New lipoxygenase and cholinesterase inhibitory sphingolipids from Carthamus oxyacantha

Two new sphingolipids: oxyacanthin A [(2S,3S,4R)-2-{[(2R,5E)-2-hydroxyoctadec-5-enoyl]amino}hexaeicosane-1,3,4-triol; 1] and B [(2S,3S,4R)-2-{[(2R,5E)-2-hydroxyoctadec-5-enoyl]amino}hexaeicosane-1,3,4-triol-1-O-β-D-glucopyranoside; 2], together with 1-octacosanol, β-sitosterol, β-sitosterol 3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside and luteolin 7-O-β-glucopyranoside were isolated from the methanolic extract of the whole plant of Carthamus oxyacantha. Their structures were elucidated using ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectra and 2D NMR analyses (HMQC, HMBC and COSY) in combination with mass spectrometry (EI-MS, HR-EI-MS, FAB-MS and HR-FAB-MS) experiments and in comparison with the literature data of the related compounds. Both the compounds 1 and 2 showed inhibitory potential against lipoxygenase (LOX) in a concentration-dependent manner with IC₅₀ values 83.3 ± 1.3 and 245.7 ± 1.1 µM, whereas compound 2 showed inhibition against enzymes acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) with IC₅₀ values 65.3 ± 0.1 and 93.6 ± 0.1 µM, respectively.     

New macrocyclic diterpenes from Euphorbia connata Boiss. with cytotoxic activities on human breast cancer cell lines

Acetone:chloroform (1:2) extract of the aerial parts of Euphorbia connata Boiss. (Euphorbiaceae) was investigated for its diterpenoids. This led to the isolation of one known and two new diterpenes, belonging to the pentahydroxy-13(17)-epoxy-8,10(18)-myrsinadiene and tetrahydroxy-5,6-epoxy-14-oxo-jatropha-11(E)-ene classes. The structures were elucidated based on ¹³C and ¹H NMR as well as 2D NMR, IR and MS spectra and the cytotoxicity for compounds 1–3 were evaluated by using MTT assay against two human breast cancer cell lines. Myrsinane-type compounds – 3,7,14,15-tetraacetyl-5-propanoyl-13(17)-epoxy-8,10(18)-myrsinadiene (1) and 3,7,10,14,15-pentaacetyl-5-butanoyl-13,17-epoxy-8-myrsinene (2) – exhibited moderate inhibitory effects, with IC₅₀ values of 24.53 ± 3.39 and 26.67 ± 1.41 μM against the MDA-MB cell line, and 37.73 ± 3.41 and 34.57 ± 2.12 μM against the MCF-7 cell line, respectively. Jatrophane-type diterpene – 5,6-epoxy-8,9,15-triacetyl-3-benzoyl-14-oxo-jatropha-11(E)-ene (3) – showed weak cytotoxicity, with IC₅₀ values of 55.67 ± 7.09 μM against MDA-MB, and moderate cytotoxicity with IC₅₀ values of 24.33 ± 3.21 μM against MCF-7 cell line.     

Structure activity relationship of bergenin,p-hydroxybenzoyl bergenin, 11-O-galloylbergenin as potent antioxidant and urease inhibitor isolated from Bergenia ligulata

Ethanol extract of the aerial parts of Bergenia ligulata was subjected to solvent–solvent separation followed by various chromatographic techniques that lead to isolation of bergenine (1), p-hydroxybenzoyl bergenin (2), 11-O-galloylbergenin (3) and methyl gallate (4) as major constituents. Ethyl acetate fraction showed a dose-dependent urease inhibitory pattern with IC₅₀ value of 54μg/mL. Structures of compounds 1 and 3 were established by XRD and 2, 4 by NMR. All these compounds were subjected to DPPH scavenging activity, reducing power assay and urease inhibitory activity. The EC₅₀ 7.45 ± 0.2 μg/mL and 5.39 ± 0.28 μg/mL values in terms of antioxidant and reducing power, respectively, were less for 3. Compounds 1–3 showed moderate to significant urease inhibitory potential with IC₅₀ 57.1 ± 0.7, IC₅₀ 48.4 ± 0.3 and 38.6 ± 1.5. Antioxidant activities and urease inhibitory potential were investigated and compound 3 was found to be the most active.     

