Anticomplement compounds from Polygonum chinense

Five new compounds including two phenyldilactones (1, 2), two coumarins (3, 4) and a dimer of N-E-feruloyl tyramine (5) together with twenty-three known compounds (6–28) were isolated from a medicinal plant Polygonum chinense. The structures of the new compounds were established by detailed spectral analysis. The absolute configurations of 1 and 5 were elucidated by Mosher’s method, Mo₂(OAc)₄-induced electronic circular dichroism (ECD) data, and ECD calculation. All the compounds were found to show potent anticomplement activity with CH₅₀ and AP₅₀ values ranging from 0.18 to 1.45?mM, and 0.26 to 2.80?mM, respectively. Phenyldilactones and phenylpropionic tyramines were firstly reported as anticomplement agents. The targets of compounds 1, 3, 5 and 10 in complement activation cascade were identified as well.     

β-Resorcylic acid derivatives with α-glucosidase inhibitory activity from Lasiodiplodia sp. ZJ-HQ1, an endophytic fungus in the medicinal plant Acanthus ilicifolius

Three new β-resorcylic acid derivatives, compounds 1–3, along with six known analogues (4–9) were isolated from an endophytic fungus Lasiodiplodia sp. ZJ-HQ₁ derived from medicinal plant Acanthus ilicifolius. Their structures were elucidated by 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic analysis, high resolution mass spectrometric (HREIMS) data, and X-ray crystallography. The absolute configurations of compounds 1 and 2 were determined by the modified Mosher’s method. Compounds 1–7 showed more potent inhibitory effects against α-glucosidase activity than the clinical α-glucosidase inhibitor acarbose.     

Anti-inflammatory isoflavones and isoflavanones from the roots of Pongamia pinnata (L.) Pierre

A phytochemical study on the roots of Pongamia pinnata afforded five new isoflavone and isoflavanone derivatives (1–5), including two previously undescribed phenylisoflavones possessing an 1,2-oxetane ring, along with 21 known compounds (6–26) among which compound 18 is the first time to be isolated from nature. The structures of the isolated compounds were determined on the basis of 1D, 2D NMR, and HRESIMS. The absolute configurations of the compounds were assigned via analysis of the specific rotations and circular dichroism (CD) spectra, as well as by comparison of the calculated and experimental electronic circular dichroism (ECD) data. All the isolated compounds were evaluated for their inhibitory effects on NO production in LPS-stimulated BV-2 microglial cells. Twelve compounds exhibited different levels of inhibitory effects against NO production, and compound 1 showed the best activity with an IC₅₀ value at 9.0?μM.     

Valproic acid induces three novel cytotoxic secondary metabolites in Diaporthe sp., an endophytic fungus from Datura inoxia Mill.

Addition of the valproic acid (histone deacetylases inhibitor) to a culture of an endophytic fungus Diaporthe sp. harbored from Datura inoxia significantly altered its secondary metabolic profile and resulted in the isolation of three novel compounds, identified as xylarolide A (1), diportharine A (2) and xylarolide B (3) along with one known compound xylarolide (4). The structures of all the compounds (1–4) were determined by detailed analysis of 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic data. The relative configurations of compounds 1–3 were determined with the help of NOESY data and comparison of optical rotations with similar compounds with established stereochemistry. All the isolated compounds were screened for antibacterial, antioxidant and cytotoxic activities. Xylarolide A (1) and xylarolide (4) displayed significant growth inhibition of MIAPaCa-2 with an IC₅₀ of 20 and 32?µM respectively and against PC-3 with an IC₅₀ of 14 and 18?µM respectively. Moreover, compound 1 displayed significant DPPH scavenging activity with EC₅₀ of 10.3?µM using ascorbic acid as a positive control.     

Cytotoxic macrocyclic diterpenoids from Jatropha multifida

Nine new macrocyclic diterpenoids (1–9), jatromultones A-I, along with eight known analogues (10–17) were isolated from the trunks of Jatropha multifida. The structures of the new compounds, including their absolute configurations, were elucidated by combination of spectroscopic analysis, single crystal X-ray diffraction, Rh₂(OCOCF₃)₄-induced CD method, and chemical correlations. All compounds were screened for the cytotoxicity against five cancer cell lines, including one drug-resistant cell line, and seven compounds exhibited significant activity with IC₅₀ values less than 10 μM. Compound 4 with IC₅₀ values ranging from 2.69 to 6.44 μM toward all cell lines was selected for further mechanistic study, which showed that 4 could arrest cell cycle at G2/M phase and induce apoptosis. The brief structure-activity relationships (SARs) of these macrocyclic diterpenoids were also discussed.     

