New phlegmarane-type, cernuane-type, and quinolizidine alkaloids from two species of Lycopodium

Two new phlegmarane-type alkaloids, cermizines A (1) and B (2), three new quinolizidine alkaloids, cermizine C (3) and senepodines G (4) and H (5), and a new C₁₆N₂ type alkaloid consisting of a quinolizidine and a piperidine ring, cermizine D (6), as well as two new cernuane-type alkaloids, cernuine N-oxide (7) and lycocernuine N-oxide (8), have been isolated together with cernuine (9) and lycocernuine (10) from the club moss Lycopodium cernuum and L. chinense. The relative stereochemistry of 1-4 and 6, and the absolute stereochemistry of 5, 7, and 8 were elucidated by combination of NOESY correlations, modified Mosher's method, chemical transformations, and computational methods. Cermizine D (6) might be a biosynthetic intermediate of cernuane-type alkaloids such as 7-10.     

Isolation,structure elucidation,and antibacterial evaluation of the metabolites produced by the marine-sourced Streptomyces sp. ZZ820

New indole alkaloids streptoprenylindoles A–C (1–3) and diterpenoids 18-acetyl-cyclooctatin (8), 5,18-dedihydroxy-cyclooctatin (9), and 5-dehydroxy-cyclooctatin (10) were isolated from the culture of marine-derived Streptomyces sp. ZZ820, along with known 3-cyanomethyl-6-[3-methyl-2-butenyl]indole (4), N-(2-(1H-indol-3-yl)ethylacetamide (5), 1-acetyl-β-carboline (6), indole-3-methylethanoate (7), cyclooctatin (11), and chromomycin A₃ (12). Their structures were elucidated by a combination of extensive spectroscopic analyses, ECD calculation, and the Mosher's method. Streptoprenylindoles A (1) and B (2) are enantiomers that were separated through the preparation of their Mosher esters. Three new diterpenoids (8–10) showed antibacterial activities against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Escherichia coli with MIC values of 24.11–55.12?μM, while chromomycin A₃ (12) showed potent antibacterial activities against MRSA (MIC: 0.59?μM) and E. coli (MIC 0.04?μM).     

Studies on the constituents of asclepiadaceae plant—LVII: The structures of six glycosides,wilfoside c1n,c2n,c3n,c1g,c2g and c3g,with novel sugar chain containing a pair of optically isomeric sugars

Six new glycosides named wilfoside C3N (l), C1N (2), C2N (3), C3G (4), C1G (5) and C2G (6) were isolated from Cynanchum wilfordi hemsley (Asclepiadaceae) and their structures were deduced on the basis of the chemical and spectral evidence. It is quite unusual that 2, 3, 5 and 6 include both D-cymarose and L-cymarose in each sugar chain.     

Lycogladines A-H,fawcettimine-type Lycopodium alkaloids from Lycopodium complanatum var. glaucum Ching

Five new fawcettimine-type alkaloids (1–5) and three new natural products (6–8), along with four known analogues, fawcettimine (9), fewcettidine (10), lycopoclavamine B (11), and lycopladine B (12), were isolated from the whole plant of Lycopodium complanatum var. glaucum Ching. The structures of lycogladines A-H (1–8) were determined based on HRESIMS, 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic analysis, as well as single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Compound 1 possesses a new ring system that is formed through the linkage of C-13-OC-2, which is rarely present in Lycopodium alkaloids (LAs). Compounds 1–8 were tested for their β-site amyloid precursor protein (APP)-cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activities.     

