New metabolites from the marine-derived fungus Aspergillus fumigatus

A new alkaloid, fumiquinazoline K (1), and a new nordammarane triterpenoid (2), together with three known diketopiperazines (3-5) and tryptoquivaline F (6) have been isolated from a marine strain of Aspergillus fumigatus KMM 4 631 associated with the soft coral Sinularia sp. Their structures were determined by HR-MS and 1D and 2D NMR. Compounds 3-5 exhibit weak cytotoxicity against cytoplasm non-specific esterase in Ehrlich carcinoma cells. Compound 3 also induces early apoptosis of the same cells in a non-toxic range of concentrations.     

New triterpene aldehydes,lucialdehydes A-C,from Ganoderma lucidum and their cytotoxicity against murine and human tumor cells

Three new lanostante-type triterpene aldehydes, named lucialdehydes A-C (1-3), were isolated from the fruiting bodies of Ganoderma lucidum, together with ganodermanonol (4), ganodermadiol (5), ganodermanondiol (6), ganodermanontriol (7), ganoderic acid A (8), ganoderic acid B8 (9), and ganoderic acid C1 (10). The structures of the new triterpenes were determined as (24E)-3 beta-hydroxy-5 alpha-lanosta-7,9(11),24-trien-26-al (1), (24E)-3,7-dioxo-5 alpha-lanosta-8,24-dien-26-al (2), and (24E)-3 beta-hydroxy-7-oxo-5 alpha-lanosta-8,24-dien-26-al (3), respectively, by spectroscopic means. The cytotoxicity of the compounds isolated from the ganoderma mushroom was tested in vitro against Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC), T-47D, Sarcoma 180, and Meth-A tumor cell lines. Lucialdehydes B, C (2, 3), ganodermanonol (4) and ganodermanondiol (6) showed cytotoxic effects on tested tumor cells. Of the compounds, lucialdehyde C (3) exhibited the most potent cytotoxicity against LLC, T-47D, Sarcoma 180, and Meth-A tumor cells with ED(50) values of 10.7, 4.7, 7.1, and 3.8 microg/ml, respectively.     

Alkaloids from the fungus Lactarius subplinthogalus

A new alkaloid, namely laccarin A (1), along with four known alkaloids, laccarin (2), adenosine (3), indole-3-carboxaldehyde (4) and nicotinamide (5), was isolated from the fungus Lactarius subplinthogalus. The structure of laccarin A (1) was established mainly by spectroscopic methods.     

Two New Triterpenoid Saponins from Stauntonia obovatifoliola Hayata ssp. intermedia

Two new hederagenin‐type saponins, staunoside G ( 1 ) and staunoside H ( 2 ), along with twelve known triterpenoid saponins, were isolated from stems of Stauntonia obovatifoliola Hayata ssp. intermedia. Their structures were determined by analysis of HR‐EI‐MS, and 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR data, and comparison with those in literature. The two new compounds showed moderate cytotoxicities against three tumor cells, i.e., A549 (lung carcinoma), 4T1 (mammary carcinoma), and HeLa (cervical carcinoma).     

Kadsufolins A – D and Related Cytotoxic Lignans from Kadsura oblongifolia

Kadsufolins A–D ( 1 – 4 , resp.), four new dibenzocyclooctane‐type lignans, were isolated from the roots and stems of Kadsura oblongifolia, together with eleven known lignans. Their structures and configurations were elucidated by spectroscopic methods including 2D‐NMR techniques. The compounds were also evaluated for cytotoxic activity against human tumor cell lines A549 (lung carcinoma), DU145 (prostate carcinoma), KB (epidermoid carcinoma of the nasopharynx), and HCT‐8 (ileocecal carcinoma). Kadsufolin A ( 1 ), kadsufolin D ( 4 ), angeloylbinankadsurin A, and heteroclitin B were found to show cytotoxic activities against A549, DU145, KB and HCT‐8 with GI₅₀ values of 5.1–20.0 μg/ml.     

Anti-inflammatory alkaloids from the stems of Picrasma quassioides BENNET

During further chemical and biological investigations of Picrasma quassioides BENNET, four new bis-β-carboline alkaloids, quassidines E-H (1-4), and three new β-carboline alkaloids, canthin-16-one-14-butyric acid (5), 3-(1,1-dimethoxylmethyl)-β-carboline (6), and 6,12-dimethoxy-3-formyl-β-carboline (7), were isolated from its anti-inflammatory CHCl(3)-soluble fraction. Structures of new compounds were elucidated and characterized by MS and NMR analysis. A plausible biogenetic pathway for quassidine E (1), the first bis-β-carboline alkaloid in which a canthin-6-one moiety and a β-carboline moiety were connected together by a single carbon-carbon bond from the nature, was proposed. Quassidines E-G (1-3) showed potent inhibitory activity on the production of nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), or interleukin 6 (IL-6) in mouse monocyte-macrophage RAW264.7 cells stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Analysis of anti-inflammatory activity of all β-carboline and bis-β-carboline alkaloids from P. quassioides showed that the carbonyl groups or double carbon-carbon bonds at C-14 for β-carbolines and C-14' for bis-β-carbolines were bioactive groups for their in vitro anti-inflammatory activity. Structure-activity relationship of these compounds on inhibitory activity of the three inflammatory cytokines was discussed.     

