Polyphenols from Sophora yunnanensis, and their inhibitory effects on nitric oxide production

A new flavonoid, (2R,3R)-3,7,4'-trihydroxy-3',5'-dimethoxyflavanone, named sophorayunnanol (1), together with eight known polyphenols (2-9), were isolated from the roots of Sophora yunnanensis C.Y.MA (Leguminosae). The structure including absolute stereochemistry of 1 was determined by spectroscopic (high resolution (HR)-MS, 1D- and 2D-NMR, and circular dichroism (CD)) methods. The inhibitory activity of these compounds was examined against nitric oxide (NO) production by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and interferon (IFN)-γ activated macrophages, RAW264.7 cells. 3,7,3',5'-Tetrahydroxy-4'-methoxyflavone (6) and piceatannol (9) showed potent inhibitory activity against the production of NO with IC(50) values of 14.4±2.5 and 12.9±1.8 μM, respectively. This article is the first report on phytochemical study of S. yunnanensis.     

Two new bis-coumarin glycosides from Daphne giraldii NITSCHE

Two new bis-coumarin glycosides were isolated from the stem barks of Daphne giraldii NITSCHE. Their structures were elucidated as 6-O-alpha-L-rhamnnopyranosyl daphnogirin (1), and 6-O-beta-D-apiofuranosyl daphnogirin (2), on the basis of detailed spectroscopic analysis. Compounds 1 and 2 were tested inhibitory effects against production of nitric oxide (NO) in RAW264.7 cells, and cytotoxicity of human tumor cell lines A549, LOVO, QGY-7703, 6T-CEM. The results showed that compounds 1 and 2 neither reduced production of NO, nor inhibited human tumor cell lines.     

Flavonoids from Daphne aurantiaca and their inhibitory activities against nitric oxide production

Chemical examination of the methanolic extract from the stem bark of Daphne aurantiaca led to the isolation of three new flavonoids (1-3), and 29 known flavonoids. All 32 compounds were isolated for the first time from Daphne aurantiaca. The isolates were tested for inhibitory activities against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitric oxide (NO) production in RAW 264.7 macrophages. Compounds 21 and 24 showed potent inhibitory activities against the production of NO with IC?? values of 0.006 and 0.076 μM, respectively.     

Two New C19‐Diterpenoid Alkaloids with Anti‐inflammatory Activity from Aconitum iochanicum

Two new C₁₉ ‐diterpenoid alkaloids, 7,8‐epoxy‐franchetine ( 1 ) and N(19)‐en‐austroconitine A ( 2 ), were isolated from Aconitum iochanicum . Compound 1 was a new C₁₉ ‐diterpenoid alkaloid with a 7,8‐epoxy unit. Their structures were elucidated by comprehensive spectroscopic analyses including UV , IR , MS , 1D and 2D NMR . Biological activity tests indicated that two new compounds exhibited inhibitory activity against nitric oxide (NO ) production in LPS ‐activated RAW264 .7 macrophages. Compared with positive control, the two new compounds showed weak anti‐inflammatory effects with the inhibition rate of 27.3% and 29.2%, respectively.     

Neolignans from the Fruits of Magnolia obovata Inhibit NO Production and Have Neuroprotective Effects

One new sesquineolignan, obovatalignan A ( 1 ), and one new neolignan, obovatalignan B ( 2 ), were isolated from the Magnolia obovata fruits. Their chemical structure, including absolute configuration, was determined based on various spectroscopic methods, such as HR‐EI‐MS, 1D‐NMR (¹H, ¹³C, DEPT), 2D‐NMR (gCOSY, gHSQC, gHMBC, NOESY), and CD spectroscopy. The compounds were evaluated for protective effects against glutamate‐induced oxidative stress in HT22‐immortalized hippocampal cells and inhibitory activity against NO production in LPS‐induced RAW 264.7 cells. Compounds 1 and 2 exhibited protective effects against glutamate‐induced oxidative stress with EC₅₀ values of 18.1 ± 1.23 and 7.10 ± 0.78 μm , respectively, as well as inhibitory effects on NO production with IC₅₀ values of > 30.0 and 8.22 ± 2.01 μm , respectively.     

