Synthesis of novel, simplified, C-7 substituted eleutheside analogues with potent microtubule-stabilizing activity

The synthesis of a number of novel, simplified, C-7 substituted eleutheside analogues with potent tubulin-assembling and microtubule-stabilizing properties is described, using ring closing metathesis as the key-step for obtaining the 6-10 fused bicyclic ring system. The RCM precursors were synthesized starting from aldehyde 3 [prepared in six steps on a multigram scale from R-(−)-carvone in 30% overall yield] via multiple stereoselective Hafner-Duthaler allyltitanations and/or Brown allylborations. ‘Second generation’ RCM-catalyst 15 gave the desired ring closed ten-membered carbocycles as single Z stereoisomers in good yields. The RCM stereochemical course (100% Z) is likely to reflect thermodynamic control. Molecular mechanics and semi-empirical calculations also show that the Z stereoisomers of these ten-membered carbocycles are consistently more stable than the E. The crucial role of the homoallylic and allylic substituents and of their protecting groups for the efficiency of the RCM reactions is discussed. In particular, we have found that p-methoxyphenyl (PMP) protected allylic alcohols, the products of a stereoselective oxyallylation, are compatible with the RCM reaction and give better yields than the corresponding free allylic alcohols. One of the simplified analogues of the natural product (44, lacking inter alia the C-4/C-7 ether bridge) retains potent microtubule-stabilizing activity. However, the cytotoxicity tests did not parallel the potent tubulin-assembling and microtubule-stabilizing properties: limited cytotoxicity was observed against three common tumor cell lines (human ovarian carcinoma, human colon carcinoma and human leukemia cell lines, IC₅₀ in the μM range), approximately two orders of magnitude less than paclitaxel (IC₅₀ in the nM range). The mechanism of cell cycle arrest induced by compound 44 is similar to that obtained with paclitaxel.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of analogs of altohyrtin C (spongistatin 2)

Several structural analogs that contain only part of the altohyrtin structure have been prepared and compared with synthetic altohyrtin C (2) for in vitro cytotoxicity against human colon (HCT116) and ovarian (A2780) cell lines. Whereas altohyrtin C was found to be exceedingly potent against these lines (IC₅₀=0.0003 μM), analogs 3-5 were >27,000-fold less potent (IC₅₀>8 μM). Analogs 6 and 7 also demonstrated weak cytotoxicity with IC₅₀ values for the HCT116 and A2780 cells of 4.8 μM and 2.4 μM, respectively, for 6.     

Isolation and biological evaluation of chromone alkaloid dysoline,a new regioisomer of rohitukine from Dysoxylum binectariferum

The chromone alkaloid dysoline (1), a new regioisomer of rohitukine (2) along with rohitukine and rohitukine-N-oxide (3) were isolated from the stem barks of Dysoxylum binectariferum. The structure of dysoline (1) was determined by extensive 2D-NMR studies and the absolute configuration was established by NOESY and CD spectra. Dysoline (1) consisted of a 5,7-dihydroxy-2-methylchromone nucleus substituted with a 2′-hydroxylated N-Me piperidine ring at the C-6 position. Dysoline differs from rohitukine by the position of the piperidine ring on the chromone nucleus. Dysoline displayed promising cytotoxicity in HT1080 fibrosarcoma cells with an IC₅₀ of 0.21 μM, and also displayed significant inhibition of proinflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-6.     

Kadcoccilactones K-R, triterpenoids from Kadsura coccinea

Phytochemical investigation on the stems of Kadsura coccinea led to the isolation of 8 new triterpenoids, kadcoccilactones K-R (1-8), and 10 known analogues. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis. Compounds 1-3 characterized with an aromatic ring E in their molecules are rarely naturally occurred kadlongilactone derivatives. Moreover, all compounds were evaluated for their inhibitory activity against K562, Bel-7402, and A549 human tumor cells. Compounds 9 and 10 exhibited potent cytotoxicity against K562, Bel-7402, and A549 cell lines with IC₅₀ values less than 0.1, 0.1, and 1.0 μm, respectively.     

