Activity-guided isolation of antileishmanial compounds from Piper hispidum

The bioassay-guided purification of the ethanolic extract from the leaves of Piper hispidum led to the isolation of one new amide, N-2-(3′,4′,5′-trimethoxyphenyl)ethyl-2-hydroxybenzamide (1) as well as two known chalcones 2′-hydroxy-3′,4′,6′-trimethoxychalcone (2); 2′,4′-dihydroxy-6′-methoxychalcone (cardamonin, 3) and one known flavanone, 5,7-dihydroxyflavanone (Pinocembrin, 4). Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic data, including homo- and heteronuclear correlation NMR experiments (COSY, HSQC and HMBC) and comparison with data reported in the literature. The isolated compounds were tested against Leishmania amazonensis axenic amastigotes. The results showed that the known chalcone 2 exhibited the most potent antileishmanial activity with an IC₅₀ of 0.8 μM (amphotericin B: IC₅₀ = 0.2 μM) but was shown to exhibit mild cytotoxicity.     

Chemical constituents of the seeds of Ammopiptanthus (Leguminosae) and their systematic and ecological significance

Eleven flavonoids including a new flavone glycoside, 7,3′-dihydroxy-4′-methoxyflavone-7-O-β-glucopyranoside, and a quinolizidine alkaloid, lupanine, were isolated from the seeds of two Ammopiptanthus (Leguminosae) species, Ammopiptanthus mongolicus and Ammopiptanthus nanus. 7,3′-Dihydroxy-4′-methoxyflavone and lupanine were the major constituents in the seeds of both species. The patterns of seed flavonoids presented a clear systematic relationship between the two species. The simple seed alkaloid composition was presumed to be responsible for the weak defense capability of the seeds to insect pests in both species.     

Highly oxygenated flavones from Mentha piperita

Six highly oxygenated flavones have been isolated from the leaves of Mentha piperita. Five known compounds, 5-hydroxy-6,7,8,4′-tetramethoxyflavone, 5,4′-dihydroxy-6,7,8-trimethoxyflavone, 5,3′-dihydroxy-6,7,8,4′-tetramethoxyflavone, 5-hydroxy-6,7,8,3′,4′-pentamethoxyflavone and 5,3′,4′-trihydroxy-6,7,8-trimethoxyflavone, are reported for the first time in the genus Mentha. The sixth compound has been identified as 5,6-dihydroxy-7,8,3′,4′-tetramethoxyflavone by UV, NMR and mass spectra.     

Antioxidant and α-Amylase Inhibitory Compounds from Aerial Parts of Varthemia iphionoides Boiss

Various extracts of aerial parts of Varthemia (Varthemia iphionoides Boiss) were investigated for radical-scavenging activity, antioxidative activity, and porcine pancreas α-amylase inhibitory activity. The ethanol and water extracts showed a pronounced 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical-scavenging activity, with inhibition of about 90% at a concentration of 100 μg/ml, and α-amylase inhibitory activity of about 70% at a concentration of 200 μg/ml by the 2-chloro-4-nitrophenyl α-maltotrioside (CNP-G₃) degradation method. The ethanol extract was purified by column chromatography to give seven 3-methoxyflavones (1–7) and eudesmane sesquiterpene, selina-4,11(13)-dien-3-on-12-oic acid (8). The structures of these compounds were established by NMR, MS, and UV spectroscopy. Of 3-methoxyflavones, 5,7,4′-trihydroxy-3,6-dimethoxyflavone (1), 5,7,4′-trihydroxy-3,3′-dimethoxyflavone (2), and 5,4′-dihydroxy-3,7,3′-trimethoxyflavone (3,7,3′-tri-O-methyl-quercetin) (7) exhibited pronounced radical-scavenging activity. The antioxidative activity in the linoleic acid system was considerable in compounds 1, 2, and 5,4′-dihydroxy-3,6,7-trimethoxyflavone (4). Compounds 1, 2, 4, 5 (5,7,4′-trihydroxy-3-methoxyflavone), and 6 (5,4′-dihydroxy-3,7-dimethoxyflavone) showed markedly high inhibitory activity against porcine pancreas α-amylase. Eudesmane sesquiterpene did not show any activity.     

