Abiesanol A, a novel biflavanol with unique six connective hexacyclic rings isolated from Abies georgei

A novel biflavanol with unique six connective hexacyclic rings, abiesanol A (1), was isolated from the aerial parts of Abies georgei together with four known flavanols. The structure of new compound was elucidated mainly by the analysis of 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic data. In addition, single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis was adopted to confirm the structure of abiesanol A (1). In biological assay for inhibitory activities against LPS-induced nitric oxide (NO) production in RAW264.7 macrophages, abiesanol A (1) showed potent effects at 50 μg/mL with the inhibition rate of 43.0%. Under the same concentration, abiesanol A (1) did not show any cytotoxicity against RAW264.7 macrophages.     

Sphenalactones A-D, a new class of highly oxygenated trinortriterpenoids from Schisandra sphenanthera

Four novel highly oxygenated trinortriterpenoids, sphenalactones A-D (1-4), were isolated from the leaves and stems of Schisandra sphenanthera and their structures were elucidated by extensive analysis of 1D and 2D NMR data. Compounds 1-4 featured a C₂₇ backbone and showed anti-HIV-1 activity with EC₅₀ values in the range of 35.5-89.1 μg/mL with low cytotoxicity against C8166 cells (CC₅₀ > 200 μg/mL).     

An anti-herpes simplex virus-type 1 agent from Xylaria mellisii (BCC 1005)

A structurally unique polyketide, mellisol (1) and 1,8-dihydroxynaphthol 1-O-α-glucopyranoside (3), were isolated from the fungus Xylaria mellisii (BCC 1005). The relative stereostructure of 1 was determined on the basis of X-ray crystallographic data. Compounds 1 and 3 exhibited activity against herpes simplex virus-type 1 with IC₅₀ values of 10.50 and 8.40 μg/mL, respectively. They also showed cytotoxic activity against vero cells at the concentration of 40-50 μg/mL.     

Two unprecedented cembrene-type terpenes from an indonesian soft coral sarcophyton sp.

Two unusual cembranoids, sarcofuranocembrenolides A (1) and B (2), were isolated from a soft coral Sarcophyton sp. together with five known cembranoids (3-7). Compound 1 had a unique carbon skeleton of 8,19-bisnorfuranocembrenolide. Compound 2 was a furanocembrenolide, but a C₁ unit (C-20) was attached to C-10 instead of C-12 of the ordinary cembrenolides. These rearrangements are unique in the biosynthesis of cembranoid diterpenes. Lobohedleolide (5), (7Z)-lobohedleolide (6), and denticulatolide (7) inhibited the colony formation of V79 cells at ED₅₀ values of 4.6 (abt. 1.52), 3.7 (1.22), and 3.6 (1.40) μM (μg/mL), respectively, and reduced TNF-α production from LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells at 3.0-10.0 μM.     

Modiolin and phthalide derivatives from the endophytic fungus Microsphaeropsis arundinis PSU-G18

One new modiolin, microsphaerodiolin (1), and seven new phthalides, microsphaerophthalides A-G (2-8), together with 12 known compounds were isolated from the endophytic fungus Microsphaeropsis arundinis PSU-G18. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods. The new 3-oxygenated phthalides are rare natural products. The known 1-(2,5-dihydroxyphenyl)-2-buten-1-one exhibited significant antifungal activity against Microsporum gypseum SH-MU-4 with an MIC value of 8 μg/mL, moderate antimalarial activity with an IC₅₀ value of 9.63 μg/mL and strong radical scavenging potency with the IC₅₀ value of 0.018 mg/mL. The new compounds 2 and 6 showed moderately antifungal activity against M. gypseum SH-MU-4 and Cryptococcus neoformans, respectively, with equal MIC values of 64 μg/mL.     

N-Hydroxypyridone alkaloids,chromone derivatives,and tetrahydroxanthones from the scale-insect pathogenic fungus Orbiocrella sp. BCC 33248

Six new compounds, an N-hydroxypyridone glucoside, orbiocrellin A (1), its aglycone orbiocrellin B (2), chromone glucosides 3 and 4, a dihydrochromone 5a/5b, and a chromone 6, were isolated from the scale-insect pathogenic fungus Orbiocrella sp. BCC 33248. Orbiocrellin A (1) exhibited antimalarial activity against Plasmodium falciparum K1 (IC₅₀ 3.1 μg/mL) while it was non-cytotoxic. In contrast, orbiocrellin B (2) showed both antimalarial (IC₅₀ 2.1 μg/mL) and cytotoxic (NCI-H187 cells, IC₅₀ 0.70 μg/mL) activities.     

Polyketides from the mangrove-derived endophytic fungus Acremonium strictum

Five new polyketide derivatives, 6′-hydroxypestalotiopsone C (1), acropyrone (2), bicytosporone D (3), waol acid (4), and pestalotiopene C (5), together with seven known metabolites (6–12), were obtained from extracts of the endophytic fungus Acremonium strictum, isolated from the mangrove tree Rhizophora apiculata. The structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated on the basis of comprehensive NMR and MS analysis. Compounds 6, 7, and 9 showed moderate cytotoxic activity against human cisplatin-sensitive (IC₅₀ values 27.1, 76.2, and 8.3 μM, respectively) and resistant A2780 cell lines (IC₅₀ values 12.6, 30.1, and 19.0 μM, respectively), whereas only 9 exhibited antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus (MIC value 14.3 μM).     

