A new isocoumarin from mangrove endophytic fungus (No. dz17) on the South China Sea coast

A new isocoumarin, 3,4-dihydro-6-methoxy-8-hydroxy-3,4,5-trimethylisocoumarin-7-carboxylic acid methyl ester (1), together with three known compounds, 3,4-dihydro-4,8-dihydroxy-3,5-dimethylisocoumarin (2), 3,4-dihydro-8-hydroxy-3-methylisocoumarin-5-carboxylic acid (3), and Entinclole SB (4) were isolated from the mangrove endophytic fungus (No. dz17). The structure of the compound 1 was elucidated by analysis of spectroscopic data. Primary bioassays showed that 1 exhibited weak cytotoxicity against Hep-2 and HepG2 cells. Published in Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 6, pp. 543–545, November–December, 2007.     

Indole alkaloids from the roots of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Isatis ingigotica</Emphasis> and their antiherpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) activity <Emphasis Type="Italic">in vitro</Emphasis>

A new indole alkaloid 1, together with four known indole alkaloids 2–5, was isolated from the 95% EtOH extract of the traditional Chinese medicinal plant Isatis indigotica. Alkaloids 2–5 were found in the plant for the first time. Their structures were elucidated as 3-hydroxy-3-acetonitrile-4-hydroxy-2-indolone (1), 1-methoxy-3-indoleacetonitrile (2), 3-indoleacetic acid (3), 3-indolealdehyde (4), and 1-methoxy-3indolecarbaldehyde (5) on the basis of spectroscopic data. Their anti-HSV effects in vitro were evaluated by plaque reduction assay.     

A novel compound from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Flos carthami</Emphasis> and its bioactivity

A novel compound, 4-{1′-hydroxy-1′-mercapto-1′-[1′′-2′′(N→O)-isoquinolyl]}yl-1-benzoic acid (1), together with six known compounds, 6-hydroxykaempferol-3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (2), rutin (3), quercetin-3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (4), kaempferol-3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (5), cartormin (6), hydroxysafflor yellow A (7), were isolated by chromatography from the n-BuOH fraction of 50% ethanol extraction of Flos carthami. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectral analysis and comparison with published data. Among them, compound 1 was shown to possess a weak protective effect against cerebral ischemic damage in rats. Published in Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 3, pp. 339–341, May–June, 2009.     

New thiazinediones and other components from Xanthium strumarium

Two new thiazinediones along with five known compounds were isolated from the fruits of Xanthium strumarium L. The structures of the two new compounds were determined to be 7-hydroxymethyl-8,8-dimethyl-4,8-dihydrobenzol[1,4]thiazine-3,5-dione-11-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (1) and 2-hydroxy-7-hydroxymethyl-8,8-dimethyl-4,8-dihydrobenzol[1,4]thiazine-3,5-dione-11-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (2). The five known compounds were identified as xanthiazone (3), chlorogenic acid (4), ferulic acid (5), formononetin (6), and ononin (7), respectively. Published in Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 5, pp. 456–458, September–October, 2006.     

A new alkaloid from Lysimachia patungensis

A new pyridine alkaloid and six known compounds were isolated from the whole plant of Lysimachia patungensis Hand.-Mazz. The structure of the new alkaloid, named patungensin, was characterized as (17R, E)-2-hydroxy-4,6-dimethoxy-17-acetoxy-cyclopentadeca-1, 3-diene[1,2-b]pyridine, and the six known compounds were identified as octacosanoic acid (1), palmic acid (2), stigmasterol (3), ardisiacrispin A (5), isorhamnetin 3-β-D-galactopyranoside (6), and isorhamnetin 3-robinobioside (7), respectively. Published in Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 2, pp. 141–142, March–April, 2007.     

Furofuran lignans from the bark of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Magnolia kobus</Emphasis>

A new furofuran lignan (1) along with four knownones (2-5) were isolated from the bark of Magnolia kobus. Their structures were elucidated as (+)-2α-(3’,4’-dimethoxyphenyl)-6α-(3″-hydroxy-4″,5″-dimethoxyphenyl)-3,7-dioxabicyclo[3.3.0]octane (1), (+)-sesamin (2), (+)-yangambin (3), (+)-kobusin (4), and (+)-eudesmin (5) on the basis of their comprehensive spectroscopic analysis, including 2D NMR, and by comparison of their spectral data with those of related compounds. Published in Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 4, pp. 338–341, July–August, 2008.     

