Diketopiperazine Alkaloids Produced by the Endophytic Fungus Aspergillus fumigatus from the Stem of Erythrophloeum fordii Oliv.

Four new diketopiperazine alkaloids, rel‐(8R)‐9‐hydroxy‐8‐methoxy‐18‐epi‐fumitremorgin C ( 1 ), rel‐(8S)‐19,20‐dihydro‐9,20‐dihydroxy‐8‐methoxy‐9,18‐di‐epi‐fumitremorgin C ( 2 ), rel‐(8S,19S)‐19,20‐dihydro‐9,19,20‐trihydroxy‐8‐methoxy‐9‐epi‐fumitremorgin C ( 3 ), and (3S,8S,9S,18S)‐8,9‐dihydroxyspirotryprostatin A ( 4 ), together with the eight known compounds 5 – 12 , were isolated from the endophytic fungus Aspergillus fumigatus. The structures of the new compounds were determined by extensive spectroscopic methods including HR‐ESI‐MS, NMR, and CD experiments. Compound 12 showed weak inhibitory activity in vitro against the release of β‐glucuronidase in rat polymorphonuclear leukocytes induced by the platelet‐activating factor. None of the twelve compounds exhibited detectable cytotoxic activities toward five human tumor cell lines (HCT‐8, Bel‐7402, BGC‐823, A549, and A2780) in the MTT assay.     

New N‐Containing Sesquiterpenes from Hainan Marine Sponge Axinyssa sp.

Three new N‐containing sesquiterpenes, isofarnesyl formamide ( 2 ), 7‐formamido‐7,8‐dihydro‐α‐bisabolane ( 3 ), 4,5‐epi‐10‐isothiocyanatoisodauc‐6‐ene ( 4 ), and a known sesquiterpene, farnesyl formamide ( 1 ), were isolated from the Hainan marine sponge Axinyssa sp. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by detailed analyses of their spectroscopic data and by comparison of their NMR data with those of structurally related compounds.     

Flavonoids from the Resin of Dracaena cochinchinensis

Chemical investigation of the red herbal resin of Dracaena cochinchinensis resulted in the isolation of three new configurationally isomeric flavonoids: 6,4′‐dihydroxy‐7‐methoxy‐8‐methylflavane (=3,4‐dihydro‐2‐(4‐hydroxyphenyl)‐7‐methoxy‐8‐methyl‐2H‐[1]benzopyran‐6‐ol; 1 ), 5,4′‐dihydroxy‐7‐methoxy‐6‐methylflavane (=3,4‐dihydro‐2‐(4‐hydroxyphenyl)‐7‐methoxy‐6‐methyl‐2H‐[1]benzopyran‐5‐ol; 2 ), and 7,4′‐dihydroxy‐5‐ methoxyhomoisoflavane (=3,4‐dihydro‐3‐[(4‐hydroxyphenyl)methyl]‐5‐methoxy‐2H‐[1]benzopyran‐7‐ol; 3 ). Their structures were identified by means of detailed spectral analysis. In addition, thirteen known compounds were isolated from D. cochinchinensis: 7‐hydroxy‐4′‐methoxyflavane ( 4 ), 2,4,6‐trimethoxy‐4′‐hydroxydihydrochalcone ( 5 ), 2,4‐dimethoxy‐4′‐hydroxydihydrochalcone ( 6 ), 7,8‐(methylenedioxy)‐4′‐hydroxyhomoisoflavane ( 7 ), 4′,7‐dihydroxy‐8‐methylflavane ( 8 ), 2,6‐dimethoxy‐4,4′‐dihydroxydihydrochalcone ( 9 ), 2‐methoxy‐4,4′‐dihydroxydihydrochalcone ( 10 ), 7‐methoxy‐6,4′‐dihydroxyhomoisoflavane ( 11 ), 2‐methoxy‐4,4′‐dihydroxychalcone ( 12 ), 4′,7‐dihydroxyflavane ( 13 ), 7,4′‐dihydroxyhomoisoflavane ( 14 ), 7,4′‐dihydroxyhomoisoflavone ( 15 ), and 7,4′‐dihydroxyflavone ( 16 ). Compounds 7, 8, 9, 14 , and 15 have been isolated for the first time from this type of herbal source.     

