Optical Resolution and Structure Determination of New Indolizidine Alkaloids from Elaeocarpus sphaericus

Two new indolizidine alkaloids, (±)‐3‐oxoisoelaeocarpine ( 1 ) and (±)‐elaeocarpine N‐oxide ( 2 ), along with three known alkaloids, (±)‐isoelaeocarpine ( 3 ), (±)‐elaeocarpine ( 4 ), and (?)‐isoelaeocarpiline ( 5 ), were isolated from an EtOH extract of the branches and leaves of Elaeocarpus sphaericus. The structures of these compounds were determined by spectroscopic and chemical methods. Furthermore, enantiomers of compounds 1 and 3 were separated on a chiral CD‐Ph column, and their absolute configurations were determined by TD‐DFT (=time‐dependent density‐functional theory) quantum‐chemical calculations of their electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectra.     

Three New Chalcones from the Aerial Parts of Angelica keiskei

Three new chalcones, 3′‐carboxymethyl‐4,2′‐dihydroxy‐4′‐methoxychalcone ( 1 ), (±)‐4,2′,4′‐trihydroxy‐3′‐[(3‐hydroxy‐2,2‐dimethyl‐6‐methylenecyclohexyl)methyl]chalcone ( 2 ), and 2′′‐hydroxyangelichalcone ( 3 ), were isolated from the aerial parts of Angelica keiskei (Umbelliferae) together with five known compounds, artocarmitin A ( 4 ), (+)‐cis‐(3′R,4′R)‐methylkhellactone ( 5 ), (?)‐trans‐(3′R,4′S)‐methylkhellactone ( 6 ), 3,4‐dihydroxanthotoxin ( 7 ), and (Z)‐p‐coumaryl alcohol ( 8 ). The known compounds 4  –  8 were identified from A. keiskei for the first time. The structures of 1  –  3 were elucidated by interpreting spectroscopic data including 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR.     

Chemical Constituents from Termite‐associated Xylaria acuminatilongissima YMJ623

Three previously unreported benzofurans, namely acumifurans A–C ( 1 – 3 ), along with five known compounds, 2‐(isopropyl‐1′‐ol)‐2,3‐dihydrobenzofuran‐5‐carbinol ( 4 ), fomannoxin alcohol ( 5 ), fomannoxin ( 6 ), acremine S ( 7 ) and cyclo(L ‐Pro‐L ‐Leu) ( 8 ), were isolated from the ethyl acetate extracts of the fermented broths of termite n est associated Xylaria acuminatilongissima YMJ623. Compound 4 , a synthe tic benzofuran analogue of 1 – 3 , was isolated for the first time from natural resources. The str uctures of 1 – 8 were determined through spectroscopic data analyses. The absolute configurations of 1 – 4 were established based mainly on ROESY experiment and Mosher’s reaction, and compared the optical rotation data with the literatures. The effects of these compounds on the inhibition of NO production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐activated murine macrophage RAW264.7 cells were also evaluated. Of the compounds tested, 6 showed a mild NO production inhibitory activity without any cytotoxicity, and its mean maximum inhibition (E_max) at 100 μM was 42.98±0.87 %.     

Two Novel and Anti‐Inflammatory Constituents of Artocarpus rigida

With the scope of our search for biologically active compounds, two new phenolic compounds, artocarpols G ( 1 ) and H ( 2 ), and two known compounds, rubraflavone C ( 3 ) and trans‐stilbene‐2,4,3′,5′‐tetrol, were isolated from the root bark of Artocarpus rigida. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic methods and comparison with data reported in the literature. Compound 4 , previously isolated from this plant, strongly inhibited in a concentration‐dependent manner the release of β‐glucuronidase and histamine from mast cell degranulation caused by compound 48/80, with IC₅₀ values of 10.9±1.4 and 13.2±0.6 μM , respectively. Compound 4 also showed a concentration‐dependent inhibitory effect on the formyl‐peptide‐stimulated superoxide anion formation in neutrophils with an IC₅₀ value of 26.0±5.6 μM .     

Two New Iridoids from the Stem of Catalpa ovata

Two new iridoids, 6‐O‐[(E)‐feruloyl]jioglutin D ( 1 ) and 6‐O‐(4‐hydroxybenzoyl)jioglutin D ( 2 ), and six known compounds, minecoside ( 3 ), specioside ( 4 ), picroside II ( 5 ), picroside III ( 6 ), 4‐hydroxybenzoic acid ( 7 ), and martynoside ( 8 ), were isolated from the stem of Catalpa ovata. The structures of the new compounds were established on the basis of spectroscopic techniques, including 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR.     

