Antiviral agents of plant origin. III. Scopadulin, a novel tetracyclic diterpene from Scoparia dulcis L

The structure and stereochemistry of scopadulin, a novel aphidicolane-type diterpene isolated from Scoparia dulcis L. have been established from spectral data and single-crystal X-ray analysis of its acetone solvate.     

Radioiodinated phenoxyacetic acid derivatives as potential brain imaging agents. II. Structure-biodistribution relationship

In developing new brain imaging agents for single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), we synthesized eleven radioiodinated phenoxyacetic acid derivatives and investigated the relationship between the chemical structure and in vivo characteristics. Biodistribution studies in mice revealed high initial brain uptake for all the compounds. Blood radioactivity level depended markedly upon the chemical stability of the compound. The alpha, alpha-dimethylester derivative (1e), amide derivatives (2a--c) and diamine derivatives (3a, b, 4), which were stable to hydrolysis, showed low blood activity levels following i.v. administration. Disappearance of the ester and amide compounds from the brain was rapid. However, the diamine derivatives displayed improved retention in the brain. Compounds 3a and 4 possessed the best combination of high brain uptake and sufficient retention to be useful as potential brain imaging radiopharmaceuticals with SPECT devices.     

Antitumor agents. I. DNA topoisomerase II inhibitory activity and the structural relationship of podophyllotoxin derivatives as antitumor agents.

Various podophyllotoxin derivatives from desoxypodophyllotoxin (DPT) were synthesized to examine the structural relationships between the biological significance (cytotoxic effect, effects on DNA topoisomerase II and tubulin polymerization) in vitro and antitumor activity in vivo (L 1210). An intact 6,7-methylenedioxy group of DPT is necessary to inhibit tubulin polymerization and topoisomerase II. 4'-Phenolic hydroxyl group of DPT is essential to inhibit DNA topoisomerase II and the inhibitory effect on DNA topoisomerase II contributes to a high cytotoxicity. The introduction of an aminoalkoxy group at 1-position of DPT enhances the inhibitory activity against DNA topoisomerase II and cytotoxic effect, causing the inhibitory activity against tubulin polymerization to disappear. The results of antitumor test in mice bearing L 1210 on podophyllotoxin derivatives suggest the following: 1) the strong cytotoxic effect itself is not a good indication of antitumor activity in vivo as long as it is associated with inhibition of tubulin polymerization. DNA topoisomerase II inhibitory effect contributes to an antitumor activity in vivo; 2) detailed measurements of cytotoxicity and inhibition on DNA topoisomerase II and tubulin polymerization in vitro are necessary to evaluate podophyllotoxin derivatives.     

Synthesis and antiviral activity of scopadulcic acids analogues

The synthesis and antiviral properties of several scopadulcic acid analogues functionalized at C-6/C-7 and C-13 is reported. The preparation of advanced intermediates for the synthesis of scopadulcic acid B/scopadulciol analogues is also described. The biological study revealed the importance of polar groups at C-13, while the stereochemistry at C-8 was not critical for activity.     

A new series of antiallergic agents. II. Synthesis and activity of new 6,11-dihydrodibenz[b,e]oxepin-carboxylic acid derivatives.

New methods for the preparation of multi-functionalized-6,11-dihydrodibenz[b,e]oxepins were developed. The structural requirements of KW-4994 (1), a promising orally active antiallergic agent, were defined. A carboxyl group at C-2 was critical for enhanced antiallergic activity of 1. The introduction of bromine atom at C-9 of 1 could elongate the duration of the action of the parent. Antiplatelet activity, a new pharmacological property of this series of compounds, was observed in one of the derivatives of 1.     

