Microbial transformations of flavanone by Aspergillus niger and Penicillium chermesinum cultures

As a result of biotransformation of flavanone (1) by the strain Aspergillus niger MB (being the UV mutant) and by the wild strain Penicillium chermesinum 113 the products of hydroxylation at C-6 (2) and C-4′ (5) were obtained. Additionally, three dihydrochalcones with hydroxyl groups at C-2′ (4), C-2′ and C-5′ (3) and C-2′ and C-4 (6) were formed.     

Vieloplains A-G,seven new guaiane-type sesquiterpenoid dimers from Xylopia vielana

Seven new guaiane-type sesquiterpene dimers vieloplains A-G, connecting patterns through three different direct CC bonds compounds 1–5 (C-3 to C-3′, C-4 to C-1′), compound 6 (C-2 to C-3′, C-4 to C-2′) and compound 7 (C-2 to C-1′, C-4 to C-2′) were isolated from the roots of Xylopia vielana. Their absolute configurations were established by NOESY analysis, the Cu Kα X-ray crystallographic the experiment circular dichroism (ECD) and the calculated ECD. Among them, only compound 6 showed a considerable cytotoxicity against DU145 cells with IC₅₀ values of 9.5 μM. Flow cytometry analysis confirmed that 6 caused death of DU145 cells via apoptosis induction.     

C-5 substituted heteroaryl-3-pyridinecarbonitriles as PKCθ inhibitors: Part II

We previously reported that a 3-pyridinecarbonitrile analog with a furan substituent at C-5 and a 4-methylindol-5-ylamino substituent at C-4, 1, was a potent inhibitor of PKCθ (IC₅₀ = 4.5 nM). Replacement of the C-5 furan ring of 1 with bicyclic heteroaryl rings, led to compounds with significantly improved potency against PKCθ. Analog 6b with a 4-methylindol-5-ylamino group at C-4 and a 5-[(4-methylpiperazin-1-yl)methyl]-1-benzofuran-2-yl group at C-5 had an IC₅₀ value of 0.28 nM for the inhibition of PKCθ.     

2-Carboxy-4-hydroxy-α-tetralone,a precursor for catalponol biosynthesis

2-Carboxy-4-hydroxy-α-tetralone (5) and its methyl ester (10) were incorporated into catalponol (1) in Catalpa ovata with retention of C-4 and C-8 tritium atoms. Incorporation of the former two substances into catalpalactone (2) and 4,9-dihydroxy-α-lapachone (12) was also demonstrated.     

Alpha-glucosidase and tyrosinase inhibitors from fungal hydroxylation of tibolone and hydroxytibolones

Sixteen new and one known metabolites 4-20 were obtained by incubation of tibolone (1) and hydroxytibolones (2 and 3) with various fungi. Their structures were elucidated by means of a homo and heteronuclear 2D NMR and by HREI-MS techniques. The relative stereochemistry was deduced by 2D NOESY experiment. Metabolites of tibolone (1) exhibited significant inhibitory activities against α-glucosidase and tyrosinase enzymes. Hydroxylations at C-6, C-10, C-11, C-15 positions and α,β-unsaturation at C-1/C-2, C-4/C-5 showed potent inhibitory activities against these enzymes.     

The syntheses of 3-substituted perfluoroalkyl steroids

The syntheses of three classes of C-3 perfluoroalkyl substituted steroids are described. They are the 3β-hydroxy-3α-perfluoroalkylandrost-4-en-17-ones (5a-c), 3-perfluoroalkylandrosta-3,5-dien-3-ones (8a-c) and 3β-hydroxy-3α-perfluoroalkylandrost-5-en-17-ones (12a-c). Addition of a series of perfluroalkylorganometallic reagents (R_FLi; R_F = C₂F₅, C₃F₇, or C₄F₉) to the 3 position of silylated testosterone 2b afforded Δ⁴ perfluoroalkyl carbinols 3. In Scheme 1, deprotection with HF and oxidation at the C-17 carbon with PCC produced Δ⁴ ketones 5. In Scheme 2 dehydration of 3 with 1,2-phenylenephosphorochloridite and iodine afforded Δ^3,5 dienes 6 which were deprotected and oxidized as above to the C-17 ketones 8. In Scheme 3 isomerization of the double bond of 3 from the C-4 to the C-5 position using the allylic halogenation followed by treatment with lithium aluminum hydride led to the synthesis of the double bond isomer series 12. A new method for dehydration was developed. On average and within experimental error, 3β-hydroxy-3α-perfluoroalkylandrost-5-en-17 ones (12a-c) were better than the 3-perfluoroalkylandrosta-3,5-dien-17-ones (8a-c) and 3β-hydroxy-3α-perfluoroalkylandrost-4-en-17-ones (5a-c) at inhibiting glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase.     

