Visconata: A rare flavonol having long chain fatty acid from Dodonaea viscosa which inhibits Human neutrophil elastase (HNE)

A series of flavonoids were isolated from Dodonaea Viscosa and tested for inhibition of human neutrophil elastase (HNE), enzyme involved in inflammatory disorders. Isolated compounds were identified as a novel flavonol (1) along with eight known flavonoids (2–9). Novel flavonol, visconata (1) has a very rare skeleton having odd numbered long chain (C19) fatty acid, which was completely identified by mass fragmentation and 2D NMR analysis. All compounds (1–9) inhibited HNE in dose dependent manner with IC₅₀s ranging between 2.4 and 150 μM. Visconata (1) emerged to be the most potent compound with 2.4 μM of IC₅₀. In kinetic studies, compound (1) was observed to be reversible, noncompetitive inhibitor having K_i = 1.8 μM, whereas other flavonoids (2–9) displayed mixed type inhibition.     

Cytotoxic arylbenzofuran and stilbene derivatives from the twigs of Artocarpus heterophyllus

Four new natural products, including three arylbenzofurans named heterophyllenes A-C (1–3), and one stilbene named heterophyllene D (4), together with twenty-one known compounds were isolated from the twigs of Artocarpus heterophyllus and their structures elucidated by spectroscopic methods, mainly 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy. The cytotoxic activity of selected compounds against KB, MCF-7 and NCI-H187 cell lines was evaluated. Heterophyllene C (3) exhibited cytotoxicity against the MCF-7 cell line with an IC₅₀ value of 12.56 μM. Additionally, the known compounds norartocarpin and artocarpin showed cytotoxic activity against MCF-7 and KB cell lines with IC₅₀ values of 10.04 and 13.57 μM, respectively. Both compounds also displayed cytotoxicity against the NCI-H187 cell line with values of 14.78 and 14.21 μM, respectively.     

Efficient,collective synthesis and nitric oxide inhibitory activity of rubrolides E,F, R,S and their derivatives

An efficient first synthesis of biologically significant natural butenolides, rubrolides F (1f), R (1r), S (1s) & its 7″,8″-didehydro derivative (1sa), and 3″-bromo rubrolide (1fa) along with the synthesis of rubrolide E (1e) and its di-O-methyl derivative (1ea) is accomplished in a collective fashion from commercially available and inexpensive precursors in overall yields of 14–48.5%. Key features are Wittig-Horner reaction, SeO₂-induced tandem allylic hydroxylation/intramolecular cyclization and Knoevenagel condensation. Next, in their inhibitory activity towards nitric oxide (NO) production in lipopolysaccharide-induced RAW 264.7 macrophages as an indicator of anti-inflammatory activity, all compounds displayed good inhibitory activity in a concentration-dependent manner. None of the compound exhibited notable cytotoxicity at the highest concentration (10 μM) and IC₅₀ values are found in the range from 8.53 to 17.85 μM.     

α-Glucosidase inhibitors from the stem of Mangifera reba

Two new neolignans, named rebaneolignan A (1) and B (2), were isolated from the stem of Mangifera reba (Anacardiaceae), together with six known compounds (3–8). Their structures were elucidated on the basis of NMR spectroscopic analysis and the absolute configurations of 1 and 2 were determined by NOESY and CD data. All isolated compounds were found to possess more potent inhibitory activity, with IC₅₀ values ranging from 28.5 to 162.8 µM, than the positive control acarbose (IC₅₀, 214.5 µM). Plausible biosynthetic pathways for the formation of 1 and 2 were proposed based on the oxidative β-5′ coupling reactions.     

A new cytotoxic salannin-class limonoid alkaloid from seeds of Azadirachta indica A. Juss

Azadiramide A (1), a new salannin-class limonoid alkaloid, inhibits growth of human breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cell line with IC₅₀ value of 2.70±0.63 μmol/L.     

Design,synthesis and biological evaluation of quinazolin-4(3H)-one Schiff base conjugates as potential antiamoebic agents

In an effort to develop novel antiamoebic scaffolds having better efficacy than the standard drug metronidazole (IC₅₀ = 1.80 μM) used against Entamoeba histolytica, quinazolin-4(3H)-one Schiff base conjugates were synthesized and evaluated against HM1: IMSS strain of E. histolytica. Out of the thirteen compounds (S2-S14), six compounds (S2, S3, S4, S5, S6 and S11) were found to be better inhibitors than metronidazole and showed low cytotoxicity on HeLa cells, a cervical cancer cell line. The structure of intermediate compound S1 was confirmed by crystal structure studies.     

Two new dimmeric xanthanolides isolated from Xanthium mogolium Kitag plant

Two xanthanolide-type dimmers, namely Mogolide D (4) and Mogolide E (5) are isolated from the aerial parts of Xanthium mogolium Kitag plant collected from Heilongjiang province, China. The dimmers’ relative structures are elucidated on the basis of HRESIMS, IR spectrum and NMR spectroscopy. The absolute configurations of them are assigned with ECD spectra. The biosynthetic pathway of the two dimmers is also proposed. Besides, Mogolide D (4) and Mogolide E (5) are tested against MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell line with IC₅₀ 8.46 μM and 19.20 μM, respectively.     