Medicinal flowers. II. Inhibitors of nitric oxide production and absolute stereostructures of five new germacrane-type sesquiterpenes, kikkanols D, D monoacetate, E, F, and F monoacetate from the flowers of Chrysanthemum indicum L

The methanolic extract and ethyl acetate-soluble portion from the flowers of Chrysanthemum indicum L., Chrysanthemi Indici Flos, were found to show inhibitory activity against nitric oxide (NO) production in lipopolysaccharide-activated macrophages. Five new germacrane-type sesquiterpenes, kikkanols D, D monoacetate, E, F, and F monoacetate, were isolated from the ethyl acetate-soluble portion. Their absolute stereostructures were elucidated on the basis of chemical and physicochemical evidence, which included application of the modified Mosher's method. The effects of fifteen principal components from the ethyl acetate-soluble portion of this medicinal flower against NO production were examined and, among them, acetylenic compounds and flavonoids were found to show potent inhibitory activity.     

Chemical constituents from Curcuma longa L. and their inhibitory effects of nitric oxide production

A new bisabolane-type sesquiterpenoid, turmerone Q (1), along with six known compounds (2–7), were isolated from the rhizomes of Curcuma longa L. The structural elucidation of the new compound was conducted using ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, HSQC, HMBC and NOESY spectroscopic analyses. The absolute configuration of 1 was elucidated by comparison of the experimental and calculated ECD spectra. The anti-inflammatory effects of 1–7 were evaluated through lipopolysaccharide-induced nitric oxide (NO) production in RAW 264.7 macrophages assays, and compounds 6 and 7 showed potent inhibitory activity against NO production.     

Three New Phenylpropanoids from Inula nervosa Wall.

Three new phenylpropanoid compounds, named nervolans A–C ( 1 – 3 , resp.), together with two other known phenylpropanoids, coniferyl diangelate and sinapyl diangelate, were isolated from the aerial parts of Inula nervosa Wall . (Asteraceae), a traditional Chinese medicinal plant. The structures of 1 – 3 were elucidated by detailed spectroscopic analyses, including HR‐ESI‐MS data and 2D‐NMR spectroscopy. Compounds 1 – 5 exhibited mild inhibitory effects against NO production in LPS‐stimulated RAW264.7 cells.     

Enzyme inhibiting lignans from Vitex negundo

Two new lignans trivially named negundins A (1) and B (2), were isolated along with (+)-diasyringaresinol (3), (+)-lyoniresinol (4), vitrofolal E (5) and vitrofolal F (6), reported for the first time from this species. The structures of the new compounds were established through spectral studies. Compound 2 showed potent inhibitory activity against lipoxygenase enzyme, while 5 showed moderate activity against butyryl-cholinesterase.     

Inhibition on HIV-1 integrase activity and nitric oxide production of compounds from Ficus glomerata

An ethanol Ficus glomerata wood extract and its purified components were investigated for their HIV-1 integrase (IN) and nitric oxide (NO) inhibitory activities. From bioassay-guided isolation, five compounds: beta-sitosterol-D-glucoside (1), aloe-emodin (2), genistein (3), 1,3,6-trihydroxy-8-methyl-anthraquinone (4) and 3-(1-C-beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-2,6-dihydroxy-5-methoxybenzoic acid (5) were isolated. Among the tested samples, at concentrations of 100 microM; compound 2 showed 31.9% inhibition of HIV-1 IN, followed by 4 (19.5%), whereas other compounds were inactive. With regard to the inhibitory effect on NO production, 3 possessed the highest activity with an IC50 value of 27.5 microM, followed by 4 (IC50 = 34.7 microM) and 2 (IC50 = 41.8 microM), respectively. This is the first time that compounds 2-5 have been isolated from Ficus glomerata.     

Two New Sesquiterpenes from Inula salsoloides and Their Inhibitory Activities against NO Production

Two new sesquiterpenes, inulasalene ( 1 ) and inulasalsolide B ( 2 ), as well as 22 known compounds were isolated from the aerial parts of Inula salsoloides. The structures of the new sesquiterpenes were determined on the basis of their spectroscopic data and chemical properties. Compounds 1 – 4 exhibited potent inhibitory activities against NO production with IC₅₀ values range of 0.010–1.290 μg/ml in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐stimulated RAW264.7 cells.     