1H and 13C NMR assignments of eight nitrogen containing compounds from Nocardia alba sp.nov (YIM 30243T)

An unprecedented new natural product named nocarsin A (1), 5H‐4a,6,7a‐triazacyclopenta[cd]indene‐5,7(6H)‐dione (1), together with seven known compounds lumichrome (2), cyclo (L ‐Leu‐L ‐Tyr) (3), cyclo (L ‐Ala‐L ‐Ile) (4), cyclo (L ‐Ala‐L ‐Leu) (5), cyclo (L ‐Val‐L ‐Ala) (6), 5‐methyluracil (7) and uracil (8), was isolated from Nocardia alba sp.nov (YIM 30243^T), which was isolated from a soil sample collected from Yunnan Province, P. R. China. NMR techniques including COSY, HSQC, ROESY, and HMBC were used to elucidate the structures of these compounds. We report the unambiguous assignments of the ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectra of the new compound nocarsin A (1). Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A New Biphenylpropanoid from Alpinia Katsumadai

A new biphenylpropanoid, katsumadin (1), together with seven known ones cardamonin (2), (4E, 6E)‐1,7‐diphenyl‐4,6‐heptadien‐3‐one (3), pinocembrin (4), (4Z, 6E)‐5‐hydroxy‐1,7‐diphenyl‐4, 6‐heptadien‐3‐one (5), 7,4î‐dihydroxy‐5‐methoxyflavanone (6), 3,5‐dihydroxystilbene (7), and alpinetin (8) were isolated from the seeds of Alpinia katsumadai Hayata and identified based on detailed spectral analysis including 2D NMR spectrometry and HRMS. Compounds 1‐4 and 8 showed antiemetic activity.     

Four New Lanostane Triterpenoids from Euphorbia humifusa

Four new lanostane triterpenoids, namely (3β)‐3‐hydroxy‐24‐methylenelanost‐8‐ene‐7,11‐dione ( 1 ), (3β)‐3‐hydroxylanosta‐8,24‐diene‐7,11‐dione ( 2 ), (3β,7α)‐3,7‐dihydroxylanosta‐8,24‐dien‐11‐one ( 3 ), and (3β,11β)‐3,11‐dihydroxylanosta‐8,24‐dien‐7‐one ( 4 ) were isolated from Euphorbia humifusa, together with 2 known compounds. The structures of these new compounds were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis and comparison with the related known compounds.     

Terpenoids from Croton regelianus

Two new terpenoids, the bisnorditerpene rel‐(5β,8α,10α)‐8‐hydroxy‐13‐methylpodocarpa‐9(11),13‐diene‐3,12‐dione ( 1 ) and the guaiane sesquiterpene rel‐(1R,4S,6R,7S,8aR)‐decahydro‐1‐(hydroxymethyl)‐4,9,9‐trimethyl‐4,7‐(epoxymethano)azulen‐6‐ol ( 2 ), together with seven known compounds, were isolated from Croton regelianus var. matosii. The structures of the isolated compounds were determined by HR‐ESI‐TOF and a combination of 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR experiments.     

A Guaianolide Sesquiterpene,a Chromenone,and a Flavanone from Ligularia macrophylla

Three new compounds, (5β,9β)‐guaia‐6,10(14)‐dien‐9‐ol (=rel‐(1R,3aS,5R,8aR)‐1,2,3,3a,4,5,6,8a‐octahydro‐1‐methyl‐4‐methylene‐7‐(1‐methylethyl)azulen‐5‐ol; 1 ), 6‐acetyl‐8‐methoxy‐2,3‐dimethylchromen‐4‐one (=6‐acetyl‐8‐methoxy‐2,3‐dimethyl‐4H‐1‐benzopyran‐4‐one; 2 ), and (2S)‐3′‐hydroxy‐5′,7‐dimethoxyflavanone (=(2S)‐2,3‐dihydro‐2‐(3‐hydroxy‐5‐methoxyphenyl)‐7‐methoxy‐4H‐1‐benzopyran‐4‐one; 3 ) were isolated from the roots and rhizomes of Ligularia macrophylla, together with seven known compounds. Their structures and configurations were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, including 2D‐NMR techniques.     

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 .     

