Biotransformation of isoflavones by the larvae of the common cutworm (Spodoptera litura)

Biotransformation of the 5,7,4'-trimethoxyisoflavone (1), 6,7,4'-trimethoxyisoflavone (2), and 7,4'-dimethoxyisoflavone (3) by insects, Spodoptera litura was investigated. Compound 1 was transformed to 5-hydroxy-7,4'-dimethoxyisoflavone (4), 7-hydroxy-5,4'-dimethoxyisoflavone (5) and 4'-hydroxy-5,7-dimethoxyisoflavone (6) by S. litura. Compounds 2 and 3 were hardly metabolized by S. litura. This suggested that compound 1 was converted to compounds 4, 5 and 6 by demethylation at the C-5, C-7 and C-4' position, respectively.     

Flavonoids and other compounds from Ouratea ferruginea (Ochnaceae) as anticancer and chemopreventive agents

The chemical study of the extracts from leaves and stems of Ouratea ferruginea allowed the identification of a new isoflavone, 5-hydroxy-7,3'4'5'-tetramethoxyisoflavone, and twenty two known compounds, including friedelin, 3β-friedelinol, lupeone, a mixture of sitosterol, stigmasterol and campesterol, sitosteryl- and stigmasteryl-3-O-b-D-glucopyranosides, 5,4'-dihydroxy-7,5',3'-trimethoxyisoflavone, 5,4'-dihydroxy-7,3'-di-methoxyisoflavone (7,3'-di-O-methylorobol), 5,7,4'-trihydroxy-3',5'-dimethoxyisoflavone (piscigenin), 2R,3R-epicatechin, syringic acid, 2,6-dimethoxybenzoquinone, 2,6-dimethoxyhydroquinone, syringic and ferulic aldehyde, a mixture of vanillic acid, 1-hydroxy-2-methoxy-4-(1E-3-hydroxy-1-propenyl)-benzene and 3,5-dimethoxy-4-hydroxy-dihydrocinamaldehyde, besides amenthoflavone and 7-O-methylamenthoflavone (sequoiaflavone) which are considered as chemotaxonomic markers of Ouratea. The structures were identified by IR, (1)H- and (13)C-NMR and GC-MS, HPLC-MS, besides comparison with literature data. The inhibitory effects of 5,4'-dihydroxy-7,5',3'-trimethoxyisoflavone, 7,3'-di-O-methylorobol, piscigenin and 7-O-methylamenthoflavone on cytochrome P450-dependent 7-ethoxycoumarin O-deethylase (ECOD) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) were evaluated in vitro. The 5,4'-dihydroxy-7,5',3'-trimethoxy-isoflavone was the best inhibitor, inhibiting almost 75% of GST activity. Sequoiaflavone was the most potent inhibitor, inhibiting ECOD assay in 75%. These activities allow us to consider both these flavonoids as potential anticancer and chemopreventive agents.     

Flavonoids from Andrographis viscosula

Phytochemical investigation of the whole plant of Andrographis viscosula has led to the isolation of three new 2'-oxygenated flavonoids, (2R)-5-hydroxy-7,2',3'-trimethoxyflavanone (1), 7,2',5'-trimethoxyflavone (2), 5,7,2',3'-tetramethoxyflavone (3), and eight known flavones, 5,7,2'-trimethoxyflavone (4), 5,7,2',4',5'-pentamethoxyflavone (5), echioidinin (6), 5,2',6'-trihydroxy-7-methoxyflavone (7), 5-hydroxy-7,2'-dimethoxyflavone (8), echioidin (9), echioidinin 5-O-glucoside (10), and 5,2',6'-trihydroxy-7-methoxyflavone 2'-O-glucoside (11). The structures of 1-11 were elucidated by physical and spectral methods, including extensive 2D NMR studies. The presence of 2'-oxygenated flavonoids is apparently restricted to Andrographis species in Acanthaceae. Therefore, 2'-oxygenated flavonoids are regarded as chemotaxonomic markers of Andrographis genus in the Acanthaceae family.     

Antiangiogenic polyketides from Peperomia dindygulensis Miq

Two new polyketides: 2Z-(heptadec-12-enyl)-4-hydroxy-3,4,7,8-tetrahydro-2H-chromen-5(6H)-one (1) and 2-(heptadec-12-enyl)-5-hydroxy-5,6,7,8-tetrahydrochromen- 4-one (2), together with eleven known compounds: 4-hydroxy-2-[(3,4-methylenedioxy- phenyl)tridecanoyl] cyclohexane-1,3-dione (3), oleiferinone (4), 4-hydroxy-2-[(3,4- methylenedioxyphenyl)undecanoyl]cyclohexane-1,3-dione (5), 4-hydroxy-2-[(11-phenyl- undecanoyl)cyclohexane-1,3-dione (6), proctorione C (7), surinone C (8), 5-hydroxy- 7,8,4'-trimethoxyflavone (9), 5-hydroxy-7,8,3',4'-tetramethoxyflavone (10), 5-hydroxy- 7,3',4'-trimethoxyflavone (11), 5,8-dihydroxy-7,3',4'-trimethoxyflavone (12) and cepharanone B (13) were isolated from the whole plant of Peperomia dindygulensis Miq. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, including 2D-NMR techniques. Compounds 2, 3, 5 and 8 inhibited human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) proliferation and compounds 5 and 8 sharply suppressed HUVEC tube formation.     

