New Briaranes from the South China Sea Gorgonian Junceella fragilis

Three new briarane diterpenes, junceellonoids C–E ( 1 – 3 ), along with six known briaranes, junceellin A ( 4 ), praelolide ( 5 ), and junceellolides A‐D ( 6 – 9 ), were isolated from the EtOH/CH₂Cl₂ extracts of the South China Sea gorgonian coral Junceella fragilis. The structures of 1 – 3 were established by extensive spectroscopic analysis, including 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR data. Compounds 1 and 2 exhibited mild cytotoxicity against human galactophore carcinoma (MDA‐mB‐231 and MCF‐7) cells at the concentration of 100 μM .     

Four New Nortriterpenoids from Schisandra lancifolia

Four new highly oxygenated nortriterpenoids, lancifodilactones O–R ( 1 – 4 ), together with six known ones, i.e., 5 – 10 , were isolated from the leaves and stems of Schisandra lancifolia. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analyses, including 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR experiments and mass spectrometry. Compounds 1 – 3 were evaluated for their cytotoxicity against NB4, A549, SHSY5Y, PC‐3, and MCF‐7 cell lines. No compounds exhibited significant cytotoxicity, the IC₅₀ values being above 50 μM .     

Three New Diterpenoids from Isodon nervosus

Three new ent‐kaurane diterpenoids, rabdonervosins D–F ( 1 – 3 ), were isolated from the leaves and stems of Isodon nervosus. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic methods including 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR analyses. Compounds 1 – 3 were evaluated for their cytotoxicity against HepG2, CNE2, PC‐9/ZD, HeLa, MCF‐7, and HCT116 cell lines. No compounds exhibited potent cytotoxicity.     

Two New Cytotoxic Spirostane‐Steroidal Saponins from the Roots of Bletilla striata

Two new spirostane‐steroidal saponins, bletilnoside A ( 1 ) and bletilnoside B ( 2 ), together with five known compounds, 3 – 7 , were isolated from the roots of Bletilla striata (Thunb .) Reichb . F. The structures of the new compounds were determined based on their 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR spectral data. The isolated compounds 1 – 7 were tested for cytotoxicity against four human tumor cells (A549, SK‐OV‐3, SK‐MEL‐2, and HCT15) in vitro using a sulforhodamin B bioassay, and compounds 1, 2 , and 5 showed significant cytotoxicities against all tested tumor cell lines with IC₅₀ values ranging from 3.98±0.16 to 12.10±0.40 μM .     

Two‐Dimensional and Three‐Dimensional Lanthanide Coordination Polymers Built from 4‐Hydroxypyridine‐2,6‐dicarboxylic Acid Ligand

4‐Hydroxypyridine‐2,6‐dicarboxylic acid (H₃CAM) reacts with Ln₂O₃(Ln = La, Ce) or Ln(NO₃)₃ (Ln = Sm, Dy, Gd, Ho) in hydrothermal reactions to form a series of lanthanide coordination polymers 1 – 6 . Elemental analysis, IR spectra and X‐ray crystal structure analysis were carried out to determine the composition and crystal structure of 1 – 6 . Compounds 1 and 2 are isostructural and contain tetranuclear metallic ring unit and 3D framework. 4 – 6 are isostructural contain 2D network. Furthermore, the photoluminescent properties of 3 and 4 at room temperature were also studied.     

New Cytochalasins from the Marine‐Derived Fungus Xylaria sp. SCSIO 156

Two new cytochalasins, 18‐deoxycytochalasin Q ( 1 ) and 21‐O‐deacetylcytochalasin Q ( 2 ), together with four known analogues, cytochalasin Q ( 3 ), 19,20‐epoxycytochalasin Q ( 4 ), 21‐O‐deacetyl‐19,20‐epoxycytochalasin Q ( 5 ), and cytochalasin D ( 6 ), were isolated from the fungus Xylaria sp. SCSIO156 originated from the South China Sea marine sediment. The structures of 1 and 2 were elucidated by MS and 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR data analyses, and comparison with known compounds. The known compounds 3 – 6 were identified by comparison of their MS and NMR data with those reported in the literature. In the in vitro antitumor assay, compounds 2 – 6 showed mild cytotoxicity against three tumor cell lines (MCF‐7, SF‐268, and NCI‐H460).     

