Antimicrobial and cytotoxic effects of Mexican medicinal plants

The antimicrobial effects of the Mexican medicinal plants Guazuma ulmifolia, Justicia spicigera, Opuntia joconostle, O. leucotricha, Parkinsonia aculeata, Phoradendron longifolium, P. serotinum, Psittacanthus calyculatus, Tecoma stans and Teucrium cubense were tested against several human multi-drug resistant pathogens, including three Gram (+) and five Gram (-) bacterial species and three fungal species using the disk-diffusion assay. The cytotoxicity of plant extracts on human cancer cell lines and human normal non-cancerous cells was also evaluated using the MTT assay. Phoradendron longifolium, Teucrium cubense, Opuntia joconostle, Tecoma stans and Guazuma ulmifolia showed potent antimicrobial effects against at least one multidrug-resistant microorganism (inhibition zone > 15 mm). Only Justicia spicigera and Phoradendron serotinum extracts exerted active cytotoxic effects on human breast cancer cells (IC50 < or = 30 microg/mL). The results showed that Guazuma ulmifolia produced potent antimicrobial effects against Candida albicans and Acinetobacter lwoffii, whereas Justicia spicigera and Phoradendron serotinum exerted the highest toxic effects on MCF-7 and HeLa, respectively, which are human cancer cell lines. These three plant species may be important sources of antimicrobial and cytotoxic agents.     

Facile Two-Step Synthesis of 2-(2′-Aminobenzylamino)benzyl Alcohol,a Naturally Occurring Amine from Justicia gendarussa

A very simple and preparatively efficient two-step synthesis of the title compound 1, a basic constituent of the Indian medicinal plant Justicia gendarussa is accomplished via reductive alkylation of 2-aminobenzyl alcohol using zinc chloride and zinc borohydride.     

Justicidone, a novel p-quinone-lignan derivative from Justicia hyssopifolia

An uncommon, previously unreported p-quinone-lignan compound called justicidone (4-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)-6-methoxynaphtho[2,3-c]furan-1,5,8(3H)-trione) (2), along with the known savinin (1) were isolated from Justicia hyssopifolia (Acanthaceae). Their structures were determined by spectroscopic methods.     

A novel podophyllotoxin lignan from Justicia heterocarpa

Chromatographic separation of the extract of Justicia heterocarpa T. ANDERS. afforded, in addition to known fatty acids, terpenoids and steroids, a new podophyllotoxin lignan. Structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, and the structure of the new lignan was confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction studies, which have shown that there is a H-bonding stabilized dimer.     

An Alternate Synthesis of 6H‐Indolo[2,3‐b]quinoline via One‐Pot Alkylation–Dehydration–Cyclization–Aromatization Approach

A simple, straightforward and efficient synthesis of 6H‐indolo[2,3‐b]quinoline, a natural product isolated from leaves of Justicia betonica, is achieved through a pivalic acid‐assisted one‐pot alkylation–dehydration–cyclization–aromatization approach. This synthesis constitutes a formal approach toward a biologically important alkaloid neocryptolepine.     

Complete assignments of 1H and 13C NMR data for three new arylnaphthalene lignan from Justicia procumbens

Three new arylnaphthalene lignans, named neojusticin C (1), procumbenoside C (2) and procumbenoside D (3), have been isolated from the whole plant of Justicia procumbens, together with three known ones, justicidinoside B (4), justicidinoside C (5), and diphyllin-1-O-beta-D-apiofuranoside (6). The complete assignments of 1H and 13C NMR data for three new lignans were first obtained by means of 2D NMR techniques, including HSQC and HMBC.     

Complete assignments of 1H and 13C NMR data for seven arylnaphthalide lignans from Justicia procumbens

Three new arylnaphthalide lignans named 6'-hydroxy justicidin A (1), 6'-hydroxy justicidin B (2) and 6'-hydroxy justicidin C (3) have been isolated from the whole plant of Justicia procumbens, together with four known ones, neojusticin A (4), chinensinaphthol methyl ester (5), isodiphyllin (6) and taiwanin C (7). The complete assignments of 1H and 13C NMR chemical shifts for the new lignans and the 13C NMR chemical shifts for the known lignans were obtained for the first time by means of 2D NMR techniques, including HSQC and HMBC.     