Anthocyanins as antimicrobial agents of natural plant origin

Anthocyanins are particularly abundant in different fruits, especially in berries. The beneficial effects of these compounds for human health have been known from at least the 16th century. Despite the great number of papers devoted to the different biological effects exerted by anthocyanins only a limited number of studies is focused on the antimicrobial activity of these compounds. Anthocyanin content of berry fruits varies from 7.5 mg/100 mg fresh fruit in redcurrant (Ribes rubum) up to 460 mg/100 g fresh fruit in chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa). After consumption, anthocyanins are intensively metabolized, mainly in the intestines and liver. Glucorination, methylation and sulfation are the most typical metabolic reactions. Antimicrobial activity of crude extracts of plant phenolic compounds against human pathogens has been intensively studied to characterize and develop new healthy food ingredients as well as medical and pharmaceutical products. However, there is very little information available about the antimicrobial activity of the pure anthocyanins. In the last part of this review we present the collection of papers describing the anthocyanin profiles of different fruits (mainly berries) and the antimicrobial properties of the identified compounds. Generally, anthocyanins are active against different microbes, however Gram-positive bacteria usually are more susceptible to the anthocyanin action than Gram-negative ones. Mechanisms underlying anthocyanin activity include both membrane and intracellular interactions of these compounds. Antimicrobial activity of berries and other anthocyanin-containing fruits is likely to be caused by multiple mechanisms and synergies because they contain various compounds including anthocyanins, weak organic acids, phenolic acids, and their mixtures of different chemical forms. Therefore, the antimicrobial effect of chemically complex compounds has to be critically analyzed.     

Antiviral activity of 1,2,4-triazole derivatives (microreview)

Chemistry of Heterocyclic Compounds - The microreview summarizes data published since 2015 on the antiviral properties and synthesis of compounds containing the 1,2,4-triazole ring.     

Selective enhancement of scopadulcic acid B production in the cultured tissues of Scoparia dulcis by methyl jasmonate

The effects of methyl jasmonate (MeJA) on isoprenoid production were evaluated in cultured tissues of Scoparia dulcis. It was found that MeJA suppressed the accumulation of chlorophylls, carotenoids, phytol and beta-sitosterol in the tissues. MeJA, however, remarkably enhanced the production of scopadulcic acid B (SDB), with 10 microM being optimal observed concentration for stimulation of SDB production. The maximum concentration of SDB was observed 6 d after MeJA treatment.     

Studies on non-thiazolidinedione antidiabetic agents. 1. Discovery of novel oxyiminoacetic acid derivatives

A novel series of oxyiminoacetic acid derivatives were synthesized in an effort to develop a potent antidiabetic agent, which does not contain the 2,4-thiazolidinedione moiety. These compounds were evaluated for glucose and lipid lowering effects in genetically obese and diabetic KKA(y) mice. Several of the compounds showed strong antidiabetic activity, including functional potency at peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-gamma. (Z)-2-[4-[(5-Methyl-2-phenyl-1,3-oxazol-4-yl)methoxy]benzyloxyimino]-2-(4-phenoxyphenyl)acetic acid (25) significantly reduced plasma glucose (33%, p<0.01) and plasma triglycelide levels (43%, p<0.01) even at a dosage of 0.001% in diet. Pharmacokinetic analyses of 25 are also reported.     

Planarity of heteroaryldithiocarbazic acid derivatives showing tuberculostatic activity. IV. Diesters of benzoylcarbonohydrazonodithioic acid

Dimethyl (3,4‐dichlorobenzoyl)carbonohydrazonodithioate, C₁₀H₁₀Cl₂N₂OS₂, (D1), dibenzyl (3,4‐dichlorobenzoyl)carbonohydrazonodithioate, C₂₂H₁₈Cl₂N₂OS₂, (D2), dimethyl (3,4‐dichlorobenzoyl)‐1‐methylcarbonohydrazonodithioate, C₁₁H₁₂Cl₂N₂OS₂, (D3), 3,4‐dichloro‐N′‐(1,3‐dithiolan‐2‐ylidene)‐N‐methylbenzohydrazide, C₁₁H₁₀Cl₂N₂OS₂, (D4), were synthesized as potential tuberculostatics. Compound (D1) (with two molecules in the asymmetric unit) was the only one showing tuberculostatic activity of the same range as the common drugs isoniazid and pyrazinamide. The molecular structures of the studied compounds depend on the substitution at the N atom adjacent to the carbonyl group. In the case of the unsubstituted derivatives (D1) and (D2), their central frames are generally planar with a twist of the 3,4‐dichlorophenyl ring by 30–40°. Until now, coplanarity of the aromatic ring with the (methylene)carbonohydrazone fragment has been considered a prerequisite for tuberculostatic activity. The N‐methylated derivatives (D3) and (D4) show an additional twist along the N—C(=O) bond by 20–30° due to the spatial repulsion introduced by the methyl substituent.