Flavonoids and their derivatives with β-amyloid aggregation inhibitory activity from the leaves and twigs of Pithecellobium clypearia Benth

To explore potential compounds with marked effect on Alzheimer’s disease (AD) in Pithecellobium clypearia Benth., nineteen compounds (1–19) were obtained, including two new flavonoid derivatives, named pithecellobiumol A (1) and pithecellobiumol B (2) and 17 flavonoids (3–19). Their structures were elucidated based on 1D and 2D-NMR spectra as well as HR-ESI-MS data. The absolute configurations of new compounds were assigned by comparing their experimental specific rotation or ECD curves with the calculated data. The inhibitory activity on Aβ aggregation was screened by ThT assay, and compounds 7 (70.7%), 9 (86.5%), 10 (88.4%), 15 (86.1%) and 16 (87.7%) showed outstanding inhibition rate at 20 μM compared to the positive control, curcumin (65.64%). In addition, docking study was performed to initially examine possible molecular mechanisms. Considering the important role of oxidative stress in AD, all the isolated compounds were tested for their H₂O₂-induced damage in human neuronblastoma SH-SY5Y cells. Among them, compound 16 (91.0%) was the most potent candidate in the treatment of AD.     

Pyran-2-one derivatives from Croton crassifolius as potent apoptosis inducers in HepG2 cells via p53-mediated Ras/Raf/ERK pathway

Chemical investigation of the roots of Croton crassifolius led to the isolation of five pyran-2-one derivatives, including two brand new compounds (1–2), one new natural product (3) and two known compounds (4–5). Their structures and absolute configurations were established by spectroscopic analyses as well as comparison between the calculated optical rotation (OR) values with the experimental data. Interestingly, the new compound 1 showed an unusual negative chemical shift at H-11. It is well known that negative chemical shift values of ¹H NMR spectrum are extremely rare in natural products. Such a negative chemical shift of ¹H NMR spectrum was reproduced by density functional theory (DFT) calculations and explained by the shielding effect from the pyran-2-one ring over the hydrogen atom in the 3D conformations. Then, MTT assay was applied to evaluate the cytotoxicity of the isolated compounds (1–5) against two liver cancer cell lines (HepG2 and MHCC97H). The results suggested that compound 1 displayed the highest cytotoxicity with an IC₅₀ value of 9.8 μM against HepG2 cells. Moreover, there was no obvious cytotoxicity of compounds 1–5 on normal liver cell line LO2. Furthermore, the mechanism of apoptosis induction in compound 1-treated HepG2 cells was investigated. The results showed that compound 1 could induce apoptosis via p53-mediated Ras/Raf/ERK suppression in HepG2 cells.     

Phytochemicals with NO inhibitory effects and interactions with iNOS protein from Trigonostemon howii

A phytochemical investigation to obtain new NO inhibitors led to the isolation of nine compounds including one new guaiane-type sesquiterpenoid (1) and two new cleistanthane diterpenoids (2 and 3) from the stems of Trigonostemon howii. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of extensive 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic data analysis, and the absolute configurations of new compounds 1–3 were established via comparison of experimental and calculated electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectra. Compounds 2 and 3 possess a rare 3,4-seco-cleistanthane diterpenoid skeleton. All of the compounds showed inhibitory effects on lipopolysaccharide-induced NO production in murine microglial BV-2 cells. The further molecular docking studies indicated the strong interactions between some bioactive compounds with the iNOS protein, which revealed the possible and potential mechanism of NO inhibition of bioactive compounds.     

Three new benzophenone glycosides with MAO-A inhibitory activity from Hypericum thasium Griseb.

