Tetronic acid and diarylpropanes from Iryanthera elliptica

The trunk wood of Iryanthera elliptica Ducke (Myristicaceae) contains, besides 2-(ω-piperonyltridecyl) -4-methylidenetetronic acid (iryelliptin), three biogenetically related compounds: (±)-7,4′-dihydroxy-3′-methoxyflavan, 1-(4′-hydroxy-2′-methoxyphenyl)- 3-(4″-hydroxy-3″-methoxyphenyl)-propane and spiro-[3-methoxy-2,5-cyclohexadien-1.1′-6′,7′- dihydroxy-5′-methoxy-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydronaphthalen]-4-one-(spiroelliptin). Spiroelliptin rearranges upon methylation to 2,2′-trimethylene-3,4,5,4′,5′-penta-methoxybiphenyl.     

Homoisoflavonoids from the medicinal plant Portulaca oleracea

Four homoisoflavonoids named portulacanones A−D, identified as 2′-hydroxy- 5,7-dimethoxy-3-benzyl-chroman-4-one, 2′-hydroxy-5,6,7-trimethoxy-3-benzyl-chroman-4-one, 5,2′-dihydroxy-6,7-dimethoxy-3-benzyl-chroman-4-one, and 5,2′-dihydroxy-7-methoxy-3-benzylidene-chroman-4-one, were isolated from aerial parts of the plant Portulaca oleracea along with nine other known metabolites. Their structures were established on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analyses. Portulacanones A−D is the first group of homoisoflavonoids so far reported from the family Portulacaceae. They represent a rare subclass of homoisoflavonoids in nature with a structural feature of a single hydroxyl group substituted at C-2′ rather than at C-4′ in ring B of the skeleton. Three homoisoflavonoids and the known compound 2,2′-dihydroxy-4′,6′-dimethoxychalcone selectively showed in vitro cytotoxic activities towards four human cancer cell lines. Especially 2,2′-dihydroxy-4′,6′-dimethoxychalcone showed cytotoxic activity against cell line SGC-7901 with an IC₅₀ value of 1.6 μg/ml, which was more potent than the reference compound mitomycin C (IC₅₀ 13.0 μg/ml).     

肋果茶中的萜类化学成分研究

从肋果茶(Sladenia celastrifolia)95％乙醇提取物的乙酸乙酯部位中分离得到15个萜类化合物,经波谱学方法分别鉴定为sladeniafolin A(1),grasshopper ketone (2),(3S,5R,6S,7E,9R) -7-megastigmene-3,6,9-triol (3),hedytriol (4),(3S,5R,6R,7E,9R) -3,5,6,9-tetrahydroxy-7-megastigmene(5),1′S*,4′R*-8-(4′-hydroxy-2′,6′,6′-trimethylcyclohex-2-enyl)-6-methyloct-3E,5E,7E-trien -2-one (6),2α,3α,19α,23-tetrahydroxyurs-12-en-28-oic acid (7),2α,3β,19α,23-tetrahydroxyurs-12-en-28-oic acid(8),pomolic acid(9),3-O-acetyl pomolic acid(10),ursaldehyde (11),camarolide (12),3β-hydroxyurs-11-en-13β(28) -olide (13),3β-hydroxy -11α,12α-epoxy-urs-13β,28-olide (14)和28-0-β-D-glucopyranosyl euscaphic acid (15).以上化合物均首次从该植物中分离得到,其中1为新的C9裂环烯醚萜.     

Inhibition of enzymic oxidation of indole-3-acetic acid by metabolites of the insecticide carbofuran

Metabolites of carbofuran, a carbamate insecticide, inhibit the enzymic oxidation of indole-3-acetic acid. The metabolites differ in stability and effectiveness. 2,2-Dimethyl-7-hydroxy-2,3-dihydrobenzofuran represents one type which is broken down in the IAA oxidation reaction; thus the induced inhibition is limited by depletion of the the inhibitor. 2,2-Dimethyl-3-keto-7-hydroxy-2,3-dihydrobenzofuran represents the other type which is stable in the reaction; thus the inhibition is persistent. With both types of inhibitors the inhibition is reversible by higher substrate concentrations, but the Lineweaver-Burk plot is curvilinear suggesting the complex nature of competitive inhibition.     