Flavonoids of Helichrysum chasmolycicum and its antioxidant and antimicrobial activities

From the aerial parts of Helichrysum chasmolycicum P.H Davis, which is an endemic species in Turkey, the flavonoids apigenin, luteolin, kaempferol, 3,5-dihydroxy-6,7,8-trimethoxyflavone, 3,5-dihydroxy-6,7,8,4′-tetramethoxyflavone, apigenin 7-O-glucoside, apigenin 4′-O-glucoside, luteolin 4′-O-glucoside, luteolin 4′,7-O-diglucoside, kaempferol 3-O-glucoside, kaempferol 7-O-glucoside and quercetin 3-O-glucoside were isolated. The methanol extract of the aerial parts of H. chasmolycicum showed antioxidant activity by DPPH method (IC₅₀ 0.92 mg/mL). Antimicrobial activity test was performed on the B, D, E extracts and also 3,5-dihydroxy-6,7,8-trimethoxyflavone and kaempferol 3-O-glucoside which were the major flavonoid compounds obtained from aerial parts of H. chasmolycicum by microbroth dilutions technique. The E (ethanol-ethyl acetate) extract showed moderate antimicrobial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, B (petroleum ether-60% ethanol-chloroform) extract and 3,5-dihydroxy-6,7,8-trimethoxyflavone showed moderate antifungal activity against Candida albicans.     

Phytochemical and Bioactivity Studies on Constituents of the Leaves of Vitex Quinata

A phytochemical investigation of the leaves of Vitex quinata (Lour.) F.N. Williams (Verbenaceae), guided by a cytotoxicity assay against the MCF-7 human breast cancer cell line, led to the isolation of a new δ-truxinate derivative (1) and a new phytonoic acid derivative (2), together with 12 known compounds. The structures of the new compounds were determined by spectroscopic methods as dimethyl 3,4,3′,4′-tetrahydroxy-δ-truxinate (1) and methyl 10R-methoxy-12-oxo-9(13),16E-phytodienoate (2), respectively. In a cytotoxicity assay, (S)-5-hydroxy-7,4′-dimethoxyflavanone (3) was found to be the sole active principle, with ED₅₀ values of 1.1–6.7 μM, respectively, when tested against a panel of three human cancer cells. Methyl 3,4,5-O-tricaffeoyl quinate (4) showed activity in an enzyme-based ELISA NF-κB p65 assay, with an ED₅₀ value of 10.3 μM.     

Exudate flavones and flavanones in Origanum species and their interspecific variation

Surface flavonoids in nine species of Origanum, representing taxa from all three of the currently recognised subgeneric groups, were examined both by HPLC coupled to diode-array detection and APCI–MS. Many of the flavonoids present were characterised by O-substituent at C-6 (OH, OMe) and/or C-8 (OMe). In total, 25 flavones and flavanones are described in this study, of which 13 are new to the genus and 5,4′-dihydroxy-6,7,3′-trimethoxyflavanone is reported for the first time. Taxa in subgeneric Group A accumulated flavonoids with methoxyl groups at both C-6 and C-4′; however, taxa in subgeneric Group B did not accumulate 4′-methoxylated compounds, and taxa in Group C did not accumulate 6-methoxylated compounds.     

A chemotaxonomic study of flavonoids in Thymbra capitata

5,6,4′-Trihydroxy-7,3′-dimethoxyflavone, 5,6-dihydroxy-7,3′,4′-trimethoxyflavone, luteolin, diosmetin, vicenin-2 and luteolin 7-rutinoside have been isolated and identified from Thymbra capitata. The occurrence of these compounds supports the inclusion of this plant in the genus Thymbra, rather than Thymus or Corydothymus.     

Three methylated flavones from Thymus vulgaris

Three highly oxygenated flavones were isolated from leaves of Thymus vulgaris. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic methods as 5, 6, 4′-trihydroxy- 7, 8, 3′-trimethoxyflavone (thymonin), 5, 4′-dihydroxy-6, 7, 3′-trimethoxyflavone (cirsilineol) and 5, 4′-dihydroxy-6, 7, 8, 3′-tetramethoxyflavone. These flavones are reported for the first time in the genus Thymus.     