New glycosidic and other constituents from hulls of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Oryza sativa</Emphasis>

Three new compounds, 4-hydroxymethylene-7-(9,9,13-trimethylcyclohexyl)-heptanyl-3′,7′,7′-trimethylcyclohexa-2′,4′-dien-1′-oate (1), 1-(n-hexadec-7-enoxy)-6-(n-octadecanoxy)-β-D-glucopyranoside (2), and (Z)-12-hydroxy-9-octadecenoic acid-12-β-D-glucopyranoside (3), along with the known compound hexacosanoic acid (4), were isolated and identified from the rice hulls of Oryza sativa. Their structures were elucidated by 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic techniques (¹H-¹H COSY, ¹H-¹³C HETCOR, DEPT) aided by EIMS, FABMS, HRFABMS, and IR spectra. Published in Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 4, pp. 344–347, July–August, 2007.     

Biological studies of organotin(IV) complexes with 2-mercaptopyrimidine

The known organotin(IV) complexes with 2-mercaptopyrimidine (L) [Me₂SnL₂] (1), [Buⁿ ₂SnL₂] (2), [Ph₂SnL₂] (3), and [Ph₃SnL] (4) were synthesized using a new approach. The effect of the synthesized compounds on peroxidation of fatty acids (oleic and linoleic) was studied. Complexes 1–4 promote the peroxidation of oleic acid. Their effect on the enzymatic peroxidation of linoleic acid with lipoxygenase was compared with that of cisplatin and in vitro cytoxicity against sarcoma cancer cells was determined. The antiproliferative effect of complexes 2–4 was demonstrated. Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 4, pp. 737–743, April, 2007.     

Azocalixarenes. 6: Synthesis, complexation, extraction and thermal behaviour of four new azocalix[4]arenes

Four new azocalix[4]arenes {5,11,17,23-tetrakis[(2-hydroxy-5-tert-butylphenylazo)]-25,26,27,28-tetrahydroxycalix[4]arene (1), 5,11,17,23-tetrakis[(2-hydroxy-5-nitro phenylazo)]-25,26,27,28-tetrahydroxycalix[4]arene (2), 5,11,17,23-tetrakis[(2-amino-5-carboxylphenylazo)]-25,26,27,28-tetrahydroxycalix[4]arene (3) and 5,11,17,23-tetrakis[(1-amino-2-hydroxy-4-sulfonicacidnapthylazo)]-25,26,27,28-tetrahydroxycalix[4]arene (4)} have been synthesized from p-tert-butylphenol, p-nitrophenol, p-aminobenzoic acid and 1-amino-2-hydroxy-4-sulphonic acid by diazo coupling reaction with p-aminocalix[4]arene. The resulting ligands (1–4) were treated with three transition metal salts (e.g., CuCl₂·2H₂O, NiCl₂·6H₂O or CoCl₂·6H₂O). Cu(II), Ni(II) and Co(II) complexes of the azocalix[4]arene derivatives were obtained and characterized by UV-vis, IR, ¹H-NMR spectroscopic techniques and elemental analysis. All the complexes have a metal:ligand ratio of 2:1. The Cu(II) and Ni(II) complexes of azocalix[4]arenes are square-planar, while the Co(II) complexes of azocalix[4]arenes are octahedral with water molecules as axial ligands. The solvent extraction of various transition metal cations from the aqueous phase to the organic phase was carried out by using azocalix[4]arenes (1–4). It was found that, azocalix[4]arenes 1, 2 and 3 examined selectivity for transition metal cations such as Ag⁺, Hg⁺ and Hg²⁺. In addition, the thermal stability of metal:azocalix[4]arene complexes were also reported. Dedicated to Prof. Dr. Mustafa Yılmaz on the occasion of his 50th birthday     

Esters of jasmorange oxime

The aldehyde jasmorange (1) was converted to the oxime (2), acylation of which by alkylcarboxylic acid anhydrides in the presence of HClO₄ or by acid chlorides in the presence of pyridine synthesized esters of jasmorange oxime 3–24 in 82–91% yields. Refluxing 3–24 in hexane converted them quantitatively into nitrile 25. __________ Translated from Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 4, pp. 307–310, July–August, 2007.     

Components of the heartwood of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Populus euphratica</Emphasis> from an ancient tomb

To probe the organic constituents of over 2000-year-preserved Populus euphratica found in an ancient tomb, a chemical investigation was undertaken, which led to the isolation of a new compound, 2-(4′-hydroxy-3′-methoxyphenyl)-2-oxoacetamide (1), together with 12 known compounds (2–13) by column chromatography. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic evidence. It is the first time that compounds 2–13 were isolated from this plant. Published in Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 1, pp. 7–9, January–February, 2008.     

