Anthraquinones from the roots of Prismatomeris malayana

A novel anthraquinone, 1,3-dihydroxy-5,6-dimethoxy-2-methoxymethyl-9,10-anthraquinone (9) and a new natural product, 2-hydroxymethyl-1-methoxy-9,10-anthraquinone (8) were isolated from the roots of Prismatomeris malayana together with seven known anthraquinones, tectoquinone (1), 1-hydroxy-2-methyl-9,10-anthraquinone (2), rubiadin (3), rubiadin-1-methyl ether (4), 1,3-dihydroxy-5,6-dimethoxy-2-methyl-9,10-anthraquinone (5), nordamnacanthal (6), and damnacanthal (7). Their structures were determined on the basis of spectroscopic data. Some of the anthraquinones were tested for anticancer, antifungal, and antimalarial activities.     

A novel antioxidant isobenzofuranone derivative from fungus Cephalosporium sp.AL031

Bioassay-guided fractionation of metabolites from the fungus Cephalosporium sp.AL031 isolated from Sinarundinaria nitida led to the discovery of a new isobenzofuranone derivative, 4,6-dihydroxy-5-methoxy-7-methylphthalide (1), together with three known compounds: 4,5,6-trihydroxy-7-methyl-1,3-dihydroisobenzofuran (2), 4,6-dihydroxy-5-methoxy-7-methyl-1,3-dihydroisobenzofuran (3) and 4,5,6-trihydroxy-7-methylphthalide (4). The structure of the new compound 1 was determined based on MS, 1D and 2D NMR spectral data. Compounds 1-4 showed potent antioxidant activity with EC?? values of 10, 7, 22 and 5 μM by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryhydrazyl (DPPH) radical-scavenging assay.     

New anthraquinones from the stem of Morinda citrifolia Linn

Studies on the chemical constituents of the stem of Morinda citrifolia, Linn. have led to the isolation of two new compounds, morindicinone (=2-hydroxy-1,8-dimethoxy-7-methoxymethylanthraquinone, 1) and morindicininone (=4-hydroxymethyl-1,3-dimethoxyanthraquinone, 2), as well as two known constituents, 2-hydroxyanthraquinone (3) and 2-methoxyanthraquinone (4). Their structures were elucidated by spectral analysis including 2D-NMR techniques.     

Synthesis of New Xanthones,I

Condensation of salicylic acid and C-methylphloroglucinol gave the already known 1,3-dihydroxy-2-methylxanthone ( 1 ) along with two new compounds: 1,3-dihydroxy-4-methylxanthone ( 2 ) and a second one tentatively presented as being 1,3-dihydroxy-2-methyl-4-(2-hydroxybenzoyl)xanthone ( 3 ). The UV., IR., NMR, and mass spectra for the two first compounds are reported and their structures discussed on the basis of δ-values for H(2), H(4), CH₃(4) and CH₃(2). The UV. and IR. spectra for the third compound are reported too.     

Two neolignan glucosides and antihistamine release activities from Bidens parviflora WILLD

Two new neolignan glucosides, bidenlignasides A (1) and B (2), were isolated from the whole plant of Bidens parviflora WILLD. The structures of the two new compounds 1 and 2 established to be 3-hydroxy-1-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-3-[5E-(3-hydroxypropenyl)-3-methoxy-2-O-beta-D-glucosyl)phenyl] propan-1-one and 3-{3-[1,3-dihydroxy-3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)propyl]-4-hydroxy-5-methoxyphenyl}-allyl-O-beta-D-glucuside, respectively, on the basis of spectral and chemical evidence. Compounds 1 and 2 were found to inhibit histamine release from peritoneal exudate mast cells induced by antigen-antibody reaction.     

Antiangiogenic polyketides from Peperomia dindygulensis Miq

Two new polyketides: 2Z-(heptadec-12-enyl)-4-hydroxy-3,4,7,8-tetrahydro-2H-chromen-5(6H)-one (1) and 2-(heptadec-12-enyl)-5-hydroxy-5,6,7,8-tetrahydrochromen- 4-one (2), together with eleven known compounds: 4-hydroxy-2-[(3,4-methylenedioxy- phenyl)tridecanoyl] cyclohexane-1,3-dione (3), oleiferinone (4), 4-hydroxy-2-[(3,4- methylenedioxyphenyl)undecanoyl]cyclohexane-1,3-dione (5), 4-hydroxy-2-[(11-phenyl- undecanoyl)cyclohexane-1,3-dione (6), proctorione C (7), surinone C (8), 5-hydroxy- 7,8,4'-trimethoxyflavone (9), 5-hydroxy-7,8,3',4'-tetramethoxyflavone (10), 5-hydroxy- 7,3',4'-trimethoxyflavone (11), 5,8-dihydroxy-7,3',4'-trimethoxyflavone (12) and cepharanone B (13) were isolated from the whole plant of Peperomia dindygulensis Miq. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, including 2D-NMR techniques. Compounds 2, 3, 5 and 8 inhibited human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) proliferation and compounds 5 and 8 sharply suppressed HUVEC tube formation.     