Chemical Constituents from Cynoglossum gansuense

Two new alkaloids, i.e., (2,3‐dihydro‐1‐oxo‐1H‐pyrrolo[1,2‐a]pyrrol‐7‐yl)methyl (2S*,3S*)‐3‐[(β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl)oxy]‐2‐hydroxy‐2‐(1‐methylethyl)butanoate ( 1 ) and 1,2‐dihydro‐8‐methoxy‐2‐oxoquinoline‐4‐carboxylic acid ( 2 ), were isolated from the alcoholic extract of the whole plant of Cynoglossum gansuense, together with twelve known compounds Their structures were characterized by means of spectroscopic methods, especially by ¹H‐, ¹³C‐, and 2D‐NMR, as well as by HR‐MS experiments and comparison with literature data.     

An Efficient Four‐component Reaction for the Synthesis of Spiroheterocyclic Compounds

A series of 6‐amino‐8‐aryl‐3,4‐dihydro‐1H‐spiro[naphthalene‐2,2'‐[1,3] dioxolane]‐5,7‐dicarbonitrile and 8‐arylidene‐4‐aryl‐7,8‐dihydro‐5H‐spiro[quinazoline‐6,2'‐[1,3] dioxolan]‐2‐amine derivatives have been synthesized from the reactions of 1,4‐dioxaspiro[4.5] decan‐8‐one, aromatic aldehydes, and malononitrile (or guanidine carbonate) under different conditions with high yields. In this research, it was found the DBU–THF was efficient reaction condition for obtaining 6‐amino‐8‐aryl‐3,4‐dihydro‐1H‐spiro[naphthalene‐2,2'‐[1,3]dioxolane]‐5,7‐dicarbonitrile derivatives, while 95% EtOH and NaOH was the preferred condition for the synthesis of 8‐rylidene‐4‐aryl‐7,8‐dihydro‐5H‐spiro[quinazoline‐6,2'‐[1,3]dioxolan]‐2‐amine derivatives. To the best of our knowledge, these Spiroheterocycles were first reported in our research. The other advantages of this process were short‐reaction time, wide scope substrates, and simple set‐up.     

Alkaloids from the Bulbs of Lycoris aurea

Two new and ten known alkaloids have been isolated from the bulbs of Lycoris aurea (Amaryllidaceae). The two new compounds, lycosinine A (=[2‐(2,3‐dihydro‐1‐methyl‐1H‐indol‐7‐yl)‐4,5‐dimethoxyphenyl]methanol; 1 ) and lycosinine B (=2‐(2,3‐dihydro‐1‐methyl‐1H‐indol‐7‐yl)‐4,5‐dimethoxybenzaldehyde; 2 ), were fully characterized by spectroscopic methods. In addition, a plausible biogenesis of homolycorine from 1 and 2 is proposed (Scheme).     

Two New Alkaloids from the Aerial Part of Peganum nigellastrum

Two new alkaloids, pegamine β‐D ‐glucopyranoside ( 1 ) and 2‐deoxypeganylacetic acid ( 2 ), together with the novel 3,4‐dihydro‐4‐hydroxynaphthalene‐2‐carboxylic acid ( 3 ), were isolated from the aerial part of Peganum nigellastrum. The structures of these compounds were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analyses, including 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR, and ESI‐MS/MS.     

Two New C19‐Diterpenoid Alkaloids with Anti‐inflammatory Activity from Aconitum iochanicum

Two new C₁₉ ‐diterpenoid alkaloids, 7,8‐epoxy‐franchetine ( 1 ) and N(19)‐en‐austroconitine A ( 2 ), were isolated from Aconitum iochanicum . Compound 1 was a new C₁₉ ‐diterpenoid alkaloid with a 7,8‐epoxy unit. Their structures were elucidated by comprehensive spectroscopic analyses including UV , IR , MS , 1D and 2D NMR . Biological activity tests indicated that two new compounds exhibited inhibitory activity against nitric oxide (NO ) production in LPS ‐activated RAW264 .7 macrophages. Compared with positive control, the two new compounds showed weak anti‐inflammatory effects with the inhibition rate of 27.3% and 29.2%, respectively.     

