Hirsutosterols A-G, polyoxygenated steroids from a Formosan soft coral Cladiella hirsuta

Seven new polyoxygenated steroids, hirsutosterols A-G (1-7), were isolated from the Formosan soft coral Cladiella hirsuta. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, particularly in 1D and 2D NMR experiments. The absolute configurations of 1 and 5 were determined by Mosher's method. Sterols 4-6 possess hydroxy groups at C-9 and C-11 and might be oxidatively cleaved to the corresponding 9,11-secosterols. Hirsutosterol A (1) was found to exhibit a stronger cytotoxicity against a limited panel of cancer cell lines.     

Spicachlorantins G-J, new lindenane sesquiterpenoid dimers from the roots of Chloranthus spicatus

Four new lindenane sesquiterpenoid dimers, spicachlorantins G-J (1-4), were isolated from the roots of Chloranthus spicatus together with seven known compounds, including chloramultilide A, shizukaol B, shizukaol D, shizukaol F, shizukaol P, chlorahololide D, and cycloshizukaol A. The planar structures of the new compounds were established by 1D-, 2D-NMR, and MS analyses. The absolute configurations of these compounds were determined by analyzing rotating Overhauser enhancement and exchange spectroscopy (ROESY) and circular dichroism (CD) spectra.     

Microcionamides A and B, bioactive peptides from the philippine sponge Clathria (Thalysias) abietina

Microcionamides A (1) and B (2) have been isolated from the Philippine marine sponge Clathria (Thalysias) abietina. These new linear peptides are cyclized via a cystine moiety and have their C-terminus blocked by a 2-phenylethylenamine group. Their total structures, including absolute stereochemistry, were determined by a combination of spectral and chemical methods. Compound 1 was shown to slowly isomerize about the C-36/C-37 double bond when stored in DMSO. Microcionamides A (1) and B (2) exhibited significant cytotoxicity against the human breast tumor cells lines MCF-7 and SKBR-3 and displayed inhibitory activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H(37)Ra.     

Absolute stereochemistry of amphidinolide C

[structure in text] The absolute configurations at 12 chiral centers in amphidinolide C (1), a potent cytotoxic 25-membered macrolide isolated from a marine dinoflagellate Amphidinium sp., were determined to be 3S, 4R, 6R, 7R, 8R, 12R, 13S, 16S, 20R, 23R, 24R, and 29S by combination of NMR analyses, degradation experiments, and synthesis of the C-1-C-7 segment.     

Amphidinolides T2, T3, and T4, new 19-membered macrolides from the dinoflagellate Amphidinium sp. and the biosynthesis of amphidinolide T1.

Three new 19-membered macrolides, amphidinolides T2 (2), T3 (3), and T4 (4), structurally related to amphidinolide T1 (1) have been isolated from two strains of marine dinoflagellates of the genus Amphidinium. The structures of 2-4 were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic data. The absolute configurations at C-7, C-8, and C-10 of 1-4 were determined by comparison of NMR data of their C-1-C-12 segments with those of synthetic model compounds for the tetrahydrofuran portion. The biosynthetic origins of amphidinolide T1 (1) were investigated on the basis of 13C NMR data of a 13C enriched sample obtained by feeding experiments with [1-(13)C], [2-(13)C], and [1,2-(13)C2] sodium acetates and 13C-labeled sodium bicarbonate in the cultures of the dinoflagellate. These incorporation patterns suggested that amphidinolide T1 (1) was generated from four successive polyketide chains, an isolated C1 unit formed from C-2 of acetates, and three unusual C2 units derived only from C-2 of acetates. Furthermore, it is noted that five oxygenated carbons of C-1, C-7, C-12, C-13, and C-18 were not derived from the C-1 carbonyl, but from the C-2 methyl of acetates.     

New taxane diterpenoids from the roots of Taiwanese Taxus mairei

Five new taxane diterpenoids, taxumairols G (1), H (2), I (3), J (4), and L (5) were isolated from extracts of the roots of Taiwanese Taxus mairei (LEMEE & LEVL.) S. Y. Hu. Compounds 1-4 belong to the new 11(15-->1)-abeo-taxene system, having a tetrahydrofuran ring along carbons C-2, C-3, C-4 and C-20. Compounds 3 and 4 contain an isopropenyl group at C-1 while compounds 1 and 2 are attached with a benzoxyl group at C-15. The structures of compounds 1-5 were determined on the basis of two-dimensional (2D)-NMR techniques including correlation spectroscopy (COSY), heteronuclear single quantum coherence (HSQC), heteronuclear multiple bond correlation (HMBC), and nuclear Overhauser effect spectroscopy (NOESY) experiments.     