Flavonoids from Merrillia caloxylon

Three chalcones and three flavones isolated from the fruit of Merrillia caloxylon (Rutaceae) have been characterised. Two of the flavones and two of the chalcones are related structurally, i.e. 3′,4′,5,7-tetramethoxyflavone with 2′- hydroxy-3,4,4′,6′-tetramethoxychalcone and 3′,4′,5,5′,7-pentamethoxyflavone with 2′,3-dihydroxy-4,4′,6′- trimethoxychalcone. A minor constituent was tentatively characterized as 5-hydroxy-3′,4′,5′,6,7-pentamethoxyflavone and this is accompanied by 2-hydroxy-3,4,4′,5,6′-pentamethoxychalcone and 5-hydroxy-3′,4′,6,7-tetramethoxyfiavone.     

Novel flavonoids from the stem of Popowia cauliflora

Six flavonoids, five of them novel, have been isolated from the whole stem of Popowia cauliflora and identified as: baicalein trimethyl ether, 5-hydroxy-6,7-dimethoxyflavone, 5,7,8-trimethoxyflavanone, 2′-hydroxy-3′,4′,6′-trimethoxychalcone, 2′,3′,4′,6′-tetramethoxychalcone and 2′,4-dihydroxy-3′,4′,6′-trimethoxychalcone, on the basis of spectral data and simple chemical modifications. The value of ¹³C NMR in assigning the positions of methoxy substituents is briefly discussed.     

A new homoisoflavonoid and the bioactivities of some selected homoisoflavonoids from the inter-bulb surfaces of Scilla nervosa subsp. rigidifolia

Seven homoisoflavonoids and one stilbenoid, 3-(4′-methoxybenzyl)-6,7-dihydroxy-5-methoxychroman-4-one (1) which is new; 3-(4′-methoxybenzyl)-6-hydroxy-5,7-dimethoxychroman-4-one (2); 3-(4′-methoxybenzyl)-5,7-dimethoxychroman-4-one (3); 3-(3′-hydroxy-4′-methoxybenzyl)-5,7-dimethoxychroman-4-one (4); 3-(4′-methoxybenzylidene)-5,7-dihydroxy-6-methoxychroman-4-one (5); 3-(4′-hydroxybenzylidene)-5,7-dihydroxy-6-methoxychroman-4-one (6); 3-(4′-hydroxybenzylidene)-5,7-dihydroxychroman-4-one (7) and 4,3′,5′-trihydroxy-3-methoxystilbene (8), were isolated from the yellow inter-bulb deposits from Scilla nervosa. The structures of these compounds were elucidated by 1D- and 2D-NMR and mass spectrometry. A number of extracts, fractions and compounds tested displayed bacterostatic activity with MICs ranging between 0.156 and 1.250 mg/ml. Two extracts displayed significant α-glucosidase inhibitory activity and a number of extracts, fractions and compounds showed strong antioxidant activity with, compounds 1, 2 and 8 displaying lower MECs than the positive control ascorbic acid (0.0156 mg/ml).     

Conversion of (2Z,4E)-5-(1′,2′-epoxy-2′,6′,6′-trimethylcyclohexyl)-3-methyl-2,4-pentadienoic acid to xanthoxin acid by Cercospora cruenta, a fungus producing (+)-abscisic acid

(±)-(2Z,4E)-5-(1′,2′-epoxy-2′,6′,6′-trimethylcyclohexyl)-3-methyl-2,4-pentadienoic acid was metabolized by Cercospora cruenta, which has the ability to produce (+)-abscisic acid (ABA), to give (±)-(2Z,4E)-xanthoxin acid, (±)-(2Z,4E)-5′-hydroxy-1′,2′-epoxy-1′,2′-dihydro-β-ionylideneacetic acid, (±)-1′,2′-epoxy-1′,2′-dihydro-β-ionone and trace amounts of ABA.     

