyoxoputerine N-oxide (2), and dasymaroine B (3), along with nine known analogues (4–12) were isolated from the stems of Dasymaschalon rostratum Merr. The structures were elucidated using spectroscopic methods and by comparison with published NMR spectroscopic data. Compound 1 is a rarely reported nitro aporphine alkaloid and its absolute configuration was defined based on negative specific rotation and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Compound 2 represents the first example of oxoaporphine alkaloid N-oxide. All compounds were evaluated for their activities of six pathogenic bacteria, 1 exhibited significant inhibition against Escherichia coli and Saphylococcus aureus with MIC values of 1.2 and 2.5 μM, respectively. As well as compounds 1–5, 7, 10, 12 were evaluated for their anti-HIV activities with EC₅₀ ranged from 1.93 to 9.70 μM.     

Alkaloids and monoterpenes from the leaves of Isatis tinctoria Linnaeus and their chemotaxonomic significance

Phytochemical investigation of the leaves of Isatis tinctoria Linnaeus led to the isolation of thirty compounds, including thirteen indole alkaloids (1–13), seven quinazolinone alkaloids (14–20), two quinoline alkaloids (21–22), one quindoline alkaloid (23), one simple amide alkaloid (24) and six monoterpenes (25–30). According to spectroscopic data analysis and comparison with the previously reported literature, their structures were elucidated. Among them, six compounds (12, 13, 17, and 22–24) have not been reported from the family Brassicaceae and eight compounds (3, 7, and 25–30) were isolated from the genus Isatis for the first time. Furthermore, the chemotaxonomic significance of isolated compounds has also been elaborated.     

Further constituents of Galianthe thalictroides (Rubiaceae) and inhibition of DNA topoisomerases I and IIα by its cytotoxic β-carboline alkaloids

A new cytotoxic β-carboline alkaloid, 1-methyl-3-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-2-(5-methoxy-9H-β-carbolin-1-yl)-cyclopentanol (1), was isolated from roots of Galianthe thalictroides, together with the alkaloid 1-(hydroxymethyl)-3-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-2-(5-methoxy-9H-β-carbolin-1-yl)-cyclopentanol (2), the anthraquinones 1-methyl-alizarin and morindaparvin-A, the coumarin scopoletin, homovanillic alcohol, (−)-epicatechin, and the steroids stigmast-4-en-3-one, 4,22-stigmastadien-3-one, campest-4-en-3-one, stigmast-4-en-3,6-dione, 6-β-hydroxy-stigmast-4-en-3-one, stigmasterol, campesterol, β-sitosterol, and β-sitosterol-3-O-β-d-glucopyranoside. Among the previously known compounds, homovanillic alcohol is a novel finding in Rubiaceae, while 1-methyl-alizarin, morindaparvin-A, scopoletin, stigmast-4-en-3-one, 4,22-stigmastadien-3-one, campest-4-en-3-one, stigmast-4-en-3,6-dione, and 6-β-hydroxy-stigmast-4-en-3-one is reported for the first time in the genus Galianthe. The cytotoxic β-carboline alkaloids 1 and 2 exhibited potent antitopoisomerase I and IIα activities and strong evidence is provided for their action as topoisomerase IIα poisons and redox-independent inhibitors.     

Alstiphyllanines E–H,picraline and ajmaline-type alkaloids from Alstonia macrophylla inhibiting sodium glucose cotransporter

Three new picraline-type alkaloids, alstiphyllanines E–G (1–3) and a new ajmaline-type alkaloid, alstiphyllanine H (4) were isolated from the leaves of Alstonia macrophylla together with 16 related alkaloids (5–20). Structures and stereochemistry of 1–4 were fully elucidated and characterized by 2D NMR analysis. Alstiphyllanines E and F (1 and 2) showed moderate Na⁺-glucose cotransporter (SGLT1 and SGLT2) inhibitory activity. A series of a hydroxy substituted derivatives 21–28 at C-17 of the picraline-type alkaloids have been derived as having potent SGLT inhibitory activity. 10-Methoxy-N(1)-methylburnamine-17-O-veratrate (6) exhibited potent inhibitory activity, suggesting that the presence of an ester side chain at C-17 may be important to show SGLT inhibitory activity. Structure activity relationship of alstiphyllanines on inhibitory activity of SGLT was discussed.     

