Nortriterpene constituents from Schisandra sphenanthera

Nine new highly oxygenated nortriterpenoids, pre-schisanartanins E–J (1–6) and sphenadilactones D–F (7–9), together with 17 known ones (10–26), have been isolated from the acetone extract of the roots and stems of Schisandra sphenanthera. The structures of the new metabolites were characterized on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analyses including 1D and 2D NMR experiments. These compounds were all evaluated for their cytotoxicity against HL-60, SMMC-7721, A549, MCF-7, and SW480 tumor cell lines.     

Piperazirum, a novel bioactive alkaloid from Arum palaestinum Boiss.

A novel alkylated piperazine (3α,5α-diisobutyryl-6α-isopropyl-piperazine-2-one, 1) has been isolated from the n-butanol soluble part of the leaves extract of Arum palaestinum Boiss., the chemical structure and the relative stereochemistry of 1 were elucidated on the basis of 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic data. Piperazirum showed a significant cytotoxicity against cultured tumor cell lines in vitro.     

Cephalimysin A, a potent cytotoxic metabolite from an Aspergillus species separated from a marine fish

Cephalimysin A (1) was isolated from a strain of Aspergillus fumigatus originally separated from the marine fish Mugil cephalus, and its absolute stereostructure was elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analyses using 1D and 2D NMR techniques and some chemical transformations including the modified Mosher’s method. This compound exhibited significant cytotoxicity against cultured P388 cells and HL-60 cells.     

Physalinol A,a 1,10-seco-physalin with an epidioxy from Physalis alkekengi L. var. franchetii (Mast.) Makino

Physalinol A (1), a novel 1, 10-seco-physalin with a peroxy bridge, was isolated from the organic extracts of Physalis alkekengi L. var. franchetii (Mast.) Makino. The structure was determined on the basis of 1D and 2D NMR spectra and HR-ESI-MS data. The absolute configuration of 1 was evidenced by X-ray diffraction data and further confirmed by ECD calculations. The isolated compound 1 has no cytotoxicity against HCT-116 and PC-3 cancer cell lines and a weak antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coil. In addition, compound 1 also exhibited a weak anti-inflammatory action in lipopolysacaride (LPS)-induced RAW 264.7 macrophages with an IC₅₀ value of 57.3?±?1.03?μM.     

Tandyukisin,a novel ketoaldehyde decalin derivative,produced by a marine sponge-derived Trichoderma harzianum

Tandyukisin (1), a novel decalin derivative with an enolic β-ketoaldehyde, has been isolated from a strain of Trichoderma harzianum OUPS-111D-4 originally derived from the marine sponge Halichondria okadai, and its structure has been elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analyses using 1D and 2D NMR techniques. In addition, the absolute configuration for 1 was established by the application of CD spectrum to the tribenzoate derivative. This compounds exhibited moderate cytotoxicity against human cancer cell lines.     

Cytotoxic sesquiterpenes from luminescent mushroom Neonothopanus nambi

Four new aristolane sesquiterpenes named nambinones A–C (1–3) and 1-epi-nambinone B (4), a new sesquiterpene, nambinone D (5), a known compound, aurisin A (6) as well as a new dimeric sesquiterpene, aurisin K (7), were isolated from two isolates of luminescent mushroom, Neonothopanus nambi, PW1 and PW2. These structures were established on the basis of spectroscopic evidence. The relative configuration of 6 was determined by X-ray crystallographic analysis. Compounds 6 and 7 exhibited antimalarial activity against Plasmodium falciparum and antimycobacterial activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Compounds 3, 6, and 7 showed cytotoxicity against NCI-H187 cancer cell lines. In addition, 6 and 7 showed cytotoxicity against the cholangiocarcinoma cell lines.     

Solanopubamine,a rare steroidal alkaloid from Solanum schimperianum: Synthesis of some new alkyl and acyl derivatives,their anticancer and antimicrobial evaluation

Solanopubamine (3β-amino-5α, 22αH, 25βH-solanidan-23β-ol), a steroidal alkaloid was isolated from the alkaloidal fraction of Solanum schimperianum in significant yield. Its structure was established by IR, positive ESI-MS, 1D and 2D NMR. The presence of -3β-NH₂ and -23β-OH groups was achieved through methylation, acetylation or coupling with octadecanoic and undec-11-enoic acids to produce six derivatives (2–7). Their structures were confirmed by spectroscopic analyses. Solanopubamine and semi-synthetic analogs are investigated for their in vitro cytotoxicity against a panel of human cancer cell lines and anti-microbial activity. Solanopubamine showed good antifungal activity only against Candida albicans and C. tenuis with MIC of 12.5 μg/mL. Semi-synthesized compounds (2–7) have failed to show anti-tumor and anti-microbial activities.     