Acanthifoliosides, minor steroidal saponins from the Caribbean sponge Pandaros acanthifolium

Seven novel steroid glycosides, acanthifoliosides A-F (1-6), and the methyl ester of 6 (7), were isolated from the marine sponge Pandaros acanthifolium as minor components. Acanthifoliosides are characterized by a rare C-15 and C-16 oxidized D ring, which was previously found in saponins produced by starfishes. Very uncommon is the presence of additional sugar residues at C-15 or C-16. Their structures were determined on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analyses, including two-dimensional NMR and HRESIMS data. The absolute configurations of the aglycones were assigned by comparison between experimental and TDDFT calculated CD spectra of 1, whereas the absolute configurations of the monosaccharide units were determined by chiral GC analyses of the acid methanolysates. Some of the acanthifoliosides exhibit moderate antiprotozoal activity but to a lesser extent than the most potent pandarosides.     

Sesquiterpene lactone glycosides from the roots of Ferula varia

Seven new sesquiterpene lactone glycosides (1-7) were isolated from the H2O-soluble fraction from the MeOH extract of the roots of Ferula varia. Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analyses. The absolute configurations of compounds 1 and 2 were determined by modified Mosher's method.     

Largamides A-H, unusual cyclic peptides from the marine cyanobacterium Oscillatoria sp

Seven new depsipeptides, termed largamides A-G (1-7), and one new cyclic peptide, largamide H (8), have been isolated from the marine cyanobacterium Oscillatoria sp. Their structures were determined by NMR and ESI-MS techniques. The absolute configurations were assigned using LC-MS, chiral HPLC, and combined analysis of homonuclear and heteronuclear (2,3)J couplings, along with ROE data. Largamides, isolated from a single homogeneous cyanobacterial collection, represent three different structural classes of peptides. Largamides A-C (1-3) are characterized by the unusual occurrence of a senecioic acid unit, while largamides B (2) and C (3) possess in addition the rare 2-amino-5-(4'-hydroxyphenyl)pentanoic acid (Ahppa) and the novel 2-amino-6-(4'-hydroxyphenyl)hexanoic acid (Ahpha), respectively. Largamides D-G (4-7) are the first 3-amino-6-hydroxy-2-piperidone acid (Ahp)-containing depsipeptides reported with the rare Ahppa unit. Largamide H (8) is a unique cyclic peptide displaying a new 2,5-dihydroxylated beta-amino acid moiety, a methoxylated derivative of Ahppa, and two residues of the nonstandard 2,3-dehydro-2-aminobutanoic acid (Dab). Largamides D-G (4-7) inhibited chymotrypsin with IC(50) values ranging between 4 and 25 microM.     

Twelve novel and diverse 16-norphragmalin-type limonoids from Chukrasia tabularis var. velutina

A series of novel and structurally related C-15-acyl 16-norphragmalin-type limonoids, chuktabrins C-J (1-8) and chuktabularins U-X (9-12), were isolated from the stem bark of Chukrasia tabularis var. velutina. Their structures were established on the basis of detailed spectroscopic analysis, and the absolute configuration of compound 1 was determined by a single-crystal X-ray study using a mirror CuKα radiation. Compounds 7 and 8 were unprecedent C-15-acyl 16-norphragmalins with ketonic alkyl appendage at C-15, and compounds 4 and 8 were first examples of limonoid with a characteristic carbonate moiety esterified at OH-9/OH-8 or OH-1/OH-8 respectively. A biosynthetic pathway of these limonoids was reasonably presumed based on the novel and diverse structures isolated, which provides a new insight into the plausible biosynthesis of C-15-acyl 16-norphragmalin-type limonoids. The anti-inflammatory activity of major isolates were evaluated for inhibitory activity against lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced nitric oxide (NO) production in macrophage (RAW264.7) cell line, with IC(50) value ranging from 2.40 to 16.90?μM.     