Synthesis,characterization and in vitro cytotoxicity of palladium(II) complexes with mixed ligands. X‐ray diffraction study of C31H36ClNPPdS2

Pd(II) complexes with organophosphines and dithiocarbamates derivatives of α‐amino acids were synthesized by reacting N,N‐dicyclohexyldithiocarbamate (DCHDTC, compounds 1 – 3 ) and N‐methylcyclohexyldithiocarbamate (MCHDTC, compounds 4 – 6 ) with (R₃P)₂PdCl₂ (R = Ph, o‐tolyl, Ph₂Cl) in a 1:1 molar ratio. The complexes were characterized by elemental analyses, FT‐IR, multinuclear (¹H, ¹³C and ³¹P) NMR and single X‐ray crystallography, showing that the dithiocarbamate acts as a bidentate ligand and binds to Pd(II) via two sulfur atoms, resulting in a square planar geometry around Pd(II). The cytotoxicity of compounds 2, 3 and 4 was determined in vitro against six human tumour cell lines, MCF7, EVSA‐T, WIDR, IGROV, M19 MEL, A498 and H226. Compounds 3 and 4 showed a moderate to low cytotoxicity, whereas compound 2 exhibited a very low cytotoxicity. The results of antifungal assays showed that compounds 1 – 6 possess antifungal activity against Fusarium moniliformes, Fusarium saolani, Mucor sp., Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus fumigatus. The anti‐inflammatory screening results of 1–6 are quite similar to those observed for the standard drug Declofenac at 10 mg kg^?1, which inhibited the odema by 74% after 4 h. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Mononuclear Tetraamineplatinum(II) Complexes: Synthesis,Anticancer Activity,DNA Binding,and Cellular Uptake

The synthesis of three bis[(tert‐butoxy)carbonyl]‐protected (tetramine)dichloroplatinum complexes 2a – c of formula cis‐[PtCl₂(LL)] and of their cationic deprotected analogs 3a – c and their evaluation with respect to in vitro cytotoxicity, intramolecular stability, DNA binding, and cellular uptake is reported. The synthesis comprises the complexation of K₂[PtCl₄] with di‐N‐protected tetramines 1a – c to give 2a – c and subsequent acidolysis, yielding 3a – c . The cytotoxicity of the complexes is in direct relation to the length of the polyamine. Complexes 3a – c display a significant higher affinity for CT DNA as well as for cellular DNA in A2780 cells than cisplatin.     

Synthesis,Crystal Structures,and Fungicidal Activity of Novel 1,5‐Diaryl‐3‐(glucopyranosyloxy)‐1H‐pyrazoles

Five novel pyrazole‐coupled glucosides, 1,5‐diaryl‐1H‐pyrazol‐3‐yl 2,3,4,6‐tetra‐O‐acetyl‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosides 5a – 5e , were synthesized by the phase‐transfer catalytic reaction of 1,5‐diaryl‐1H‐pyrazol‐3‐ols 4a – 4e with acetobromo‐α‐D ‐glucose in H₂O/CHCl₃ under alkaline conditions, using Bu₄N⁺Br^? as catalyst. Then, glucosides 5a – 5c were deacetylated in a solution of Na₂CO₃/MeOH to yield the 1,5‐diaryl‐3‐(β‐D ‐glucopyranosyloxy)‐1H‐pyrazoles 6a – 6c . Their structures were characterized by ¹H,¹H‐COSY, ¹H‐, ¹³C‐, and ¹⁹F‐NMR spectroscopy, as well as elemental analysis. The structures of 5d and 6c were also determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis. A preliminary in vitro bioassay indicated that compounds 4e and 5d exhibited excellent‐to‐medium fungicidal activity against Sclerotinia sclerotiorum at the dosage of 10 μg/ml.     