Structure and anomeric configuration of the 3,6-anhydro-osazone derivatives obtained from d-altro-2-heptulose phenylosazone

Dehydration of d-altro-2-heptulose phenylosazone with methanolic sulfuric acid afforded two 3,6-anhydro-osazone derivatives (2 and 3). Compound 3 was obtained as the preponderant isomer, with inversion at C-1 (C-3 of the starting osazone), and 2 was obtained without inversion. Refluxing of 3 with copper sulfate afforded the C-nucleoside analog, namely, 2-phenyl-4-β-d-ribofuranosyl-1,2,3-osotriazole (4). Acetylation of 4 afforded the tri-O-acetyl derivative 5. The anomeric configuration was determined by c.d. and n.m.r. spectroscopy. The mass spectra of compounds 2–5 are discussed.     

Novel nucleosides as potent influenza viral inhibitors

Influenza virus infection constitutes a significant health problem in need of more effective therapies. We have recently identified ((2R,3S,4R,5R)-3-acetoxy-5-(4-benzamido-2-oxopyrimidin-1(2H)-yl)-4-fluoro-3,4-dimethyl-tetrahydrofuran-2-yl) methyl benzoate (18c) as a potent influenza virus inhibitor. We now here report the synthesis and evaluation of a series of C-3′ modified ribose nucleosides. These novel compounds were prepared, primarily by taking known ((2R,3R,4R)-3-benzoyloxy-4-fluoro-4-methyl-5-oxo-tetrahydrofuran-2-yl)methyl benzoate (1) and converting it in to C-3 keto sugar (7), reacting C-3 keto group with methyl magnesium bromide, followed by coupling these sugars with purine and pyrimidine bases. Anti influenza viral activity was determined by screening against both A and B viral strains.     

Studies on anhydro-osazones. Structure and anomeric configuration of the 3,6-anhydro-osazone derivatives obtained from D-galacto-2-heptulose phenylosazone

Dehydration of D-galacto-2-heptulose phenylosazone with methanolic sulfuric acid afforded two 3,6-anhydro-osazone derivatives (2 and 3). Compound 2 was obtained as the preponderant isomer, without inversion at C-1 (C-3 of the starting osazone), and 3 was obtained with inversion. The anomeric configurations of 2 and 3 were determined by n.m.r. spectroscopy. Refluxing of 2 and 3 with copper sulfate afforded two C-nucleoside analogs, namely, 4-β- and 4-α- D-lyxofuranosyl-2-phenyl-1,2,3-triazole, 4 and 5, respectively. The anomeric configurations of 4 and 5 were determined by n.m.r and c.d. spectroscopy. Acetylation of 4 and 5 afforded the tri-O-acetyl derivatives. The mass spectra of these compounds were discussed.     

Bromine oxidation of 1,2-O-isopropylidene-α-d-Glucofuranose and sucrose

Sucrose and $\text{1,2-O-}\text{isopropylidene-α-}\text{d}\text{-glucofuranose}$ (1) were oxidised with bromine in aqueous solution at pH 7 and room temperature. The resulting keto derivatives were converted into their more-stable O-methyloximes, which were characterised by spectroscopic and chromatographic methods. Oxidation of 1 occurred at C-3 and C-5, with a preference for C-5. In the sucrose derivatives isolated after oxidation, those having a keto group in the glucopyranosyl moiety preponderated. The axial fructofuranosyl aglycon protects position 3 in the glucopyranosyl group and oxidation occurs only at C-2 and C-4. Small amounts of sucrose oxidised at C-3 in the fructofuranosyl moiety were also found.     

C-5 Substituted heteroaryl 3-pyridinecarbonitriles as PKCθ inhibitors: Part I

We earlier reported that 3-pyridinecarbonitriiles with a 4-methylindolyl-5-amino group at C-4 and a phenyl group at C-5 were inhibitors of PKCθ. Keeping the group at C-4 of the pyridine core constant, we varied the water solubilizing group on the phenyl ring at C-5 and then replaced the C-5 phenyl ring with several monocyclic heteroaryl rings, including furan, thiophene and pyridine. Analog 6e with a 4-methylindol-5-ylamino group at C-4 and a 5-[(4-methylpiperazin-1-yl)methyl]-2-furyl group C-5 had an IC₅₀ value of 4.5 nM for the inhibition of PKCθ.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of salicylic acid and N-acetyl-2-carboxybenzenesulfonamide regioisomers possessing a N-difluoromethyl-1,2-dihydropyrid-2-one pharmacophore: Dual inhibitors of cyclooxygenases and 5-lipoxygenase with anti-inflammatory activity

