Constituents of two Flourensia species

The MeOH extract of aerial parts of Flourensia riparia Grisebach (Asteraceae) afforded a sesquiterpene lactone, 4beta-hydroxy-4,10alpha-dimethyl-7alphaH,8alphaH-eudesman-11-ene-8,12-olide, together with septuplinolide, its isomer at positions C-5 and C-10. In addition, known flavonoids, p-hydroxyacetophenone derivatives, carabrone and isoalantolactone were identified. Three known flavonoids and a benzofuran were isolated from Flourensia campestris Wedd.     

Design,synthesis, docking and anti-inflammatory evaluation of novel series of benzofuran based prodrugs

Several new benzofuran derivatives were synthesized, via appropriate synthetic route as anti-inflammatory agents. The anti-inflammatory activity of the prepared compounds was evaluated using carrageenan rat model. Among the synthesized compounds, some compounds showed comparable anti-inflammatory activity to nimesulide, the standard drug taken for anti-inflammatory studies. Docking study of the prepared compounds was performed for the study of interaction of molecules with the active site of COX-2. Preliminary biological studies and docking gave an interesting insight, into the validity of employing benzofuran analogues as good anti-inflammatory agent.     

Thiophenes and benzofurans in the undisturbed rhizosphere ofTagetes patula L.

Summary Marigold (Tagetes patula L.) contains secondary metabolites toxic to various organisms. While these compounds may function as defensive agents in the plant, it is not clear whether they are exuded into the rhizosphere. Using a continuous root exudate trapping system and capillary column gas chromatography/mass spectrometry/data system, four thiophenes and two benzofurans were identified in the root exudates collected from the undisturbed rhizosphere of marigold. The importance of rhizospheric chemistry in the study of allelopathy is stressed.     

Chemistry and Biology of the Genus Flourensia (Asteraceae)

Flourensia species are dominant plants that are adapted to semidesertic and desertic regions. It is believed that they are successful plants because they employ several protection mechanisms, including the formation of a waxy film on their aerial parts to protect them from dehydration. This waxy film contains chemical compounds that are capable of inhibiting the growth of other plants and of acting as allelopathic and herbicidal agents and as germination inhibitors. These plants also limit herbivory, and they exhibit insecticidal, insect antifeedant, antibacterial, antifungal, antialgal, and antitermite activities. Sesquiterpenes, flavonoids, benzofurans, chromenes, coumarins, lupan triterpenes, aliphatic lactones, and aromatic and acetilenic compounds have all been isolated from the organic extracts of Flourensia species. Monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, and aliphatic hydrocarbons are the main constituents found in their essential oils. This review is an overview of the chemical constituents and of the biological activities of Flourensia species.     

Synthesis of polysubstituted benzofuran derivatives as novel inhibitors of parasitic growth

A series of polysubstituted benzofuran derivatives was easily and rapidly prepared using a tandem Sonogashira coupling/cyclization reaction. Subsequent acylation afforded a small library of 39 new compounds that were assayed in cellulo on Plasmodium falciparum and Trypanosoma brucei parasites. Some of them exhibited good inhibitory activity on T. brucei proliferation.     

Differentiation-dependent levels of benzofuran-type resveratrol dimers in root cultures of Anigozanthos preissii

The level of secondary compounds formed by sterile root cultures of Anigozanthos preissii depends on the differentiation state. Cultures showing shoot formation and accelerated growth are depleted in stilbenes, stilbene glucosides, and phenylphenalenones. Three glucosides of anigopreissin A, a benzofuran-type resveratrol dimer, were isolated from slow-growing cultures and their structures elucidated by spectrometric methods.