Acylated Triterpene Saponins from Atroxima liberica Stapf

The four new acylated triterpene saponins 1 – 4 , isolated as two pairs of isomers and named libericosides A₁/A₂ and B₁/B₂, one pair of isomers 5 / 6 , the (Z)‐isomer libericoside C₂ ( 5 ) being new, one new sucrose ester, atroximoside ( 7 ), and eight known compounds were isolated from the roots of Atroxima liberica by repeated MPLC and VLC on normal and reversed‐phase silica gel. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of extensive 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR studies (¹H‐ and ¹³C‐NMR, DEPT, COSY, TOCSY, NOESY, HSQC, and HMBC) and mass spectrometry as 3‐O‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosylpresenegenin 28‐{O‐α‐L ‐arabinopyranosyl‐(1→3)‐O‐β‐D ‐xylopyranosyl‐(1→4)‐O‐α‐L ‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐4‐O‐[(E)‐3,4‐dimethoxycinnamoyl]‐β‐D ‐fucopyranosyl} ester ( 1 ) and its (Z)‐isomer 2 , 3‐O‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosylpresenegenin 28‐{O‐α‐L ‐arabinopyranosyl‐(1→4)‐O‐β‐D ‐xylopyranosyl‐(1→4)‐O‐α‐L ‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐O‐[O‐β‐D ‐xylopyranosyl‐(1→3)‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→3)]‐4‐O‐[(E)‐3,4‐dimethoxycinnamoyl]‐β‐D ‐fucopyranosyl} ester ( 3 ) and its (Z)‐isomer 4 , 3‐O‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosylpresenegenin 28‐{O‐β‐D ‐xylopyranosyl‐(1→4)‐O‐α‐L ‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐O‐[6‐O‐acetyl‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→3)]‐4‐O‐[(Z)‐3,4‐dimethoxycinnamoyl]‐β‐D ‐fucopyranosyl} ester ( 5 ), and 3‐O‐[(Z)‐feruloyl]‐β‐D ‐fructofuranosyl α‐D ‐glucopyranoside ( 7 ). Compounds 1 – 6 and the known saponins 8 / 9 were evaluated against the human colon cancer cells HCT 116 and HT‐29 and showed moderate to weak cytotoxicity.     

Three New Alkaloids from the Leaves of Uncaria rhynchophylla

Three new alkaloids, 2′‐O‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐11‐hydroxyvincoside lactam ( 1 ), 22‐O‐demethyl‐22‐O‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosylisocorynoxeine ( 2 ), and (4S)‐corynoxeine N‐oxide ( 3 ) were isolated from the leaves of Uncaria rhynchophylla, together with four known tetracyclic oxindole or indole alkaloids, isocorynoxeine N‐oxide ( 4 ), rhynchophylline N‐oxide ( 5 ), isorhynchophylline N‐oxide ( 6 ), and dihydrocorynantheine ( 7 ), and an indole alkaloid glycoside, strictosidine ( 8 ). The structures of 1 – 3 were elucidated by spectroscopic methods including UV, IR, ESI‐TOF‐MS, 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR, as well as CD experiments. The activity assay showed that 8 (IC₅₀=8.3 μM ) exhibited potent inhibitory activity on lipopolysaccharide(LPS)‐induced nitrogen monoxide (NO) release in N9 microglia cells. However, only weak inhibitory activities were observed for 1 – 7 (IC₅₀>100 μM for 1 – 6 or >30 μM for 7 ).     

Four New 1,4‐Benzoquinone Derivatives and One New Coumarin Isolated from Ardisia gigantifolia

Four new 1,4‐benzoquinone derivatives, belamcandaquinones J ( 1 ), K ( 2 ), L ( 3 ), and M ( 4 ), and one new coumarin, 5 , were isolated from the rhizome of Ardisia gigantifolia. Their structures were established by means of spectroscopic methods, and their cytotoxicity was tested in vitro against the cell lines PC‐3, EMT6, A549, Hela, RM‐1, and SGC7901. In comparison with cisplatin, compound 5 showed strong cytotoxicity with an IC₅₀ value of <30 μM against the cell lines PC‐3 and A549. Compounds 1 – 4 showed no cytotoxicity against all cell lines.     

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.     