A novel class of salicylic acid and N-acetyl-2-carboxybenzenesulfonamide regioisomers possessing a N-difluoromethyl-1,2-dihydropyrid-2-one pharmacophore attached to its C-4 or C-5 position was designed for evaluation as anti-inflammatory (AI) agents. Replacement of the 2,4-difluorophenyl ring in diflunisal by the N-difluoromethyl-1,2-dihydropyrid-2-one moiety provided compounds showing dual selective cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2)/5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX) inhibitory activities. AI structure–activity studies showed that the C-4 (14a) and C-5 (14b) salicylate regioisomers were 1.4- and 1.6-fold more potent than aspirin, and the C-5 N-acetyl-2-carboxybenzenesulfonamide regioisomer (22b) was 1.3- and 2.8-fold more potent than ibuprofen and aspirin, respectively. In vivo ulcer index (UI) studies showed that the 4- and 5-(N-difluoromethyl-1,2-dihydropyrid-2-one-4-yl)salicylic acids (14a and 14b) were completely non-ulcerogenic since no gastric lesions were present (UI = 0) relative to aspirin (UI = 57) at an equivalent μmol/kg oral dose. The N-difluoromethyl-1,2-dihydropyridin-2-one moiety provides a novel 5-LOX pharmacophore for the design of cyclic hydroxamic mimetics for exploitation in the development of dual COX-2/5-LOX inhibitory AI drugs.     

Novel degraded polycyclic polyprenylated acylphloroglucinol and new polyprenylated benzophenone from Hypericum sampsonii

Norhypersampsone A (1), a novel degraded polycyclic polyprenylated acylphloroglucinol (PPAP) derivative, 3-(2-hydroxy-7-methyl-3-methyleneoct-6-enyl)-5-isoprenyl-2,4,6-trihydroxybenzophenone (2), a new polyprenylated benzophenone derivative, and nine known compounds (3–11) were isolated from Hypericum sampsonii. Their structures were elucidated by comprehensive spectroscopic techniques. Compound 1 represents a novel cyclohexenone monocyclic-PPAP formed by losing the fragment of C-2–C-4 and the side chains at C-3 and C-5 in the phloroglucinol ring. The results of the inhibitory effects of compounds 1–11 on the nitric oxide (NO) production induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in RAW 264.7 macrophages showed that compounds 1, 6–8, and 10 exhibited weak activities with IC₅₀ values in the range of 20.3–37.1 μM.     

Isoswinholide B and swinholide K,potently cytotoxic dimeric macrolides from Theonella swinhoei

Chemical investigation of an Indonesian specimen of Theonella swinhoei afforded the new dimeric macrolides isoswinholide B (5) and swinholide K (6), along with the known swinholides A (1), B (2) and D (3) and isoswinholide A (4). Isoswinholide B showed an unprecedented 21/19′ lactonization pattern, while swinholide K included an sp² methylene attached at C-4 and an additional oxymethine group at C-5, whose configuration has been determined through application of J-based configuration analysis. The isolated swinholides (1–6), with the exception of isoswinholide B, showed a cytotoxic activity on HepG2 (hepatocarcinoma cell line) in the nanomolar range.     

Synthesis of 5-beta-D-ribofuranosylcytosine (pseudo-cytidine) and its alpha isomer

The dilithio derivative of 2,4-di-O,N-trimethylsilylcytosine was condensed with 2,4:3,5-di-O-benzylidene-D-ribose to give a mixture of the protected, epimer at C-1′ pentitols 5 and 6; in addition, a compound substituted at N-3 or N-4, whose structure was not elucidated, was also obtained. The epimers were treated with acid to give 4-amino-2-hydroxy-5-(β-and α-D-ribofuranosyl)pyrimidine (10 and 12). The n.m.r. spectrum of 10 corresponds predominantly to the C-2′ endo structure. On the other hand, the n.m.r. spectrum of 12 presents couplings identical with those of the “α pseudo-uridine”. On nitric deamination, each isomer gave in a highly preponderant yield the corresponding pseudo-uridine at C-1′.     

Carbon-chain extension through C-1 of 2-deoxyaldose D1-thioacetal derivatives: A route to 1,3-dideoxy-2-ketoses

The 3,4:5,6-diisopropylidene acetal (3) of 2-deoxy-d-arabino-hexose underwent abstraction of H-1 by butyllithium in oxolane at ?30°; iodomethane reacted readily with the resultant anion to give the 1,3-dideoxy-2-heptulose derivative 4, and C-1 benzylation could likewise be effected. Attempted deacetonation of 4 gave mixtures, although 6,7-monodeacetonation could be achieved in high yield, affording access via glycol cleavage-reduction to the 1,3-dideoxy-2-hepulose derivative. Demercaptalation of 4 gave the acetal-protected 1,3-dideoxy-2-heptulose, which underwent methanolysis to give crystalline methyl, 1,3-dideoxy-α-d-arabino-heptulopyranoside. Anions of the type derived from 3 have broad, synthetic potential for access to chain-extended, 2-keto sugar derivatives of interest as metabolic intermediates, and for synthesis of deoxy analogs of such nucleoside antibiotics as psicofuranine and decoyinine.     