Ultra high performance liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization‐tandem mass spectrometry and pharmacokinetic analysis of justicidin B and 6′‐hydroxy justicidin C in rats

Arylnaphthalene lignans have attracted considerable interest with the discovery of their antineoplastic activities. Two such compounds are justicidin B and 6′‐hydroxy justicidin C, both of which have been isolated from the herb Justicia procumbens . We sought to develop and validate a sensitive and accurate, ultra high performance liquid chromatography with electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry method for the structural determination and pharmacokinetics of justicidin B and 6′‐hydroxy justicidin C. Chromatographic separation was achieved on an Agilent 300SB‐C₁₈ column using water (0.5% formic acid, 10 mM NH₄COOH) methanol as the mobile phase. The plasma samples obtained after oral administration of the active extract of Justicia procumbens were successfully analyzed with our novel method, thereby demonstrating its sound applicability and reliability. The lower limit of quantification for justicidin B and 6′‐hydroxy justicidin C was 0.50 and 1.00 ng/mL in 50 μL rat plasma, respectively. The elimination half‐life and clearance of justicidin B was estimated to be 1.27 ± 0.61 h and 5.40 ± 0.22 L/h/kg while that of 6′‐hydroxy justicidin C was 2.07 ± 0.70 h and 11.84 ± 1.06 L/h/kg. This newly developed and validated method was successfully applied to the quantification and pharmacokinetic study of justicidin B and 6′‐hydroxy justicidin C in rats.     

Fabrication of Silver Nanoparticles Decorated on Activated Screen Printed Carbon Electrode and Its Application for Ultrasensitive Detection of Dopamine

In the present study, we report the fabrication of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) decorated on activated screen printed carbon electrode (ASPCE). The AgNPs were prepared by using Justicia glauca leaf extract as a reducing and stabilizing agent and the ASPCE was prepared by a simple electrochemical activation of screen printed carbon electrode (SPCE). The ASPCE/AgNPs shows a reversible electrochemical behaviour with enhanced response for DA than that of other modified SPCEs. Under optimum conditions, the electrochemical oxidation current response of DA is linear over the concentration range from 0.05 to 45.35 µM. The limit of detection is found as 0.017 µM with a high sensitivity of 7.85 µA µM^?1 cm^?2.     

Methodology for dyes purification by preparative bidimensional offline reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography separation based on mobile phase pH change: Case study of Justicia spicigera

The extensive characterization of the natural dyes involves the purification of their colored compounds for their structural analysis and stability studies. As most natural compounds being ionizable, herein is presented the optimization of an easy and affordable preparative bidimensional offline reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography purification based on mobile phase pH change. At the analytical scale, several combinations of stationary phases and mobile phases at different pH values were investigated first. The orthogonality between the dimensions was quantitatively evaluated using the nearest-neighbor distance approach. The optimized separation method was transferred to the preparative scale for the successful isolation of two colored compounds from Justicia spicigera, a traditional dye plant from Central America. They were identified as perisbivalvine B (2-amino-8-hydroxy-7-methoxy-3H-phenoxazin-3-one) and one of its derivatives, also found in another tinctorial plant species, Peristrophe bivalvis growing in Asia.     

Total Synthesis of 4′′‐O‐Acetylmananthoside B Part II: Synthesis of the Disaccharide Fragment

A disaccharide compound, p‐methoxyphenyl 2,3,4‐tri‐O‐benzyl‐β‐L‐arabinopyranosyl‐(1→6)‐2‐O‐benzyl‐3,4‐di‐O‐acetyl‐β‐D‐galactopyranoside ( 17 ), was successfully synthesized from two monosaccharides L‐arabinose and D‐galactose and fully characterized. This compound can be used to build a natural product 4″‐O‐acetylmanan thoside B, which was isolated from the leaves and stems of a kind of Vietnamese Acanthaceae Justicia patentiflora.     