Indoloquinazoline Alkaloids from Araliopsis tabouensis

Three new indoloquinazolidine‐type alkaloids, 8,13‐dihydro‐2‐methoxyindolo[2′,3′: 3,4]pyrido[2,1‐b]quinazolin‐5(7H)‐one ( 1 ), 8,13‐dihydro‐2‐methoxy‐13‐methylindolo[2′,3′: 3,4]pyrido[2,1‐b]quinazolin‐5(7H)‐one ( 2 ), and 5,8,13,14‐tetrahydro‐2‐methoxy‐14‐methyl‐5‐oxo‐7H‐indolo[2′,3′: 3,4]pyrido[2,1‐b]quinazolim‐6‐iun chloride ( 3 ) were isolated from Araliopsis tabouensis, together with three known compounds. The structures of the new compounds were determined primarily from 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR analysis. The antimalarial activities of compounds 1 – 5 were evaluated against Plasmodium falciparum D6 and W2 clones. The IC₅₀ values in antimalarial bioassay for compounds 2 – 5 varied from 1.8 to 4.7 μg/ml.     

Three New Indole Alkaloids from the Leaves of Alstonia scholaris

Three new akuamillan‐type indole alkaloids, i.e., 5‐methoxystrictamine (=methyl (5β,16R,19E)‐5‐methoxyakuammilan‐17‐oate; 1 ), methyl (16R,19E)‐1,2‐dihydro‐16‐(hydroxymethyl)‐5‐oxoakuammilan‐17‐oate ( 2 ), and methyl (2β,16R,19E)‐4,5‐didehydro‐1,2‐dihydro‐2‐hydroxy‐16‐(hydroxymethyl)akuammilan‐4‐ium‐17‐oate chloride ( 3 ), have been isolated from the leaves of Alstonia scholaris, together with ten known compounds. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic means. None of the constituents showed significant cytotoxic activity towards WT cells.     

Stability of 7,8‐Dihydropterins in Air‐Equilibrated Aqueous Solutions

6‐Substituted 7,8‐dihydropterins (=2‐amino‐7,8‐dihydropteridin‐4(1H)‐ones) are heterocyclic compounds that occur in a wide range of living systems and participate in relevant biological functions. In air‐equilibrated aqueous solutions, these compounds react with dissolved O₂ (autooxidation). The rates of these reactions as well as the products formed strongly depend on the chemical structure of the substituents. 7,8‐Dihydro‐6‐methylpterin and 7,8‐dihydro‐6,7‐dimethylpterin that bear electron‐donor groups as substituents are the most reactive derivatives and undergo oxidation of the pterin moiety to yield the corresponding oxidized derivatives (6‐methylpterin and 6,7‐dimethylpterin, resp.). The oxidations of 7,8‐dihydrobiopterin, 7,8‐dihydroneopterin, and 7,8‐dihydrofolic acid are slower, and they yield 7,8‐dihydroxanthopterin as the main product. 7,8‐Dihydroxanthopterin, 6‐formyl‐7,8‐dihydropterin, and sepiapterin are rather stable, and their consumption in air‐equilibrated solutions is negligible for several days. The pseudo‐first‐order rate constants of the reactions between these compounds and O₂ at 25° and 40° are reported. The biological implications of the results obtained are also discussed.     

New Phenylphenalene Derivatives from Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes)

Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) is a cause of great concern in terms of environmental and agricultural impacts in many parts of the world. Phytochemical investigation of water hyacinth led to the isolation of six new phenylphenalenes, 2,3‐dihydro‐3,9‐dihydroxy‐5‐methoxy‐4‐phenyl‐1H‐phenalen‐1‐one ( 1 ), 2,3‐dihydro‐8‐methoxy‐9‐phenyl‐1H‐phenalene‐1,4‐diol ( 2 ), 2,3‐dihydro‐4,8‐dimethoxy‐9‐phenyl‐1H‐phenalen‐1‐ol ( 3 ), 2,3‐dihydro‐9‐(4‐hydroxyphenyl)‐8‐methoxy‐1H‐phenalene‐1,4‐diol ( 4 ), 2,6‐dimethoxy‐9‐phenyl‐1H‐phenalen‐1‐one ( 5 ), and 7‐(4‐hydroxyphenyl)‐5,6‐dimethoxy‐1H‐phenalen‐1‐one ( 6 ), together with the four known compounds 7 – 10 . Their structures were elucidated by spectrometric methods including 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR, and MS analysis. These compounds may be involved in allelopathic interactions of water hyacinth with neighboring plants.     