Validation of a novel in vitro assay using ultra performance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (UPLC/MS) to detect and quantify hydroxylated metabolites of BDE-99 in rat liver microsomes

The purpose of this study was to develop and validate an ultra performance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (UPLC/MS) method to investigate the hepatic oxidative metabolism of 2,2′,4,4′,5-pentabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-99), a widely used flame retardant and ubiquitous environmental contaminant. Hydroxylated metabolites were extracted using liquid-to-liquid extraction, resolved on a C₁₈ column with gradient elution and detected by mass spectrometry in single ion recording mode using electrospray negative ionization. The assay was validated for linearity, accuracy, precision, limit of quantification, range and recovery. Calibration curves were linear (R² ≥ 0.98) over a concentration range of 0.010–1.0 μM for 4-OH-2,2′,3,4′,5-pentabromodiphenyl ether (4-OH-BDE-90), 5′-OH-2,2′,4,4′,5-pentabromodiphenyl ether (5′-OH-BDE-99) and 6′-OH-2,2′,4,4′,5-pentabromodiphenyl ether (6′-OH-BDE-99), and a concentration range of 0.0625–12.5 μM for 2,4,5-tribromophenol (2,4,5-TBP). Inter- and intra-day accuracy values ranged from −2.0% to 6.0% and from −7.7% to 7.3%, respectively, and inter- and intra-day precision values ranged from 2.0% to 8.5% and from 2.2% to 8.6% (n = 6), respectively. The limits of quantification were 0.010 μM for 4-OH-BDE-90, 5′-OH-BDE-99 and 6′-OH-BDE-99, and 0.0625 μM for 2,4,5-TBP. Recovery values ranged between 85 and 100% for the four analytes. The validated analytical method was applied to identify and quantify hydroxy BDE-99 metabolites formed in vitro. Incubation of BDE-99 with rat liver microsomes yielded 4-OH-BDE-90 and 6′-OH-BDE-99 as major metabolites and 5′-OH-BDE-99 and 2,4,5-TBP as minor metabolites. To our knowledge, this is the first validated UPLC/MS method to quantify hydroxylated metabolites of PBDEs without the need of derivatization.     

Flavonoids of Chrysosplenium tetrandrum

Chrysosplenium tetrandrum, from northern British Columbia, accumulates a variety of flavonoid glycosides. Several kaempferol and quercetin mono- and diglycosides were identified. The major flavonoid fraction consisted of O-methylated compounds having an hydroxyl or methoxyl substituent at position-6. Aglycones identified were 5,4′-dihydroxy-3,6,7-trimethoxyflavone, 5,6,7,3′,4′-pentahydroxy-3-methoxyflavone, 5,6,3′,4′-tetrahydroxy-3,7-dimethoxyflavone, 5,6,4′-trihydroxy-3,7,3′-trimethoxyflavone, 5,3′,4′-trihydroxy-3,6,7-trimethoxyflavone, and 5,4′-dihydroxy-3,6,7,3′-tetramethoxyflavone. All occurred as glucosides. The occurrence of 6-substitution and the preponderance of O-methylated flavonoids supports removal of Chrysosplenium from Engler's Saxifraginae.     

Two new anti-plasmodial flavonoid glycosides from Duranta repens

The CHCl₃-soluble fraction of the whole plant of Duranta repens showed anti-plasmodial activity against the chloroquine-sensitive (D6) and chloroquine-resistant (W2) strains of Plasmodium falciparum, with IC₅₀ values of 8.5?±?0.9 and 10.2?±?1.5?μg/mL, respectively. From this fraction, two new flavonoid glycosides, 7-O-α-d-glucopyranosyl-3,4′-dihydroxy-3′-(4-hydroxy-3-methylbutyl)-5,6-dimethoxyflavone (1) and 7-O-α-d-glucopyranosyl(6′′′-p-hydroxcinnamoyl)-3,4′-dihydroxy-3′-(4-hydroxy-3-methylbutyl)-5,6-dimethoxyflavone (2), along with five known flavonoids, 3,7,4′-trihydroxy-3′-(4-hydroxy-3-methylbutyl)-5,6-dimethoxyflavone (3), 3,7-dihydroxy-3′-(4-hydroxy-3-methylbutyl)-5,6,4′-trimethoxyflavone (4), 5,7-dihydroxy-3′-(2-hydroxy-3-methyl-3-butenyl)-3,6,4′-trimethoxyflavone (5), 3,7-dihydroxy-3′-(2-hydroxy-3-methyl-3-buten-yl)-5,6,4′-trimethoxyflavone (6), and 7-O-α-d-glucopyranosyl-3,5-dihydroxy-3′-(4′′-acetoxy-3′′-methylbutyl)-6,4′-dimethoxyflavone (7), have been isolated as anti-plasmodial principles. Their structures were deduced by spectroscopic analysis including 1D and 2D NMR techniques. The compounds (1–7) showed potent anti-plasmodial activities against D6 and W2 strains of Plasmodium falciparum, with IC₅₀ values in the range of 5.2–13.5?μM and 5.9–13.1?μM, respectively.     