Two ring opened oxetane taxoids containing a C-20 benzoyloxy group from the roots of Taxus wallichiana Zucc.

Two new taxanes, named wallitaxane G (1) and H (2), were isolated from the roots of Taxus wallichiana (Taxaceae), together with nine known compounds (3?11). Their structures were elucidated on the basis of NMR spectroscopic analysis and the relative configurations of 1 and 2 were determined based on NOESY data. Wallitaxane H (2) showed the most potent α-glucosidase inhibitory activity, with an IC₅₀ value of 16.1 μM. Plausible biosynthetic pathways for the formation of 1 and 2 were proposed based on oxetane ring-opening and benzoyl migration.     

Antiplasmodial Securinega alkaloids from Phyllanthus fraternus: Discovery of natural (+)-allonorsecurinine

The chemical investigation of the antimalarial plant Phyllanthus fraternus G. L. Webster (Phyllanthaceae) resulted in the discovery of the Securinega alkaloid (+)-allonorsecurinine (1), previously reported as a synthetic compound, together with the known ent-norsecurinine (2), nirurine (3), bubbialine (4), epibubbialine (5) and the lignan phyllanthin (6). The structure and absolute configuration of the new compound were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis, optical rotation, and GIAO NMR shift calculation followed by CP3 analysis. The antiplasmodial activity of these compounds was evaluated against chloroquine-resistant (W2) and -sensitive (3D7) strains of Plasmodium falciparum. Among them, ent-norsecurinine (2) and (+)-allonorsecurinine (1) showed the strongest activity (IC₅₀: 1.14 ± 0.32 and 2.57 ± 0.53 µM) respectively, against W2 but one of the weakest against 3D7.     

Lanostane triterpenoids from fruiting bodies of the bracket fungus Fomitopsis feei

Three 24-methyl-lanostane triterpenoids, fomitopsins D–F (1–3), were isolated together with four known compounds (4–7) from fruiting bodies of the basidiomycete Fomitopsis feei. The structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analysis and chemical correlations, including the conversion of 1 into a mixture of 2 and 3 under acidic conditions. Compound 1 was previously isolated after conversion to a methyl ester derivative, however, the side-chain stereochemistry was not determined. Fomitopsins E (2) and F (3) exhibited activity against Bacillus cereus with MIC values of 6.25 μg/mL. On the other hand, fomitopsin D (1) showed activity against herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) with an IC₅₀ value of 17 μg/mL.     

Catharoseumine,a new monoterpenoid indole alkaloid possessing a peroxy bridge from Catharanthus roseus

Catharoseumine (1), a new monoterpenoid indole alkaloid possessing a unique peroxy bridge moiety, was isolated from the whole plants of Catharanthus roseus. Its structure was elucidated on the basis of NMR, IR, UV, and high-resolution mass spectrometric data, and its absolute configuration was determined by ECD and chemical methods. Catharoseumine (1) exhibited cytotoxicity against HL-60 cell line with IC₅₀ value of 6.28 μM and potential inhibition against Plasmodium falciparum falcipain-2 (IC₅₀ = 4.06 μM). A plausible biogenetic pathway of 1 was also proposed.     

A pair of tirucallane C27-triterpenoid cyclopentenone epimers from the stem barks of Aphanamixis grandifolia

Two novel tirucallane C₂₇-triterpenoid epimers, aphagranins A (1) and B (2), featuring an unprecedented enolized cyclopentenone presented in the side-chain at C-17, were isolated from the stem barks of Aphanamixis grandifolia. Extensive spectroscopic analyses helped the establishment of the structures of the two isolates, whose absolute configurations were determined using density functional theory (DFT) calculations of optical rotation, and electronic circular dichroism (ECD). Remarkable discrepancies in the inhibitory activities against the growth of six lines of human cancer cells (MCF-7, A549, HepG2, Bel-7402, SGC-7901, and BGC-823) were found for the two epimers: with IC₅₀ less than 10 μM, aphagranin A exhibited much stronger antiproliferative activity than aphagranin B, showing no such activities with IC₅₀ over 20 μM.     

Nodupetide,a potent insecticide and antimicrobial from Nodulisporium sp. associated with Riptortus pedestris

Nodupetide (1), a new cyclodepsipeptide unique in its incorporation of a 3-hydroxy-4-methylhexanoic acid (HMHA) derived motif, was discovered from Nodulisporium sp. IFB-A163, a fungus residing in the insect (Riptortus pedestris) gut. The nodupetide structure was elucidated by its MS/MS and 2D NMR spectra, and its absolute configuration by the X-ray crystallography and modified Marfey’s method. Nodupetide is insecticidal against rice brown planthopper (Nilaparvata lugens) with an LD₅₀ value of 70 ng/larva, and inhibitory towards the drug-resistant human pathogenic bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa with its MIC value (5.0 μM) comparable to that (3.2 μM) of ciprofloxacin, a prescribed antibacterial agent co-assayed equally.     