Three new alkaloids from the twigs of Cassia siamea and their bioactivities

Three new tricyclic alkaloid, siamalkaloids A–C (1–3), together with three known alkaloids (3–6) were isolated from the twigs of Cassia siamea. Their structures were determined by means of HRESIMS and extensive 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic studies. Compounds 1–6 were tested for their anti-tobacco mosaic virus (anti-TMV) activity, and compound 3 exhibited high anti-TMV activity with inhibition rate of 34.5%. This rate is higher than that of positive control. In addition, the cytotoxicity of compounds 1–6 were also tested, and compounds 2–6 showed weak activity with IC₅₀ values ranging from 2.8 to 9.4 μM for some tested human tumor cell lines.     

Chemical constituents of Uncaria rhynchophylloides How and their chemotaxonomic significance

One undescribed 1,4-diazaindan-type alkaloid, namely howlumine (1), along with seventeen known compounds, including a known analogue, agrocybenine (2), three iridoid glycosides (3–5), four megastigmane glycosides (6–9), two benzoic acid derivatives (10–11), two phenylpropanoids (12–13), and five flavonoids (14–18), were isolated from the 95% EtOH extract of the aerial parts of Uncaria rhynchophylloides How. The structures of these compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic analyses. All compounds were isolated from this plant for the first time. Howlumine and agrocybenine represent the first report of 1,4-diazaindan-type alkaloids from the genus Uncaria. Furthermore, the chemotaxonomic significance of the isolates was also discussed.     

Chemical constituents of sponge Pseudoceratina sp. and their chemotaxonomic significance

The chemical investigation of Pseudoceratina sp. led to the isolation of six compounds including tyrosine brominated isoxazoline alkaloids (1 and 2), polyketide (3), and 5α,8α-epidioxysterols (4–6). The structures of these compounds were identified by comparison of NMR and MS spectroscopic data with those previously reported. Compounds 3–6 were isolated for the first time from sponges of the genus Pseudoceratina. The chemotaxonomic significance of these compounds was discussed.     

Tetrahydro-β-Carboline alkaloids from Carthamus tinctorius L. with tyrosinase inhibitory activity

Phytochemical research on the dry flower of Carthamus tinctorius L. led to the isolation of two new epimeric tetrahydro-β-carboline alkaloids (1 and 2), together with three known analogues (3–5). Their planar structures were determined by comprehensive 1D, 2D-NMR, and HR-ESI–MS spectroscopic data analyses. The absolute configurations of alkaloids 1 and 2 were assigned by comparing their experimental electronic circular dichroism (ECD) curves with the calculated ECD data. To investigate their impact on melanogenesis, all of the alkaloids isolated were tested for their tyrosinase inhibitory activity and alkaloid 4 was found to inhibit tyrosinase with an IC₅₀ value of 0.17 mM, compared with 0.18 mM for arbutin. The putative binding interactions between the compounds and tyrosine were studied by molecular docking to provide an explanation for their inhibitory activities, and the results obtained indicated that hydrophobic interactions played a very significant role in the combination.     

Alkaloids from the mangrove endophytic fungus Diaporthe phaseolorum SKS019

Six new alkaloids including four new chromeno[3,2-c]pyridines, diaporphasines A-D (1–4), and two new isoindolinones, meyeroguillines C and D (6–7), as well as three known compounds meyeroguilline A (5), 5-deoxybostrycoidin (8), and fusaristatin A (9), were isolated from an endophytic fungus Diaporthe phaseolorum SKS019. Their structures were determined by analysis of 1D and 2D NMR and mass spectroscopic data. Compounds 1–9 are alkaloid components reported for the first time from the Diaporthe sp., and diaporphasines A-D (1–4) are the third examples of alkaloids possessing the unique chromeno[3,2-c]pyridine nucleus. All isolated compounds 1–9 were evaluated for their cytotoxic activity in vitro using MDA-MB-435, HepG2, MCF10A, HCT116, and NCI-H460 human cell lines. Compound 8 exhibited cytotoxicity against MDA-MB-435 and NCI-H460 human cancer cell lines with IC₅₀ values of 5.32 and 6.57 μM, respectively, and compound 9 showed growth-inhibitory activity against MDA-MB-435 human cancer cell line with IC₅₀ value of 8.15 μM.     