A new homostilbene and two new homoisoflavones from the bulbs of Scilla scilloides

A new homostilbene, named scillabene A (2), and two new homoisoflavones, named scillavones A (3) and B (4), were isolated from the bulbs of Scilla scilloides DRUCE (Liliaceae) along with 13 known compounds comprising a homostilbene, seven homoisoflavones, a xanthone, a lignan, and three nortriterpenes. The structures of 2-4 were characterized as 3,5,4'-trihydroxy-3'-methoxy-4-methyl-trans-stilbene, (3R)-5,7,2'-trihydroxy-3',4'-dimethoxyspiro{2H-1-benzopyran-7'-bicyclo[4,2,0]octa[1,3,5]-trien}-4-one and (3S)-3-(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)-5-hydroxy-6,7-dimethoxychroman-4-one, respectively, on the basis of spectroscopic data and X-ray crystallographic analysis.     

Studies on the constituents of Scutellaria species (XXII). Constituents of the roots of Scutellaria amabilis HARA

From the roots of Scutellaria amabilis HARA, eleven new flavonoids, 5,7,2'-trihydroxy-8-methoxyflavone 7-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside, 5,7,2'-trihydroxy-8-methoxyflavone 2'-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside, 5,7-dihydroxy-8,2'-dimethoxyflavone 7-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside, 5,7,2'-trihydroxyflavone 2'-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside, 5,7,2',5'-tetrahydroxyflavone 7-O-beta-D-glucuronopyranoside, (2S)-5,7,2',5'-tetrahydroxyflavanone, (2S)-5,7,2',5'-tetrahydroxyflavanone 7-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside, (2S)-5,7,2',5'-tetrahydroxyflavanone 7-O-beta-D-glucuronopyranoside, (2S)-7,2'-dihydroxy-5-methoxyflavanone 7-O-beta-D-glucuronopyranoside, (I-2S)-I-5,II-5,I-7,II-7,I-2',II-2',II-5'-heptahydroxy-[I-6,II-6']-flavanonylflavone and (I-2S)-I-5,II-5,I-7,II-7,I-2',II-2',I-5',II-5'-octahydroxy-[I-6,II-6']-flavanonylflavone, were isolated, together with ten known flavonoids, wogonin (5,7-dihydroxy-8-methoxyflavone), 5,7-dihydroxy-8,2'-dimethoxyflavone, (2S)-5,7,2'-trihydroxyflavanone, scutevulin (5,7,2'-trihydroxy-8-methoxyflavone), 5,7,4'-trihydroxy-8-methoxyflavone, alpinetin ((2S)-7-hydroxy-5-methoxyflavanone), 5,7,2'-trihydroxyflavone, 5,7,2',5'-tetrahydroxyflavone, (2S)-7,2'-dihydroxy-5-methoxyflavanone and 5,7-dihydroxy-8,2'-dimethoxyflavone 7-O-beta-D-glucuronopyranoside. The structures were determined on the basis of chemical and spectral data.     

O-demethylation and sulfation of 7-methoxylated flavanones by Cunninghamella elegans

Metabolism of 7-O-methylnaringenin (sakuranetin) by Cunninghamella elegans NRRL 1392 yielded naringenin and naringenin-4'-sulfate. C. elegans also converted 5, 3', 4'-trihydroxy-7-methoxyflavanone into eriodictyol-4'-sulfate. Furthermore, incubation of 5, 4'-dihydroxy-7, 3'-dimethoxyflavanone with the same fungus gave homoeriodictyol (5, 7, 4'-trihydroxy-3'-methoxyflavanone) and homoeriodicytol-7-sulfate. The structures of the new metabolites were established by spectral analysis including 2D-NMR, HR-ESI-FT-MS beside hydrolysis by acid.     