Synthesis of podophyllotoxin analogues: δ-lactone-containing picropodophyllin, podophyllotoxin and 4′-demethyl-epipodophyllotoxin derivatives

Non-epimerizable cis and trans δ-lactone analogues of podophyllotoxin have been prepared. Thus the synthesis of the cis isomer 4 has been achieved in 8 steps and 4% overall yield from podophyllotoxin 1 via the reduction of the γ lactone ring into the trans diol, selective protection of the 4-OH and 11-OH as a benzylidene acetal, and Wittig elongation at C-13 with inversion of configuration at C-2. Same elongation at C-13 but via the formation of a mesylate and introduction of a cyano group, led to the trans δ-lactone 5 (7 steps from 1 and 6% overall yied) with a small amount of its C-4 epimer 6. The synthesis of non-epimerizable δ-lactone analogues of 4′-demethyl-epipodophyllotoxin 7 and of 4-demethyl podophyllotoxin 8 are also reported. The synthesis of 7 and 8 was based upon the reduction of the γ-lactone ring of 4′-demethyl-4-epipodophyllotoxin followed by selective protection at C-11 and elongation at C-13. (8-15% and 4% overall yields). Compounds 4, 5 and 7 did not display relevant cytotoxicity in vitro against L1210 murine leukemia.     

A strategy towards the synthesis of plumarellide based on biosynthesis speculation,featuring a transannular 4+2 type cyclisation from a cembranoid furanoxonium ion intermediate

In studies towards a biomimetic synthesis of plumarellide 1, acid-catalysed rearrangement of the furanobutenolide-based acetonide 10b led to the ring system 15b in plumarellide together with the cycloheptene-based ring system 11 found in rameswaralide 4, in a combined yield of 60%. RCM of the ω-dienes 30a and 30b led to the macrocycles 38a and 38b, respectively with the Z-configuration. Treatment of the vinyl bromide/vinyl stannanes 32a and 47 under Stille conditions failed to give the macrocycles 31a and 48, respectively. Reactions of the macrocycles 38a and 38b with TFA containing water produced the 5,6,7-tricyclic compounds 56a and 56b, respectively in >90% yield, instead of the plumarellide-based ring system 52. A summary and perspective on possible pathways from the C-13 acetoxy furanocembranoid 66 and from the C13–C14 unsaturated enol ether/cyclic hemiketal 9/59 to plumarellide 1 in vivo is given.     

Synthesis of 12-aza analogs of epothilones and (E)-9,10-dehydroepothilones

N-Boc-12-aza-epothilone analog (azathilone) 1 is a potent inhibitor of human cancer cell growth and represents a structurally new class of natural product-derived microtubule-stabilizing agents. Compound 1 has been prepared employing a convergent strategy that is based on the consecutive assembly of building blocks 3, 4, and 19 into diene 20 and subsequent RCM-mediated macrocycle formation. The aldol reaction between aldehyde 3 and ketone 4 delivered the required 6R,7S diastereoisomer 5 with good selectivity and provided a reliable entry into the stereoselective synthesis of carboxylic acid 12. RCM with diene 20 was highly E-selective, thus giving efficient access to (E)-9,10-dehydro-1 (2). The latter is a key analog in SAR studies with 1.     

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.     

Withaphysanolide A, a novel C-27 norwithanolide skeleton, and other cytotoxic compounds from Physalis divericata

A novel C-27 norwithasteroid, withaphysanolide A (1) containing a pyran ring was isolated from the aerial parts of Physalis divericata. Four known withaphysalins (2-5) and five physalins (6-10) were also isolated. The structural assignment for 1 was done based on spectroscopic and single-crystal X-ray diffraction data. Logical biosynthetic pathways were postulated. Compounds 6, 7, and 10 displayed potent cytotoxic activity against HCT-116 and H460 human cancer cell lines, with IC₅₀ values less than 2.0 μM.     

Synthesis of a para-quinone macrolactam related to geldanamycin by ring closing metathesis

Model studies conducted with the α,β,γ,δ-unsaturated 3-alkenyl-2,4,5-trimethoxyanilides 11 revealed that a ring closing metathesis (RCM) of these compounds is possible if the ansa chain contains more than 14 atoms. The (Z)-configurated products 12c-e were obtained in good yields (77-87%) and with perfect simple diastereoselectivity. Since the oxidation of the 2,4,5-trimethoxyanilides led predominantly to undesired ortho-quinones such as 15 or to para-azaquinones such as 16 the macrocyclic 2,5-di-iso-propoxy-4-methoxyanilide 22 was prepared. The iso-propyl protecting groups could be selectively cleaved and the intermediate para-hydroquinone oxidized on air to the desired para-quinone 2 (86% yield). The compound shows some key features (macrolactam ring with the same ring size, α,β,γ,δ-unsaturated anilide, para-quinone) of geldanamycin.     