The reactions of OH radicals with D-ribose in deoxygenated and oxygenated aqueous solution

Aqueous solution ofD-ribose (10^?2M) saturated with N₂O and N₂O/O₂ (4/1) were γ-irradiated (dose rate: 3.85 x 10¹⁸ eV.g^?1.h^?1) at room temperature. The following products were identified:D-ribonic acid (1). D-erythro-pentos-2-ulose (2). D-erythro-pentos-4-ulose (3),D-erythro-pentos-3-ulose (4), D-ribo-pentodialdose (5), 2-deoxy-D-erythro-pentonic acid (6), 2-deoxypentos-3-ulose (7)(7), 4-deoxylpentos-3-ulose (8), 3-deoxypentos-4-ulose (9), 3-deoxypentos-2-ulose (10), 5-deoxypentos-4-ulose (11), erythrose (12), erythro-tetrodialdose (13), erythronic acid (14), threose/erythrulose (15). threonic acid (16), 2-deoxytetrose (17), and glyceraldehyde (18). In deoxygenated solutions, 13, 14, and 16 were absent. In the presence of oxygen, the formation of 6–11 and 17 was suppressed. From quantitative measurements, G-values were calculated for both deoxygenated and oxygenated conditions. Five different, primary, ribosyl radicals are formed which, in deoxygenated solution, undergo disproportionation reactions (to give 1-5), and transformations such as elimination of water and carbon monoxide followed by disproportionation reactions (to give6-12.17). Material-balance considerations indicate the formation of dimers (not measured). In oxygenated solutions, oxygen rapidly adds to the primary ribosyl radicals, thus preventing the transformation reactions, and the main products are 1–5 and 13. Possible mechanistic routes are discussed. The attack of HO radicals on D-ribose involves C-1, ～20%; C-2 and C-4, ～35%: C-3, ～ 20%; and C-5, ～25%     

Synthesis of chiral hydroxylated enones as potential anti-tumor agents

A series of chiral hydroxylated enones were synthesized as COTC ether analogues to investigate the structural features required for optimal and selective anti-tumor activity. The cytotoxicity of the seven COTC ether analogues against WRL-68 normal and HepG2, HL-60 cancer cell lines were measured. C-4 ether analogues with an aliphatic chain substituent were found to be more favorable than their aromatic counterparts. Inversion of the configuration at C-4 in 5e to give 5f only resulted in reduced selectivity towards cancer cells. These results show that 4-O-pentyl-gabosine D (5e) has optimum selectivity and cytotoxicity towards two cancer cell lines.     

Design,synthesis, and pharmacological evaluation of N-(4-mono and 4,5-disubstituted thiazol-2-yl)-2-aryl-3-(tetrahydro-2H-pyran-4-yl)propanamides as glucokinase activators

A series of N-thiazole substituted arylacetamides were designed on the basis of metabolic mechanism of the aminothiazole fragment as glucokinase (GK) activators for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Instead of introducing a substituent to block the metabolic sensitive C-5 position on the thiazole core directly, a wide variety of C-4 or both C-4 and C-5 substitutions were explored. Compound R-9k bearing an iso-propyl group as the C-4 substituent was found possessing the highest GK activation potency with an EC₅₀ of 0.026 μM. This compound significantly increased both glucose uptake and glycogen synthesis in rat primary cultured hepatocytes. Moreover, single oral administration of compound R-9k exerted significant reduction of blood glucose levels in both ICR and ob/ob mice. These promising results indicated that compound R-9k is a potent orally active GK activator, and is warranted for further investigation as a new anti-diabetic treatment.     

Three new 5,10-epoxygermacranolides from Liatris chapmanii and Liatris gracilis

Examination of Liatris chapmanii (T + G) Kuntze led to the isolation of two new germacranolides, chapliatrin (1a) and isochapliatrin (1b). Liatris gracilis Pursh gave chapliatrin and acetylchapliatrin 1c). The stereochemistry assigned to C-3, C-4 and C-10 is tentative. All three compounds possess the hitherto-unreported 5,10-oxygen linkage. L. gracilis also gave the benzofuran euparin (2) and the flavones hispidulin (dinatin, 3a and 3′,6-dimethoxy-4′,5,7-trihydroxyflavone (3b). L. chapimanii also gave 5-hydroxy-3′,4′,6,7-tetramethoxyflavone (3c).