Rubriflorin A and B,Two Novel Partially Saturated Dibenzocyclooctene Lignans from Schisandra rubriflora

From the stems of Schisandra rubriflora, two novel partially saturated dibenzocyclooctene lignans, named rubriflorin A ( 1 ) and B ( 6 ), as well as the seven known partially saturated dibenzocyclooctene lignans kadsumarin A ( 2 ), kadsurin ( 3 ), heteroclitin B ( 4 ), heteroclitin C ( 5 ), heteroclitin D ( 7 ), interiorin ( 8 ), and interiorin B ( 9 ) were isolated. The structures of the new compounds 1 and 6 were established on the basis of spectral analysis as (5R,6S,7R,8R,13aS)‐8‐(acetyloxy)‐5,6,7,8‐tetrahydro‐1,2,3,13‐tetramethoxy‐6,7‐dimethylbenz([3,4]cycloocta[1,2‐f][1,3]benzodioxol‐5‐yl (2Z)‐2‐methylbut‐2‐enoate and (6R,7R,12aS)‐7,8‐dihydro‐12‐hydroxy‐1,2,3,10,11‐pentamethoxy‐6,7‐dimethyl‐6H‐dibenzo[a,c]cycloocten‐5‐one, respectively.     

Two New Indole Alkaloids from Tabernaemontana hystrix Steud. (Apocynaceae)

Two new monoterpene indole alkaloids named ibogamine‐7,8‐dione ( 1 ) and 12‐methoxyvoachalotine ( 2 ), and eight known ones, coronaridine ( 3 ), coronaridine hydroxyindolenine ( 4 ), 5‐oxocoronaridine ( 5 ), 3‐oxocoronaridine hydroxyindolenine ( 6 ), 3‐oxocoronaridine ( 7 ), vobasine ( 8 ), ibogamine ( 9 ), and olivacine ( 10 ), were isolated from a CH₂Cl₂ extract of the root bark from Tabernaemontana hystrix. The structures of the compounds were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic data analyses, mainly ¹H‐ and ¹³C‐NMR, including 2D experiments (¹H,¹H‐COSY, HMBC, and HMQC).     

Flavonoid Aglycones and Indole Alkaloids from the Roots of Acacia Confusa

From the methanolic extract of the roots of Acacia confusa Merr. (Leguminosae), (‐)‐2,3‐cis‐3,4‐cis‐4′‐methoxy‐3,3′,4,7,8‐pentahydroxyflavan ( 1 ), (‐)‐2,3‐cis‐3,4‐cis‐3,3′,4,4′,7,8‐hexahydroxyflavan ( 2 ), (‐)‐2,3‐trans‐3′,4′,7,8‐tetrahydroxydihydroflavonol ( 3 ), (+)‐catechin ( 4 ), (‐)‐epicatechin ( 5 ), 3′,4′,7,8‐tetrahydroxyflavonol ( 6 ) together with N‐methyltryptamine ( 7 ) and N,N‐dimethyltryptamine ( 8 ) were isolated, and their structures were established by analysis of their spectroscopic data. Among them, compound 1 was a new flavonoid. Additionally, the results of chromatographic bioassay on lettuce seeds indicated that compounds 7 and 8 exhibited significant phytotoxicity at a concentration lower than 14 mM.     

Two New Flavanols from Glycosmis pentaphylla and Their Cytotoxic Activities

Two new flavanols, (8S,9R)‐9,10‐dihydro‐5,9‐dihydroxy‐8‐(3,4,5‐trimethoxyphenyl)‐2H,8H‐benzo[1,2‐b:3,4‐b′]dipyran‐2‐one ( 1 ) and (2S,3R)‐3,4‐dihydro‐3,5‐dihydroxy‐2‐(3,4,5‐trimethoxyphenyl)‐2H,8H‐benzo[1,2‐b:3,4‐b′]dipyran‐8‐one ( 2 ), were isolated from the stems of Glycosmis pentaphylla. The structures of these compounds were determined by extensive spectroscopic (UV, IR, HR‐ESI‐MS, 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR) analyses. The cytotoxic activities of these compounds were evaluated using the MTT method. The results showed that compounds 1 and 2 exhibited considerable cytotoxic activities against HL‐60 and A549 cell lines.     