Justiciosides E-G, triterpenoidal glycosides with an unusual skeleton from Justicia betonica

Three new triterpenoidal glucosides, justiciosides E, F and G, were isolated from the aerial portion of Justicia betonica. Their structures were established through chemical and spectroscopic analyses, and showed an unusual A-nor-B-homo oleanan-12-ene skeleton type for the aglycone moiety as A-nor-B-homo-oleanan-10,12-diene-3β,11α,28-triol 28-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→2)-β-d-glucopyranoside, A-nor-B-homo-oleanan-10,12-diene-3β,11α,28-triol 28-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→2)-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→2)-β-d-glucopyranoside, and 11α-methoxy-A-nor-B-homo-oleanan-10,12-diene-3β,11α,28-triol 28-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→2)-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→2)-β-d-glucopyranoside, respectively.     

Detection and Confirmation of Alkaloids in Leaves of Justicia adhatoda and Bioinformatics Approach to Elicit Its Anti-tuberculosis Activity

The extraction and determination of alkaloids was performed and confirmed by phytochemical analysis. Six different quinazoline alkaloids (vasicoline, vasicolinone, vasicinone, vasicine, adhatodine and anisotine) were found in the leaf of Justicia adhatoda (J. adhatoda). The presence of the peaks obtained through HPLC indicated the diverse nature of alkaloid present in the leaf. The enzyme ??-ketoacyl-acyl-carrier protein synthase III that catalyses the initial step of fatty acid biosynthesis (FabH) via a type II fatty acid synthase has unique structural features and universal occurrence in Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis). Thus, it was considered as a target for designing of anti-tuberculosis compounds. Docking simulations were conducted on the above alkaloids derived from J. adhatoda. The combination of docking/scoring provided interesting insights into the binding of different inhibitors and their activity. These results will be useful for designing inhibitors for M. tuberculosis and also will be a good starting point for natural plant-based pharmaceutical chemistry.     

Chromatographic fingerprint analysis and simultaneous determination of eight lignans in Justicia procumbens and its compound preparation by HPLC-DAD

HPLC fingerprints were developed for the quality evaluation of Justicia procumbens and its compound preparation, Jian-er syrup, together with the simultaneous quantification of eight arylnaphthalide lignans (6'-hydroxy justicidin B, 6'-hydroxy justicidin A, 6'-hydroxy justicidin C, justicidin B, chinensinaphthol methyl ether, justicidin C, taiwanin C, and neojusticin A). Samples were separated with a Shiseido Capcell Pak C(18) reversed-phase column (250×4.6 mm id, 5 μm) using acetonitrile and water as the mobile phase. The column temperature was maintained at 35°C and the wavelength of detector was set at 256 nm. For fingerprint analysis, 17 peaks were selected as the characteristic peaks for the evaluation of the similarities among different J. procumbens samples collected in different places. The structures of lignans were confirmed by diagnostic fragments in the positive ESI-MS(n) . The new method was successfully applied for the chromatographic fingerprint analysis and simultaneous determination of eight lignans in its compound preparation, Jian-er syrup. All the results indicated that HPLC fingerprint assay in combination with multi-marker determination afforded a useful method for the quality control of J. procumbens and its compound preparation, Jian-er syrup.     

Neue β-Lactam-Antibiotika. Über Derivate der 3-Hydroxy-7-amino-ceph-3-em-4-carbonsäure. Modifikationen von Antibiotika, 10. Mitteilung [1]

3-Hydroxy-ceph-3-em-esters 5 a – c , versatile intermediates for the preparation of new β-lactam antibiotics, were obtained by ozonolysis of the corresponding 3-methylidene-esters 3 a – c . Reduction and elimination gave the 3-unsubstituted ester 13 ; derivatives 16 a – c and 20 – 22 resulted from O-alkylation. The 3-methoxy-esters 16 a – c were converted into the corresponding acids 23 a – d . Several other transformations of the β-ketoester system are described.     

Ein neuer Reaktionsweg zu 1, 3-Dicarbonylderivaten. Modelluntersuchungen am A/B-Teil von 3-Oxo-5α-steroiden

A New Route to 1, 3-Dicarbonyl Derivatives, Model Investigations on the A/B-Part of-3-Oxo-5α-steroids Starting from 1 the 1, 3-dicarbonyl compounds 4a – d were synthetized via the enynes 2a – e and the relatively unstable epoxides 3a – d . The latter were reacted with 95% formic acid to gave 4a – d ; small amounts of the furane derivatives 5a – c were identified as by-products in this last step. In the presence of catalytic amounts of HgSO₄ the epoxides 3a – c yielded with 95% formic acid the furanes 5a – c , but no detectable amounts of 4a – c .     