Brugnanin,a new syn-2,3-dihydrobenzofuran neolignan dioate from the mangrove <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bruguiera gymnorrhiza</Emphasis>

Brugnanin (1), a neolignan dioate, was isolated from a mangrove plant Bruguiera gymnorrhiza. Based on spectroscopic interpretation of MS, IR, and NMR data, 1 was elucidated as (7R*,8S*,E)-3-hydroxy-5,5′-dimethoxy-7-O-4′,8-3′-neolignan-7′-ene-9,9′-dioic acid dioctadecyl ester. MTT assay showed that 1 had weak inhibitory activity against growth of CNE-1 nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell line. Published in Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 2, pp. 147–149, March–April, 2008.     

Chemistry and cytotoxic activities of polyketides produced by the mangrove endophytic fungus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phomopsis</Emphasis> SP. ZSU-H76

A new polyketide, 2-(7′-hydroxyoxooctyl)-3-hydroxy-5-methoxybenzeneacetic acid ethyl ester (1), together with three known compounds dothiorelone A (2), B (3), and C (4) were isolated from the mangrove endophytic fungus Phomopsis sp. ZSU-H76 obtained from the South China Sea. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, mainly 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic techniques. Primary bioassays showed that 1 exhibited cytotoxicity against HEp-2 and HepG2 cells with IC₅₀ values of 25 and 30 μg/mL, respectively.     

Synthesis of (24R)-3β-chloro-7α-bromo-5-hydroxy-5α-stigmastan-6-one and study of its dehydrohalogenation products

Starting from β-cytosterol (1) and going through the intermediate 3β-chloro-5α-hydroxy-6-ketone (2), the 3β-chloro-7α-bromo-5α-hydroxy-6-ketone (3) is synthesized. Dehydrohalogenation of3 in DMF in the presence of lithium carbonate and bromide gives the 6-ketosteroids4–6, depending on the reaction conditions. Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, 220141, Belarus, Minsk, ul. Akad. Kuprevicha, 5/2. Translated from Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 5, pp. 617–622, September–October, 1999.     

Isolation, structure elucidation, and mutagenicity of four alternariol derivatives produced by the mangrove endophytic fungus No. 2240

A new alternariol derivative, 2240B (1), together with alternariol (2), alternariol 4,10-dimethyl ether (3), and alternariol 4-methyl ether (4), was isolated from the ethyl acetate extract of the liquid medium GYT of No. 2240, the mangrove endophytic fungus from the South China Sea Coast. The structure of compound 1 was unambiguously elucidated as alternariol 4-methyl-10-acethyl ester by spectra including one/two-dimensional NMR, HREIMS, IR, and UV. The structures of compounds 2–4 were also established by spectroscopic analyses and comparison with related literature data. The anticancer tests showed that compounds 2 and 4 had strong activities against KB and KBv200 cells with IC₅₀ values of 3.17, 3.12, and 4.82, 4.94 μg/mL, while compounds 1 and 3 exhibited weak activities against the two kinds of tumor lines with IC₅₀ values of more than 50 μg/mL. Published in Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 3, pp. 235–238, May–June, 2008.     

Chemical constituents isolated from the fungus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Monascus</Emphasis> sp.

Further study of a 95% EtOH extract of red mold rice fermented with the yellow mutant of the fungus Monascus sp. led to the isolation of one new chroman derivative, namely monascuskaochroman (1), together with nine known compounds. The structure of the new compound was determined as 4-(1-hydroxy-1-methyl- ethyl)-chroman-4-carboxylic acid amide. The known compounds were identified as monascin (2), ankaflavin (3), (3R,6R,7E)-(+)-3-hydroxy-4,7-megstigmadien-9-one (4), vanillin (5), syringic acid (6), 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoic acid (7), trans-methyl p-coumarate (8), ferulic acid (9), and methyl N-methyl anthranylate (10).This is the first report of a naturally occurring chroman skeleton isolated from Monascus species. Compounds 4–10 were isolated from this species for the first time. Their structures were elucidated by 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy together with HR-ESI-MS analysis, and comparison of the spectroscopic data with those reported for structurally related compounds.     