Novel dual inhibitors against FP-2 and PfDHFR as potential antimalarial agents: Design,synthesis and biological evaluation

A series of novel 2,4-diaminopyrimidine-modified compounds was designed and synthesized. Compound 14 showed micromolar dual inhibitory effect on both FP-2 and PfDHFR, and potential inhibition to the proliferation of P. falciparum 3D7 strain and chloroquine-resistant P. falciparum Dd2 strain.     

Diterpenoids from the aerial parts of Leonurus macranthus

One cis clerodane-type (1) and three highly oxygenated labdane-type diterpenes (2-4) were isolated from the aerial parts of Leonurus macranthus. Compound 1 represents the first example of cis clerodane-type diterpene in the plants of Leonurus genus.     

A new isocoumarin from metabolites of the endophytic fungus Alternaria tenuissima (Nees & T. Nees : Fr.) Wiltshire

A new isocoumarin,tenuissimasatin（1）,was isolated from metabolites of the endophytic fungus Alternaria tenuissima（Nees & T.Nees:Fr.） Wiltshire,which was isolated from the bark of Erythrophleum fordii Oliver,together with 11 known compounds（2- 12）.The structure and absolute configuration of 1 was determined by means of NMR and CD analysis.Compound 3 shows selective cytotoxic activity on human colon cancer cell HCT-8(IC₅₀ = 1.78μmol/L) by MTT test in vitro.Other compounds show no such activities(IC₅₀>10μmol/L).     

Cytotoxic gephyromycins from the Streptomyces sp. SS13I

Two new gephyromycins (1–2), belonging to angucyclinones, were identified from Streptomyces sp. SS13I. Their structures were elucidated by analysis of HRESIMS, 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic data, and the structure of 1 was further elucidated by X-ray diffraction data. The absolute configurations of compounds 1–2 were evidenced by ECD calculations. To our best knowledge, Compounds 1–2 were the second reported gephyromycin-type angucyclinones. Compound 2 exhibited significant cytotoxicity against PC3 cell lines with IC₅₀ values of 1.38 ± 0.47 μM.     

Arylnaphthalide lignans from Saussurea medusa and their anti-inflammatory activities

Five new arylnaphthalide lignans (1 ? 4a/4b), together with five known analogues (5–9), were isolated from whole plants of Saussurea medusa. Compound 4 was characterized as an aryltetralin lignan with an unusual C-7′-C-9 oxygen bridge group, and a chiral HPLC analysis was carried out to afford one pair of enantiomers (4a/4b). Structures of the new compounds were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic and electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculations. All compounds were firstly isolated from S. medusa, and compounds 1–5, 7 and 8 had never been obtained from the genus Saussurea previously. Furthermore, this is the first report of arylnaphthalide lignans isolated from S. medusa. anti-inflammatory activities of the compounds were evaluated by determining their inhibitory activities on the production of NO by LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Compounds (?)-4a and 5 exerted the significant inhibition activities with IC₅₀ values of 13.4 ± 1.5 and 15.7 ± 1.1 μM, respectively, which even exceeded the positive control quercetin (IC₅₀ = 15.9 ± 1.2 μM). Compounds 2, (+)-4b, 6 and 9 exhibited moderate inhibitory activities with IC₅₀ values ranging from 19.7 ± 1.9 to 47.4 ± 3.1 μM. Further analysis by molecular docking showed that almost all the active compounds could interact with the amino acid residues of iNOS proteins, which also supported their anti-inflammatory activities.     

New compounds from the roots of Coriaria nepalensis

One new sesquiterpene lactone possessing novel variations in the structure, corialactone E (1), one new neolignan, coriarianeolignan A (2), together with three known apocarotenoids (3-5) and one known neolignan (6), have been isolated from a CHCl₃ extract of the roots of Coriaria nepalensis.     

Synthesis and molecular modeling study of Cu(Ⅱ) complexes derived from 2-(diphenylmethylene)hydrazinecarbothioamide derivatives with cholinesterase inhibitory activities

Thiosemicarbazones of 2-amino-5-chlorobenzophenone and 3-aminobenzophenone（L¹-L⁴） have been synthesized and their Cu（Ⅱ） complexes（1-4） were afforded via coordination with cupric chloride.All these compounds were characterized by UV-vis and IR spectroscopy together with CHN elemental analysis.NMR spectroscopy was also applied to characterize the ligands.In vitro chohnesterase inhibitory assays for the complexes（1-4） showed IC₅₀ values less than 10μmol/L,with complex 1 exhibiting the most activity,IC₅₀=2.15μmol/L and 2.16μmol/L for AChE and BuChE,respectively. Molecular modeling simulation revealed the binding interaction template for complex 1 with the AChE and BuChE receptors.In DPPH assay,the complexes also showed more in vitro antioxidant activities in comparison to their parent ligands.