Nucleophilic substitution reactions of acetylides on substituted tricarbonyl(η6-fluoroarene)chromium and reactions of tricarbonyl[η6-(2-trimethylsilylethynyl)toluene]chromium and tricarbonyl[η6-(p-ethynyl-phenylethynyl)benzene]chromium with dicobalt octacarbonyl

Nucleophilic substitution reactions of various acetylides on substituted tricarbonyl(η⁶-fluoroarene)chromiums were pursued. The reaction presumably underwent a more complicated mechanism rather than the direct substitution on the fluorine-bearing carbon. The organometallic compounds (η⁶-C₆H₃R¹R²R³)Cr(CO)₃ (R¹: CC–C₆H₄CH₃, R²: o-Me, R³: H (5a), R¹: CC–C₆H₄CH₃, R²: o-OMe, R³: H (6a), R¹: CC–C₆H₄CH₃, R²: m-OMe, R³: H (6b), R¹: CCPh, R²: o-Me, R³: o-OMe (8b), R¹: CCPh, R²: m-Me, R³: m-OMe (8c), R¹: CCSiMe₃, R²: o-Me, R³: H (9a), R¹: CC–C₆H₄CCH, R²: H, R³: H (12), R¹: CC–C₆H₄CCH, R²: o-Me, R³: H (13)) as well as the organometallic dimmer [{(η⁶-o-Me-C₆H₄)Cr(CO)₃(di-ethynyl)] (di-ethynyl: CC–C₆H₄CC (14)) have been synthesized from nucleophilic substitution reactions of tricarbonyl(η⁶-fluoroarene)(chromium) compounds with suitable acetylides. The products have been characterized by spectroscopic means. In addition, (8b) and (8c) were characterized by X-ray diffraction studies. Further reactions of (9a) and (12) with appropriate amount of Co₂(CO)₈ yielded μ-alkyne bridged bimetallic complexes, Co₂(CO)₆{μ-Me₃SiCC–(o-tolueneCr(CO)₃} (10) and (Co₂(CO)₆)₂{μ-HCC–C₆H₄–CC–(benzene)Cr(CO)₃)}(15), respectively. Both (10) and (15) were characterized by spectroscopic means as well as single crystal X-ray crystallography. The core of these molecules is quasi-tetrahedron containing a Co₂C₂ unit. A two-dicobalt-fragments coordinated di-enyls complex, (Co₂(CO)₆)₂{μ-HCC–C₆H₄–CC–H} (17), was synthesized from the reaction of 1,3-diethynylbenzene with Co₂(CO)₈. Crystallographic studies of (17) also show that it exhibits a distorted Co₂C₂ quasi-tetrahedral geometry.     

[4+2]Cycloadditions of organometallic-substituted siloles with dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate and tetracyanoethylene

1-Sila-2,4-cyclopentadienes (siloles) bearing five organyl groups and a diethylboryl group in 3-position (3), four organyl groups, a trimethylstannyl and a diethylboryl group in 2,4-positions (4), four organyl groups, a diethylboryl group in 3-position and a hydrido function at the silicon atom (5) react by [4+2]cycloaddition with dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate, MeOC(O)CCC(O)OMe (1), and tetracycanoethylene, (NC)₂CC(CN)₂ (2), to give 7-silanorbornadienes (6–8) and 7-silanorbornenes (10–12), respectively. The silole 5 is converted into isomers 8 and 8′, and 12 and 12′, in which the SiMe group in each major isomer (8 and 12) occupies the syn-position with respect to the C(2)C(3) bond. The molecular structure of 10a was determined by X-ray analysis. The 7-silanorbornadiene (7) rearranges into a benzene derivative by formation of an SiO bond and 1,3-migration of the trimethylstannyl group. All products were characterised in solution by multinuclear magnetic resonance (¹H-, ¹¹B-, ¹³C-, ²⁹Si-, ¹¹⁹Sn-NMR spectroscopy). The geometries of 1,4,7,7-tetramethyl-7-silanorbornadiene, -7-silanobornene, and -7-silanorbornane were optimised by ab initio MO calculations (RHF/6-311+G(d,p) and chemical shifts δ²⁹Si were calculated (GIAO-RHF/6-311+G(d,p)).     