Oxygenated hexylitaconates from a marine sponge-derived fungus Penicillium sp

In the course of our search for bioactive metabolites from marine organisms, new hexylitaconic acid derivatives (1-4), along with (3S)-hexylitaconic acid (5), were isolated from a sponge-derived fungus Penicillium sp. Based on the NMR and MS data, the structures of compounds 1-4 were defined as α,β-dicarboxylic acid derivatives, such as hexylitaconic acid and tensyuic acids which were previously reported as metabolite of Aspergillus niger, Penicillium striatisporum, or Apiospora montagnei. The isolated compounds were evaluated for cytotoxicity against a panel of five human solid tumor cell lines, and for anti-inflammatory activity gauged by their inhibitory effects on the production of major pro-inflammatory mediators (nitric oxide (NO), interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and IL-1β) in murine macrophage cells. Compounds 1 and 4 showed weak inhibition of IL-1β production at the concentration of 200 μM.     

Synthesis, inhibitory effects on nitric oxide and structure-activity relationships of a glycosphingolipid from the marine sponge Aplysinella rhax and its analogues

The novel glycosphingolipid, β-D-GalNAcp(1-->4)[α-D-Fucp(1-->3)]-β-D-GlcNAcp(1-->)Cer (A), isolated from the marine sponge Aplysinella rhax has a unique structure, with D-fucose and N-acetyl-D-galactosamine moieties attached to a reducing-end N-acetyl-D-glucosamine through an α1-->3 and β1-->4 linkage, respectively. We synthesized glycolipid 1 and some non-natural di- and trisaccharide analogues 2-6 containing a D-fucose residue. Among these compounds, the natural type showed the most potent nitric oxide (NO) production inhibitory activity against LPS-induced J774.1 cells. Our results indicate that both the presence of a D-Fucα1-3GlcNAc-linkage and the ceramide aglycon portion are crucial for optimal NO inhibition.     

Two new phenolic amides from the seeds of Pharbitis nil

Two new phenolic amides, pharnilatins A (1) and B (2), were isolated from the seeds of Pharbitis nil. These new compounds possess a p-coumaroyl unit with a structurally unique side chain, (2S,3S)-2,3-dihydroxyputrescine. The chemical structures and absolute stereochemistries of the new compounds were determined on the basis of spectroscopic analyses including 1D- and 2D-NMR experiments and chemical reactions. Compounds 1 and 2 exhibited cytotoxicity against A549, SK-OV-3, SK-MEL-2, and HCT-15 human tumor cells. However, none of the compounds inhibited nitric oxide (NO) production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated microglia cells.     

Saccharpiscinols A–C: Flavans with Potential Anti-Inflammatory Activities from One Actinobacteria Saccharomonospora piscinae

Phytochemical investigation and chromatographic separation of extracts from the actinobacteria strain Saccharomonospora piscinae that was isolated from dried fishpond sediment of Kouhu township, in the south of Taiwan, led to the isolation of three new compounds, saccharpiscinols A–C (1–3, respectively), and three new natural products, namely (2S)-5,7,3′,4′-tetrahydroxy-6,8-dimethylflavanone (4), methyl-4-hydroxy-2-methoxy-6-methylbenzoate (5), and (±)-7-acetyl-4,8-dihydroxy-6-methyl-1-tetralone (6). Compounds 4–6 were reported before as synthesized products, herein, they are reported from nature for the first time. The structures of the new compounds were unambiguously elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic data analysis (1D- and 2D-NMR, MS, and UV) and comparison with literature data. The effect of some isolates on the inhibition of NO production in lipopolysaccharide-activated RAW 264.7 murine macrophages was evaluated. Saccharpiscinol A showed inhibitory activities against LPS-induced NO production.     