Torrubiellutins A-C, from insect pathogenic fungus Torrubiella luteorostrata BCC 12904

Investigation of the insect pathogenic fungus Torrubiella luteorostrata led to the isolation of three new macrocyclic torrubiellutins A-C (1-3) and the known pyrone diterpene 4. Structures were elucidated by spectroscopic data including 1D, 2D NMR, and MS spectral data. The absolute stereochemistry was determined by chemical means using Mosher reactions and Marfey's reagent, together with NOESY spectral data. Torrubiellutin C showed biological activities against KB, MCF-7, NCI-H187, and Vero cell lines with IC₅₀ varying from 0.78 to 4.36 μg/mL, while compound 4 exhibited antimalaria and anti-inflammatory activity with IC₅₀ values of 3.49 and 1.21 μg/mL, respectively.     

Structure and bioactivity of a trisnorditerpenoid and a diterpenoid from an Okinawan soft coral, Cespitularia sp.

An Okinawan soft coral Cespitularia sp. has proven to be a good source of cytotoxic metabolites having a carbon skeleton of the seco-type variety of xenicin. This soft coral yielded alcyonolide, the major constituent, and other related compounds, all of which have proven to be cytotoxic. Reinvestigation of the cytotoxic ethyl acetate extracts of the coral yielded two new alcyonolide congeners, trisnorditerpenoid 1 and diterpenoid 2, possessing the same carbon skeleton. Their structures were elucidated by a detailed analysis of spectroscopic data (1D, 2D NMR, and MS). Metabolites 1 and 2 showed cytotoxicity against HCT116 cells (IC₅₀ 6.04 and 47.0 μM, respectively) and a dose dependent, anti-inflammatory effect in LPS/IFN-γ-stimulated inflammatory RAW 264.7 macrophage cells.     

Triterpenoids from Cedrela sinensis

Twenty-three new triterpenoids (1-23), all having an apotirucallane skeleton, were isolated from the seeds, leaves, and stems of Cedrela sinensis (Meliaceae). Their structures were determined by 2D NMR experiments, X-ray crystallographic analysis, and chemical methods. These triterpenoids showed a moderate cytotoxic activity against P-388 murine leukemia cells (IC₅₀ 0.26-9.9 μg/mL).     

Polyhydroxylated steroids from the octocoral Isis hippuris

The specimens for previous studies on the secondary metabolites of the Formosan octocoral Isis hippuris were all collected at Green Island. In the course of our studies on bioactive compounds from marine organisms, the acetone-solubles of the Formosan octocoral I. hippuris collected at Orchid Island has led to the isolation of six new polyoxygenated steroids (1-6), along with a known compound 7. Compound 6 possesses a new type of steroid side chain moiety. The structures of these compounds were determined on the basis of their spectroscopic and physical data. The anti-HCMV (human cytomegalovirus) activity and cytotoxicity against selected cell lines of 1-7 were evaluated. Compound 3 exhibited inhibitory activity against HCMV, with an EC₅₀ values of 2.0 μg/mL, respectively. Compound 7 displayed cytotoxicity against P-388 and A-549 cell lines with ED₅₀ values of 3.2 and 3.86 μg/mL, respectively.     

Fascioquinols A-F: bioactive meroterpenes from a deep-water southern Australian marine sponge, Fasciospongia sp.

Chemical investigation of a southern Australian deep-water marine sponge, Fasciospongia sp., returned the new meroterpene sulfate fascioquinol A (1) together with a series of acid mediated hydrolysis/cyclization products, fascioquinols B (2), C (3) and D (4), and strongylophorine-22 (5). Additional co-metabolites include the new meroterpenes fascioquinol E (6) and fascioquinol F (8), together with the known sponge metabolite geranylgeranyl 1,4-hydroquinone (7). Structures were assigned to 1-8 on the basis of detailed spectroscopic analysis, chemical interconversion, mechanistic and biosynthetic considerations, and literature comparisons. The known 1,4-hydroquinone 7 was identified as the dominant cytotoxic principle in the Fasciospongia sp. extract, with selective inhibitory activity against gastric adenocarcinoma (AGS, IC₅₀ 8 μM) and neuroblastoma (SH-SY5Y, IC₅₀ 4 μM) cell lines. By contrast, while the fascioquinols displayed little or no inhibitory activity towards human cell lines, 1 and 2 displayed promising Gram-positive selective antibacterial activity towards Staphylococcus aureus (IC₅₀ 0.9-2.5 μM) and Bacillus subtilis (IC₅₀ 0.3-7.0 μM).     