Vulgarisins B–D,three novel diterpenoids with a rare skeleton isolated from Prunella vulgaris Linn

Three new diterpenoids, vulgarisins B–D (1–3), have been isolated from a medicinal plant Prunella vulgaris Linn. These diterpenoids contain a rare 5/6/4/5 fused tetracyclic ring skeleton. Their structures were determined through the analysis of spectroscopic data, and the absolute configuration were further confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction as well as CD analysis. All the compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxicity activity, vulgarisins B (1) and C (2) demonstrated modest cytotoxicity activity against human lung carcinoma A549 cell line.     

Three new diterpenes from Jatropha curcas

Jatrophalactone (1) and jatrophalone (2), together with jatrophadiketone (3), a 6/6/6 tricyclic diterpene transformed from rhamnofolane skeleton, have been isolated from the methanolic extract of Jatropha curcas. The structures were established on the basis of extensive spectroscopic methods and further confirmed by X-ray crystallographic analysis. The cytotoxicity against selected cell lines was evaluated. Among them, compound 1 displayed cytotoxicity against HL-60, SMMC-7721, A-549, MCF-7, and SW480 cell lines with IC₅₀ values of 8.5, 20.6, 19.7, 20.1, and 19.2 μM, respectively. The possible biosynthetic pathways for 1 and 3 are proposed.     

Antiplasmodial cembradiene diterpenoids from a Southwestern Caribbean gorgonian octocoral of the genus Eunicea

Five new representatives of the cembrane class of marine natural products have been isolated as minor metabolites from an undescribed species of Eunicea, a sea whip collected near the Colombian Southwestern Caribbean Sea. The structure of the crystalline metabolite 1 was solved by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Structures could then be proposed for cembradienes 2-5 by comprehensive spectral analyses involving 2D NMR, IR, UV, and high-resolution mass spectrometry, as well as chemical interconversion studies. Compound 1 exhibited weak cytotoxicity in the NCI 3-cell line panel human cancer screening program, whereas compounds 1, 2 and 4 displayed significant antiplasmodial activity against Plasmodium falciparum.     

Cytotoxic arylbenzofuran and stilbene derivatives from the twigs of Artocarpus heterophyllus

Four new natural products, including three arylbenzofurans named heterophyllenes A-C (1–3), and one stilbene named heterophyllene D (4), together with twenty-one known compounds were isolated from the twigs of Artocarpus heterophyllus and their structures elucidated by spectroscopic methods, mainly 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy. The cytotoxic activity of selected compounds against KB, MCF-7 and NCI-H187 cell lines was evaluated. Heterophyllene C (3) exhibited cytotoxicity against the MCF-7 cell line with an IC₅₀ value of 12.56 μM. Additionally, the known compounds norartocarpin and artocarpin showed cytotoxic activity against MCF-7 and KB cell lines with IC₅₀ values of 10.04 and 13.57 μM, respectively. Both compounds also displayed cytotoxicity against the NCI-H187 cell line with values of 14.78 and 14.21 μM, respectively.     

Cytochalasins D1 and C1, unique cytochalasans from endophytic fungus Xylaria cf. curta

Cytochalasins D1 (1) and C1 (2) were isolated from the liquid fermentation of fungus Xylaria cf. curta. Their structures and absolute configurations were determined by comprehensive experimental spectroscopic methods as well as ECD and GIAO ¹³C NMR calculation. They possess a unique eleven-membered macrocycle with an oxygen bridge. Cytochalasins D1 and C1 showed moderate cytotoxicity against human leukemia cell lines HL-60 with IC₅₀ value of 12.7 and 22.3 μM, respectively.     

Cyclic pentapeptide type compounds from Clerodendrum japonicum (Thunb.) Sweet

Two previous undescribed cyclic pentapeptide-type compounds (1–2), with two known ones (3–4), were first isolated and purified from Clerodendrum japonicum (Thunb.) Sweet. Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic data (1D and 2D NMR) analysis. The absolute configurations of the two compounds were assigned using a combination of Marfey’s method and HPLC-MS analysis. All four compounds showed weak cytotoxicity against four human cancer cells lines (T24, A549, HepG2, MGC-803), with IC₅₀ values ranging from 23.8 to 39.6?μM.     

