Grossularine,a novel indole derivative from the marine tunicate, dendrodoa grossularia

A new marine metabolite, derived from indole and dimethylguanidine, was isolated from the tunicate Dendrodoa grossularia.The proposed structure was based upon spectroscopic evidence.     

Synthesis and study of the antimalarial cardamom peroxide

A full account of our previously disclosed synthesis of the monoterpene dimer cardamom peroxide is reported. Inspired by hypotheses regarding the potential biosynthetic origins of this natural product, several unproductive routes are also reported. The chemical reactivity of this structurally unique metabolite in the presence of iron (II) sources is also reported as is its antimalarial activity against Plasmodium falciparum clinical isolates from several Cambodian provinces.     

Structure-based bioisosteric design,synthesis and biological evaluation of novel pyrimidines as antiplasmodial antifolate agents

The efficacy of most marketed antimalarial drugs has been compromised by the development of parasite resistance, underscoring an urgent need to find new drugs with new mechanisms of action. This article describes the synthesis and the in vitro antimalarial profiling of antifolate P218 analogues, by exploring a bioisosteric replacement of the carboxylic group by a phosphinic moiety as well as structural isomerization of P218. The detailed synthetic route employed to access the title compounds is described. The listed compounds exhibited low antimalarial activity against drug-resistant strains of P. falciparum including chloroquine-resistant W2.     

(+)-7-Bromotrypargine: an antimalarial β-carboline from the Australian marine sponge Ancorina sp.

Mass-directed isolation of the CH₂Cl₂/MeOH extract from the Australian marine sponge Ancorina sp. resulted in the purification of a new antimalarial β-carboline, (+)-7-bromotrypargine 1, along with the previously isolated natural product, 6-bromotryptamine 2. The structure of 1 is determined by extensive 1D/2D NMR and MS data analyses. Comparison of the chiro-optical data for 1 with literature values of related natural products is used to determine the absolute stereochemistry of (+)-7-bromotrypargine as 1R. Antimalarial activity data for 1 and 2 against a chloroquine-resistant (Dd2) and chloroquine-sensitive (3D7) Plasmodium falciparum strain are also provided.     

Discovery of benthol A and its challenging stereochemical assignment: opening up a new window for skeletal diversity of super-carbon-chain compounds

Super-carbon-chain compounds (SCCCs) are marine organic molecules featuring long polyol carbon chains with numerous stereocenters. Polyol–polyene compounds (PPCs) and ladder-frame polyethers (LFPs) are two major families. It is highly challenging to establish the absolute configurations of SCCCs. In this century, few new SCCC families have been reported. Benthol A, an aberrant SCCC, was obtained from a South China Sea benthic dinoflagellate that should belong to a new taxon. Its planar structure and absolute configuration, containing thirty-five carbon stereocenters, were unambiguously established by a combination of extensive NMR spectroscopic investigations, periodate degradation of the 1,2-diol groups, ozonolysis of the carbon–carbon double bonds, J-based configurational analysis, NOE interactions, modified Mosher''s MTPA ester method, and DFT-NMR ¹³C chemical-shift calculations aided by DP4+ statistical analysis. Benthol A displayed potent antimalarial activity against Plasmodium falciparum 3D7 parasites. This new molecule combines extraordinary structural features, particularly eight scattered ether rings on a C₇₂ backbone chain, which places it within a new SCCC family between PPCs and LFPs, herein termed polyol–polyether compounds. This suggestion was strongly supported by principal component analysis. The discovery of benthol A does not only provide new insights into the untapped biosynthetic potential of marine dinoflagellates, but also opens up a new window for skeletal diversity of SCCCs.

The discovery of benthol A, a marine natural product featuring thirty-five carbon stereocenters and eight scattered ether rings within a C₇₂ backbone chain, inaugurates a new family of super-carbon-chain compounds.     