Structure elucidation and biomimetic synthesis of hostasinine A, a new benzylphenethylamine alkaloid from Hosta plantaginea

Hostasinine A (1), a benzylphenethylamine alkaloid with an unprecedented skeleton featuring a C-4-C-6 linkage and a nitrone moiety, was isolated from Hosta plantaginea. Its structure was established on the basis of spectroscopic data, and was further confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The alkaloid was postulated biogenetically from haemanthidine via N-oxidation and aza-aldol-type condensation and was synthesized biomimetically. The inhibitory activities of 1 on acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and two tumor cell lines (K562 and A549) were also evaluated.     

A New Quinolizidine Alkaloid from Boehmeria siamensis

Boehmeria siamensis Craib is distributed in China, Vietnam, Laos and Thailand1. The whole plants of B. siamensis were used in folk medicine2,3. Previous studies on the plants of this genus led to the isolation of different compounds such as alkaloids, flavones, lignans, triterpenoids and its glycosides4-9. Some antimicrobial alkaloids were obtained from B. cylindrical4. In the investigation of the whole plant of B. siamensis, a new alkaloid, 3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-4-(3-methoxy -4-hydroxypheny…     

Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids and Bisabolane Sesquiterpenes from the Roots of Ligularia cymbulifera

The new pyrrolizidine alkaloid glycoside 1 , and the three new highly oxygenated bisabolane sesquiterpenes 4 – 6 , together with the two known pyrrolizidine alkaloids 2 and 3 , were isolated from the roots of Ligularia cymbulifera (W. W. Smith ) Hand .‐Mazz . Their structures were established on the basis of spectroscopic analysis, especially 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR data. The cytotoxic activities of compounds 1, 2 , and 4 – 6 were evaluated against hepatoma (BEL‐7402), human leukemia (HL‐60), human ovarian carcinoma (HO‐8910), and nasopharyngeal carcinoma (KB) cell lines (Tables 1–3). Compound 6 s howed weak cell‐growth inhibition of BEL‐7402 cell.     

Sesquiterpenoid alkaloid from Acroptilon repens

One new sesquiterpenoid alkaloid, namely 3 beta,8 alpha-dihydroxy-13-pyrrolidine-4(15),10(14)-(1 alpha H,5 alpha H,6 beta H,11 beta H)-guaiadien-12,6-olide (1), together with two known guaiane-type sesquiternoids (2-3) was isolated from the aerial part of Acroptilon repens. The structure of 1 was established by spectroscopic methods, especially 2D NMR (HMQC, HMBC, and NOESY). Cytotoxic activity against tumor cell line was assessed for compounds 2-3, and found to show potent cytotoxic activities against tumor cell line P-388.     

Cytotoxic Acridone Alkaloids from the Stem Bark of Citrus Maxima

A new acridone alkaloid, 5‐hydroxynoracronycine alcohol (4), along with six known acridone alkaloids, glycocitrine‐I (1), 5‐hydroxynoracronycine (2), citrusinine‐I (3), grandisine‐I (5), natsucitrine‐II (6), and citracridone‐III (7), were isolated from the stem bark of Citrus maxima f. buntan. Their structures were established on the basis of spectroscopic methods. Compounds 1‐4 and 7 were found to be cytotoxic on two tumor cell lines.     

Alkaloids from the Roots of Saccopetalum prolificum

In recent years, an increased interest in the phytochemistry of the Annonaceae has beensparked by the isolation of the antileukemic Annonaceous acetogenin'. Saccopela/umprolificllm (Chun el How) Tsiang (Allnonaceae) is an evergreen tree distributed inHainan Province, P. R. China. The ethanolic extract of the plant exhibited cell growthinhibitory activity (20 ig/ml) against LIZ10 lymphocytic leukemia. A new alkaloid,prolifine (l), was isolated from the roots of S. proldicum, in addition t…     

Naucline, a new indole alkaloid from the bark of Nauclea officinalis

A new indole alkaloid, naucline (1) together with four known alkaloids, angustine (2), angustidine (3), nauclefine (4) and naucletine (5), were isolated from the bark of Nauclea officinalis. The structures of all isolated compounds were elucidated with various spectroscopic methods such as 1D- and 2D- NMR, IR, UV and LCMS-IT-TOF. In addition to that of alkaloid 1, the complete 13C-NMR data of naucletine (5) were also reported. Naucline (1) showed a moderate vasorelaxant activity (90% relaxation at 1 × 10(-5) M) whereas, angustine (2), nauclefine (4), and naucletine (5) showed potent vasorelaxant activity (more than 90% relaxation at 1 × 10(-5) M) on an isolated rat aorta.     