Purification of n-BuOH fraction from 80% ethanol extract of Hypericum thasium Griseb. resulted in the isolation of three new compounds 3′,4,5′-trihydroxy-6-methoxy-2-O-α-l-arabinosylbenzophenone (1), 3′,4,5′,6-tetrahydroxy-2-O-α-l-arabinosylbenzophenone (2), and 3′,4-dihydroxy-5′-methoxy-2-O-α-l-arabinosyl-6-O-β-d-xylosylbenzophenone (3) along with a known flavonoid glycoside quercetin-3-O-α-l-arabinofuranoside (4). The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by 1D and 2D NMR analysis as well as HRESIMS. The isolated compounds (1–4), as well as quercetin, and kaempferol previously isolated from EtOAc fraction were screened against MAO-A inhibitory activity. When tested against the MAO-A quercetin and kaempferol displayed IC₅₀ values of 19.6, and 17.5 μM, respectively. The IC₅₀ values for MAO-A inhibition by compounds (1–4) were 310.3, 111.2, 726.0, and 534.1 μM, respectively. Standard inhibitor (clorgyline) exhibited MAO-A inhibition with an IC₅₀ value of 0.5 μM.     

Cytotoxic metabolites from the leaves of the mangrove Rhizophora apiculata

One new 8,4’-oxyneolignan (1) and one new 7,8-dihydrobenzofuranone (2), together with twenty-one known compounds (3‒23) were isolated from the methanol extract of Rhizophora apiculata leaves. The structures of new compounds, as well as their absolute configuration, were determined by a combination of spectroscopic methods and quantum chemical calculations of NMR and ECD data. All isolated compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxicity, and only 2,6-dimethoxy-1,4-benzoquinone (8) exhibited inhibitory effects against SK-LU-1, HepG2, and MCF7 cells with IC₅₀ values in the range of 8.33–14.82 μM.     

New prenylated C6–C3 compounds from the roots of Illicium henryi

One new dimeric prenylated C₆–C₃ compound, namely, illihendione A (1), two prenylated C₆–C₃ compounds, illihenryifunone C (2) and illihenryipyranone A (3), and one known dimeric prenylated C₆–C₃ compound, illicidione A (4), were isolated from the roots of Illicium henryi. The structures and absolute configurations of these compounds were determined by extensive spectroscopic and chemical analyses, including nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), circular dichroism (CD) and a modified Mosher method. Compound 1 exhibited a weak inhibitory ratio for β-glucuronidase release induced by platelet-activating factor (PAF) in rat polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNS) in vitro.     

Two novel saponins from Cephalaria davisiana (Dipsacaceae)

Two novel hederagenin type triterpene saponins, namely davisianoside A (1) and davisianoside B (2) together with ten known compounds (3–12) were isolated from the aerial parts of Cephalaria davisiana (Dipsacaceae). One new prosapogenin (1a) was also obtained after the alkaline hydrolysis of compound 1. The chemical structures of all compounds were established mainly by 1D-, 2D-NMR and HR-ESI/MS analysis as well as chemical methods.The antibacterial and antifungal effects of compounds 1–2 were evaluated against Gram-positive, Gram-negative bacteria and unicellular yeast C. albicans by MIC method.     

Structures and biological activities of brominated azaphilones produced by Penicillium sclerotiorum E23Y–1A

Two new brominated azaphilones, 5-bromoisorotiorin (1) and penicilazaphilones H (2), along with a known azaphilone, 5-bromosclerotiorin (3) were isolated from the marine-derived fungus Penicillium sclerotiorum E23Y–1A cultivated on the solid rice medium with 3.3%NaBr. The structures of three compounds were elucidated based on 1D and 2D NMR spectra as well as HRESIMS data. Their absolute configurations were determined by ECD spectra analysis. Compounds 1-3 showed moderate antibacterial activities against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 with diameter of the inhibition zones of 8.08 ± 0.01, 7.50 ± 0.05 and 8.17 ± 0.05 mm, respectively, as well as compound 3 exhibited weak inhibitory activity against AChE.     

New cytotoxic quinone analogues from the rhizomes of Arnebia euchroma

Two new quinone analogues, given the trivial names arneromas A–B (1–2) were isolated from the rhizome of Arnebia euchroma. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analyses. The absolute configurations of both compounds were determined by comparison of their calculated and experimental CD curves. In addition, compounds 1–2 were tested for their cytotoxic activities against HCT-8 and HL-60 cancer cell lines, and both of the compounds showed moderate inhibitory activities against HL-60 cell line with IC₅₀ values of 9.1 and 7.2 μM, respectively.     