Aurilide, a cytotoxic depsipeptide from the sea hare Dolabella auricularia: isolation, structure determination, synthesis, and biological activity

The bioassay-guided fractionation of the cytotoxic constituents of the Japanese sea hare Dollabella auricularia led to the isolation of aurilide (1), a 26-membered cyclodepsipeptide. The gross structure of 1 was established by spectroscopic analysis including 2D NMR techniques. The absolute stereostructure was determined by chiral HPLC analysis of acid hydrolysates of 1 and by the enantioselective synthesis of a degradation product arising from a dihydroxylated fatty acid portion. The enantioselective synthesis of 1 was achieved in 12% overall yield (16 steps) and confirmed the absolute stereostructure of 1. The cytotoxicity of 1 was evaluated using a synthetic sample, which was found to exhibit potent cytotoxicity against HeLa S₃ cells with an IC₅₀ of 0.011 μg/mL. Further biological and pharmacological studies of 1 have been carried out by using synthetic 1.     

Abiesanol A, a novel biflavanol with unique six connective hexacyclic rings isolated from Abies georgei

A novel biflavanol with unique six connective hexacyclic rings, abiesanol A (1), was isolated from the aerial parts of Abies georgei together with four known flavanols. The structure of new compound was elucidated mainly by the analysis of 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic data. In addition, single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis was adopted to confirm the structure of abiesanol A (1). In biological assay for inhibitory activities against LPS-induced nitric oxide (NO) production in RAW264.7 macrophages, abiesanol A (1) showed potent effects at 50 μg/mL with the inhibition rate of 43.0%. Under the same concentration, abiesanol A (1) did not show any cytotoxicity against RAW264.7 macrophages.     

The first A-nor-hippuristanol and two novel 4,5-secosuberosanoids from the Gorgonian Isis hippuris

The first A-nor-hippuristanol, A-nor-22-epi-hippurin-2α-carboxylic acid (1), and two 4,5-secosuberosane sesquiterpenoids, isishippuric acids A and B (2 and 3), have been isolated from the gorgonian coral Isis hippuris. Those structures were deduced by extensive 1D and 2D NMR studies. The structure of 1 was further supported by a single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Isishippuric acid B has been shown to exhibit potent cytotoxicity toward a limited panel of cancer cells.     

Bioactive steroidal glycosides from the marine sponge Erylus lendenfeldi

Bioassay-guided fractionation of the methanol extract of Erylus lendenfeldi using engineered strains of budding yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) has resulted in the isolation of the known compound eryloside A (1) and two new compounds, erylosides K (2) and L (3). The structures were established based mainly on 1D and 2D NMR data. The absolute stereochemistry of eryloside A, which had never been fully characterized, was determined using the modified Mosher's method. The absolute stereochemistry of eryloside K was determined by comparison with tetrahydroeryloside A. Compounds 1-3 exhibited selective cytotoxicity against a yeast strain (Δrad50) deficient in double strand break (DSB) repair.     

Turtschamide,a cytotoxic putrescine bisamide from Corydalis turtschaninovii

A putrescine bisamide with a unique cyclic structure derived from l-tyrosine, turtschamide (1), was isolated from the tubers of Corydalis turtschaninovii. The structure of 1 was established by extensive spectroscopic study, and its absolute configuration was determined by a combination of NOE experiment and application of the Marfey’s method. Turtschamide (1) exhibited cytotoxicity against the A549, SK-OV-3, SK-MEL-2, and HCT-15 cells.     

Hexamollamide, a hexapeptide from an Okinawan ascidian Didemnum molle

The bioassay-guided fractionation of the cytotoxic constituents of the Okinawan ascidian Didemnum molle led to the isolation of hexamollamide (1), a hexapeptide. The gross structure and relative stereostructure of 1 were established by spectroscopic analysis including 2D NMR techniques and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The absolute stereostructure was determined by chiral HPLC analysis of acid hydrolysates of 1. Hexamollamide (1) exhibits moderate cytotoxicity against HeLa S₃ cells.     

Structure and bioactivity of a trisnorditerpenoid and a diterpenoid from an Okinawan soft coral, Cespitularia sp.

An Okinawan soft coral Cespitularia sp. has proven to be a good source of cytotoxic metabolites having a carbon skeleton of the seco-type variety of xenicin. This soft coral yielded alcyonolide, the major constituent, and other related compounds, all of which have proven to be cytotoxic. Reinvestigation of the cytotoxic ethyl acetate extracts of the coral yielded two new alcyonolide congeners, trisnorditerpenoid 1 and diterpenoid 2, possessing the same carbon skeleton. Their structures were elucidated by a detailed analysis of spectroscopic data (1D, 2D NMR, and MS). Metabolites 1 and 2 showed cytotoxicity against HCT116 cells (IC₅₀ 6.04 and 47.0 μM, respectively) and a dose dependent, anti-inflammatory effect in LPS/IFN-γ-stimulated inflammatory RAW 264.7 macrophage cells.