Cycloaddition von Heterocumulenen an CN-Bindungssysteme. 1. Mitteilung. Perhydro-s-triazindione und Perhydro-s-triazinyl-harnstoffe aus N,N,N′-trisubstituieten Formamidinen und Isocyanaten

The addition of methyl isocyanate to N,N-dimethyl-N′-arylformamidines 4d – 4r leads to the perhydro-s-triazine-diones 5d – 5o and to the s-triazinylureas 10a – 10k . The mechanism of formation is discussed. The addition of the arylisocyanates 18a – 18p to the N,N,N′-trialkylformamidines 9 and 27a – 27i furnishes the expected 1,4-cycloaddition products 26 and 27 in good yields. The N,N-di-isopropyl-N′-alkylformamidines 27j – 271 , however, do not undergo 1,4-dipolar cycloadditions and react with the arylisocyanate 18b to yield the alkyl isocyanates 31a – 31c and N,N-diisopropyl-N′-(p-chlorphenyl)-formamidine 32 exclusively.     

Laser-Induced Hydrogen Radical Removal in UV MALDI-MS Allows for the Differentiation of Flavonoid Monoglycoside Isomers

Negative-ion matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) time-of-flight mass spectra and tandem mass spectra of flavonoid mono-O-glycosides showed the irregular signals that were 1 and/or 2 Da smaller than the parent deprotonated molecules ([M – H]^–) and the sugar-unit lost fragment ions ([M – Sugar – H]^–). The 1 and/or 2 Da mass shifts are generated with the removing of a neutral hydrogen radical (H*), and/or with the homolytic cleavage of the glycosidic bond, such as [M – H* – H]^–, [M – Sugar – H* – H]^–, and [M – Sugar – 2H* – H]^–. It was revealed that the hydrogen radical removes from the phenolic hydroxy groups on the flavonoids, not from the sugar moiety, because the flavonoid backbones themselves absorb the laser. The glycosyl positions depend on the extent of the hydrogen radical removals and that of the homolytic cleavage of the glycosidic bonds. Flavonoid mono-glycoside isomers were distinguished according to their TOF MS and tandem mass spectra.

Acid/Alkali Gated Photochromism of Diarylethenes with Quinoline Derivatives

Three new diarylethenes 1 – 3 combined with quinoline derivatives have been synthesized. Through controlled chemical condition of deprotonation/protonation, they presented some new irreversible photochromic phenomenons under UV/Vis light irradiation in chloroform solution. It was found that 1 – 3 had well photoisomerization upon UV/Vis light irradiation in neutral chloroform solution. Addition of acid to the solution of the ring‐opening isomers of 1 – 3 produced 1oa – 3oa , which performed reversible photochromic behavior under UV/Vis light irradiation and reversed back to 1 – 3 under neutralizing with adding lewis base. However, addtion of base to neutral soluton of the ring‐opening isomers of 1 – 3 produced 1ob – 3ob , which could not change to the deprotonated ring‐closing isomers under UV light irradiation.     

Addition von Aldehyden an aktivierte Doppelbindungen,XXXIV1). Addition von Aldehyden an cyclische α-Methylenketone

Addition of Aldehydes to Activated Double Bonds, XXXIV¹⁾. Addition of Aldehydes to Cyclic α-Methylene Ketones The thiazolium salt-catalyzed addition of aldehydes to the cyclic α-methylene ketones 3, 4, 7, 8, 48 , and 49 leads to γ-diketones 9 – 22, 50 – 53 ; some of them were converted into unsaturated ketones 23 – 28 , pyrroles 29 – 34, 37 – 43 , and furans 35, 36, 44 – 46 . The α-methylene ketones were synthesized by retro Diels-Alder reaction of the corresponding norbornene compounds 1, 2, 5, 6, 47 .