One new α-pyrone and one new fatty acid derivative from mangrove-derived fungus Phomopsis sp. HYP11

One new α-pyrone derivative (S)-3-(4-methoxy-3-methyl-2-oxo-2H-pyran-6-yl)butyl acetate (1) and one new fatty acid derivative (4S,5S)-5-acetoxy-4-hydroxyhexanoic acid (2), along with six known compounds (3–8) were obtained from the mangrove-derived fungus Phomopsis sp. HYP11. Their structures and absolute configurations were determined by detailed 1D and ²D NMR, HR-ESI-MS spectral, and quantum chemical electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculations. Compounds 2, 3, 5, 6 and 8 showed antioxidant activity with the IC₅₀ values range of 0.09–0.67 mM, especially compounds 5 and 6 showed stronger antioxidant activity than the positive control trolox (IC₅₀ = 0.29 mM). Compound 8 showed weak antagonistic effect on Ralstonia solanacearum with the MIC value of 50 μg/mL.     

A new lateral root growth inhibitor from the sponge-derived fungus Aspergillus sp. LS45

Two new γ-lactones, aspergilactones A (1) and B (2), were discovered along with two known compounds, annularin A (3) and pericoterpenoid A (4), from a culture of the sponge-associated fungus Aspergillus sp. LS45. The planar structures of 1–4 were characterized using comprehensive spectroscopic methods and comparison with literature data. The absolute configurations of 1 and 2 were determined by comparison of electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectroscopic and optical rotation data with those of known analogues as well as calculated ECD analysis. Compounds 1–4 were tested in a variety of bioassays, and both 1 and 4 exhibited significant inhibition against the lateral root growth of Arabidopsis thaliana Columbia-0 at a concentration of 100 μM. In addition, the in vitro cytotoxic activities of 1–4 against six human cancer cell lines CCRF-CEM, K562, BGC823, AGS, HCT-116 and MDA-MB-231 were evaluated. Compound 4 showed moderate inhibitory effects on CCRF-CEM and K562 cancer cell lines with IC₅₀ values of 13.8 ± 1.6 and 12.9 ± 2.5 μM, respectively. However, compounds 1–4 did not show any notable AChE inhibitory activity in vitro.     

A pair of new tetrahydro-naphthalenone enantiomers from Eremurus altaicus (Pall.) Stev.

A new racemic mixture of a 4-hydroxytetralone derivative, altaicusin A (1), was isolated from the whole plant of Eremurus altaicus (Pall.) Stev., together with three anthraquinones (compounds 2–4) and two naphthalene derivatives (5–6). The racemic altaicusin A (1) was further purified by chiral HPLC to yield a pair of enantiomers, (+)-(4S)-altaicusin A (1a) and (−)-(4R)-altaicusin A (1b). Their structures were established on the basis of spectroscopic analysis, including IR, HR-TOF-MS, and NMR. The absolute configurations of compounds 1a and 1b were elucidated by quantum chemical ECD calculations. Compounds 3 and 6 exhibited inhibitory activity against protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B).     

Cytotoxic diterpenoids as potential anticancer agents from the twigs of Casearia kurzii

A search for bioactive natural products as anticancer lead compounds has led to the isolation of five new clerodane diterpenoids (1–5) from the twigs of Casearia kurzii. Their structures were elucidated by extensive analysis of their NMR, IR, and HRESIMS data, and the absolute configurations were determined by experimental and calculated electronic circular dichroism (ECD) data analysis. The isolates were biologically evaluated and showed cytotoxic activities toward human lung cancer cells (A549), human cervical cancer cells (HeLa), and human hepatocellular carcinoma cells (HepG2). The most active compound (5) with an IC₅₀ value of 5.3 μM against HeLa cells, was found to induce apoptosis and arrest the HeLa cell cycle at G0/G1 stage to exert cytotoxic effects.     

Topoisomerase II inhibitors from the roots of Stellera chamaejasme L.

Three new compounds, including one daphnane diterpene (1), one sesquiterpene (6), and one lignan (7) have been isolated from the Stellera chamaejasme L., together with five other known compounds, including four daphnane diterpenenoids (2–5) and one lignan (8). The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic analysis. The cytotoxicities of compounds 1–8 towards human lung adenocarcinoma cells (A549 cells) were evaluated using a sulforhodamine B assay. All of the compounds displayed significant cytotoxicity, with IC₅₀ values in the ranging of 0.2 nM to 2.0 μM. Mechanistic studies revealed that the antitumor activities of compounds 1–3 and 7 were derived from their inhibition of topoisomerase II (Topo II). Furthermore, as a Topo II inhibitor, compound 1 was found to effectively induced G2-M phase cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in cancer cells.