Chemistry of toxic range plants. Highly oxygenated flavonol methyl ethers from Gutierrezia microcephala

The perennial American desert shrub, Gutierrezia microcephala, contains 20 flavonol methyl ethers displaying nine different oxygenation patterns. These include 11 new flavonols: 5,7-dihydroxy-3,6,8,3′,4′,5′-hexamethoxyflavone, 5,7,4′-trihydroxy-3,6,8,3′,5′-pentamethoxyflavone, 5,7,3′-trihydroxy-3,6,8,4′,5′-pentamethoxyflavone, 5,7,2′,4′-tetrahydroxy-3,6,8,5′-tetramethoxyflavone, 5,7,3′,4′-tetrahydroxy-3,6,8-trimethoxyflavone, 5,7,8,3′,4′-pentahydroxy-3,6-dimethoxyflavone, 3,5,7,3′,4′-pentahydroxy-6,8-dimethoxyflavone, 5,7,4′-trihydroxy-3,6,8-trimethoxyflavone, 5,7,8,4′-tetrahydroxy-3,3′-dimethoxyflavone, 5,7,8,3′,4′-pentahydroxy-3-methoxyflavone and 5,7,8,4′-tetrahydroxy-3-methoxyflavone. In addition, the following known flavonols were isolated: 5,7-dihydroxy-3,8,3′,4′,5′-pentamethoxyflavone, 5,7,4′-trihydroxy-3,8-dimethoxyflavone, 5,7,4′-trihydroxy-3,8,3′-trimethoxyflavone, 5,7,3′,4′-tetrahydroxy-3,8-dimethoxyflavone, 5,7,4′-trihydroxy-3,6,3′-trimethoxyflavone, 5,7,3′,4′-tetrahydroxy-3-methoxyflavone, 5,4′-dihydroxy-3,6,7,8,3′-pentamethoxyflavone, 5,7,4′-trihydroxy-3,6,8,3′-tetramethoxyflavone and 3,5,7,4′-tetrahydroxy-6,8,3′-trimethoxyflavone.     

Three highly oxygenated flavone glucuronides in leaves of Spinacia oleracea

Droplet counter-current chromatographic separation and subsequent TLC demonstrated the existence of at least 14 phenolics in the leaves of Spinacia oleracea. Three have now been isolated and identified, respectively, as the 4′-glucuronides of 5,7,4'-trihydroxy-3,6,3′-trimethoxyflavone (jaceidin), 5,3′,4′-trihydroxy-3-methoxy-6:7-methylene-dioxyflavone and 5,4′-dihydroxy-3,3′-dimethoxy-6:7-methylenedioxyflavone.     

Measurement of synthetic phenolic antioxidants in human tissues by high-performance liquid chromatography with coulometric electrochemical detection

The antioxidants, 2-tert.-butyl-4-methoxyphenol (BHA) and its oxidative peroxidation product 2,2′-dihydroxy-3,3′-di-tert.-butyl-5,5′-dimethoxybiphenyl (di-BHA), 3,5-di-tert.-butyl-4-hydroxytoluene (BHT) and propyl gallate, were measured in plasma and tissue homogenates by HPLC and electrochemical detection, with a sensitivity down to 0.2 (BHA), 0.1 (di-BHA), 0.4 (BHT) and 1 (propyl gallate) ng ml⁻¹ of plasma or tissue homogenate. The data demonstrate that in man, at the current level of exposure to dietary antioxidants, significant amounts of BHA, BHT and propyl gallate are accumulated in the omentum. Furthermore, they provide the first evidence that the peroxidase-catalysed oxidation of BHA is operative in man.     

Antibacterial phenolic components from Eriocaulon buergerianum

Five phenolic components, 1,3,6-trihydroxy-2,5,7-trimethoxyxanthone (1), 7,3′-dihydroxy-5,4′,5′-trimethoxyisoflavone (2), toralactone-9-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (3), patuletin-3-O-[2-O-E-feruloyl-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 6)-β-d-glucopyranoside] (4), patuletin-3-O-[β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 3)-2-O-E-caffeoyl-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 6)-β-d-glucopyranoside] (5), along with 19 known compounds were isolated from Eriocaulon buergerianum (Eriocaulaceae). Their structures were determined by spectroscopic and chemical methods. All 24 isolated compounds were tested against the pathogenic bacteria Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923); as a result, 10 compounds were found to exhibit antibacterial activity with MICs ranging from 32 to 256 μg/ml.     

