Alkaloids from Fruits of Daphniphyllum oldhamii

Seventeen Daphniphyllum alkaloids, including two new pentacyclic alkaloids, yuzuric acid ( 1 ) and daphnezomic acid ( 2 ), and 15 known ones, were isolated from the fruits of Daphniphyllum oldhamii. The structures and configuration of the two new alkaloids were determined on the basis of spectroscopic methods, especially 2D NMR techniques.     

Two New Bis‐alkaloids from the Aerial Part of Piper flaviflorum

Two new bis‐alkaloids, flavifloramides A ( 1 ) and B ( 2 ), as well as two known alkaloids, N‐trans‐feruloyltyramine ( 3 ) and paprazine ( 4 ), were isolated from the aerial part of Piper flaviflorum. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic analyses, including 2D‐NMR techniques.     

Two new monoterpenoid indole alkaloids from Tabernaemontana divaricata

Two new monoterpenoid indole alkaloids, tabervarines A (1) and B (2), along with seven known monoterpenoid indole alkaloids, were isolated from the methanol extract of the twigs and leaves of Tabernaemontana divaricata. The structures including the absolute configurations of the new alkaloids were elucidated based on MS, NMR, and ECD calculation. The in vitro cytotoxic activities of the isolated alkaloids against several human cancer cell lines were also evaluated.     

Diterpenoid Alkaloids from Delphinium yunnanense

Three new diterpenoid alkaloids, along with eleven known alkaloids, were isolated from the whole herbs of Delphinium yunnanense. The new alkaloids include a rearranged‐type C₁₉‐diterpenoid alkaloid, named yunnanenseine A ( 1 ), and two hetisine‐type C₂₀‐diterpenoid alkaloids, named yunnanenseine B and C ( 2 and 3 , resp.). Their structures were elucidated by detailed NMR‐spectroscopic studies.     

Fluevirines E and F,two new alkaloids from Flueggea virosa

Abstract

Two new alkaloids, fluevirines E (1) and F (2), along with six known Securinega alkaloids, were isolated from the methanol extract of the twigs and leaves of Flueggea virosa. The structures and absolute configurations of the new compounds were elucidated by means of MS, NMR, and ECD analyses. Compound 1 is a new dimeric indole alkaloid while 2 is a new securinega-type alkaloid. The in vitro cytotoxic activities of the isolated alkaloids against several human cancer cell lines and their acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity were also evaluated.     

Mass‐spectrometry‐directed analysis and purification of pyrrolizidine alkaloid cis/trans isomers in Gynura japonica

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids are highly hepatotoxic natural chemicals that produce irreversible chronic and acute hepatotoxic effects on human beings. Purification of large amounts of pyrrolizidine alkaloids is necessary for toxicity studies. In this study, an efficient method for targeted analysis and purification of pyrrolizidine alkaloid cis/trans isomers from herbal materials was developed for the first time. Targeted analysis of the hepatotoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids was performed by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (precursor ion scan and daughter ion scan), and the purification of pyrrolizidine alkaloids was achieved with a mass‐directed auto purification system. The extraction and preparative liquid chromatography conditions were optimized. The developed method was applied to analysis of Gynura japonica (Thunb.) Juel., a herbal medicine traditionally used for detumescence and relieving pain but is potentially hepatotoxic as it contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids. Twelve pyrrolizidine alkaloids (six cis/trans isomer pairs) were identified with reference compounds or characterized by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry, and five individual pyrrolizidine alkaloids, including (E)‐seneciphylline, seneciphylline, integerrimine, senecionine, and seneciphyllinine, were prepared from G. japonica roots with high efficiency. The results of this work provide a new technique for the preparation of large amounts of pyrrolizidine alkaloid reference substances, which will also benefit toxicological studies of pyrrolizidine alkaloids and treatments for pyrrolizidine alkaloid‐induced toxicity.     

Characterization of tropane and cinnamamide alkaloids from Scopolia tangutica by high‐performance liquid chromatography with quadrupole time‐of‐flight tandem mass spectrometry

Scopolia tangutica is a traditional Chinese medicine used for antispasmodic, anesthesia, analgesia, and sedation. Its medicinal activity is associated to alkaloid constituents, including tropane and cinnamamide types. Low content of alkaloids in plant makes them difficult to be isolated and identified. The present work developed an effective method to quickly characterize alkaloids from Scopolia tangutica by high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time‐of‐flight tandem mass spectrometry. Thirteen reference compounds were studied for their fragmentation pathways, including five tropane alkaloids and eight cinnamamide ones. Alkaloid constituent was analyzed by an optimized high‐performance liquid chromatography method and mass spectrometry analysis to achieve systematic characterization of alkaloids from Scopolia tangutica. As a result, 53 compounds were identified, including 21 tropane alkaloids (eight new ones), 18 caffeoyl ones (ten new ones) and 14 dicaffeoyl ones (seven new ones). It was important to provide rich information in phytochemical study and structure‐guided isolation of important compounds from this plant.     