Guianofruits C–I from fruit oil of andiroba (Carapa guianensis,Meliaceae)

Two novel chukrasone-type limonoids, named Guianofruits C and D (1 and 2), a guianolide derivative named Guianofruit E (3), and four novel phragmalin–type limonoids named Guianofruits F–I (4–7), were isolated from the fruit oil of Carapa guianensis AUBLET (Meliaceae), a traditional medicine in Brazil and Latin American countries. Their structures were mainly elucidated based on spectroscopic analyses using 1D and 2D NMR techniques. The effects of compounds 1–6 on the production of NO by LPS-activated mouse peritoneal macrophages were investigated. Two new chukrasone-type limonoids, Guianofruits C (1) and D (2), exhibited moderate inhibitory activities.     

Cortistatins E, F, G, and H, four novel steroidal alkaloids from marine sponge Corticium simplex

Four novel steroidal alkaloids named cortistatins E (1), F (2), G (3), and H (4) have been isolated from the marine sponge Corticium simplex. The chemical structures of these four cortistatins, which are unique abeo-9(10-19)-stigmastane-type steroidal alkaloids having oxabicyclo[3.2.1]octene and N-methyl piperidine or 3-methylpyridine units in the side chain, were elucidated by the detailed 2D-NMR analysis. These four compounds showed only weak anti-proliferative activity against human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) at 0.35-1.9 μM concentrations in contrast to cortistatin A (5), which was isolated as a highly selective inhibitor of proliferation of HUVECs from the same marine sponge.     

Highly oxidized ergosterols and isariotin analogs from an entomopathogenic fungus,Gibellula formosana,cultivated in the presence of epigenetic modifying agents

The concomitant addition of a histone deacetylase inhibitor, suberoyl bis-hydroxamic acid, and a DNA methyltransferase inhibitor, RG-108, to the culture medium of Gibellula formosana, an entomopathogenic fungus, induced a significant increase in diversity of secondary metabolites. From the culture media were isolated two new highly oxidized ergosterols, formosterols A (1) and B (2), and five new isariotin analogs, 12′-O-acetylisariotin A (4), 1-epi-isariotin A (5), and isariotins K–M (6–8), together with 22,23-epoxy-3,12,14,16-tetrahydroxyergosta-5,7-dien-11-one (named formosterol C) (3), isariotins A (9), C (10), and E (11), TK-57-164A (12), and beauvericin (13). The NMR spectra, X-ray single crystallographic diffraction, and chemical transformations revealed the structures of the two new formosterols and five new isariotins. The stereochemistry of formosterol C (3) was deduced from its spectroscopic data. The side chains of formosterols A–C (1–3) contained cis-22,23-epoxide, which is rarely present in naturally occurring sterols and triterpenes.     

Sartorymensin,a new indole alkaloid,and new analogues of tryptoquivaline and fiscalins produced by Neosartorya siamensis (KUFC 6349)

Seven new indole alkaloids including a new indoloazepinone derivative (2), two new quinazolinone derivatives (7, 8) and four new pyrazinoquinazolinone derivatives: epi-fiscalin C (10), epi-fiscalin A (12), neofiscalin A (13), epi-neofiscalin A (14) were isolated, together with 4-dihydroxy-3-methylacetophenone (1), tryptoquivaline (3), tryptoquivalines L (4), H (5), F (6) as well as fiscalins A (11) and C (9), from the culture of the fungus Neosartorya siamensis (KUFC 6349). The absolute configuration of the stereogenic carbons of the previously reported tryptoquivalines F, H, L was revised using the data obtained from an X-ray analysis of tryptoquivaline l and the NOESY correlations. The structures of the new pyrazinoquinazolinone derivatives (10, 12, 13, 14) were established based on 1D and 2D NMR spectral analysis, and the absolute configuration of their stereogenic carbons was determined by an X-ray crystallographic analysis of fiscalin C (9) and a new compound epi-fiscalin C (10), in conjunction with the correlations observed in their NOESY and long range COSY spectra. Compounds 2–8 and 12 were evaluated for their in vitro growth inhibitory activity on the human U373 and Hs683 glioblastoma, the A549 non-small cell lung cancer, the MCF-7 breast cancer and the SKMEL-28 melanoma cell lines by MTT colorimetric assay.     