3,5,2',4'-Tetrahydroxychalcone, a new non-purine xanthine oxidase inhibitor

Xanthine oxidase is a key enzyme that catalyses hypoxanthine and xanthine to uric acid and the overproduction of uric acid will lead to hyperuricemia which is an important cause of gout. In the present study, three chalcone derivatives were synthesized and evaluated for inhibitory activity against xanthine oxidase in vitro. Of the compounds, only Compound 1, 3,5,2′,4′-tetrahydroxychalcone, exhibited a significant inhibitory activity on xanthine oxidase with an IC₅₀ value of 22.5 μM. Lineweaver–Burk transformation of the inhibition kinetics data demonstrated that it was a competitive inhibitor of xanthine oxidase and Ki value was 17.4 μM. In vivo, intragastric administration of Compound 1 was able to significantly reduce serum uric acid levels and inhibited hepatic xanthine oxidase activities of hyperuricemic mice in a dose-dependent manner. Acute toxicity study in mice showed that Compound 1 was very safe at a dose of up to 5 g/kg. These results suggest that Compound 1 is a novel competitive xanthine oxidase inhibitor and is worthy of further development.     

Chemical constituents from Xylosma longifolia and their anti-tubercular activity

Two new glucosides, 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylpropane-7,8-(6′-benzoyl-2′,1′-O-β-glucopyranosyl)-7,8,9-trio (1), and 2-hydroxyphenyl-4-caffeoyl-β-d-glucoside (2), together with seven known compounds were isolated from the stem bark of Xylosma longifolia (Flacourtiaceae). The structures of the isolates were established on the basis of their spectral data, including mass spectrometry and 2D-NMR. The compound 8-hydroxy-6-methoxy-pentylisocoumarin (3) exhibited an MIC value of 40.5 μg/mL against M. tuberculosis.     

Interconverting flavanone glucosides and other phenolic compounds in Lippia salviaefolia Cham. ethanol extracts

Four interconverting flavanone glycosides [(2R)- and (2S)-3′,4′,5,6-tetrahydroxyflavanone 7-O-β-d-glucopyranoside, and (2R)- and (2S)-3′,4′,5,8-tetrahydroxyflavanone 7-O-β-d-glucopyranoside], in addition to eight known flavonoids [naringenin, asebogenin, sakuranetin, 6-hydroxyluteolin 7-O-β-d-glucoside, (2R)- and (2S)-eriodictyol 7-O-β-d-glucopyranoside, aromadendrin and phloretin], three phenylpropanoid glycosides [forsythoside B, alyssonoside and verbascoside] and the epoxylignan lariciresinol 4′-O-β-d-glucopyranoside were isolated and identified in the EtOH extract of the aerial parts of Lippia salviaefolia Cham. The phytochemical study herein was guided by preliminary antioxidant tests, namely, β-carotene protection and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging activity. The crude extracts, their active fractions and the isolated compounds were assayed against intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and human embryonic kidney HEK-293 and human melanoma M14 cancer cell growth. Aromadendrin and phloretin were able to counteract elevation of ROS induced by the oxidant t-butylhydroperoxide (t-BOOH) in HEK-293 cells, whereas phloretin strongly protected HEK-293 cells from ROS damage at 1 μM. Additionally, phloretin exhibited a significant growth inhibitory effect at 20–40 μM in both HEK-293 and M14 cells and induced a concentration dependent apoptosis at 20 μM in M14 cells, suggesting a selective action towards malignant cells. Due to their equilibria, the four interconverting flavanone glycosides were studied using 1D and 2D NMR, HPLC–CD–PDA and HRMS analyses.     

Non-polar flavonoids of perityle vaseyi (asteraceae)

Ten flavonoids have been isolated from a dichloromethane leafwash of Perityle vaseyi. Trace amounts of 7,4′-dimethylnaringenin were observed along with nine O-methylated flavonols. Two kaempferol, four 6-hydroxykaempferol and three 6-hydroxyquercetin O-methylated derivatives were identified. 5,7,4-Trihydroxy-3,6-dimethoxyflavone and 5,4′-dihydroxy-3,6,7-trimethoxyflavone were the major components.