New Lignans from the Roots of Taiwania cryptomerioides Hayata

The five new lignans designated 3′,4′‐de‐O‐methylenehinokinin ( 1 ), taiwaninolide ( 2 ), 8′‐hydroxysavinin ( 3 ), isoguamarol ( 4 ), and 4′‐O‐methylsalicifolin ( 5 ), as well as the new 4‐(3,4‐dimethoxybenzyl)dihydro‐3‐(4‐hydroxybenzyl)furan‐2(3H)‐one ( 6 ) were isolated from the roots of Taiwania cryptomerioides, besides the three known compounds hinokinin ( 8 ), savinin ( 9 ), and 3,4‐de‐O‐methylenehinokinin ( 7 ). The structures of the new constituents were elucidated through chemical and spectral studies. A compound previously isolated from the heartwood of Chamaecyparis obtusa var. formosana was assigned structure 1 ; however, this structure has now been revised to be 3,4‐de‐O‐methylenehinokinin ( 7 ).     

A New Isofuranonaphthalenone and Benzopyrans from the Endophytic Fungus Nodulisporium sp. A4 from Aquilaria sinensis

A new isofuranonaphthalenone, (7R*,8S*)‐3,6,7,8‐tetrahydro‐4,7,8‐trihydroxynaphtho[2,3‐c]furan‐5(1H)‐one ( 1 ), and a new benzopyran, (2R*,4R*)‐3,4‐dihydro‐4‐methoxy‐2‐methyl‐2H‐1‐benzopyran‐5‐ol ( 2 ), together with four known related analogs, 3 – 6 , were isolated from the culture of Nodulisporium sp. A4, an endophytic fungus from the stem of Aquilaria sinensis (Lour.) Gilg . The structures of the isolated compounds were determined by extensive analysis of their spectroscopic data as well as by comparison with literature reports. The isolated compounds 1 – 6 were evaluated for their cytotoxic activities against the NCI‐H460 and SF‐268 tumor cell lines.     

New Synthetic Routes to Biologically Interesting Geranylated Flavanones and Geranylated Chalcones: First Total Synthesis of (±)‐Prostratol F,Xanthoangelol, and (±)‐Lespeol

A new and efficient synthetic approach to biologically interesting geranylated flavanones and geranylated chalcones is described. Thus, the first total syntheses of the geranylated flavanones (±)‐prostratol F ( 1 ), (±)‐8‐geranyl‐3′,4′,7‐trihydroxyflavanone ( 2 ), and (±)‐6‐geranyl‐5,7‐dihydroxy‐3′,4′‐dimethoxyflavanone ( 3 ) were carried out starting from 2,4‐dihydroxyacetophenone ( 10 ) and 2,4,6‐trihydroxyacethophenone ( 17 ) in five to six steps (Schemes 2 and 3). The geranylated chalcones xanthoangelol ( 4 ), 3‐geranyl‐2,3′,4,4′‐tetrahydroxychalcone ( 5 ), (±)‐lespeol ( 6 ), and lespeol derivatives (±)‐ 7 – 9 were synthesized starting from 2,4‐dihydroxyacetophenone ( 10 ) in three to four steps (Schemes 2 and 6).     

New Lignan,Benzofuran, and Sesquiterpene Derivatives from the Roots of Leontopodium alpinum and L. leontopodioides

Three new compounds, including a benzofuran, 1‐{(2R*,3S*)‐3‐(β‐D ‐glucopyranosyloxy)‐2,3‐dihydro‐2‐[1‐(hydroxymethyl)vinyl]‐1‐benzofuran‐5‐yl}ethanone ( 1 ), a lignan, [(2S,3R,4R)‐4‐(3,4‐dimethoxybenzyl)‐2‐(3,4‐dimethoxyphenyl)tetrahydrofuran‐3‐yl]methyl (2E)‐2‐methylbut‐2‐enoate ( 2 ), and a silphiperfolene‐type sesquiterpene, [(1S,2Z,3aS,5aS,6R,8aR)‐1,3a,4,5,5a,6,7,8‐octahydro‐1,3a,6‐trimethylcyclopenta[c]pentalen‐2‐yl]methyl acetate ( 3 ), together with the known coumarins obliquin ( 4 ) and its 5‐methoxy derivative 5 were isolated from the roots of Leontopodium alpinum. Another known coumarin derivative, 5‐hydroxyobliquin ( 6 ), was isolated from the roots of L. leontopodioides. The structures of these compounds were established by spectroscopic studies.     