Structure and total synthesis of aspernigerin: a novel cytotoxic endophyte metabolite

Aspernigerin (1), a novel cytotoxic alkaloid consisting of an unprecedented structural framework has been isolated from the extract of a culture of Aspergillus niger IFB-E003, an endophyte in Cyndon dactylon. Its structure was elucidated on the basis of comprehensive NMR spectral analysis and confirmed by single-crystal X-ray analysis. Aspernigerin (1) has been shown to be cytotoxic to the tumor cell lines nasopharynyeal epidermoid KB, cervical carcinoma Hela, and colorectal carcinoma SW1116 with corresponding IC(50) values of 22, 46, and 35 microM, respectively. A feasible total synthetic route for aspernigerin (1) has been established for further pharmacological research.     

A new cytotoxic carbazole alkaloid from Clausena excavata

A new carbazole alkaloid, 3-carbomethoxy-2-hydroxy-7-methoxycarbazole, Clausine-TY (1), together with two known carbazole alkaloid, Clausine-H (2) and Clausine-B (3), were isolated from the ethyl acetate extract of the stem bark of the Malaysian Clausena excavata. The structures of these compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic analyses. The new carbazole alkaloid shows significant cytotoxicity against CEM-SS cell line.     

Constituents from the stems of Hibiscus taiwanensis

Five new compounds, hibicuslide A (1), hibicuslide B (2), hibicuslide C (3), hibicutaiwanin (4), hibicusin (5), and fifty-one known compounds have been isolated from the stems of Hibiscus taiwanensis. The structures of these compounds were determined by spectroscopic and chemical transformation methods. Among them, mansonone H (19) and uncarinic acid A (30) inhibited HIV replication in H9 lymphocyte cells. The 9,9'-O-feruloyl-(-)-secoisolaricinresinol (12), myriceric acid C (29), and uncarinic acid A (30) showed cytotoxic activity against human lung carcinoma and breast carcinoma.     

New quinazolinone alkaloids within rare amino acid residue from coral-associated fungus, Aspergillus versicolor LCJ-5-4

Cottoquinazoline D (3), a new alkaloid with a 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid residue rarely discovered in nature, was isolated and identified together with two new quinazolinone alkaloids, cottoquinazolines B (1) and C (2), from coral-associated fungus Aspergillus versicolor LCJ-5-4. Their structures including absolute configurations were elucidated based on spectroscopic methods, X-ray single crystal diffraction analysis, and chemical methods. A possible biogenetic pathway for them was proposed.     

Cytotoxic constituents from Podocarpus fasciculus

A new diterpene, 16-hydroxy communic acid (1), along with thirty one known compounds including five norditerpenes (2-6), twenty two flavonoids containing four biflavonoids (7-10), nine monoflavonoids (11-19) and nine flavanoid glycosides (20-28), as well as four phenolic constituents (29-32) were isolated from the 95% ethanolic extract of Podocarpus fasciculus. The structure of 1 was elucidated using spectral methods. Of these isolates, nagilactone C (2) showed the most significant inhibitory effects against DLD cells (human colon carcinoma) (ED(50)=2.57 microg/ml) and compounds 7, 8, 10, 11, and 12 had moderate cytotoxic activity against human KB (human oral epithelium carcinoma), Hela (human cervical carcinoma), Hepa (human hepatoma), DLD (colon carcinoma), and A-549 (human lung carcinoma) tumor cell lines. Preliminary structure-activity relationship studies of the isolated diterpenoids and biflavonoids are discussed.     

Diterpenoids from the Hainan Soft Coral Sinularia parva

Two new cembrane diterpenes, sinulaparvalides A and B ( 1 and 2 , resp.), which contain an intriguing seven‐membered lactone moiety, along with the four known related cembranoids 3 – 6 , were isolated from the Hainan soft coral Sinularia parva. The structures of compounds 1 and 2 were established by spectroscopic methods, mainly on the basis of 2D‐NMR techniques, and were confirmed by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis. The in vitro cytotoxic activities of these compounds were tested on human colon carcinoma (HCT‐116), human promyelocytic leukemia (HL‐60), and human lung carcinoma (A‐549) tumor cell lines.     

Alkaloids from Daphniphyllum longeracemosum

A new alkaloid, daphnilongeridine ( 1 ), together with six known alkaloids, daphmacropodine ( 2 ), daphmacrine ( 3 ), codaphniphylline ( 4 ), daphniyunnine A ( 5 ), daphniyunnine C ( 6 ), and daphniyunnine E ( 7 ), were isolated from the leaves and stems of Daphniphyllum longeracemosum. The so far elusive configuration at C(25) of daphmacropodine ( 2 ) was assigned on the basis of ROESY correlations.