Coumarins from campylotropis hirtella (FRANCH.) SCHINDL. and their inhibitory activity on prostate specific antigen secreted from LNCaP cells

Campylotropis hirtella (FRANCH.) SCHINDL. was used as a folk medicine for the treatment of benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) in China. In this study, two new coumarins, 7,2',4'-trihydroxy-5-methoxy-3-arylcoumarin (1), 6-[(1S,2S)-2-angeloyloxy-1,3-dihydroxy-3-methylbutyl]-7-methoxycoumarin, named angelol M (2), together with eleven known related compounds (3-13) were isolated from this plant under the bioassay guided fractionation. All the compounds showed activity with different levels in inhibiting prostate specific antigen (PSA) secreted from androgen dependent prostate cancer cell line, LNCaP cells, using ELISA method.     

Novel sphingolipids from Conyza canadensis

New sphingolipids, 1,3,5-trihydroxy-2-hexadecanoylamino-(6E,9E)-heptacosdiene (1). 1,3,5-trihydroxy-2-hexadecanoylamino-(6E,9E)-heptacosdiene-1-O-glucopyranoside (2). 1,3-dihydroxy-2-hexanoylamino-(4E)-heptadecene (3). have been isolated from Conyza canadensis, along with five known compounds, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, 3,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid, 3,5-dimethoxybenzoic acid, 3beta-hydroxyolean-12-en-28-oic acid, and 3beta-erythrodiol, isolated for the first time from this species. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic methods ((1)H- and (13)C-NMR, IR and MS) and two dimensional (2D)-NMR experiments.     

A new sphingolipid from the gorgonian Junceella juncea of the Indian Ocean

A new sphingolipid, (2S,3R,4E)-1,3-dihydroxy-2-[(nonadecanoyl) amino]-octadec-4-ene (1) along with ubiquitous batyl alcohol is isolated from the gorgonian, Junceella juncea Pallas (Gorgonaceae) of the Indian Ocean. The structure of 1 is determined on the basis of 1H- and 13C-NMR, COSY, FABMS, and GC-EIMS experiments.     

Iridoids and anthraquinones from the Malaysian medicinal plant,Saprosma scortechinii (Rubiaceae)

A further investigation of the leaves and stems of Saprosma scortechinii afforded 13 compounds, of which 10 are new compounds. These were elucidated as the bis-iridoid glucosides, saprosmosides G (1) and H (2), the iridoid glucoside, 6-O-epi-acetylscandoside (3), and the anthraquinones, 1-methoxy-3-hydroxy-2-carbomethoxy-9,10-anthraquinone (4), 1-methoxy-3-hydroxy-2-carbomethoxy-9,10-anthraquinone 3-O-beta-primeveroside (5), 1,3-dihydroxy-2-carbomethoxy-9,10-anthraquinone 3-O-beta-primeveroside (6), 1,3,6-trihydroxy-2-methoxymethyl-9,10-anthraquinone (7), 1-methoxy-3,6-dihydroxy-2-hydroxymethyl-9,10-anthraquinone (8), 1,3,6-trihydroxy-2-hydroxymethyl-9,10-anthraquinone 3-O-beta-primeveroside (9), and 3,6-dihydroxy-2-hydroxymethyl-9,10-anthraquinone (10). Structure assignments for all compounds were established by means of mass and NMR spectroscopies, chemical methods, and comparison with published data. The new anthraquinones were derivatives of munjistin and lucidin.     

Xanthones from stems of Hypericum chinense

Six new xanthones, 4,6-dihydroxy-2,3-dimethoxyxanthone (1), 2,6-dihydroxy-3,4-dimethoxyxanthone (2), 6-hydroxy-2,3,4-trimethoxyxanthone (3), 3,6-dihydroxy-1,2-dimethoxyxanthone (4), 4,7-dihydroxy-2,3-dimethoxyxanthone (5), and 3,7-dihydroxy-2,4-dimethoxyxanthone (6) were isolated from the stems of Hypericum chinense, together with four known xanthones. Their structures were established based on spectroscopic studies.     