Biosynthesis and antioxidant activity of 4NRC β-glycoside

This Letter describes glycosylation of 4-Nerolidylcatechol (4-NRC) the major secondary metabolite from Pothomorphe peltata and Pothomorphe umbellata showing remarkable antioxidant, antimalarial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-HIV activities. One step biosynthesis was catalyzed by Cunninghamella echinulata ATCC 9245 and the reaction was undertaken in PDSM medium at 27 °C, 200 rpm for 96 h. After purification by silica gel flash column chromatography the 4-NRC β-glycoside was identified by ultrahigh resolution mass spectrometry and ¹H NMR. The antioxidant activity was evaluated by differential pulse voltammetry.     

Amphezonol A, a novel polyhydroxyl metabolite from marine dinoflagellate Amphidinium sp.

Amphezonol A (1), a novel polyhydroxyl linear carbon-chain metabolite, has been isolated from the cultured marine dinoflagellate Amphidinium sp., which was isolated from an Okinawan marine acoel flatworm Amphiscolops sp. The structure of 1 was elucidated by detailed analyses of 2D NMR spectra. Amphezonol A (1) possesses one tetrahydrofuran ring, two tetrahydropyran rings, and twenty-one hydroxyl groups on C₆₀-linear aliphatic chain with one exo-methylene and one methyl branch. Amphezonol A (1) exhibited a modest inhibitory activity against DNA polymerase α.     

Structure-activity relationships of 4-N-substituted ferroquine analogues: Time to re-evaluate the mechanism of action of ferroquine

A series of five new alkyl 4-N-substituted analogues of ferroquine (FQ, SR97193) were designed, synthesized, and characterized. The antimalarial activity of the compounds was measured against twelve strains of Plasmodiumfalciparum. The compounds were more active than chloroquine (CQ) against all the CQ-resistant clones. For a better understanding of their mechanism of action, their physicochemical properties (lipophilicity and basicity) and their action on the inhibition of β-hematin formation were evaluated. The importance of the intramolecular hydrogen bond in neutral FQ in the antimalarial activity was probed, compared to the methyl analogue 1.Results of additional physicochemical measurements suggested new insights into the mechanism of action of FQ in sharp contrast with CQ. We complement here our understanding on the mechanism of action of FQ with the process of catalysis-mediated hemozoin formation at the interface between vacuolar content and membrane lipids.     

Simplexolides A–E and plakorfuran A,six butyrate derived polyketides from the marine sponge Plakortis simplex

Six new polyketides, simplexolides A–E (1–5) and a furan ester, plakorfuran A (6), together with four known furanylidenic methyl esters (7–10) were isolated from the marine sponge Plakortis simplex. Compounds 1–5 feature a tetrahydrofuran ring opened seco-plakortone skeleton. These new structures, including relative configurations, were determined on the basis of extensive analysis of spectroscopic data. The absolute configurations of 1–6 were established by the modified Mosher’s method, and the CD exciton chirality method. However, configurations of the remote stereocenters at C-8 in compounds 1–5 were not determined. Antifungal, cytotoxicity, antileismanial, and antimalarial activities of these polyketides were evaluated.     

An efficient synthesis for a new class antimalarial agent, 7-(2-carboxyethyl)-1,3-dihydro-1-hydroxy-2,1-benzoxaborole

Efficient synthesis is essential for antimalarial therapeutics. A four-step route has been established for the synthesis of 7-(2-carboxyethyl)-1,3-dihydro-1-hydroxy-2,1-benzoxaborole 1 that is a potent new class boron-containing antimalarial agent in preclinical development with IC₅₀ = 26 nM against the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum.     

5-Phenoxy Primaquine Analogs and the Tetraoxane Hybrid as Antimalarial Agents

The rapid emergence of drug resistance to the current antimalarial agents has led to the urgent need for the discovery of new and effective compounds. In this work, a series of 5-phenoxy primaquine analogs with 8-aminoquinoline core (7a–7h) was synthesized and investigated for their antimalarial activity against Plasmodium falciparum. Most analogs showed improved blood antimalarial activity compared to the original primaquine. To further explore a drug hybrid strategy, a conjugate compound between tetraoxane and the representative 5-phenoxy-primaquine analog 7a was synthesized. In our work, the hybrid compound 12 exhibited almost a 30-fold increase in the blood antimalarial activity (IC₅₀ = 0.38 ± 0.11 μM) compared to that of primaquine, with relatively low toxicity against mammalian cells (SI = 45.61). Furthermore, we found that these 5-phenoxy primaquine analogs and the hybrid exhibit significant heme polymerization inhibition, an activity similar to that of chloroquine, which could contribute to their improved antimalarial activity. The 5-phenoxy primaquine analogs and the tetraoxane hybrid could serve as promising candidates for the further development of antimalarial agents.     