Studies on the constituents of bulbs of the orchid <Emphasis Type="Italic">Prosthechea michuacana</Emphasis> and antioxidant activity

Bioassay-guided fractionation of the chloroform extract of bulbs of the orchid P. michuacana was used to determine the chemical identity of bioactive constituents. The use of DPPH assay led to the isolation of two new lanostane triterpenoids 3a-acetoxy, 24-hydroxy-24-methyl-5a-lanosta-9(11),25-diene (1) and 3a-acetoxy, 24-hydroxy-24-methyl-5a-lanosta-9(11)ene (2), a new stilbene a-a'-dihydro,3',5',2-trimethoxy-3-hydroxy4-acetyl-4'-isopentenylstilbene (3), the phenanthrene 4,6,7-trihydroxy-2-methoxy-8-(methylbut-2enyl)phenanthrene-1,1'-4',6',7'-trihydroxy-2'-methoxy-8'-(methylbut-2'-enyl)phenanthrene (4), one new abietane-type diterpene 12-hydroxy-3{,7{,18a-triacetoxy-8,11,13-abietatriene (5), together with gigantol (6), a known compound. The compounds were identified by spectral analysis and comparison with spectroscopic data reported in the literature. Compounds 3, 4, 5, and 6 showed DPPH and ABTS radical-scavenging and anti-lipid peroxidation activities, but none of the isolated triterpenes showed promising antioxidant activity.     

Daphwazirin, biscoumarin glycopyranoside from Daphne oleoides

Daphwazirin, a new biscoumarin glycoside (1), along with four known compounds (2), (3), (4) and (5) has been isolated from the roots of Daphne oleoides. Its chemical structure is established as 7-hydroxy-8-[2-oxo-2H-1-benzopyran-7'-(O-alpha-L-rhamnosyl)-6'-yl]-2H-1-benzopyran-2-one through spectroscopic techniques and chemical analysis.     

A new benzofuranic acid from the leaves of Rhus alata

From leaves of Rhus alata, one new benzofuranic acid named [(2E)-3-(4-hydroxy-5,7-dimethyl- benzo[3,4-b] furan-6-yloxy)-prop-2-enoic acid has been isolated together with eight known compounds: dimethyl ester of terephthalic acid, beta-amyrin, friedelin, lupeol, beta-sitosterol, oleanolic acid, taraxerone and ethyl gallate. Structural elucidations were done on the basis of chemical and physical data (IR, UV, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR and MS spectra).     

Four new isoflavonoids from the stem bark of Erythrina variegata

Bioassay-directed fractionation of the stem bark extract of Erythrina variegata L. has resulted in the isolation of three new isoflavones: 5,4'-dihydroxy-8-(3,3-dimethylallyl)-2'-methoxyisopropylfurano[4,5:6,7]isoflavone (1), 5,7,4'-trihydroxy-6-(3,3-dimethylallyloxiranylmethyl)isoflavone (2), 5,4'-dihydroxy-8-(3,3-dimethylallyl)-2'-hydroxymethyl-2'-methylpyrano[5,6:6,7]isoflavone (3) and a new isoflavanone, 5,4'-dihydroxy-2'-methoxy-8-(3,3-dimethylallyl)-2',2'-dimethylpyrano[5,6:6,7]isoflavanone (4) together with seven known compounds, euchrenone b10 (5), isoerysenegalensein E (6), wighteone (7), laburnetin (8), lupiwighteone (9), erythrodiol (10), and oleanolic acid (11). The structures were determined on the basis of spectroscopic analyses and chemical evidence. The effect of these compounds on the proliferation of rat osteogenic sarcoma (UMR106) is also reported.     

New isoflavones and flavanol from Iris potaninii

Two new isoflavones, 6, 3', 4'-trimethoxy-7, 8, 5'-trihydroxyisoflavone (1), 7, 4'-dimethoxy-8, 3', 5'-trihydroxy-6-O-beta-D-glucopyranosylisoflavone (2), and 5, 3, 3'-trihydroxy-7, 4'-dimethoxyflavanone (3) have been isolated from the underground parts of Iris potaninii along with known isoflavones (4-8) and iriflophenone (9). The structures of the new compounds were determined using NMR and mass spectroscopic methods.     

Application of complexation high-speed counter-current chromatography in the separation of 5-hydroxyisoflavone isomers from Belamcanda chinensis (L.) DC

A novel separation technique of complexation high-speed counter-current chromatography (HSCCC) using copper ion as a complexation agent was first developed to isolate 5-hydroxyisoflavone isomers from Belamcanda chinensis (L.) DC. According to the partition coefficient and separation factor, the two-phase solvent system composed of light petroleum-ethyl acetate-methanol-water (3:5:3:5, v/v) and copper nitrate (0.10mol/L in the lower phase) was selected. 9.2mg isoirigenin (1), 46.4mg irigenin (2) and 1.2mg 5,7,4'-trihydroxy-6,3',5'-trimethoxyisoflavone (3) were simultaneously purified from 100mg crude extract by HSCCC with the purity of 95.06%, 96.98% and 93.69%, respectively. As evidenced by the results of UV-Vis spectroscopy, the stoichiometries of the copper ion with the three 5-hydroxyisoflavones were all 1:1 and their chelating power was 3>2>1. Those explained the complexation HSCCC behavior. It is the first report that includes the practical application of complexation HSCCC and explanation of its chromatographic behavior.     