Two unique C21-diterpenoid alkaloids from Aconitum carmichaelii

Two sulfonated diterpenoid alkaloids possessing different but related novel carbon skeletons, named aconidenusulfonine A (1) and 12,16-secoaconidenusulfonine A (2), respectively, were isolated as minor components from an aqueous extract of the lateral roots of Aconitum carmichaelii (“Fu Zi”). The structures of 1 and 2, representing the first two C₂₁-diterpenoid alkaloids from nature, were determined by analysis of various spectroscopic data and chemical transformation, of which 1 was further proved by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Especially, 1 exhibited dose-depended analgesic activity consistent with the clinical function of Fu Zi.     

Biphenyl quinolizidine lactone alkaloids from “sinicuichi” (Heimia salicifolia)

Six new biphenyl quinolizidine lactone alkaloids: 14α-hydroxydecodine (1), 14β-hydroxydecodine (2), 4″-O-demethylheimidine (3), 4″-O-demethyl-9β-hydroxyvertine (4), 4″-O-demethylvertine N-oxide (5), and 4″-O-demethyl-9β-hydroxyvertine N-oxide (6) were isolated from so-called “sinicuichi” (origin: Heimia salicifolia) together with 18 known alkaloids. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic analyses and chemical conversions.     

Cycloaddition reactions of N-heterocyclic stable silylenes with ethylene and formaldehyde

The cycloaddition reactions of N-heterocyclic silylenes 1-4 with ethylene (C₂H₄) and formaldehyde (CH₂O) molecules were performed at the MP2/6-31G** level of theory, respectively. Full optimizations and frequency analyses were done for the stationary points on the potential energy surface. The intrinsic reaction coordinate (IRC) was also calculated for all the transition states at the same level of theory. The possible cycloaddition mechanisms were investigated and results from various reactions were compared in detail. The theoretical results indicated that the cycloaddition reactions of N-heterocyclic silylenes with C₂H₄ and CH₂O proceeded through a concerted mechanism to form a three-membered ring containing C1, C2 (O), and Si atoms in the products, which was similar to those of simple silylene H₂Si. Silylenes 1-4 exhibit some electrophilicity toward C₂H₄ whereas nucleophilicity toward CH₂O leading to the reaction process. Based on the reaction energy barrier and the exothermic energy, the reaction activities of saturated silylene (2) were stronger than those of unsaturated silylenes (1, 3, and 4).     

New alkaloids sinomacutines A–E,and cephalonine-2-O-β-d-glucopyranoside from rhizomes of Sinomenium acutum

Phytochemical investigation on the rhizomes of Sinomenium acutum led to the isolation of new alkaloids sinomacutines A–E (1–5), and cephalonine-2-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (6), along with known tetrahydroisoquinoline alkaloids (7–9). Among them, sinomacutines A–C were new bistetrahydroisoquinoline alkaloids with morphinane–proaporphine and morphinane–benzyltetrahydroisoquinoline types, and coupled with unique C–CH₂–N unit. Their structures with absolute configuration were elucidated on the basis of 1D and 2D NMR, and ECD spectra analysis. The new compounds were evaluated for their anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic activities, and sallisonine B (2) showed moderate ability to inhibit NO production of LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages, as well as sallisonine A (1) showed weak inhibitory effects against five cancer cell lines.     

Protonation of Cp(CO)(PPh3) RuCCPh: Formation of cationnic phenylacetylene and phenylvinylidene complexes and subsequent reaction with ethylene oxide to form the net [2 + 3] cycloadduct [Cp(CO)(PPH3)Ru=CCH(Ph)CH2CH2O]+

Protonation of the alkynyl complex Cp(CO)(PPh₃)RuCCPh (1) at low temperature affords quantitatively the vinylidened complex [Cp(CO)(PPh₃)RuCCH(Ph)]⁺ (3), which upon warming to room temperature forms an equilibrium with the η²-phenylacetylene complex [Cp(CO)(PPh₃)Ru(η²-HCCPh)]⁺ (4), with the latter predominating. Subsequent reaction with ethylene oxide yields the cyclic oxacarbene complex [Cp(CO)(PPH₃)Ru=CCH(Ph)CH₂CH₂O]⁺ (5), which can be regarded as the result of a net [3+2] cycloaddition reaction between 3 and ethylene oxide. Depronation of 5 affords teh corresponding neutral cyclic vinyl complex [Cp(CO)(PPH₃)RuC=C(Ph)CH₂CH₂O]⁺ (6), which can in turn be protonated to regenerate 5 in a diastereoselective manner. The structures of complexes 5 and 6 were determined by X-ray crystallography.     

