Olefinic and acetylenic butenolides from Peucedanum alsaticum

The lipophilic root extract of Peucedanum alsaticum afforded four highly unstable butenolides which could be separated by HPLC. Whereas the stereochemistry of three olefinic derivatives, previously isolated only as their methyl ethers, were now established by ¹H NMR, the structure of a new acetylenic lactone was additionally confirmed by ¹³C NMR. The compounds are probably formed by condensation of unsaturated C₁₈-acids with pyruvate.     

Phenanthrene derivatives from Tamus communis

Six phenanthrene derivatives whose occurrence in T. communis is already reported and 5 and 6, previously described as the acetates after acetylation of the mixture of the two natural compounds, were isolated from the rhizomes of T. communis. ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectral data are reported.     

Sesquiterpenes and a dimeric spiroketone from Cineraria fruticulorum

The aerial parts of Cineraria fruticulorum afforded in addition to known compounds three spathulenol derivatives, a hydroxymyrtenol and an oxo-humulene, while the roots gave in addition to known compounds a further humulene derivative, three cinalbicol derivatives, a sesquiterpene with a spirodienone moiety and its dimer. From C. parvifolia only known compounds were isolated which, however, confirmed previous results on this genus. The structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods and a few chemical transformations.     

Types of sesquiterpene-coumarin ethers from Achillea ochroleuca and Artemisia tripartita

In addition to known derivatives, four new sesquiterpene-coumarin ethers were isolated from the roots of Achillea ochroleuca and Artemisia tripartita and identified by ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy, including lanthanide induced shifts. The new compounds are isofraxidin derived ethers which differ from the previously described derivatives by ring cleavage and methyl migration within the terpenoid unit. The chemosystematic importance of sesquiterpene-coumarin ether accumulation within the two genera is briefly discussed.     

Eudesmane derivatives from Verbesina species

The investigation of seven Verbesina species afforded, in addition to known compounds, several new eudesmane and germacrane derivatives, all bearing a cinnamate or derivatives as residue. Furthermore, a new bisabolene aldehyde and two acetophenone derivatives were isolated. The structures were elucidated mainly by spectroscopic methods and some chemical transformations. The chemotaxonomic situation is discussed briefly.     

Flavanone derivatives from Macaranga tanarius

A new flavanone, epoxynymphaeol C (1), was isolated from the acetone extract of the leaves of Macaranga tanarius, together with two known compounds, nymphaeols B (2) and C (3). The structure of the new compound was determined by NMR and mass spectral data. Chemotaxonomic significance for the presence of the flavanone derivatives in M. tanarius is discussed.     

Phenolic glucosides from Hasseltia floribunda

The leaves of Hasseltia floribunda were examined for their chemical constituents. Twelve phenolic glucosides, namely three hydroxycyclohexenyl acyl glucosides, four acylated salicortin derivatives, and five coumaroyl salicin derivatives, were isolated along with eight known phenolic glycosides, six known flavones, and two known sesquiterpenoid cyclohexenone derivatives. The structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated by NMR spectroscopic and HRMS spectrometric methods and by comparing analytical data with those of related structures.     

Three diterpenes from Conyza podocephala

The investigation of Conyza podocephala afforded, in addition to known compounds, two clerodane derivatives and a dihydroxyfarnesyl methylfuran. Furthermore two new resorcinol derivatives were isolated. The structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods and by chemical transformations. The chemotaxonomic situation within the genus is discussed briefly.     

Chemical constituents from Ligularia purdomii (Turrill) Chittenden

The first phytochemical investigation on the roots of Ligularia purdomii led to the isolation and identification of 18 compounds, including two eremophilane sesquiterpenoids (1 and 2), three benzofuran derivatives (3–5), a triterpenoid (6), two steroids (7 and 8), nine phenolic components (9–17), and a monofatty glyceride (18). The structural elucidation of the isolated compounds was performed by spectroscopic data and comparison with the literature. Compounds (−)-syringaresinol (11), scopoletin (13), 3,5-dimethoxy-4-hydroxy-benzaldehyde (14), and glycerol monolinoleate (18) have not been recorded in Ligularia genus previously. The chemotaxonomic significance of these isolated compounds has been summarized.     

Coumarins from Musineon divaricatum

A chemical investigation of Musineon divaricatum has resulted in the isolation of 19 coumarins, five of which are novel compounds; 18 are khellactone derivatives. The coumarins were isolated from the crude extracts by a combination of adsorption chromatography, gel permeation and HPLC; the more successful HPLC separations utilized a nitrile bonded phase column. The structures were determined by ¹H NMR and mass spectral studies and by comparisons with literature data. The relative configuration for the entire series was secured from ¹H NMR data, while the absolute configuration could be assigned with any certainty only in the cases of two of the compounds.     