A New Taraxastane‐Type Triterpene from Vitex trifolia var. simplicifolia

3‐Oxotaraxer‐14‐en‐30‐al ( 1 ), a new taraxastane‐type triterpene, together with 14 known compounds, taraxerone ( 2 ), 3‐epiursolic acid ( 3 ), 2α,3β‐dihydroxyurs‐12‐en‐28‐oic acid ( 4 ), lupeol ( 5 ), betulinic acid ( 6 ), casticin ( 7 ), artemetin ( 8 ), luteolin ( 9 ), 4‐hydroxybenzoic acid ( 10 ), docosanoic acid ( 11 ), tetracosanoic acid ( 12 ), cerotic acid ( 13 ), β‐sitosterol ( 14 ), and β‐daucosterol ( 15 ), was isolated from the leaves and twigs of Vitex trifolia var. simplicifolia . Compounds 2 – 6 were found for the first time in this plant. Their structures were established by spectroscopic analysis, including 2D‐NMR techniques. Cytotoxic activities of compounds 3 , and 5 – 10 were tested on the three cancer cell lines, PANC‐1, K562, and BxPC‐3. Results revealed that 7 exhibited cytotoxicity against PANC‐1, K562, and BxPC‐3, with IC₅₀ values of 4.67, 0.72, and 4.01 μg/ml, respectively, whereas 8 was inactive against these cancer cell lines. The structure? activity relationship of compound 7 and 8 indicated that the 3′‐OH group in polymethoxyflavonoids is essential for antitumor activity.     

Pincer‐Type Platinum(II) Complexes Containing N‐Heterocyclic Carbene (NHC) Ligand: Structures,Photophysical and Anion‐Binding Properties,and Anticancer Activities

Two classes of pincer‐type Pt^II complexes containing tridentate N‐donor ligands ( 1 – 8 ) or C‐deprotonated N^C^N ligands derived from 1,3‐di(2‐pyridyl)benzene ( 10 – 13 ) and auxiliary N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligand were synthesized. [Pt(trpy)(NHC)]²⁺ complexes 1 – 5 display green phosphorescence in CH₂Cl₂ (Φ: 1.1–5.3 %; τ: 0.3–1.0 μs) at room temperature. Moderate‐to‐intense emissions are observed for 1 – 7 in glassy solutions at 77 K and for 1 – 6 in the solid state. The [Pt(N^C^N)(NHC)]⁺ complexes 10 – 13 display strong green phosphorescence with quantum yields up to 65 % in CHCl₃. The reactions of 1 with a wide variety of anions were examined in various solvents. The tridentate N‐donor ligand of 1 undergoes displacement reaction with CN^? in protic solvents. Similar displacement of the N^C^N ligand by CN^? has been observed for 10 , leading to a luminescence “switch‐off” response. The water‐soluble 7 containing anthracenyl‐functionalized NHC ligand acts as a light “switch‐on” sensor for the detection of CN^? ion with high selectivity. The in vitro cytotoxicity of the Pt^II complexes towards HeLa cells has been evaluated. Complex 12 showed high cytotoxicity with IC₅₀ value of 0.46 μM , whereas 1 – 4 and 6 – 8 are less cytotoxic. The cellular localization of the strongly luminescent complex 12 traced by using emission microscopy revealed that it mainly localizes in the cytoplasmic structures rather than in the nucleus. This complex can induce mitochondria dysfunction and subsequent cell death.     

Two New Prenylated Xanthones from the Pericarp of Garcinia mangostana (Mangosteen)

Two new prenylated xanthones (=9H‐xanthen‐9‐ones), garcimangosxanthones D ( 1 ) and E ( 2 ), together with the six known xanthones 3 – 8 , were isolated from the pericarp of Garcinia mangostana. Their structures were determined by analysis of their spectroscopic data. All of the isolated compounds were biologically evaluated for their in vitro cytotoxic activity against A549, Hep‐G2, and MCF‐7 human‐cancer cell lines and antioxidant activity. Compound 1 exhibited moderate cytotoxicity against Hep‐G2 (IC₅₀=19.2 μM ) and weak cytotoxicity against MCF‐7 (IC₅₀=62.8 μM ) cell lines, and compound 2 showed moderate cytotoxicity against A549, Hep‐G2, and MCF‐7 cell lines with IC₅₀ values of 12.5–20.0 μM (Table 2). Both compounds 1 and 2 demonstrated a weak antioxidant activity with ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) values of 41±7 and 130±4 μmol/g, respectively (Table 3).     