Structures, energetics, and aromaticities of the tetrasilacyclobutadiene dianion and related compounds: (Si4H4)(2-), (Si4H4)(2-)·2Li+, [Si4(SiH3)4](2-)·2Li+, [Si4(SiH3)4](2-)·2Na+, and [Si4(SiH3)4](2-)·2K+

In light of the important recent synthesis of a stable tetrasilacyclobutadiene dianion compound by Sekiguchi and co-workers and the absence of theoretical studies, ab initio methods have been used to investigate this dianion and a number of related species. These theoretical methods predict multiple minima for each compound, and most minima contain folded and bicyclic silicon rings. For (Si(4)H(4))(2-), (Si(4)H(4))(2-)·2Li(+), [Si(4)(SiH(3))(4)](2-)·2Li(+), [Si(4)(SiH(3))(4)](2-)·2Na(+), and [Si(4)(SiH(3))(4)](2-)·2K(+), respectively, the energetically lowest-lying structures are designated A-3 (C(2v) symmetry), B-8 (C(1) symmetry), C-1 (C(2) symmetry), D-1 (C(2) symmetry), and E-1 (C(2h) symmetry). None of these structures satisfies both the ring planarity and the cyclic bond equalization criteria of aromaticity. However, all of the representative NICS values of these lowest-lying structures are negative, indicating some aromatic character. Especially, structures C-1 and D-1 of C(2) symmetry effectively satisfy the criteria of aromaticity due to the slightly trapezoidal silicon rings, which are nearly planar with nearly equal bond lengths. SiH(3) substitution for hydrogen in (Si(4)H(4))(2-)·2Li(+) significantly reduces the degree of aromaticity, as reflected in the substantially smaller NICS absolute values for [Si(4)(SiH(3))(4)](2-)·2Li(+) than those of (Si(4)H(4))(2-) and (Si(4)H(4))(2-)·2Li(+). The aromaticity is further weakened in [Si(4)(SiH(3))(4)](2-)·2Na(+) and [Si(4)(SiH(3))(4)](2-)·2K(+) by replacing lithium with the sodium and potassium cations.     

Scytalidamides A and B, new cytotoxic cyclic heptapeptides from a marine fungus of the genus Scytalidium

Two new cyclic heptapeptides have been isolated from the culture broth of a marine fungus, Scytalidium sp., collected from the Bahamas. The planar structures of scytalidamides A (1) and B (2) were assigned on the basis of 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic techniques, while the absolute configuration of the amino acid residues in both molecules was determined by application of the advanced Marfey's method. The absolute stereochemistry of the uncommon 3-methylproline moiety in scytalidamide B (2) was confirmed by isolation and CD measurements, as well as application of the advanced Marfey's method. Scytalidamides A (1) and B (2) showed moderate in vitro cytotoxicity toward HCT-116 human colon adenocarcinoma with IC(50) values of 2.7 and 11.0 microM, respectively.     

New cannabinoid-like chromane and chromene derivatives from Rhododendron anthopogonoides

Two new cannabinoid-like chromane and chromene derivatives named anthopogocyclolic acid (1) and anthopogochromenic acid (2) and five related compounds (3-7) which are known as synthetic analogues of cannabinoids: cannabichromene (CBC) type, cannabicyclol (CBL) type, and cannabicitran (CBT) type, have been isolated together with geranyl orsellinic acid (8) from the Chinese medicinal plant Rhododendron anthopogonoides. Their structures were elucidated based on spectroscopic and chemical evidence. The absolute configuration of the asymmetric carbons at C-2 of 1-7 was determined to be S from their circular dichroism (CD) spectra. Compounds 2, 4 and 6 inhibited compound 48/80-induced histamine release from rat peritoneal mast cells.     

Coibamide A, a potent antiproliferative cyclic depsipeptide from the Panamanian marine cyanobacterium Leptolyngbya sp

Coibamide A (1) is a new, potent antiproliferative depsipeptide which was isolated from a marine Leptolyngbya cyanobacterium collected from the Coiba National Park, Panama. The planar structure of 1 was elucidated by a combination of NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. Exhaustive 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy included natural abundance 15N and variable temperature experiments; mass spectrometry included TOF-ESI-MSn and FT-MSn experiments. Chemical degradation followed by chiral HPLC- and GC-MS analyses was used to assign the absolute configuration of 1. This highly methylated cyclized depsipeptide exhibited an unprecedented selectivity profile in the NCI 60 cancer cell line panel and appears to act via a novel mechanism.     