Synthesis and investigation of antibacterial activities and carbonic anhydrase and acetyl cholinesterase inhibition profiles of novel 4,5-dihydropyrazol and pyrazolyl-thiazole derivatives containing methanoisoindol-1,3-dion unit

Novel 4,5-dihydropyrazole derivatives (3a–i), 3-(4-((3aR,4S,7R,7aS)-1,3-dioxo-3a,4,7,7a-tetrahydro-1H-4,7-methanoisoindol-2(3H)-yl)phenyl)-5-phenyl-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazole-1-carbothio amide, were obtained by the addition of thiosemicarbazide (2) to the chalcones (1a–i). The addition–cyclization of 2,4′-dibromoacetophenone (4) to pyrazole derivatives (3a–i) gave the new pyrazolyl-thiazole derivatives (5a–i), (3aR,4S,7R,7aS)-2-(4-(1-(4-(4-bromophenyl)thiazol-2-yl)-5-phenyl-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)phenyl)-3a,4,7,7a-tetrahydro-1H-4,7-methanoisoindole-1,3(2H)-dione. Antibacterial and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) enzyme and human carbonic anhydrase (hCA) I, and II isoform inhibitory activities of the compounds 3a–i and 5a–i were investigated. Some of the compounds showed promising antibacterial activity. In addition, the hCA II and I were effectively inhibited by the lately synthesized derivatives, with K_i values in the range of 18.90?±?2.37 ?58.25?±?13.62?nM for hCA II and 5.72?±?0.98 ?37.67?±?5.54?nM for hCA I. Also, the K_i parameters of these compounds for AChE were obtained in the range of 25.47?±?11.11???255.74?±?82.20?nM. Also, acetazolamide, clinical molecule, was used as a CA standard inhibitor that showed K_i value of 70.55?±?12.30?nM against hCA II, and 67.17?±?9.1?nM against hCA I, and tacrine inhibited AChE showed K_i value of 263.67?±?91.95.     

A 1-D alternating copper(II) chain based on three acetate-bridging modes: synthesis,crystal structure,DNA binding and magnetic properties

A new 1-D alternating copper(II) polymer, [Cu₂(L)(OAc)₄]_n (1) (L = 5-chloro-2-(pyridine-2-yl)benzo[d]thiazole), has been isolated and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, and magnetic susceptibility. The complex crystallized in the triclinic space group P-1, a = 8.2277(16) Å, b = 9.4233(19) Å, c = 15.831(3) Å, α = 103.38(3)°, β = 99.95(3)°, γ = 92.70(3)°, V = 1171.3(4) Å³, and comprises a 1-D polymer linked by three kinds of acetate-bridging modes in an alternating manner. UV–visible and fluorescence spectra revealed that 1 is bound to CT-DNA in a partial intercalation mode. Through gel electrophoresis assays, 1 displayed an efficient oxidative cleavage activity on supercoiled plasmid DNA (pUC19) in the presence of H₂O₂. Magnetic measurements were performed from 2 to 300 K, and the experimental results were satisfactorily reproduced with J₁ = –160 ± 20 cm^?1, J₂ = 5.8 ± 0.2 cm^?1, zJ′ = 0.381 ± 0.005 cm^?1 and g = 2.1, showing antiferromagnetic coupling between Cu1 and Cu1i, ferromagnetic exchange between Cu2 and Cu2ii, and a weak ferromagnetic molecular field correction accounting for all interspecies interactions.     

Polar steroid derivatives from the Vietnamese starfish Astropecten polyacanthus

Five polar steroid derivatives, including one new glycosylated polyhydroxysteroid namely polyacanthoside A (1), were isolated from the water-soluble materials from the MeOH extract of the Vietnamese starfish Astropecten polyacanthus using various chromatographic separations. The structure elucidation was confirmed by spectroscopic experiments such as HR-ESI-MS, 1D and 2D NMR. Among the isolated compounds, (20R,24S)-3β,6α,8,15β,24-pentahydroxy-5α-cholestane (3) showed significant cytotoxic effect against five human cancer cell lines as HepG2, KB, LNCaP, MCF7 and SK-Mel2 with the IC₅₀ values from 18.03 ± 2.63 to 21.59 ± 3.23 μM.     