Alkaloids of the Flora of Uzbekistan, Arundo donax

Alkaloids of Arundo donax L. growing in four soil-climatic regions of Uzbekistan were studied. Twenty alkaloids including the new ones arundavine and arundafine were isolated from the plant alkaloids.     

Pregnane‐Type Steroidal Alkaloids of Sarcococca saligna: a New Class of Cholinesterase Inhibitors

Phytochemical investigation of Sarcococca saligna by extensive bioassay‐guided fractionation resulted in the isolation of the pregnane‐type steroidal alkaloids 1 – 15 , i.e. of the five new compounds 1 – 5 and the ten known alkaloids 6 – 15 . The structures of the new alkaloids salignenamide C ( 1 ), salignenamide D ( 2 ), 2β‐hydroxyepipachysamine D ( 3 ), salignenamide E ( 4 ), and salignenamide F ( 5 ) were elucidated with the help of modern spectroscopic techniques, while the known alkaloids axillarine C ( 6 ), axillarine F ( 7 ), sarcorine ( 8 ), N³‐demethylsaracodine ( 9 ), saligcinnamide ( 10 ), salignenamide A ( 11 ), vaganine A ( 12 ), axillaridine A ( 13 ), sarsalignone ( 14 ), and sarsalignenone ( 15 ) were identified by comparing their spectral data with those reported earlier. Inhibition of electric‐eel acetylcholinesterase (EC 3.1.1.7) and horse‐serum butyrylcholinesterase (EC 3.1.1.8) by alkaloids 1 – 15 were investigated. These new cholinesterase inhibitors may act as potential leads in the discovery of clinically useful inhibitors for nervous‐system disorders, particularly by reducing memory deficiency in Alzheimer's disease patients by potentiating and effecting the cholinergic transmission process. These compounds were found to inhibit both enzymes in a concentration‐dependent fashion with the IC₅₀ values ranging from 5.21–227.92 μM against acetylcholinesterase and 2.18–38.36 μM against butyrylcholinesterase.     

Three New C19‐Diterpenoid Alkaloids from Aconitum hemsleyanum var. circinatum

Further phytochemical investigation of the roots of Aconitum hemsleyanum var. circinatum resulted in the isolation of three new aconitine‐type C₁₉‐diterpenoid alkaloids, hemsleyanines E–G ( 1 – 3 , resp.). The structures of these new alkaloids were elucidated on the basis of spectral data including 2D‐NMR.     

Seven New Monoterpenoid Indole Alkaloids from Gelsemium elegans

Seven new indole alkaloids were isolated from the roots of Gelsemium elegans Benth. and their structures were determined by spectroscopic analysis and chemical transformation from known alkaloids. Kounaminal ( 1 ) is a new koumine‐type alkaloid that contains an unusual aminal moiety. Humantenoxenine ( 2 ) and 15‐hydroxyhumantenoxenine ( 3 ) are humantenine‐type alkaloids that contain a novel β‐amino‐α,β‐unsaturated ketone residue. The other four novel alkaloids are two gelsedilam‐related and two gelsenicine‐related alkaloids.     

Diterpenoid Alkaloids from Delphinium tatsienense

Three new C₂₀‐diterpenoid alkaloids, along with twenty‐two known alkaloids, were isolated from the whole herbs of Delphinium tatsienense. The new alkaloids include a vakognavine‐type C₂₀‐diterpenoid alkaloid, designated as tatsienenseine A ( 1 ), and two hetisine‐type C₂₀‐diterpenoid alkaloids, designated as tatsienenseines B ( 2 ) and C ( 3 ). Their structures were elucidated by IR, HR‐ESI‐MS, 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR analyses.     

Two new indoloquinoline alkaloids from cryptolepis sanguinolenta: Cryptosanguinolentine and cryptotackieine

The roots of the indigenous West African shrub Cryptolepis sanguinolenta have proved to be a rich source of indoloquinoline alkaloids. To date, all of the alkaloids isolated have been analogs of indolo[3, 2-b]quinoline. We now wish to report examples of two new indoloquinoline alkaloids which differ in the fusion of the indole and quinoline rings. The first, cryptosanguinolentine, is an angular indolo[3, 2-c]quinoline. The second, cryptotackieine, is a linear indolo[2, 3-b]quinoline system. Both of these families of alkaloids are without precedent from C. sanguinolenta. The structures of both were established through the extensive use of inverse-detected micro nmr methods.     