Erythrinoid and indol alkaloids isolated from the seeds of Erythrina rubrinervia Kunth: Chemotaxonomic significance

In the present work, we report the isolation of five alkaloids from the seeds of Erythrina rubrinervia. Four of the isolated alkaloids are erythrinoid type alkaloids which were identified as erysodine (1), erysovine (2), erythraline (3) and erysotrine (4), plus an indolic alkaloid which was identified as hypaphorine (5). The analysis of spectroscopic data for the alkaloid l-hypaphorine shows that the published structure (5a) must be revised, and the correct structure is that depicted as the structure 5c. The chemical structures were elucidated by full spectroscopic analysis. The chemotaxonomic significance of those findings in the genus Erythrina is also discussed.     

Pyrrole alkaloids from the fruits of Morus alba

Phytochemical investigation of the fruits of Morus alba afforded seventeen pyrrole alkaloids including five new compounds. The structures of five new pyrrole alkaloids, named morroles B–F (4, 5, 7, 16 and 17), were determined on the basis of spectroscopic interpretations. 4-[Formyl-5-(hydroxymethyl)-1H-pyrrol-1-yl]butanoate (2) was synthesized by chemical reaction but first isolated from nature. Among isolated compounds, compounds 6 and 14 significantly inhibited pancreatic lipase activity.     

Phytochemical and chemotaxonomic study on Ziziphus Jujuba Mill. (Rhamnaceae)

Fourteen compounds were isolated from fruits of Ziziphus jujuba Mill., including two flavonoids (1–2), one phenolic glycosides (3), one lignan (4), four phenols (5–8), three alkaloid (9–10, 14), three sesquiterpenoid (11–13). The structures of all the compounds were established by the NMR techniques, as well as by comparison with previously reported data in literature. Compounds 2″-glucosyl-8-C-glucosyl-4′-O-methylapigenin (1), 3′, 4′, 5′-trimethoxycinnamyl alcohol (5), 2-{4-[(1E)-3-Hydroxyprop-1-en-1-yl]-2, 6-dimethoxy-phenoxy}propane-1, 3-diol (6), 1-(4-Hydroxyphenyl)ethane-1, 2-diol (8), (1S, 3S)-1-Methyl-l, 2, 3, 4-tetrahydro-β-carboline-3-carboxylic acid (9), (1R, 3S)-1-Methyl-l, 2, 3, 4-tetrahydro-β-carboline-3-carboxylic acid (10), grasshopper ketone (12), methyl (3R, 5R)-5-methoxy-3-phenylisoxazolidine-5-carboxylate (14) were firstly reported from the genus Ziziphus and the family Rhamnaceae. Furthermore, the chemotaxonomic significance of the isolates was discussed.     

Anti-inflammatory and antiproliferative prenylated carbazole alkaloids from Clausena vestita

Twelve prenylated carbazole alkaloids, containing a novel prenylated carbazole alkaloid, named as clausevestine (1), and 11 known prenylated carbazole alkaloids (2–12), were isolated and identified from the stems and leaves of Clausena vestita, which is a Chinese endemic plant. The chemical structure of 1 was established by means of comprehensive spectroscopic data analyses and the known compounds were determined via comparing their NMR and MS data as well as optical rotation values with those reported in literature. Especially, clausevestine (1) is an unusual prenylated carbazole alkaloid possessing an unprecedented carbon skeleton holding 20 carbon atoms. The anti-inflammatory effects and antiproliferative activities of those isolated prenylated carbazole alkaloids were tested. Prenylated carbazole alkaloids 1–12 displayed remarkable inhibitory effects on NO (nitric oxide) production with IC₅₀ values equivalent to that of the positive control (hydrocortisone). Meanwhile, prenylated carbazole alkaloids 1–12 exhibited remarkable antiproliferative activities against diverse human cancer cell lines in vitro holding the IC₅₀ values ranging from 0.32 ± 0.04 to 18.76 ± 0.18 µM. These findings indicate that these prenylated carbazole alkaloids possessing remarkable anti-inflammatory effects and antiproliferative activities could be meaningful to the discovery of new anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor candidate drugs.     

Alkaloids of Toddalia asiatica (Rutaceae)

Phytochemical investigation of the alkaloidal extract of the roots of Toddalia asiatica led to the isolation of a new seco-benzophenanthridine alkaloid (1) and twelve known alkaloids (2–13). The new structure was elucidated by means of spectroscopic analysis, and the known alkaloids were identified by comparison with the literature. Among these alkaloids, 1 and 5–7 were reported from the genus Toddalia for the first time. The distribution of the isolated alkaloids at genus/family level was presented via network analysis and their chemotaxonomic significance was also discussed.