New β-orcinol depsides from Hypotrachyna caraccensis,a lichen from the páramo ecosystem and their free radical scavenging activity

The new hypotrachynin A (1) and B (2) along with the known (+)-(9b-R)-usnic (3) and methylstictic acids (4) were isolated for the first time from Hypotrachyna caraccensis. Additionally, their potency and reactivity as DPPH? scavengers was determined by a kinetic study calculating their EC₅₀ and second-order rate constants (k₂). Considering 1–4 could be dermatological agents, their n-octanol-water partition coefficients and standard molar Gibbs free energies of transfer were calculated as estimation of their lipophilicity and skin penetration. Compounds 1, 3 and 4 were less potent than 2 (EC₅₀ = 3.3014; 1.7540; 2.6652 vs 0.7376) as DPPH? scavengers, in turn 4, was the most reactive with a comparable k₂ to the antioxidant BHT (k₂ = (232 ± 24) × 10^?2 vs (564 ± 12) × 10^?2 M^?1 s^?1, respectively). Since 2 and 4 had an optimal lipophilicity and permeability for skin penetration, they might be developed as topical ingredients to prevent oxidative damage.     

Norfloxacin La(III)-based complex: synthesis,characterization, and DNA-binding studies

A La(III) complex, [La^IIICl₂(NOR)₂]Cl (2), containing norfloxacin (NOR) (1), a synthetic fluoroquinolone antibacterial agent, has been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, UV–vis spectra and ¹H NMR spectroscopy, and molar conductance measurements. The interaction between 2 and CT-DNA was investigated by steady-state absorption and fluorescence techniques in different pH media, and showed that 2 could bind to CT-DNA presumably via non-intercalative mode and the La(III) complex showed moderate ability to bind CT-DNA compared to other La(III) complexes. The binding site number n, and apparent binding constant K_A, corresponding thermodynamic parameters ΔG^#, ΔH^#, ΔS^# at different temperatures were calculated. The binding constant (K_A) values are 0.23 ± 0.05, 0.56 ± 0.05, and 0.18 ± 0.08 × 10⁵ L mol^?1 for pH 4, 7, and 11, respectively. It was also found that the fluorescence quenching mechanism of CT-DNA by La(III) complex was a static quenching process.     

A new benzofuran from Artemisia halodendron Turcz. ex Bess.

A new benzofuran, methyl (2S,2″S,3′E)-[2-(1″-acetoxypropan-2-yl)-2,3-dihydrobenzofuran-5-yl]acrylate (1), and 13 known compounds (2–14) were isolated from an ethanol extract of Artemisia halodendron Turcz. ex Bess. The chemical structures of these compounds were determined by 1D and 2D NMR (¹H-¹H COSY, HMBC, HMQC and NOESY) and HR-ESI-MS spectra, and results were compared with data from the literature. The effects of compounds 1–14 were measured on NF-κB activation, with compounds 2 and 3 exhibiting inhibitory activities against TNF-α-induced NF-κB reporter gene expression in HeLa cells from 10 to 100 μM.     

Acetylcholinesterase inhibitory active metabolites from the endophytic fungus Colletotrichum sp. YMF432

An endophytic fungus, Chaetomium sp. YMF432, was isolated from Huperzia serrata (Thunb. ex Murray) Trev. and subjected to phytochemical investigation based on its special environment. From the extracts of fermentation solid of strain YMF 432, eight compounds including 1-O-methylemodin (1), 5-methoxy-2-methyl-3-tricosyl-1,4-benzoquinone (2), 4,8-dihydroxy-1-tetralone (3), (3β,5α,6α, 22E)-3-hydroxy-5,6-epoxy-7-one-8(14),22-dien-ergosta (4), ergosta-4,6,8(14),22-tetraen-3-one (5), β-sitostenone (6), β-sitosterol (7) and (22E,24R)-ergosta-5,7,22 -trien-3β-ol (8) were obtained. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of their spectroscopic data. These compounds were evaluated for acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activities in vitro. Compounds 1, 2, and 4 showed moderate acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activities (IC₅₀ from 37.7 ± 1.5 to 370.0 ± 2.9 μM).     

Homobimetallic zinc(II) dithiocarbamates: synthesis,characterization and in vivo antihyperglycemic activity

This article presents structural characteristic and in vivo antihyperglycemic activities of three new homobimetallic Zn(II) dithiocarbamates (1–3) with general formula [ZnL₂]₂, where L is 4-(3-methoxyphenyl)piperazine-1-carbodithioate (1), 4-(4-methoxyphenyl)piperazine-1-carbodithioate (2) and 4-benzhydrylpiperazine-1-carbodithiaoate (3). These complexes have been characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR, multinuclear NMR (¹H and ¹³C), and X-ray single crystal analysis. The latter technique has confirmed the homobimetallic nature of 1 and 2 in which Zn ions are linked via sulfurs to form a four-membered ring Zn₂S₂. Non-covalent intermolecular interactions give a supramolecular ladder-like zigzag chain (1) and layered structure (2). The antihyperglycemic activities revealed that the blood glucose lowering ability follows the trend: glibenclamide (83.0 mg dL^?1) > 3 (97.6 mg dL^?1) > 2 (100.4 mg dL^?1) > 1 (141.4 mg dL^?1).     