Antimalarial 20-membered macrolides from Streptomyces sp. BCC33756

Two new natural products, samroiyotmycins A (1) and B (2), along with two naturally new novclobiocin 101 (3) and 4-hydroxy-3-(3-methylbut-2-enyl)benzamide (5), and five known substances including neoantimycin, clorobiocin (4), 29-O-methylabierixin, daidzein, and 1-(3-indolyl)-2,3-dihydroxypropan-1-one have been isolated from Streptomyces sp. BCC33756. Their chemical structures were determined based on NMR spectral information and the relative stereochemistry of compound 1 was determined by X-ray crystallographic data. Both samroiyotmycins A and B exhibited antimalarial activity against Plasmodium falciparum K1—multi-drug resistant strain, with IC₅₀ values of 3.65 and 3.16 μg/mL, respectively. Compound 1 was inactive against both cancerous (MCF-7, KB) and non-cancerous (Vero) cells, while compound 2 displayed cytotoxicity against Vero cell with IC₅₀ value of 29.57 μg/mL.     

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.     

Papuamides E and F, Cytotoxic Depsipeptides from the Marine Sponge Melophlus sp

Two known papuamides C (1) and D (2) together with two new depsipeptides, papuamides E (3) and F (4), were isolated from an undescribed sponge of the genus Melophlus collected in the Solomon Islands. The planar structures of the compounds were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic studies. Papuamides C-F (1-4) showed cytotoxicity against brine shrimp with LD₅₀ values between 92 and 106 μg/mL.     

An asymmetric ent-kauranoid dimer from Isodon rubescens var. lushanensis

A novel asymmetric ent-kauranoid dimer, lushanrubescensin J (1), was isolated from Isodon rubescens var. lushanensis. Its structure was elucidated by the spectroscopic evidences. The stereochemistry was confirmed by the single crystal X-ray diffraction of its tetraacetate. Compound (1) exhibited potent inhibitory activity against K562 cells with IC₅₀ = 0.93 μg/mL.     

Lissoclibadins 1-3, three new polysulfur alkaloids, from the ascidian Lissoclinum cf. badium

Three new polysulfur alkaloids, lissoclibadins 1 (1)-3 (3), were isolated from the ascidian Lissoclinum sp. (cf. L. badium Monniot, F. and Monniot, C., 1996). The structures of 1-3 were assigned on the basis of their spectral data, and the computational modeling study was utilized for 1. Compound 1 had a trimeric structure of three identical aromatic anime moieties connected through two sulfide and a disulfide bonds. Compounds 2 and 3 were dimeric structures of the same unit as that of 1 connected through a sulfide and disulfide bonds (2) and two sulfide bonds (3). Compounds 1 and 2 inhibited the growth of the marine bacterium Ruegeria atlantica (15.2 mm at 20 μg/disk and 12.2 mm at 5 μg/disk, respectively) and 2 showed antifungal activity to Mucor hiemalis (13.8 mm at 50 μg/disk). Compounds 1-3 were cytotoxic against HL-60 (IC₅₀=0.37, 0.21, and 5.5 μM, respectively).     

Aurilide, a cytotoxic depsipeptide from the sea hare Dolabella auricularia: isolation, structure determination, synthesis, and biological activity

The bioassay-guided fractionation of the cytotoxic constituents of the Japanese sea hare Dollabella auricularia led to the isolation of aurilide (1), a 26-membered cyclodepsipeptide. The gross structure of 1 was established by spectroscopic analysis including 2D NMR techniques. The absolute stereostructure was determined by chiral HPLC analysis of acid hydrolysates of 1 and by the enantioselective synthesis of a degradation product arising from a dihydroxylated fatty acid portion. The enantioselective synthesis of 1 was achieved in 12% overall yield (16 steps) and confirmed the absolute stereostructure of 1. The cytotoxicity of 1 was evaluated using a synthetic sample, which was found to exhibit potent cytotoxicity against HeLa S₃ cells with an IC₅₀ of 0.011 μg/mL. Further biological and pharmacological studies of 1 have been carried out by using synthetic 1.     

Novel dimeric amide alkaloids from Piper chaba Hunter: isolation, cytotoxic activity, and their biomimetic synthesis

Chromatographic fractionation of methanol extract from roots of the Piper chaba Hunter resulted in the isolation of four new dimeric alkaloids, chabamide H (1), I (2), J (3), K (4) together with 11 known compounds (5-15). Their chemical structures and relative stereochemistry were determined on the basis of the comprehensive spectroscopic techniques (IR, Mass, and NMR) and further confirmed by comparison of the data with those reported in literature. In addition, cytotoxic activities of all the dimeric amides (1-7) along with their monomers (8-10) were evaluated against cervical (HELA), breast (MCF-7), liver (HEPG2), colon (HT-29), and colon (COLO-205) cancer cell lines. Among the tested isolates, 5 and 7 exhibited potent cytotoxic activity against COLO-205 cell line with IC₅₀ value of 3.10 μg/mL and 0.018 μg/mL, respectively. To prove biogenesis of the newly isolated compounds, biomimetic synthesis has also been carried out via Diels-Alder reaction by using copper(II) salts in aqueous medium.