Fortuneanosides G-L, dibenzofuran glycosides from the fruit of Pyracantha fortuneana

Six new dibenzofuran glycosides, fortuneanosides G (1), H (2), I (3), J (4), K (5), and L (6), were isolated from the fruit of Pyracantha fortuneana (MAXIM) LI. Their structures were determined to be 3,7-dihydroxy-2,4-dimethoxy-dibenzofuran 7-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside, 3,7-dihydroxy-2,4-dimethoxy-dibenzofuran 7-O-(alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl)-(1-6)-beta-D-glucopyranoside, 3,6-dihydroxy-2,4-dimethoxy-dibenzofuran 6-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside, 2,4-dimethoxy-3,6,9-trihydroxy-dibenzofuran 6-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside, 3,9-dihydroxy-2,4-dimethoxy-dibenzofuran 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside, and 2-methoxy-3,4,9-trihydroxy-dibenzofuran 4-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside based on spectroscopic analysis. Fortuneanosides G-J showed more potent tyrosinase-inhibitory activity than arbutin.     

Bioactive isocoumarins from a terrestrial Streptomyces sp. ANK302

Four isocoumarins have been isolated from the terrestrial Streptomyces sp. ANK302, namely 6,8-dimethoxy-3-methylisocoumarin (1), 6,8-dihydroxy-3-methylisocoumarin (2), 6,8-dihydroxy-7-methoxy-3-methylisocoumarin (3), and 6,7,8-trimethoxy-3-methylisocoumarin (4). Compound 1 is a new naturally-occurring isocoumarin, and 2 was isolated as a new bacterial product. The structures 1-4 were deduced from high resolution mass, 1D and 2D NMR spectra and by comparison with related compounds from the literature. Compound 2 showed a strong zoosporicidal activity at a concentration of 5 microg/mL against a phytopathogenic oomycete, Plasmopara viticola, and 1 was active against     

Anthraquinone derivatives from Micromonospora rhodorangea

From the fermentation broths of the actinomycete Micromonospora rhodorangea, four anthraquinone derivatives (1-4) were isolated, of which 2-ethyl-1,8-dihydroxy-3-methyl-anthraquinone (1) and 3,8-dihydroxy-1-propylanthraquinone (3) were determined as new compounds. Their structures were established by using extensive spectroscopic data analyses. 2-ethyl-1-hydroxy-8-methoxy-3-methyl anthraquinone (2) was isolated from actinomycetes for the first time and its NMR data was assigned.     

Studies on the constituents of Broussonetia species X. Six new alkaloids from Broussonetia kazinoki Sieb.

Six new alkaloids, broussonetines W, X, M1, U1, J3, and J2 (1-6) were isolated from the branches of Broussonetia kazinoki SIEB. (Moraceae) as minor constituents. They were formulated as (2R,3R,4R,5R)-2-hydroxy-methyl-3,4-dihydroxy-5-17-(cyclohexy-2-on-1(6)-enyl)heptyllpyrrolidine (1), (2R,3S,4R,5R)-2-hydroxymethyl-3,4-dihydroxy-5-17-(cyclohexy-2-on-1(6)-enyl)heptyl]pyrrolidine-4-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (2), (2R,3R,4R,5R)-2-hydroxymethyl-3,4-dihydroxy-5-[(9R)-9,13-dihydroxytridecyl]- pyrrolidine (3), (2S,3S,4S)-2-hydroxymethyl-3,4-dihydroxy-5-(10-oxo-13-hydroxytridecyl)-5- pyrroline (4), (2R)-2-[(IS,2S)-1,2-dihydroxy-8-1(2R,3R,4R,5R)-5-(2-hydroxymethyl-3,4-dihydroxy-1-acetylpyrrolidinyl)loctyl]piperidine (5), (2R)-2-[(1S,2S)-1,2-dihydroxy-8-[(2R,3R, 4R,5R)-5-(2-hydroxymethy]-3,4-dihydroxypyrrolidinyl)]octyl]piperidine (6).     