Heteroaromatic alkaloids,nakijinamines, from a sponge Suberites sp.

The structures of seven new secondary metabolites isolated from an Okinawan marine sponge Suberites sp., nakijinamines A (1), B (2), and F–I (3–6) and 6-bromoconicamin (7), have been elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analysis, chemical conversion, and conformational analysis. These analyses disclosed that 1–6 were heteroaromatic alkaloids having the hybrid structures of an aaptamine-type alkaloid and an indole alkaloid, while 7 was a bromoindole alkaloid. Nakijinamine I (6) is the first example of an aaptamine-type alkaloid possessing a 1,4-dioxane ring. Antimicrobial activities of 1–7 were evaluated.     

Daphniglaucins D-H, J, and K, new alkaloids from Daphniphyllum glaucescens

Five new fused-hexacyclic alkaloids, daphniglaucins D (1), E (2), F (3), G (4), and H (5), and two new yuzurimine-type alkaloids, daphniglaucins J (6) and K (7), have been isolated from the leaves of Daphniphyllum glaucescens, and the structures and relative stereochemistry were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic data and chemical means.     

Erysacleuxins C and D,new isoflavones from the twigs of Erythrina sacleuxii Hua and their cytotoxic activity

Two previously undescribed isoflavones, erysacleuxin C (1) and erysacleuxin D (2), together with seven known compounds (3–9), were isolated and identified from the EtOAc extract of the twigs of Erythrina sacleuxii Hua (Leguminosae). The structures of the isolated compounds were determined on the basis of their spectroscopic and spectrometric data. Evaluation of their cytotoxicity against the human cancer HeLa-S3 cell lines indicated IC₅₀ values of 130.4, 54.9 and 73.9 µM for erysacleuxin C (1), erysacleuxin D (2) and butin (9), respectively.     

New nitro-benzo[c]phenanthridine and indolopyridoquinazoline alkaloids from Zanthoxylum atchoum

The first phytochemical investigation of the roots of Zanthoxylum atchoum has led to the isolation of two new nitro-benzo[c]phenanthridine alkaloids 6-nitronitidine (1) and 6-nitro-8-methoxy-7,8-dihydronitidine (2), two new salts of indolopyridoquinazoline alkaloids 3-hydroxy-8,13-dihydro-14-methyl-5-oxo-7H-indolo[2’,3’:3,4]pyrido[2,1-b]quinazolin-14-ium (3) and its zwitterionic form 3-phenolate-8,13-dihydro-14-methyl-5-oxo-7H-indolo[2’,3’:3,4]pyrido[2,1-b]quinazolin-14-ium (4) along with 18 (5–22) known compounds. Their chemical structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analysis including 1D and 2D NMR and MS techniques. This is the first report of the nitro group on the biosynthesis of the natural benzo[c]phenantridine alkaloids. Compound 2 exhibited potent antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus of MIC₅₀ = 4 μg·mL⁻¹.     

New dimeric aporphine-benzylisoquinoline alkaloids from Thalictrum faberi

From Thalictrum faberi ten new aporphine-benzylisoquinoline dimers were isolated and the complete structures assigned by spectral methods. Of them, thalifaberine (1), thalifabine (2), thalifarapine (3), thalifabatine (4), thalifasine (5) and dehydrothalifaberine (6) ' constitute a new type of aporphine-benzylisoquinoline dimers. Huangshanine (7), faberonine (8), faberidine (9) and dehydrohuangshanine (10) are fetidine-type alkaloids.