Further sesquiterpene lactones from the genus Dittrichia

The aerial parts of Dittrichia graveolens afforded in addition to compounds isolated previously five new sesquiterpene lactones, two benzoic acid derivatives while D. viscosa gave two further derivatives of costic acid. The structures were elucidated by high field NMR spectroscopy.     

Prenylated bisresorcinols from Grevillea floribunda

Seven new bisresorcinol derivatives, together with four known resorcinols, have been isolated from the ethyl acetate extract of the stems of Grevillea floribunda. Five of the new compounds (floribol A–E) were characterized as bisnorstriatol derivatives substituted at C-2 of both resorcinol units with variously modified prenyl (3-methylbut-2-enyl) units. The remaining two new compounds are similarly substituted derivatived of grebustol-B.     

Polyamine derivatives from the bee pollen of Quercus mongolica with tyrosinase inhibitory activity

Eighteen constituents, including nine new compounds, were isolated from the bee pollen of Quercus mongolica. The structures of the new compounds were established on the basis of combined spectroscopic analysis. Structurally, the nine new compounds are polyamine derivatives with phenolic moieties which were assigned as one putrescine derivative, mogolicine A (2), seven spermidine derivatives, mongolidines A-G (3–5, 8, 12, 14, 17) and one spermine derivative, mogoline A (18). Evaluation of the biological activity of isolated compounds revealed that the polyamine derivatives with coumaroyl and caffeoyl moieties showed tyrosinase inhibition with IC₅₀ values of 19.5–85.8 μM; however, the addition of a methoxy group to phenolic derivatives reduced the inhibitory activity.     

β-Isocomen,ein neues sesquiterpen aus Berkheya-arten

The investigation of several Berkheya species afforded in addition to already known compounds three unusual sesquiterpene hydrocarbons. Together with modhephene and isocomene, a new one is present, its structure being elucidated by spectroscopic methods and by some chemical transformations. All 18 species investigated contain the typical thiophene derivatives, isolated earlier; the patterns of compounds present divide the species into two groups.     

Polyprenylated benzophenone derivatives from Clusia burle-marxii and their chemotaxonomic significance

Six polyprenylated benzophenone derivatives (1–6) with the central bicyclo[3.3.1]nonane-2,4,9-trione core were isolated from Clusia burle-marxii trunks. Despite their highly conserved structural characteristics, this is the very first time that these polyprenylated benzophenone derivatives are isolated from a single plant species, highlighting the biochemical plasticity of Clusia burle-marxii to produce such unique class of bioactive compounds. Compounds 1, 2, and 6 are reported for the first time in Clusia burle-marxii, whereas compounds 3, 4 and 5 are reported for the first time in the Clusiaceae family. Their structures were established by careful analysis of spectroscopic data, including ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, and 2D-NMR (COSY, NOESY, HSQC, HMBC). These polyprenylated benzophenone derivatives have the potential to be used as chemosystematics biomarkers for the family Clusiaceae. Their putative biosynthesis pathway is also discussed.     

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.     

Highly hydroxylated steroids of the starfish Archaster typicus from the Vietnamese waters

Five new steroidal compounds, including an unusual glucoside, along with several known steroids were isolated from the starfish Archaster typicus collected in shallow waters of Quang Ninh province (Vietnam). Three new compounds are 27-nor-cholestane derivatives and the other two are 24,26-dihydroxycholestane derivatives. A biogenesis pathway for the unusual side chain of 27-nor-cholestane derivatives is proposed. Isolated compounds presented moderate toxic effects in the sperm- and 8-blastomere tests on embryonal development of the sea urchin Strongylocentrotusintermedius.     

New ceramides from sea sponge Oceanapia sp.

Total ceramides containing nonbranched and iso-branched C₁₈-and C₁₉-phytosphingosines acylated with nonhydroxylated fatty acids were isolated from a marine sponge Oceanapia sp. The structures of these compounds were determined by HPLC, NMR, MALDI TOF MS, and GLC-MS of the Me₃Si derivatives and by chemical transformations.     

Neue labdan-derivate aus Aristeguietia buddleaefolia

The aerial parts of Aristeguietia buddleaefolia afforded, in addition to known compounds, three new diterpenes, all being 12, 13-E-abienol derivatives. A further diterpene turned out to be jhanidiol-18-O-acetate, isolated earlier from an Ageratina species. Furthermore two derivatives of hydroxy dihydroconiferyl alcohol are present. The structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods and by some chemical transformations.     

Synthesis of riccardin C and its seven analogues. Part 1: The role of their phenolic hydroxy groups as LXRα agonists

Riccardin C, a nuclear receptor LXRα selective agonist, is an 18-membered macrocyclic bisbibenzyl isolated from several liverworts. Synthesis of riccardin C and its seven O-methylated derivatives was accomplished. The synthetic sequence highlights an intramolecular Suzuki–Miyaura coupling in the formation of the 18-membered biaryl linkage present in riccardin C. The structure–activity relationship of these compounds suggests that all of the phenolic hydroxy groups present in riccardin C are essential for the activation of LXRα.