Damage to Isolated DNA Mediated by Singlet Oxygen

In the present work, we study the reaction of singlet oxygen (¹O₂) with isolated DNA. Emphasis is placed on the identification and quantitative measurement of the DNA modifications that are produced by the reaction of ¹O₂ with DNA. For this purpose, calf‐thymus DNA was incubated with the endoperoxide of N,N′‐di(2,3‐dihydroxypropyl)‐1,4‐naphthalenedipropanamide, a chemical generator of ¹O₂. Thereafter, DNA was digested, and the resulting oxidized nucleosides were measured by means of a recently optimized high‐performance‐liquid‐chromatography tandem‐mass‐spectrometry assay. It was found that, among the different DNA lesions observed, 7,8‐dihydro‐8‐oxo‐2′‐deoxyguanosine is the major ¹O₂‐mediated DNA‐damage product. Interestingly, cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers, oxidized pyrimidine bases, 7,8‐dihydro‐8‐oxo‐2′‐deoxyadenosine, and 2,6‐diamino‐5‐formamido‐4‐hydroxypyrimidine are not formed, at least not in detectable amounts, following treatment of DNA with the ¹O₂ generator. The reported results strongly suggest that the decomposition of the endoperoxide provides a pure source of ¹O₂, and that reaction of ¹O₂ with isolated DNA induces the specific formation of 7,8‐dihydro‐8‐oxo‐2′‐deoxyguanosine.     

New Methods for the Synthesis of 3‐Amino‐6,7‐Dihydro‐5H‐Cyclopenta[c]Pyridine‐4‐Carbonitriles and Cyclopenta[d]Pyrazolo[3,4‐b]Pyridines via a Smiles‐type Rearrangement

By reaction with sodium ethoxide and as a function of their structures, 2‐[(1‐alkyl(aryl)‐4‐cyano‐6,7‐dihydro‐5H‐cyclopenta[c ]pyridin‐3‐yl)oxy]acetamides 11 gave 1‐amino‐5‐alkyl(aryl)‐7,8‐dihydro‐6H‐cyclopenta[d ]furo[2,3‐b ]pyridine‐2‐carboxamides 10 and/or 1‐alkyl(aryl)‐3‐amino‐6,7‐dihydro‐5H‐cyclopenta[c ]pyridine‐4‐carbonitriles 12 .     

Synthesis of New Derivatives of 4‐(4,7,7‐Trimethyl‐7,8‐dihydro‐6H‐benzo[b]pyrimido[5,4‐e][1,4]thiazin‐2‐yl)morpholine

Cyclocondensation of 5‐amino‐6‐methyl‐2‐morpholinopyrimidine‐4‐thiol ( 1 ) and 2‐bromo‐5,5‐dimethylcyclohexane‐1,3‐dione ( 2 ) under mild reaction condition afforded 4,7,7‐trimethyl‐2‐morpholino‐7,8‐dihydro‐5H‐benzo[b ]pyrimido[5,4‐e ][1,4]thiazin‐9(6H )‐one ( 3 ). The ¹H and ¹³C NMR data of compound ( 3 ) are demonstrated that this compound exists primarily in the enamino ketone form. Reaction of compound ( 3 ) with phosphorous oxychloride gave 4‐(9‐chloro‐4,7,7‐trimethyl‐7,8‐dihydro‐6H‐benzo[b ]pyrimido[5,4‐e ][1,4]thiazin‐2‐yl)morpholine ( 4 ). Nucleophilic substitution of chlorine atom of compound ( 4 ) with typical secondary amines in DMF and K₂CO₃ furnished the new substituted derivatives of 4‐(4,7,7‐trimethyl‐7,8‐dihydro‐6H‐benzo[b ]pyrimido[5,4‐e ][1,4]thiazin‐2‐yl)morpholine ( 5a , 5b , 5c , 5d , 5e , 5f , 5g , 5h ). All the synthesized products were characterized and confirmed by their spectroscopic and microanalytical data.     

Asymmetric α‐Hydroxylation of a Lactone with Vinylogous Pyridone by Using a Guanidine–Urea Bifunctional Organocatalyst: Catalytic Enantioselective Synthesis of a Key Intermediate for (20S)‐Camptothecin Analogues

We have developed a catalytic asymmetric synthesis of (S)‐4‐ethyl‐6,6‐(ethylenedioxy)‐7,8‐dihydro‐4‐hydroxy‐1H‐pyrano[3,4‐f]indolizine‐3,10(4H)dione ( 5 a ), a synthetic intermediate for (20S)‐camptothecin analogues. A key step in this synthesis is an asymmetric α‐hydroxylation of a lactone with a vinylogous pyridone structure ( 8 a ) by using a guanidine–urea bifunctional organocatalyst. The present oxidation was successfully applied to the synthesis of C20‐modified derivatives of (+)‐C20‐desethylbenzylcamptothecin ( 13 ).