[M{κ2S,S-S2C-piperazine-C2H4N=C(R)}n] {Co(III), Ni(II), Cu(II) or Zn(II)} complexes bearing pendant Schiff base moieties: spectral characterization,fluorescence, cyclic voltammetric and TGA/DTA study

A series of neutral mononuclear complexes [M{κ²S,S-S₂C-piperazine-C₂H₄N=C(R)}_n] {R?=?Ph; M?=?Co(III) 1, Ni(II) 2, Cu(II) 3, Zn(II) 4; R?=?Naph; M?=?Co(III) 5, Ni(II) 6, Cu(II) 7, Zn(II) 8; n = 2 for 2–4, 6–8 and n = 3 for 1, 5} bearing pendant Schiff base moieties were synthesized through self-assembly involving N-[phenylmethylidene]-2-piperazin-1-ylethanamine (L¹) or N-[naphthylmethylidene]-2-piperazin-1-ylethanamine (L²) with two equivalents each of CS₂ and corresponding metal acetates. The complexes 1–8 were characterized by microanalysis, ESI-MS, IR, ¹H, ¹³C NMR, DEPT 135, UV–visible absorption, and emission spectroscopy. Complexes 1, 3, and 8 exhibit fluorescence emissions at 342, 344, and 348 nm upon excitation at 273 (for 1 and 3) and 263 (for 8) with concomitant Stokes shifts of 69, 71, and 85 nm. The spectral and magnetic moment data support octahedral geometry around Co(III) and square planar/tetrahedral geometry around other metal centers. Thermal stabilities of 1–8 have been investigated by thermogravimteric analysis. The cyclic voltammograms clearly suggest that the complexes exhibit electroreduction principally associated with pendant imine moieties except Cu(II) complex 7 which displays quasi-reversible reduction corresponds to the Cu(II)/Cu(I) redox couples, in addition to reversible electroreduction of pendant imine groups associated with the coordinated ligands.     

Synthesis,characterization, and magnetochemical properties of two Mn4 clusters derived from 2-pyridinecarboxaldehyde Schiff base ligands

Two tetranuclear manganese complexes, [Mn₄(L¹)₆](ClO₄)₂?2.75H₂O (1) [HL¹ = 4-methyl-2-((pyridin-2-ylmethylene)amino)phenol] and [Mn₄(L²)₄(NO₃)₃(OH)]?pz?3H₂O (2) [HL² = (1H-pyrazol-1-yl)(pyridin-2-yl)methanol, pz = pyrazole], have been synthesized and characterized by IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, single-crystal X-ray diffraction, and magnetic measurements. The structural analysis revealed that the central manganese ion is linked with three apical manganese ions through six phenoxo-bridges creating a Mn₄O₆ core for 1; 2 has a cubane-like topology with the Mn(II) ions and the deprotonated oxygens from L² alternatively occupying vertices. The magnetic studies indicated a weak ferromagnetic coupling interaction (J = 0.48 ± 0.087 cm^?1, g = 2.00, θ = ?0.78 K) for 1 and a weak antiferromagnetic spin-exchange interaction (J₁ = ?0.50 ± 0.075 cm^?1, J₂ = ?0.13 ± 0.082 cm^?1, g = 1.98) between Mn(II) ions for 2. The magnetostructural correlations of the two Mn₄ clusters have been discussed tentatively.     

Antimicrobial substances from the rare actinomycete Nonomuraea rhodomycinica NR4-ASC07T

Nonomuraea rhodomycinica NR4-ASC07^T is a rare actinomycete isolated from soil in Sirindhorn peat swamp forest. The crude extract of its culture broth exhibited antimicrobial and anticancer against diverse human pathogens and cancer cells. The chemical investigation of the crude extract led to the isolation of two new metabolites named nonomuric acid (1) and 3-hydroxy deoxydaunorubicinol aglycone (2), along with two known bioactive compounds [ε-rhodomycinone (3) and 7-deoxy-13-dihydrocarminomycinone (4)]. Compounds 1 and 3 showed antimalarial activity with the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) of 8.00 and 8.88 μg mL^?1, respectively. Compound 4 inhibited growth of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Bacillus cereus at the minimum inhibitory concentrations of 50.0 and 12.50 μg mL^?1, respectively. Every compound exhibited cytotoxicity against cancer cells tested at IC₅₀ ≥ 6.34 μg mL^?1. These finding are the first report of bioactive metabolites produced by strain NR4-ASC07^T, suggesting that rare actinomycetes are yet promising sources for novel drug discovery.     