Isolation of four new flavonoids from Melicope triphylla

Four new flavonoids, 3,5-dihydroxy-7,8-dimethoxy-3',4'-methylenedioxyflavone (1), 3,5-dihydroxy-7-methoxy-3',4'-methylenedioxyflavone (2), 3,5-dihydroxy-7-isopentenyloxy-8-methoxy-3',4'-methylenedioxyflavone (3) and 5-hydroxy-3-isopentenyloxy-7-methoxy-3',4'-methylenedioxyflavone (4), were isolated from the leaves of Melicope triphylla. In addition, two known flavonoids were detected including 5-hydroxy-3,7-dimethoxy-3',4'-methylenedioxyflavone (5) and 5-hydroxy-7-isopentenyloxy-3,8-dimethoxy-3',4'-methylenedioxyflavone (6). The structures of the new compounds were established by spectroscopic methods.     

Two new compounds from Dendrobium candidum

Two new compounds were isolated from the stems of Dendrobium candidum: (R)-3,4-dihydroxy-5,4',alpha-trimethoxybibenzyl (1), named dendrocandin A; and 4-[2-[(2S,3S)-3-(4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-2-hydroxymethyl-8-methoxy-2,3-dihydrobenzo[1,4]dioxin-6-yl]ethyl]-1-methoxyl benzene (2), dendrocandin B. Five previously known bibenzyls were also identified: 4,4'-dihydroxy-3,5-dimethoxybibenzyl (3), 3,4-dihydroxy-5,4'-dimethoxybibenzyl (4), 3-O-methylgigantol (5), dendrophenol (6), and gigantol (7).     

Stereoselectivity of an ω-transaminase-mediated amination of 1,3-dihydroxy-1-phenylpropane-2-one

The stereoselectivity of a recently isolated ω-transaminase from Chromobacterium violaceum in the amination of 1,3-dihydroxy-1-phenylpropan-2-one has been determined. The enzyme is not enantioselective towards a racemic mixture of 1,3-dihydroxy-1-phenylpropan-2-one but is highly stereoselective forming (2S)-2-amino-1-phenyl-1,3-propanediols in >99% ee.     

Ceramide constituents from five mushrooms

Five mushrooms, Panellus serotinus, Lyophyllum connatum, Amanita pantherina, Sarcodon aspratus and Lepista nuda, have been investigated chemically. Two new ceramides, (2S,3R,4E,8E)-N-hexadecanoyl-2-amino-9-methyl-4,8-octadecadiene-1,3-diol (1) and (2S,3R,4E,8E,9'Z,12'Z)-N-9',12'-octadecadienoyl-2-amino-9-methyl-4,8-octadecadiene-1,3-diol (2), have been isolated from Panellus serotinus. Compound 2 was also isolated from Lyophyllum connatum. Two new ceramides, (2S,2'R,3R,4E,8E)-N-2'-hydroxypentadecanoyl-2-amino-9-methyl-4,8-octadecadiene-1,3-diol (4) and (2S,2'R,3R,4E,8E)-N-2'-hydroxytetradecanoyl-2-amino-9-methyl-4,8-octadeca-diene-1,3-diol (5), have been isolated from Amanita pantherina with (2S,2'R,3R,4E,8E)-N-2'-hydroxyhexadecanoyl-2-amino-9-methyl-4,8-octadecadiene-1,3-diol (3), a known synthetic compound. Compounds 3 and 4 were also isolated from Sarcodon aspratus and compound 3 was isolated from Lepista nuda. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated on the basis of their spectral data.     

Rhodiolosides A-E, monoterpene glycosides from Rhodiola rosea

Five new monoterpene glycosides, rhodiolosides A-E (1-5), were isolated from the roots of Rhodiola rosea (Crassulaceae). Their structures were elucidated as (2E,6E,4R)-4,8-dihydroxy-3,7-dimethyl-2,6-octadienyl beta-D-glucopyranoside (1), (2E,4R)-4-hydroxy-3,7-dimethyl-2,6-octadienyl alpha-D-glucopyranosyl(1-->6)-beta-D-glucopyranoside (2), (2E,4R)-4-hydroxy-3,7-dimethyl-2,6-octadienyl beta-D-glucopyranosyl(1-->3)-beta-D-glucopyranoside (3), (2E,4R)-4,7-dihydroxy-3,7-dimethyl-2-octenyl beta-D-glucopyranoside (4), and (2E)-7-hydroxy-3,7-dimethyl-2-octenyl alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl(1-->6)-beta-D-glucopyranoside (5), on the basis of various spectroscopic analyses and chemical degradation.