Diterpenes and sesquiterpenes with anti-Coxsackie virus B3 activity from the stems of Illicium jiadifengpi

Seven new diterpenes, jiadifenoic acids J–P (1–7), two new sesquicarane sesquiterpenes, sesquicaranoic acids A and B (8 and 9), and four known compounds, were isolated from the stems of Illicium jiadifengpi. The trans-fused A/B ring junction in diterpenes was deduced from NMR data analysis and confirmed by single-crystal X-ray crystallography of 3. The absolute configurations of compounds 1 and 5 were determined using the Mo₂(OAc)₄-induced circular dichroism (ICD) method. Compounds 8 and 9 are a pair of C-10 epimers, and their absolute configurations were confirmed by analyzing their CD and ICD data. All of the isolated compounds were evaluated in vitro for their antiviral activities against Coxsackie virus B3 (CVB3). Among the isolated compounds, 4, 5, 7, 10, and 11 exhibited reasonable activity against CVB3, with IC₅₀ values of 7.0–22.2 μmol/mL and selective index values (SI=TC₅₀/IC₅₀) of 49.3, 37.1, 31.3, 45.6 and 40.9, respectively.     

Novel cytotoxic icetexane diterpenes from Premna latifolia Roxb

Chromatographic fractionation of a hexane extract from stem-bark of Premna latifolia yielded three new icetexane diterpenes (1-3). Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic data, mainly NMR and MS, data. Compounds 1-3 were also evaluated for the cytotoxicity against the cancer cell lines (HT-29, A-431, MCF-7, Hep-G2, PC-3, A-549, B-16 F10 and ACHN). Compounds 1 and 2 displayed potent cytotoxic activity against HT-29 and Hep-G2 cell lines with IC₅₀ values of 0.04 and 0.18 μg/mL, respectively.     

Convenient synthesis of t-butyl Z-3-substituted glycidates under conditions of phase-transfer catalysis

Reactions of mixtures of t-butyl E- and Z-3-substituted glycidates 1a-h with 50% aq. sodium hydroxide and a catalyst, benzyltriethylammonium chloride, TEBAC in dichloromethane (phase-transfer catalysis, PTC) led to preferential hydrolysis of the E-isomers to afford pure (90-98%) t-butyl Z-3-substituted glycidates 1a-i in good yields; PTC cleavage of glycidates additionally substituted at C-2, 1g or C-3, 1h,i suggests that an aryl group in the Z isomers hampers attack of HO⁻ on the carbonyl carbon atom. As described in the literature, the diastereoselective PTC synthesis of Z-3-substituted glycidates and glycidonitriles consists of fast hydrolysis of E isomers present in mixtures with Z ones.     

Synthetic studies of mycalolide B, an actin-depolymerizing marine macrolide: construction of the tris-oxazole macrolactone using ring-closing metathesis

Tris-oxazole macrolactone 2, a key intermediate of mycalolide B (1), which has 13 stereogenic centres, was synthesized through the use of ring-closing metathesis (RCM). The E/Z ratio of the RCM product 2 was reversed by the use of CH₂Cl₂ and toluene, whereas a cross-metathesis reaction yielded the C1-C35 long-chain compound 19 in a highly E-selective manner. Thus, the loss of flexibility in aliphatic carbon chains and the steric hinderance of β- and γ-substituents of the C20 olefin in the precursor 11 may affect the stereoselectivity in RCM reactions.     

Ivorenoids A–F: limonoids from Khaya ivorensis

Six new limonoids, ivorenoids A–F (1–6), along with ten known analogues, were isolated from an ethanolic extract of the stems of Khaya ivorensis. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analyses. Compounds 1 and 2 possessed a rare rearranged skeleton of khayanolides and a unique γ-lactone (C-16/C-8) replacing the common and characteristic δ-lactone D-ring (C-16/C-17) of limonoids. A mechanism of the interesting deuteration of H-2 and H-15β of 1, and H-15β of the solvent CD₃OD due to the keto–enol tautomerism was demonstrated. Compounds 3 and 6 showed moderate activity against HL-60 cell line with IC₅₀ values of 15.3 and 17.5 μM, respectively.     