Solvent effects on the dimensionality of oxamato-bridged manganese(II) compounds

Abstract

Two new oxamate-containing manganese(II) complexes, [{Mn(H₂edpba)(H₂O)₂}₂]_n (1) and [Mn(H₂edpba)(dmso)₂]?dmso?CH₃COCH₃?H₂O (2) (H₄edpba = N,N′-ethylenediphenylenebis(oxamic acid) and dmso = dimethylsulfoxide), have been synthesized and the structures of 1 and 2 were characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The structure of 1 consists of neutral honeycomb networks in which each manganese(II) is six-coordinate by one H₂edpba^2? ligand and two carboxylate–oxygens from two other H₂edpba^2? ligands building the equatorial plane. Each manganese is connected to its nearest neighbor through two carboxylate(monoprotonated oxamate) bridges in an anti-syn conformation. A dmso solution of single crystals of 1 was placed under acetone atmosphere affording 2, whereas putting 2 in equimolar water:ethanol mixture results in 1. The molecular structure of 2 is made up of mononuclear manganese(II) units which are interlinked by weak C–H?π and edge-to-face π-stacking interactions leading to supramolecular chains along the crystallographic b axis. Magnetic measurements reveal the occurrence of an antiferromagnetic coupling between two manganese(II) ions through anti-syn carboxylate bridges for 1 [J = ?1.18 cm^?1, the Hamiltonian being defined as H = ?J S₁^.S₂] and very weak intrachain ferromagnetic interactions in 2 [J = + 0.046 cm^?1, H = ?J ∑_iS_i^.S_i + 1].     

Chemical constituents and biological activities of Viburnum macrocephalum f. keteleeri

Three new compounds (1–3) and seven known compounds (4–10) have been isolated from the ethanolic extract of Viburnum macrocephalum f. keteleeri using bioactivity-guided fractionation and identified as methyl (2-α-L-rhamnopyranosyloxy)acetate (1), methyl (2R-3-α-L-rhamnopyranosyloxy)glycerate (2), methyl (3R-4-α-L-rhamnopyranosyloxy-3-hydroxy)butanoate (3), bridelionoside B (4), (6S,7E,9R)-roseoside (5), linarionoside A (6), 3,7,11-trimethyl-1,6-dodecadien-3,10,11-triol (7), (+)-8-hydroxylinalool (8), β-sitosterol (9) and daucosterol (10). The structures of 1–3, including absolute configurations, were determined by spectroscopic data (¹H and ¹³C NMR, HSQC, HMBC and ORD) and chemical methods. In addition, compounds 1–8 were assayed for their insecticidal and antimicrobial activities. Compounds 7 and 8 exhibited moderately insecticidal effects against Mythimna separata with LD₅₀ values of 180 and 230 μg g^?1, respectively. Compounds 2, 3, 7 and 8 showed varying antimicrobial activities with IC₅₀ values ranging from 125 to 529 μM.     

A new cytotoxic biflavonoid from the rhizome of Wikstroemia indica

One new chalcone-flavone biflavonoid, 3′-hydroxydaphnodorin A (1), together with 12 known biflavonoids (2–13), was isolated from the rhizome of Wikstroemia indica. Their structures were established on the basis of extensive spectroscopic methods. Eight isolated compounds 1–3, 6, 7, 9, 12 and 13 were evaluated for their cytotoxic activities against cancer-derived cell lines Hep3B, HepG2 and CNE2, and 1 was found to possess moderate cytotoxicity against HepG2 and CNE2 cell lines, with IC₅₀ values of 65.5 ± 11.4 and 53.6 ± 10.1 μM, respectively.     

“Instant Methylide” Modification of the Corey–Chaykovsky Epoxide Synthesis

Abstract

We report that Me₃S(O)⁺I^? (1) and Me₃S⁺I^? (2) form stable, dry mixtures with KOt-Bu and NaH, respectively, which remain stable upon prolonged storage (>1 year). The corresponding methylides (Me₂SO=CH₂ and Me₂S=CH₂) are generated upon addition of DMSO or DMSO/THF solutions of carbonyl compounds, cleanly affording epoxides via the Corey–Chaykovsky reaction in good yields and short reaction times (as short as 20 min when 1–2 mmol of various ketones and aldehydes were treated with a mixture of 1 and KOt-Bu at 50–60°C).