New butenolides in plantlets of Virola surinamensis (Myristicaceae)

A phytochemical investigation in plantlets of the Brazilian medicinal tree Virola surinamensis resulted in the isolation and structural determination of four new compounds: 3-hydroxy-4-methyl-2-(11'-piperonyl-n-undecyl)-butenolide; 3-hydroxy-4-methyl-2-(7'-piperonyl-n-heptyl)-butanolide; 9'-(3,4-methylenedioxy-phenyl)-nonanoic acid and 13'-(3,4-methylene-dioxyphenyl)-tridecanoic acid. Thirteen compounds previously isolated from seeds and adult plants were also reported.     

Probing the interaction of kojic acid antibiotics with iron(III) chloride by using electrospray tandem mass spectrometry

Kojic acid, 5-hydroxy-2-(hydroxymethyl)-4H-pyran-4-one, has been used extensively as a clinical iron-chelating drug although the nature of the complexes of iron and kojic acid has not been established. In this article we demonstrate the complexation of kojic acid with iron(III) chloride by using electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). The ESI-MS analysis revealed different reactions between iron(III) chloride and kojic acid (M), and the mass spectrum exhibited four complexes: [Fe+2(M-H)]+, [Fe+3(M-H)+H]+, [Fe2+4(M-H)+Cl]+, and [Fe2+5(M-H)]+. All these proposed complexes and the presence of chloride ion in one of the dinuclear complexes have been confirmed by isotopic patterns and fragmentation studies by means of tandem mass spectrometry (MSn).     

Synthesis of C-C-bridged bis-isoflavones

Unique C-C-bridged bis-isoflavones 5, 8, and 9 were obtained by reaction of 2-bromomethyl-7,4'-dimethoxyisoflavone 4 with ethyl cyanoacetate anion or tetraethylammonium cyanide or by Pd-catalyzed ethoxycarbonylation, respectively. The phenolic carboxylic acid 7 is available from 5 in two steps.     

Protogenkwanin 4′-glucoside,a new type of natural flavonoid with a non aromatic B-ring

From fertile sprouts of $\text{Equisetum arvense}$ L. (Equisetaceae) a flavonoid has been isolated and called protogenkwanin 4′-glucoside (2-(4-β-D-glucosyloxy-1-hydroxy-2,5-cyclohexadienyl)-5-hydroxy-7-methoxy chromone). Its structure has been established on the basis of chemical and spectroscopical evidences.     

A new isoflavone glycoside from Ceiba pentandra (L.) Gaertner

From the 80% EtOH extract of the bark of Ceiba pentandra (L.) Gaertner, a new isoflavone glycoside was isolated along with known isoflavones, vavain and vavain glucoside. The structure was elucidated by spectroscopic analysis as 5-hydroxy-7,4',5'-trimethoxyisoflavone 3'-O-alpha-L-arabinofuranosyl(1-->6)-beta-D-glucopyranoside.     

Structure of new carotenoids with a 3,4-dihydroxy-beta-end group from the oyster Crassostrea gigas

Three new carotenoids with a 3,4-dihydroxy-beta-end group were isolated from the oyster Crassostrea gigas. These structures were determined to be 3,4,3',8'-tetrahydroxy-beta,kappa-caroten-6'-one (1), 3,4-dihydroxy-3',6'-epoxy-1',2',5',6'7',8'-hexahydro-6'-methyl-16'-nor-beta,-carotene-1',8'-dione (2), and 3,6-epoxy-5,3',4'-trihydroxy-12',13',20'-trinor-beta,beta-caroten-19,11-olide (3) based on chemical and spectral data.     

Studies on oxine and its derivatives : The sensitivity and selectivity of some 7-substituted 8-hydroxyquinoline-5-sulphonic acids and some 2-substituted 8-hydroxyquinoline-4-carboxylic acids towards certain metals

A number of new derivatives of 8-hydroxyquinoline containing both solubilising groups and groups which might sterically hinder chelation have been prepared, viz. 8-hydroxy-7-morpholino-methylquinoline-5-sulphonic acid, 8-hydroxy-7-piperidinomethylquinoline-5-sulphonic acid, 8-hydroxy-2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-quinoline-4-carboxylic acid, 8-hydroxy-2-n-hexylquinoline-4-carboxylic acid and 8-hydroxy-2-(i-ethylpropyl)-quinoline-4-carboxylic acid. The limiting sensitivities of the reactions of these reagents towards copper, nickel, aluminium, zinc, magnesium, gallium, indium, thallium, yttrium, cadmium, cobalt and iron have been investigated