Glochidionionosides A-D: megastigmane glucosides from leaves of Glochidion zeylanicum (Gaertn.) A. Juss

Five megastigmane glucosides were isolated from the leaves of Glochidion zeylanicum. One of them was a known compound, blumenol C O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (1), and the structures of the four new compounds, glochidionionosides A-D (2-5), were mainly elucidated by spectroscopic methods, including a modified Mosher's method. The absolute configurations of the six-membered ring of glochidionionoside D (5) were deduced by beta-D-glucopyranosylation-induced shift trends in the (13)C-NMR spectra and confirmed by X-ray analysis as its p-bromobenzoate (5b), and the axis chirality of C-7 was determined to be R.     

Tedarenes A and B: structural and stereochemical analysis of two new strained cyclic diarylheptanoids from the marine sponge Tedania ignis

Ring strain causes planar chirality in tedarenes A and B, two cyclic diarylheptanoids isolated from the marine sponge Tedania ignis. In both molecules, the chiral plane is an olefinic system, which is very rare among natural products. In tedarene A (1), interconversion is too fast to allow isolation of the enantiomeric atropisomers but still slow enough to cause coalescence of some (1)H and (13)C NMR signals at room temperature. In tedarene B (2), which also shows stable central and axial chirality, the two planar diastereomers are in slow equilibrium. Tedarene B is the smallest natural product with central, axial, and planar chirality in the same simple molecule. The identification of planar chirality as the difference between its conformational isomers allowed the use of theoretical prediction of the CD spectrum to determine the absolute configuration of the stereogenic carbon C-9 as well as of the biphenyl chiral axis.     

Isolation, structure determination, and synthesis of allo-RA-V and neo-RA-V, RA-series bicyclic peptides from Rubia cordifolia L

Two bicyclic hexapeptides, allo-RA-V (4) and neo-RA-V (5), and one cyclic hexapeptide, O-seco-RA-V (6), were isolated from the roots of Rubia cordifolia?L. Their gross structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analysis and X-ray crystallography of compound 5. The absolute stereochemistry of compounds 4 and 5 were established by their total syntheses, and the absolute stereochemistry of compound 6 by chemical correlation with deoxybouvardin (3). Comparison of the 3D structures of highly active RA-VII (1) with less-active compounds 4 and 5 suggests that the orientation of the Tyr-5 and/or Tyr-6 phenyl rings plays a significant role in their biological activity. The isolation of peptides 4-6, along with compound 3, and the comparison of their structures seem to indicate that peptide 6 may be the common precursor to bicyclic peptides 3-5 in the plant.     

Microbial transformation of glycyrrhetinic acid and potent neural anti-inflammatory activity of the metabolites

The microbial transformation of glycyrrhetinic acid(1) by Cunninghamella blakesleana CGMCC 3.970 led to the production of five new metabolites(2-6).The structures of the metabolites were determined by extensive spectroscopic(HR-ESIMS,1D and 2D NMR) data analyses.The involved reactions exhibited specific hydroxylations at C-24,C-7,and C-15,and oxidation at C-3.Moreover,compounds 2,5,and 6showed significant neural anti-inflammatory activity by inhibiting lipopolysaccharide-induced NO production in mouse microglia BV2 cells with IC_(50) values of 0.76,0.94,and 0.16μmol/L,respectively.     

Structure and absolute configuration of new acidic metabolites from Stachys ehrenbergii

Two novel metabolites have been isolated from the aerial parts of Stachys ehrenberiigii. Their structures and stereochemistry were elucidated using a combination of ¹³C and ¹H homo and heteronuclear 2D NMR experiments and mass analysis. The development of an enantioselective synthesis of 3-(2′-acetoxy-4-phenylbut-3′-enoylamino)propionic acid allowed to confirm the structure and assign the (R) absolute configuration at C-2′ of the natural product.     

Tobacco Chemistry.29. (7S)-10-Oxo-4xi-methyl-7-isopropyl-5E-undecen-4-olide, a New Thunbergan-type Nor-isoprenoid isolated from Greek Nicotiana tabacum L.

The structure of a new C15-lactone, (7S)-10-oxo-4xi-methyl-7-isopropyl-5E-undecen-4-olide, isolated from Greek tobacco, has been determined mainly be 1H NMR, 13C NMR and high resolution MS, and its absolute configuration established by degradation to (2S)-5-oxo-2-isopropylhexanal. The carbon skeleton of the new compound indicated that it is derived from a thunbergane precursor and constitutes the first C15 nor-thunberganoid in tobacco.