Isoflavone glycosides from the bark of Amorpha fruticosa

Four known isoflavone glucosides have been isolated from the bark of Amorpha fruticosa, which is a traditional remedy plant, for the first time. They were elucidated as 3′-hydroxy-4′-methoxyisoflavone-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (1), 4′,6-dimethoxyisoflavone-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (2), 4′-methoxyisoflavone-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (3), and 3′,5-dihydroxy-4′-methoxyisoflavone-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (4), based on the UV, FT-IR, EIMS, FABMS, HREIMS, and NMR (¹H and ¹³C, DEPT, COSY, NOESY, HMQC, and HMBC) data. Published in Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 4, pp. 336–338, July–August, 2006.     

Syntheses,spectroscopic and crystallographic characterizations of 4-nitrobenzyloxy derivatives and benzofurans from <Emphasis Type="Italic">ortho</Emphasis>-substituted benzaldehydes and 4-nitrobenzyl bromide

A series of benzyloxybenzaldehyde derivatives (1–3) were prepared by the reactions of 4-nitrobenzyl bromide with 4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde (vanillin), 2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde (o-vanillin) and 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzaldehyde. When the reaction time is quite long, benzofuran derivatives (4 and 5) were obtained by the reactions of ortho-hydroxyaldehydes with the 4-nitrobenzyl bromide. Condensation reactions among the three benzyloxybenzaldehyde derivatives (1–3) with 2-aminomethylfuran (furfurylamine) yielded the new imine compounds (6–8). The structures of these aldehydes (1–3), benzofuran derivatives (4 and 5) and imine compounds (6–8) were confirmed on the basis of elemental analyses, IR, ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR and mass spectroscopy. The solid-state structures of compounds 4–6 were determined by single-crystal X-ray crystallography.     

New alkaloids from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Casimiroa edulis</Emphasis> fruits and their pharmacological activity

The extract of Casimiroa edulis was investigated for antihypertensive activity. The ethanol and total alkaloids (in chloroform) extracts were found to have antihypertensive properties at doses of 500 and 200 mg/kg, respectively. Four quinolinone alkaloids were isolated and identified as: 2-(2′-hydroxy-4′-methoxyphenyl)-5,8-dimethoxy-3-propyl-1H-quinolin-4-one (1), 5,8-dimethoxy-2-(3′-methoxyphenyl)-3-propyl-1H-quinolin-4-one (2), 5,8-dimethoxy-2-(3′,4′-dimethoxyphenyl)-3-propyl-1H-quinolin-4-one (3), and 5,6-dimethoxy-2-(2′,5′,6′-trimethoxyphenyl)-1H-quinolin-4-one (4). Interestingly, compounds 1, 2, and 3 were found to be new alkaloids. The four isolated alkaloids showed antihypertensive activity at doses of 50, 100, 200, and 300 mg/kg, respectively. Published in Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 5, pp. 473–476, September–October, 2007.     

Thermodynamics of Dissociation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">ortho</Emphasis>-Hydroxyphenylhydrazo-<Emphasis Type="Italic">β</Emphasis>-diketones and of Their Complexation with Copper(II) in Aqueous–Ethanol Solutions

The thermodynamics of dissociation of 3-(2-hydroxyphenylhydrazo)pentane-2,4-dione (H ₂ L ¹ ), 5,5-dimethyl-2-(2-hydroxyphenylhydrazo)cyclohexane-1,3-dione (H ₂ L ² ), 5,5-dimethyl-2-(2-hydroxy-4-nitrophenylhydrazo)cyclohexane-1,3-dione (H ₂ L ³ ), 1-ethoxy-2-(2-hydroxyphenylhydrazo)butane-1,3-dione (H ₂ L ⁴ ) and 1-ethoxy-2-(2-hydroxy-4-nitrophenylhydrazo)butane-1,3-dione (H ₂ L ⁵ ) and of their complexation with copper(II) was studied in aqueous–ethanol solutions by potentiometry and UV–vis spectrophotometry. It was found that the thermodynamic parameters of the proton dissociation in H₂L^1–5 and of their complexation with copper(II) depend on the substituents in the aromatic and β-diketone fragments of the molecules. Thus, the acidic properties of H₂L increase from H₂L¹ to H₂L⁵, reflecting the electron-acceptor character of the substituents, whereas all of the thermodynamic functions tend to decrease with increasing electron-withdrawing capacity of the substituents. The complexation of Cu(II) with H₂L^1–5 is exothermic, which is connected with the formation of two stable chelating cycles.