Synthesis of 1-indolyl substituted β-carboline natural products and discovery of antimalarial and cytotoxic activities

A series of 1-indolyl substituted β-carbolines including the natural products hyrtiosulawesine, pityriacitrin and pityriacitrin B were prepared via Pictet–Spengler condensation—oxidation strategy from the corresponding indolyl-acetaldehydes and substituted tryptamines. Efforts to prepare the C-1 methylene-linked β-carboline analogues for structure–activity relationship studies were unsuccessful. Biological evaluation revealed two analogues (5 and 41) to exhibit weak inhibition of phospholipase A₂ (IC₅₀ 171 and 131 μM, respectively), two to act as antioxidants (3 and 43), and 12 analogues with activity towards a chloroquine-resistant strain (FcB1) of Plasmodium falciparum (IC₅₀ 1.0–23 μM). Testing against a panel of 60 human tumour cell lines revealed a general lack of cytotoxic effect for most of the compounds with the exception of β-carboline 42 exhibiting modest antileukaemic activity towards the HL-60(TB) cell line (LC₅₀ 4.2 μM). In addition, two novel structures (30 and 32) resulting from aldol condensation followed by Pictet–Spengler cyclisation displayed cytotoxicity with pronounced subpanel specificities towards colon cancer (COLO 205 and HCC-2998) cell lines.     

Neoorthosiphonone A; a nitric oxide (NO) inhibitory diterpene with new carbon skeleton from Orthosiphon stamineus

From the aerial part of Orthosiphon stamineus from Hainan island of China, a diterpene named neoorthosiphonone A (1), having a novel carbon framework, has been isolated. Neoorthosiphonone A (1) possessed a unique unprecedented structural feature of eight-membered ring C in its structure, which may be biogenetically derived from its isopimarane precursor, orthosiphonone A, through the insertion of vinyl group into the C₁₃-C₁₄ bond. Neoorthosiphonone A (1) displayed potent inhibitory activity on the nitric oxide production in LPS-activated macrophage-like J774.1 cells with an IC₅₀ value of 7.08 μM, more potent than the positive control l-NMMA.     

Thermal rearrangements of tetrahydroimidazo[1,5-b]isoxazole-2,3-dicarboxylates. Synthesis of 3H-imidazol-1-ium ylides and their silver derivatives

Isoxazolines 2 from the cycloaddition of imidazoline 3-oxides 1 with DMAD undergo rearrangement to 3,4-dihydro-2H-imidazol-1-ium-1-(1,2-bis-methoxycarbonyl-2-oxo-ethanides) 3, which spontaneously undergo elimination to give 3H-imidazol-1-ium-1-(1,2-bis-methoxycarbonyl-2-oxo-ethanides) 5 or 1H-imidazoles 6 when heated in toluene at reflux. The presence of the aromatic ring at C-6 decelerated the conversion and enhanced the yield of 5. Solvents more polar than toluene (e.g., DMSO) provided quantitative conversion of 2 into 6 in mild conditions, while in less polar solvents such as CCl₄, the reaction rate was lowered and the yield of 5 enhanced. C-2 unsubstituted ylides 5 were treated with Ag₂O or AgNO₃ in the presence of Et₃N at room temperature to give C-2 metallated derivatives 9 in excellent yields.     

Control of the cytotoxicity of dansylated polytheonamide mimic,an artificial peptide ion channel,by modification of the N-terminal structure

We demonstrate that the cytotoxicity of dansylated polytheonamide mimic (2) is controlled by chemical modification of its N-terminal structure. Dansylated polytheonamide mimic (2) is an ion channel peptide which displays potent cytotoxicity against P388 mouse leukemia cells (IC₅₀ = 12 nM). To modulate its cytotoxicity, three analogues of 2, possessing distinct N-terminal structures with different hydrophobicities, were synthesized and their cytotoxicities were evaluated. This focused structure–activity relationship study unveiled that the cytotoxicity of 2 is enhanced 10-fold by simply changing its N-terminal 5,5-dimethyl-2-oxohexanamide to the more hydrophobic palmitamide. The data obtained here provide new understanding for the functional control of the artificial ion channel peptide 2.     

Isolation, structure elucidation and bioactivity of schischkiniin, a unique indole alkaloid from the seeds of Centaurea schischkinii

Reversed-phase HPLC analysis of the methanol extract of the seeds of Centaurea schischkinii afforded a novel indole alkaloid, named schischkiniin (1), together with four lignans, arctiin (2), matairesinoside (3), matairesinol (4), and arctigenin (5), and three flavonoids, astragalin (6), afzelin (7) and apigenin (8). While the structure of schiskiniin (1) was established unequivocally by UV, HRFABMS and a series of 1D and 2D NMR analyses, all known compounds were readily identified by comparison of their spectroscopic data with literature data. The free radical scavenging properties of these compounds were assessed using the DPPH assay, and their general toxicity and cytotoxicity were evaluated, respectively, by brine shrimp lethality and MTT cytotoxicity assays with CaCo-2 colon cancer cell lines. Arctigenin (5) exhibited promising in vitro anticancer activity (IC₅₀=7 μM) while with schischkiniin (1) the activity was of moderate level (IC₅₀=76 μM).