Alkaloids of the Nitraria Genus. Komavine and Acetylkomavine

Two new alkaloids, komavine (1) and acetylkomavine (2) were isolated for the first time from the aerial part ofNitraria komarovii.Their ¹ H and ¹³ C NMR spectra were studied. Komavine was synthesized by condensation of tryptamine with cyclohexanone. These same alkaloids were also isolated fromNitraria schoberi     

Alkaloids from the Fruits of Daphniphyllum macropodum

Three new alkaloids, N‐hydroxypaxdaphnine B ( 1 ), 21‐O‐acetylpaxdaphnine B ( 2 ), and methyl 17‐hydroxyhomodaphniphyllate ( 3 ), were isolated from the fresh fruits of Daphniphyllum macropodum, together with six known alkaloids. Their structures were established on the basis of extensive spectroscopic and mass‐spectrometric analyses in combination with chemical transformations.     

Amaryllidaceae Alkaloids from Lycoris radiata

A phytochemical investigation on bulbs of Lycoris radiata resulted in the isolation of three new Amaryllidaceae alkaloids, named 5,6‐dehydrodihydrolycorine ( 1 ), 6β‐acetoxycrinamine ( 2 ), and (+)‐8‐O‐acetylhomolycorine α‐N‐oxide ( 3 ), together with eleven known alkaloids, 4 – 14 . The structures of the new alkaloids were established by means of spectroscopic methods, and the known compounds were identified by comparison of their data with those in the literature. Compound 2 showed cytotoxicity against HL‐60, A‐549, and MCF‐7 cells, with IC₅₀ values of 8.1, 24.3, and 15.0 μM , respectively.     

pH‐Zone‐refining counter‐current chromatography for two new lipo‐alkaloids separated from refined alkaline extraction of Kusnezoff monkshood root

An efficient and refined method for the separation of six aconitine‐type alkaloids from the alkaline prepared “Kusnezoff monkshood root” was established. It is the first study that two new lipo‐alkaloids were successfully isolated from refined sample by pH‐zone‐refining counter‐current chromatography rather than synthetic method. It was of interest that a great deal of lipo‐alkaloids was produced in crude extract from the alkalization of “Kusnezoff monkshood root.” A refined sample method was proposed to enrich two types of alkaloids by liquid–liquid extraction, i.e. lipo‐alkaloids and monoester‐diterpenoid alkaloids. The pH‐zone‐refining counter‐current chromatography was performed with an optimized two‐phase solvent system composed of n‐hexane‐ethyl acetate–methanol–water (3:5:4:5, v/v), where upper organic phase was added to 3 mmol/L triethylamine as a retainer and lower aqueous mobile phase was added to 3 mmol/L hydrochloric acid as an eluter. As a result, six aconitum alkaloids, including two lipo‐alkaloids (8‐lino‐14‐benzoylaconine, 8‐pal‐14‐benzoylaconine), three monoester‐diterpenoid alkaloids (14‐benzoylmesaconine, 14‐benzoylaconine, beyzoyldeoxyaconine), and one aconine alkaloid (neoline) were acquired from the plant at the same time. The anti‐inflammatory activities of the two new lipo‐alkaloids were compared to the six alkaloids in vitro, in cyclo‐oxygen‐ase‐2 inhibition assays. The separation mechanism of six alkaloids by pH‐zone‐refining counter‐current chromatography was illustrated.     

Lycopodium Alkaloids from Lycopodium obscurum L.

Two new Lycopodium alkaloids, named obscurumines F and G ( 1 and 2 , resp.), together with eleven known alkaloids, were isolated from the club moss Lycopodium obscurum L. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analyses.     

Synthesis of 10,11‐Didehydro Cinchona Alkaloids and Key Derivatives

A series of 10,11‐didehydro Cinchona alkaloids containing an ethynyl group at C(3) were prepared efficiently in two steps from the naturally occurring Cinchona alkaloids (Scheme 1). 10,11‐Didehydroquinine ( 4c ) and 10,11‐didehydroquinidine ( 4a ) belong to a significantly new class of semi‐natural Cinchona alkaloids. They are more polar and basic than the natural compounds and serve as versatile building blocks for further functionalization; they were transformed into the corresponding 11‐halo and 11‐pseudohalo derivatives and (Z)‐vinyl halides (Schemes 2 and 3). The conformation of the alkaloids was elucidated by NOE and X‐ray crystal diffraction analysis of 4a (Fig.), and the cytostatic activity of selected didehydroquinidine derivatives was evaluated (Table 5).     

New Diterpene Alkaloids from Aconitum sungpanense var. leucanthum

Five new C₁₉ diterpene alkaloids, leucanthumsines A ( 1 ), B ( 2 ), C ( 3 ), D ( 4 ), and E ( 5 ), were isolated from the Chinese medicinal herb Aconitum sungpanense var. leucanthum, together with the known C₁₉ diterpene alkaloids pseudaconine, neoline, 1‐O‐methyldelphisine, crassicaudine, chasmanine, talatisamine, indaconitine, ezochansmanine, and leueantine D. The structures of these new alkaloids were elucidated by HR‐MS and advanced NMR methods, including ¹H‐ and ¹³C‐NMR (DEPT), ¹H,¹H‐COSY, HMQC, and HMBC experiments.