Microwave assisted synthesis of an unusual dinitro phytochemical

A novel dinitro secondary metabolite, 2-nitro-4-(2^′-nitroethenyl)phenol from a marine source, has been prepared via highly accelerated, microwave assisted, nitration reactions using mild reagents. ipso-Substitution of a carboxy group by a nitro group is discussed.     

Zamamidine C, 3,4-dihydro-6-hydroxy-10,11-epoxymanzamine A, and 3,4-dihydromanzamine J N-oxide, new manzamine alkaloids from sponge Amphimedon sp.

New manzamine alkaloids, zamamidine C (1), 3,4-dihydro-6-hydroxy-10,11-epoxymanzamine A (2), and 3,4-dihydromanzamine J N-oxide (3), have been isolated from an Okinawan marine sponge Amphimedon species. The structures and stereochemistries of 1-3 were elucidated from the spectroscopic data and chemical derivatization. Zamamidine C (1) is a new manzamine alkaloid possessing a second β-carboline ring via an ethylene unit at N-2 of manzamine D, while 3,4-dihydro-6-hydroxy-10,11-epoxymanzamine A (2) is the first manzamine alkaloid possessing an epoxide ring at C-10 and C-11. Zamamidine C (1) showed significant antitrypanosomal activity against Trypanosoma brucei brucei, the parasite associated with sleeping sickness, and antimalarial activity against Plasmodium falciparum, the causative agent of malaria in vitro.     

Antimalarials and Phytotoxins from Botryosphaeria dothidea Identified from a Seed of Diseased Torreya taxifolia

The metabolic pathways in the apicoplast organelle of Plasmodium parasites are similar to those in plastids in plant cells and are suitable targets for malaria drug discovery. Some phytotoxins released by plant pathogenic fungi have been known to target metabolic pathways of the plastid; thus, they may also serve as potential antimalarial drug leads. An EtOAc extract of the broth of the endophyte Botryosphaeria dothidea isolated from a seed collected from a Torreya taxifolia plant with disease symptoms, showed in vitro antimalarial and phytotoxic activities. Bioactivity-guided fractionation of the extract afforded a mixture of two known isomeric phytotoxins, FRT-A and flavipucine (or their enantiomers, sapinopyridione and (-)-flavipucine), and two new unstable γ-lactam alkaloids dothilactaenes A and B. The isomeric mixture of phytotoxins displayed strong phytotoxicity against both a dicot and a monocot and moderate cytotoxicity against a panel of cell lines. Dothilactaene A showed no activity. Dothilactaene B was isolated from the active fraction, which showed moderate in vitro antiplasmodial activity with high selectivity index. In spite of this activity, its instability and various other biological activities shown by related compounds would preclude it from being a viable antimalarial lead.     

Synthesis of febrifuginol analogues and evaluation of their biological activities

A new series of febrifuginol analogues was prepared from l-glutamic acid. An antimalarial activity evaluation against chloroquine-sensitive (T96) and chloroquine-resistant (K1) Plasmodium falciparum indicated that all the tested compounds had very strong inhibitory activity. Compounds 4 and 17b′ were inactive against KB, MCF7, HepG2 and LU1 cell lines even at a concentration of 100 μM, while they exhibited significant inhibition towards P. falciparum. Comparison of the antimalarial activity and the cytotoxic properties revealed that the 2′S isomers were more active than the corresponding 2′R isomers for this series of febrifuginol analogues, indicating that the C-2′ position is critical for the biological activity of this class of compounds.     