Three New Sesquiterpenes from Laggera pterodonta

A new eremophilane sesquiterpene, (2β)‐2‐deoxo‐2‐methoxytessaric acid ( 1 ), and two new eudesmane sesquiterpenes, (3β,10α)‐3‐methoxyleudesma‐4,11(13)‐dien‐12‐oic acid ( 2 ) and (3α,4β,8α)‐4‐(acetyloxy)‐3‐(2,3‐dihydroxy)‐2‐methyl‐1‐oxobutoxy‐8‐hydroxyeudesm‐7(11)‐eno‐12,8‐lactone ( 3 ), along with the ten known compounds 4 – 13 were isolated from the aerial parts of Laggera pterodonta. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic analyses, including 2D‐NMR data.     

Three New Isoflavonoids from the Aerial Parts of Ammopiptanthus mongolicus

Three new isoflavonoids, namely (±)‐ammopiptanine A ( 1 ), ammopiptanine B ( 2 ), ammopiptanoside A ( 3 ), together with 13 known compounds, were isolated from the aerial parts of Ammopiptanthus mongolicus. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of detailed spectroscopic analyses and by comparison with those of related model compounds. The isoflavonoids described, except formononetin, wistin, daidzein, and calycosin, were isolated from this plant for the first time.     

Bisresorcinol Derivatives from Grevillea glauca

Seven new and three known bisresorcinols, grevirobstol A (=5,5′‐((6Z,9Z)‐hexadeca‐6,9‐diene‐1,16‐diyl)bisresorcinol; 8 ), 5,5′‐[(8Z)‐hexadec‐8‐ene‐1,16‐diyl]bisresorcinol ( 9 ), and 2‐methyl‐5,5′‐[8Z)‐hexadec‐8‐ene‐1,16‐diyl]bisresorcinol ( 10 ) were isolated from the stems of Grevillea glauca. The new compounds were identified on the basis of spectroscopic data as (Z)‐6,7‐didehydroglaucone A ( 1 ), glaucones A and B ( 2 and 3 , resp.), 2‐(3‐hydroxyisopentyl)bisnorstriatol ( 4 ), 2‐(3‐methylbut‐2‐en‐1‐yl)bisnorstriatol ( 5 ), 2′‐methylgrebustol A ( 6 ), and glaucane ( 7 ).     

New Long‐Chain Esters and Adenine Analogs from the Leaves of Formosan Bridelia balansae

Six new compounds, including the two long‐chain esters balansenate I (=6,8,11‐trimethyldodecanoic acid (2E)‐3‐methylhexadec‐2‐enyl ester; 1 ) and balansenate II (=10,12,15‐trimethylhexadedecanoic acid (2E)‐3‐methylhexadec‐2‐enyl ester; 2 ), the eburicane‐like triterpenoid bridelone (=hexadecahydro‐4,4,10,13,14‐pentamethyl‐17‐(5‐methyl‐1,4‐dimethylenehexyl)‐3H‐cyclopenta[a]phenanthren‐3‐one; 3 ), the ‘deimino‐xanthine', bridelonine (=5‐(3‐methylbut‐2‐enyl)pyrrolo[3,4‐d]imidazole‐4,6(1H,5H)‐dione; 6 ), and the two adenine analogs 9‐(3‐methylbut‐2‐enyl)adenine ( 7 ) and 1‐(3‐methylbut‐2‐enyl)adenine ( 8 ), besides three known compounds, i.e., N⁶‐(3‐methylbut‐2‐enyl)adenine ( 4 ), 3‐(3‐methylbut‐2‐enyl)adenine ( 5 ), and adenine ( 9 ), were isolated from the leaves of Formosan Bridelia balansae. The novel skeleton of 6 consists of a fused pyrrolidine‐2,5‐dione and imidazole moiety. The already known adenines 7 and 8 were isolated for the first time from a plant. The structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic analyses.     

New jacaranone glucoside from Jacaranda oxyphylla leaves

Jacaranda oxyphylla Cham. is popularly known as ‘caroba-de-São-Paulo’ and it is used in traditional medicine for microbial infections. A new phytoquinoid (α/β-glucoside-4-phenylacetate-6-(1-hydroxy-4-oxo-2,5-cyclohexadiene-1-acetate) (1) was isolated from J. oxyphylla leaves, together with three known compounds: quercetin-3-O-β-d-galactoside (2), verbascoside (3) and polystyrene (4). Their chemical structures were elucidated using spectroscopic techniques and by comparison with the related known compounds. In addition, it was found a pronounced acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity for the quinoid 1 (100.0 ± 0.8%) and phenolic compounds 2 and 3 (99.9 ± 0.7 and 99.3 ± 0.5%, respectively), if compared to the standard eserine (92.7 ± 0.4%), that was analysed by a microplate spectrophotometer.