Syntheses,Cytotoxicity and Properties of CO Releasing Molecules Containing Acetyl Salicylamide‐3‐pyridine

A series of CO‐releasing molecules [M(CO)₅L] (M=Cr, W, Mo, L=acetyl salicylamide 3‐pyridine, 1 – 3 ; L=N,N‐dimethyl‐4‐pyridine, 4 – 6 ; L=nicotinamide, 7 – 9 ; L=4‐CHO‐pyridine, 10 – 12 ) were synthesized. And in this paper, we have investigated mainly cytotoxicity and properties of the CO‐releasing molecules containing acetyl salicyamide‐3‐pyridine, namely complexes 1 – 3 . The stability of complexes 1 and 2 was evaluated by means of UV‐Vis spectroscopy and ¹H NMR spectra. The results indicate complexes 1 and 2 were stable in methanol and acidic aqueous solution, but unstable and decayed in basic media (pH 10.0). Among all the complexes, complex 2 was the slowest CO‐releaser, and its half‐life was 73.8 min. Complex 9 containing nicotinamide was the fastest CO‐releaser with half‐life only 6.5 min. In addition, cytotoxic effects of all the complexes on the proliferation of fibroblast line were assayed by MTT. Among all the complexes, the IC₅₀ of complex 1 was 6 µmol/L, revealing complex 1 possessed stronger antiproliferative activity than the control. Analysis by Flow cytometry revealed that complex 1 arrested Hela cells in S phase while complexes 2 and 8 arrested in G2/M phase. Cell apoptosis caused by the complexes mainly occurred in "Late apoptosis".     

New Dammarane‐Type Saponins from the Rhizomes of Panax japonicus

Phytochemical investigation of the rhizomes of Panax japonicus C. A. Meyer (Araliaceae) resulted in the isolation of two new dammarane‐type triterpenoid saponins, yesanchinoside R₁ ( 1 ) and yesanchinoside R₂ ( 2 ), together with one new natural product, 6′′′‐O‐acetylginsenoside Re ( 3 ). In addition, 25 known compounds, including 23 triterpenoid saponins, 4 – 26 , β‐sitosterol 3‐O‐β‐D ‐glucopyranoside ( 27 ), and ecdysterone ( 28 ), were also identified. The known saponins 12, 15 , and 18 – 22 were reported for the first time from the title plant. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of detailed spectroscopic analyses, including 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR techniques, as well as acidic hydrolysis.     

New Cytotoxic Myrsinane‐Type Diterpenes from Euphorbia prolifera

Four new myrsinol diterpenes, proliferins A–D ( 1 – 4 , resp.) were isolated from the EtOH extracts of the roots of Euphorbia prolifera, along with four known compounds, euphorprolitherin B ( 5 ), euphorprolitherin D ( 6 ), SPr5 ( 7 ), and 14‐desoxo‐3‐O‐propionyl‐5,15‐di‐O‐acetyl‐7‐O‐nicotinoylmyrsinol‐14β‐acetate ( 8 ). Their structures were established on the basis of spectroscopic methods, including HR‐ESI‐MS, and 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR techniques. The cytotoxicity of compounds 1, 3 , and 4 against cancer cells was evaluated, with compound 1 being active against A2780 cancer cells.     

Synthesis and Characterization of New Thebaine Derivatives as Potential Opioid Agonists and Antagonists: 2‐[N‐(1H‐Tetrazol‐5‐yl)‐6,14‐endo‐etheno‐6,7,8,14‐tetrahydrothebaine‐7α‐yl]‐5‐phenyl‐1,3,4‐oxadiazoles

In this study, we report the synthesis a series of novel 2‐[N‐(1H‐tetrazol‐5‐yl)‐6,14‐endo‐etheno‐6,7,8,14‐tetrahydrothebaine‐7α‐yl]‐5‐phenyl‐1,3,4‐oxadiazole derivatives ( 7a – e ) which have potential opioid antagonist and agonist. The substitution reaction of 6,14‐endo‐ethenotetrahydrothebaine‐7α‐carbohydrazide with corresponding benzoyl chlorides gave diacylhydrazine compounds 4a – e in good yields. The treatment of compounds 4a – e with POCl₃ caused the conversion of side‐chain of compounds 5a – e into 1,3,4‐oxadiazole ring at C(7) position; thus, compounds 5a – e were obtained. Subsequently, cyanamides ( 6a – e ) were prepared from compounds 5a – e and then compounds 7a – e were synthesized by the azidation of 6a – e with NaN₃. The structures of the compounds were established on the basis of their IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C APT, 2D‐NMR (COSY, NOESY, HMQC, HMBC) and high‐resolution mass spectral data.