Artesunate interaction with hemin

Artesunate is an important new antimalarial drug. The interaction of artesunate with hemin was investigated by electrochemical methods and UV spectroelectrochemistry (UV-SEC). Artesunate underwent an entirely irreversible reduction at ca. −1.27 V (vs. Ag/AgCl) on the glassy carbon electrode. Hemin can catalyze the decomposition of artesunate. In the presence of concentration of hemin as low as 2×10⁻⁸ M, the cathodic overpotential of artesunate was reduced ca. 680 mV (E_pc=−0.59 V vs. Ag/AgCl). UV-SEC experiments further confirm this process. UV spectra show that the decomposed products of artesunate have absorption behavior similar to artesunate. These results indicated that artesunate might undergo the identical antimalarial mechanism as its parent compound Qinghaosu, and hemin plays a catalyst role in the process of action of Qinghaosu-type antimalarial drugs.     

Easily synthesized antimalarial ferrocene triazacyclononane quinoline conjugates

Starting from triazacyclononane, easily accessible ferrocenic quinoline derivatives were synthesized. Their antiplasmodial properties were investigated against chloroquine sensitive (HB3) and chloroquine-resistant (Dd2) Plasmodium falciparum. One of them, 7-chloro-4-[4-(7-chloro-4-quinolyl)-7-ferrocenylmethyl-1,4,7- triazacyclononan-1-yl]quinoline (4) showed potent antimalarial activity in vitro against the chloroquine-resistant strain Dd2 and therefore revealed to be the most promising lead from the present work for new organometallic antimalarial agents.     

GC-MS Analysis of the 8-Aminoquinoline Antimalarial [NPC1161] and its Carboxy Metabolite in Plasma and Red Blood Cells of Primates

This study describes a novel and simple GC-MS procedure developed for the determination of the concentration of the 8-aminoquinoline antimalarial agent NPC1161 and its carboxy metabolite in plasma and red blood cells. Preliminary pharmacokinetic data were generated for the two enantiomers of NPC1161 in monkeys. NPC1161, the internal standard, and desalkyl metabolite were converted to their mono-heptafluorobutyrates, while the carboxy metabolite underwent an intramolecular cyclization to give a lactam product. The calibration curves were linear ranging from 10 to 2,000 ng mL⁻¹. The developed GC-MS method is sensitive and reproducible for measuring blood level of this antimalarial drug.     

Cymodienol and cymodiene: new cytotoxic diarylheptanoids from the sea grass Cymodocea nodosa

The two new diarylheptanoids, cymodienol (1), and cymodiene (2), obtained from specimens of the sea grass Cymodocea nodosa, collected from the coastal areas of central Greece, are the first members of this class isolated from marine organisms. The chemical structures of the two metabolites were assigned on the basis of their NMR and MS spectroscopic data, including information obtained by 1D- and 2D-NMR experiments. Metabolite 2 possesses an unprecedented skeleton that might be biosynthetically related to metabolite 1. Cymodienol (1) was found to exhibit significant cytotoxic activity against two lung cancer cell lines.     

In vivo Antimalarial Activity of Andrographis Paniculata Tablets

The formulation of three phytopharmaceutical products of Andrographispaniculata fractions (AP fraction A and B) containing diterpene lactones as an active substance were developed and their antimalarial activities against Plasmodium bergheihas been examined. In vivo antimalarial assay on P. berghei infected mice was carried out by oral administration,twice a dayfor four consecutive days of the AP fractions product, which were Tablet I: wet granulated formula of AP fraction A; Tablet II: wet granulated formula of AP fraction B; Tablet III: solid dispersion formula of AP fraction B.. The results revealed that three phytopharmaceutical products of A.paniculata were inhibited parasite's growth with inhibition range of 70.15% to 80.35%. There was no significant difference of antimalarial activities between Tablet II and III, meanwhile there was significant difference among Tablet I with Tablet II and Tablet III.It was concluded that antimalarial activity depending on raw material form of A. paniculata active substance.