Studies on the constituents of the leaves of Baccharis dracunculifolia (Asteraceae) and their cytotoxic activity

A new sesquiterpene, named baccharisketone (1), and a new monoterpene, p-methoxythymol acetate (2), were isolated from the leaves of Baccharis dracunculifolia along with seventeen known compounds (3-19). The structures of the new compounds were determined by spectroscopic means. The growth inhibitory activity of the isolated compounds against leukemia cells (L 1210) was tested and three terpene phenols (4, 6, 17) and five sesquiterpene alcohols (8, 10, 11, 13, 16) were found to exhibit strong cytotoxic activity.     

A novel cyclopentene derivative and a polyhydroxylated steroid from a South China Sea gorgonian Menella sp

A chemical investigation on a South China Sea gorgonian, Menella sp. resulted in the isolation and elucidation of menellin A (1), a highly oxygenated racemate with C(8) skeleton, and a polyhydroxylated steroid, menellsteroid C (2), along with eight known compounds (3-10). The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by means of MS, 1D and 2D NMR spectra, and the relative stereochemistry of 1 was determined by X-ray single-crystal diffraction analysis. In addition, compound 7 was isolated as a new natural product. Compounds 1-3 and 7 were selected to test the anti-inflammatory inhibition against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitric oxide (NO) production in RAW264.7 macrophages. 1 and 3 exhibited modest inhibitory effects with IC(50) of 71.3, 33.9 μM, respectively, compared to the positive control aminoguanidine (IC(50) 25.0 μM).     

New cyclopiane diterpenes with anti-inflammatory activity from the sea sediment-derived fungus Penicillium sp. TJ403-2

Three new rare cyclopiane diterpenes(1-3),together with thirteen known compounds(4-16),were isolated and identified from a sea sediment-derived fungus Penicillium sp.TJ403-2.The planar and relative structures of compounds 1-3 were elucidated by HRESIMS,one-and two-dimensional NMR analyses,and their absolute configurations were further established by X-ray crystallography experiment.Compounds 1-3 were evaluated for the anti-inflammatory activity against LPS-induced NO production,and compound 1 showed notable inhibitory potency with an IC50 value of2.19±0.25μmol/L,which was three fold lower than the positive control indomethacin(IC50=8.76±0.92μmol/L).Further Western blot and immunofluorescence experiments demonstrated its mechanism of action to be that 1 inhibited the NF-κB-activated pathway,highlighting it as a promising starting point for the development of new anti-inflammatory agents.     

Biological activities of phenolic compounds isolated from galls of Terminalia chebula Retz. (Combretaceae)

The aqueous extract of galls from Terminalia chebula Retz. (Combretaceae) was fractionated on Diaion and refractionated on octadecyl silica column. Six phenolic compounds were isolated and identified as gallic acid (1), punicalagin (2), isoterchebulin (3), 1,3,6-tri-O-galloyl-β-D-glucopyranose (4), chebulagic acid (5) and chebulinic acid (6). All of the compounds showed stronger 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging and melanin inhibitory activities than ascorbic acid, butylated hydroxytoluene, α-tocopherol, arbutin and kojic acid, the reference compounds. Gallic acid (1) exhibited inhibitory activity against nitric oxide production in lipopolysaccharide-activated macrophages. However, all isolated compounds exhibited less activity than the reference compounds in mushroom tyrosinase inhibition and human tumour cytotoxicity assays. This study has demonstrated that the phenolic compounds isolated from galls of T. chebula might contribute significantly due to their antioxidant and whitening activities.     

Corylucinine, a new alkaloid from Corydalis cava (Fumariaceae), and its cholinesterase activity

A new benzyldihydroisoquinoline alkaloid (1) was isolated from the tubers of Corydalis cava and named corylucinine. Additionally, 8-trichloromethyl-7,8-dihydropalmatine (2), an isolation artifact of tetrahydropalmatine, was obtained. The structures were established by spectroscopic (including 2D NMR and optical rotation) and HR-ESI-MS methods. Both compounds were tested for human blood acetylcholinesterase (HuAChE) and human plasma butyrylcholinesterase (HuBuChE) inhibitory activity. In comparison with the used standards, both compounds showed only moderate inhibitory activity against HuAChE (IC50,. HuAChE = 127.6 +/- 5.2 microM for 1, and IC50, HuAChE = 82.9 +/- 3.9 microM for 2) and none against HuBuChE.