Post-infectional metabolites from infected potato tubers

The C-1′ epimers of the sesquiterpenoids 2-(1′,2′-dihydroxy-1′-methylethyl)-6,10-dimethylspiro[4,5]dec-6,9-dien-8-one and 2-(1′,2′-dihydroxy-1′-methylethyl)-6,10-dimethyl-9-hydroxyspiro[4,5]dec-6-en-8-one were isolated from potato tubers infected with Phoma foveata and Fusarium spp., in addition to 4,4a,5,6,7-hexahydro-3-hydroxy-6-(1′,2′-dihydroxy-1′-methylethyl)-4-methyl-2(3H)-naphthalenone, N-trans-p-coumaroyl tyramine and N-trans-feruloyl tyramine. Three of the compounds are novel.     

Isoflavones from Pterodon apparicioi

The trunk wood of Pterodon apparicioi contains five known compounds: 7-hydroxy-6,4′-dimethoxy-, 7-hydroxy-6-methoxy-3′,4′-methylenedioxy-, 6,7,2′,3′,4′-pentamethoxy-, 6,7,2′,4′,5′-pentamethoxy- and 6,7,2′-trimethoxy-4′,5′-methylenedioxyisoflavone. In addition, there are four new substances, namely 7,3′-dihydroxy-6,4′-dimethoxy-, 7-hydroxy-6,2′,4′,5′-tetramethoxy-, 7,2′-dimethoxy-4′,5′-methylenedioxy- and 7,8,2′-trimethoxy-4′,5′-methylenedioxyisoflavone.     

Crystal and Molecular Structures of Monomethyl Esters of PDE-I and PDE-II,New Inhibitors of Cyclic Adenosine-3′,S′-monophosphate Phosphodiesterase

The structures of PDE-I and PDE-II, inhibitors of cyclic adenosine-3′,5′-monophosphate phosphodiesterase, were established as 3-carbamoyl-l,2-dihydro-4-hydroxy-5-methoxy-3-H-pyrrolo[3,2-e]indole-7-carboxylic acid and its 3-acetyl homologue, by X-ray diffraction study of monomethyl derivatives.     

Synthesis of dihydrochalcones of Myrica gale

4,4,6-Trimethyl-2-(3-phenylpropionyl)cyclohexane-1,3,5-trione, 2′-hydroxy-4′,6′-dimethoxy-3′-methyldihydrochalcone, 2′,6′-dihydroxy-4′-methoxy-3′,5′-dimethyldihydrochalcone and 2,2,5-trimethyl-4(3-phenylpropionyl)cyclopent-4-ene-1,3-dione, constituents of Myrica gale, have been synthesized.     

Anti-platelet aggregation constituents from Gynura elliptica

A p-hydroxyacetophenone-like derivative, (+)-gynunone, and a chromane, together with six known compounds were isolated from the CHCl3 fraction of the roots of Gynura elliptica. Their structures were determined by means of spectral analyses. Among the isolates, 6-acetyl-2,2-dimethylchroman-4-one and vanillin showed anti-platelet aggregation activity induced by arachidonic acid in vitro.     

Bicyclo[3,2,1]octanoid,neolignans from Aniba simulans

Six bicyclo[3,2,1]octanoid neolignans, isolated from the benzene extract of Aniba simulans Allen (Lauraceae) trunk wood, are shown to derive from two basic structures: 1-allyl-8-hydroxy-6-(3′-methoxy-4′,5′-methylenedioxyphenyl)-7-methyl-3-oxobicyclo[3,2,1]octane, substituted by 4-hydroxy, 4-hydroxy-5-methoxy, 4-methoxy or 4,5-dimethoxy groups; and 1-allyl-8-hydroxy-6-(3′-methoxy-4′,5′-methylenedioxyphenyl)-7-methyl-4-oxobicyclo[3,2,1]oct-2-ene, substituted by 3-hydroxy or 3-hydroxy-5-methoxy groups. The structural proposals are based on spectral data, interconversions synthesis of a derivative from the known (2R,3S,3aS)-3a-allyl-5-methoxy-2-(3′-methoxy,4′,5′-methylenedioxyphenyl)-3-methyl-2,3,3a,6-tetrahydro-6-oxobenzofuran.     

Two new C-methylated flavonoids from Myrica gale

From the leaves of Myrica gale 2′,4′-dihydroxy-6′-methoxy-3′,5′-dimethylchalcone has been isolated. The fruits yielded 2′-hydroxy-4′,6′-dimethoxy-3′-methyldihydrochalcone. The constitutions were deduced from spectroscopic data and confirmed by synthesis.     

Flavonoids of Chromolaena odorata

A dichloromethane extract of Chromolaena odorata has yielded 2′-hydroxy-3,4,4′,5′,6′-pentamethoxychalcone, 2′,4-dihydroxy-4′,5′,6′-     

Decomposition of Lipid Hydroperoxide by Choline and Ethanolamine

The leaves of thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.) were found to contain new compounds, 4′-hydroxy-5,5′-diisopropyl-2,2′-dimethyIbiphenyl-3,4-dione (1), 5,5′-diisopropyl-2,2′-dimethylbiphenyl-3,4,3′,4^/-tetraone (2), and 4,4′-dihydroxy-5,5′-disopropyl-2,2′-dimethylbiphenyl-3,6-dione (3a). These structures were determined by chemical and spectroscopic methods. The deodorant activity of compound 1 against methyl mercaptan was more effective than that of rosmanol, carnosol and sodium copper chlorophylline.     

Four flavonoids from Ageratum strictum

Four new flavonoids, three flavanones and one chalcone, were isolated from aerial parts of Ageratum strictum. Their structures were establised as 3′6′-dihydroxy-2′, 4′-dimethoxy- 3, 4-methylenedioxy-chalcone, 6-hydroxy-5,7-dimethoxy-3′,4′-methylenedioxyflavanone, 6-hydroxy- 5,7,3′,4′-tetramethoxyflavanone and 6,4′-dihydroxy-5,7,3′-trimethoxyflavanone on the basis of spectral data and chemical degradation.     

Hericenols A-D and a chromanone from submerged cultures of a Stereum species

Extracts of submerged cultures of a Stereum species afforded four new pentasubstituted phenolic compounds, named hericenols A, B, C, and D (1-4), 6-hydroxymethyl-2,2-dimethylchroman-4-one (5) and the known erinapyrone C. Hericenol A (1) showed weak antimicrobial activity while hericenol C (3) was weakly cytotoxic. The structures of the metabolites were determined by spectroscopic techniques.     

Eusiderins and other neolignans from an Aniba species

A previous report disclosed the presence of benzodioxan and bicyclo[3.2.1]octanoid neolignans in the benzene extract of the trunk wood of an Amazonian Aniba (Lauraceae) species. The chloroform extract of the same material contains additionally two new benzodioxan neolignans [rel-(7S,8R)-Δ^8′-7-hydroxy-3,4,5,5′-tetramethoxy-7.0.3′,8.0.4′-neolignan; rel-(7R,8R)-Δ^7′-3,4,5,5′-tetramethoxy-9′-oxo-7.0.3′,8.0.4′-neolignan], two new bicyclo[3.2.1]-octanoid neolignans [(7R,8S,1′S,2′S,3′S,4′R)-Δ^8′-2′,4′-dihydroxy-3,3′-dimethoxy-4,5-methylenedioxy-1′,2′,3′,4′,5′,6′-hexahydro-5′-oxo-7.3′,8.1′-neolignan; (7R,8S,1′R,2′S,3′S)-Δ^8′-2′-hydroxy-3,3′,5′-trimethoxy-4,5-methylenedioxy-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-4′-oxo-7.3′,8.1′-neolignan] and a hydrobenzofuranoid neolignan [(7S,8R,1′S,5′S)-Δ^8′-3,3′,5′-tri-methoxy-4,5-methylenedioxy-1′,4′,5′,6′-tetrahydro-4′-oxo-7.0.2′,8.1-neolignan].