Compositions of royal jelly II. Organic acid glycosides and sterols of the royal jelly of honeybees (Apis mellifera)

Two organic acid glycosides (1, 2) and 16 sterols were isolated from the royal jelly of honeybees (Apis mellifera). The former two were monoglucosides of 10-hydroxy-2E-decenoic and 10-hydroxydecanoic acids. They are the first examples of glycosides isolated from royal jelly. The latter 16 were sterols mainly composed of 28 or 29 carbons. Among them, four compounds were new isofucosterol derivatives, and their structures were characterized as (24Z)-stigmasta-5,24(28)-dien-3beta-ol-7-one (3), (24Z)-stigmasta-5,24(28)-diene-3beta,7beta-diol (4), (24Z)-stigmasta-5,24(28)-diene-3beta,7alpha-diol (5), and (24Z)-stigmast-24(28)-ene-3beta,5alpha,6beta-triol (6) on the basis of various NMR spectroscopic data.     

New steroidal alkaloids from Fritillaria imperialis and their cholinesterase inhibiting activities

Two new cevanine steroidal alkaloids, impericine (1) and forticine (2) along with known bases delavine (3), persicanidine A (4), and imperialine (5) were isolated from the bulbs of Fritillaria imperialis. The structures of impericine (1) [(20R,22S,25S)-5alpha-cevanin-23-ene-3beta,6beta,16beta-triol] and forticine (2) [(20S,22S,25S)-5alpha-cevanine-3beta,6beta-diol] were determined with the help of spectroscopic studies. These steroidal bases showed anti-acetylcholinesterase and anti-butyrylcholinesterase inhibitory activity.     

A new geranylated aromatic compound from the mushroom Hericium erinaceum

A new geranylated aromatic compound, 5-[(2'E)-3',7'-dimethyl-2',6'-octadienyl]-4-hydroxy-6-methoxy-1-isoindolinone (1), was isolated from the fruiting bodies of the mushroom Hericium erinaceum (Bull.: Fr.) Pers. (Hericiaceae) together with three known sterols, 5alpha,6alpha-epoxy-(22E)-ergosta-8(14),22-diene-3beta,7alpha-diol (2), (22E)-ergosta-7,9(11),22-triene-3beta,5alpha,6beta-triol (3) and (22E)-ergosta-7,22-diene-3beta,5alpha,6alpha,9alpha-tetrol (4). The structure of the new compound was elucidated on the basis of spectral data.     

A new pyrrolidine derivative and steroids from an algicolous Gibberella zeae strain

A new pyrrolidine derivative, 3-hydroxy-5-(hydroxymethyl)-4-(4'-hydroxyphenoxy)pyrrolidin-2-one (1), and eight known steroids, (22E,24R)-7beta,8beta-epoxy-3beta,5alpha,9alpha-trihydroxyergosta-22-en-6-one (2, a reassigned structure of (22E,24R)-5alpha,6alpha-epoxy-3beta,8beta,14alpha-trihydroxyergosta-22-en-7-one), (22E,24R)-3beta,5alpha,9alpha-trihydroxyergosta-7,22-dien-6-one (3), (22E,24R)-3beta,5alpha-dihydroxyergosta-7,22-dien-6-one (4), (22E,24R)-ergosta-7,22-dien-3beta/,5alpha,6beta-triol (5), (22E,24R)-ergosta-5,22-dien-3beta-ol (6), (22E,24R)-5alpha,8alpha-epidioxyergosta-6,22-dien-3beta-ol (7), (22E,24R)-5alpha,8alpha-epidioxyergosta-6,9(11),22-trien-3beta-ol (8), and (22E,24R)-1(10 --> 6)-abeo-ergosta-5,7,9,22-tetraen-3alpha-ol (9), were isolated from the cultures of Gibberella zeae, an endophytic fungus isolated from the marine green alga Codium fragile. Their structures and relative stereochemistry were elucidated by 1D, 2D NMR and mass spectroscopic techniques. Compound 1 showed cytotoxicity against A-549 and BEL-7402 cell lines.     

Differentiation of stereoisomeric steroids by reactions with phosphenium ions

A chemical ionization method is reported for distinction of diastereomeric hydroxysteroids by using Fourier-transform ion cyclotron mass spectrometry (FT-ICR). Certain phosphenium ions are demonstrated to react with stereoisomeric steroids to yield qualitatively different product ions. For example, 1,3,5(10)-estratriene-3,16beta,17beta-triol (cis-estriol) reacts with the dimethoxy phosphenium ion to form a diagnostic product ion (not formed for the trans-estriol) through addition followed by the loss of two molecules of methanol. In an analogous manner, the 1,3-dioxolan-2-phosphenium ion produces a diagnostic product ion through the loss of ethylene glycol from the adduct of cis-estriol only. The 1,3,5(10)-estratriene-3,16alpha,17beta-triol (trans-estriol), on the other hand, reacts with each phosphenium ion only via hydroxide abstraction-initiated pathways that indicate the presence of at least two hydroxyl groups in the molecule. These specific reactions take place for all hydroxysteroids examined, independent of their stereochemistry. Another isomer pair, cholestan-3alpha,5alpha-diol (cis-cholestandiol) and cholestan-3beta,5alpha-diol (trans-cholestandiol), is differentiated based on selective elimination of water only from the adduct of the cis-isomer. However, the method does not allow distinction between the stereoisomeric 5beta-pregnane-3alpha,17alpha,20alpha-triol and 5beta-pregnane-3alpha,17alpha,20beta-triol. The different reactivities of the three pairs of steroid isomers and of each diastereomeric compound pair are rationalized by reaction enthalpies and steric effects based on straightforward and predictable reaction mechanisms.     

Asporyergosterol, a new steroid from an algicolous isolate of Aspergillus oryzae

Asporyergosterol (1), a new steroid with an E double bond between C-17 and C-20, was identified from the culture extracts of Aspergillus oryzae, an endophytic fungus isolated from the marine red alga Heterosiphonia japonica. Moreover, four known steroids including (22E,24R)-ergosta-4,6,8(14),22-tetraen-3-one (2), (22E,24R)-3beta-hydroxyergosta-5,8,22-trien-7-one (3), (22E,24R)-ergosta-7,22-dien-3beta,5alpha,6beta-triol (4), and (22E,24R)-5alpha,8alpha-epidioxyergosta-6,22-dien-3beta-ol (5) were isolated. Structures of these compounds were unambiguously established by spectroscopic techniques and by comparison with literature values. All the isolates exhibited low activity to modulate acetylcholinesterase (AChE).     

Electron ionization mass spectral fragmentation of cholestane-3beta,4alpha,5alpha-triol and cholestane-3beta,5alpha,6alpha/beta-triol bis- and tris-trimethylsilyl derivatives

The electron ionization (EI) mass spectral fragmentation of the bis- and tris-trimethylsilyl derivatives of cholestane-3beta,4alpha,5alpha-triol, cholestane-3beta,5alpha,6beta-triol and cholestane-3beta,5alpha,6alpha-triol was investigated. The EI mass spectrum of the 3beta,4alpha-bis-trimethylsilyl derivative of cholestane-3beta,4alpha,5alpha-triol exhibits interesting fragment ions at m/z 142 and 332 resulting from the initial loss of TMSOH between the carbons 2 and 3 and subsequent retro-Diels-Alder (RDA) cleavage of the ring A. Trimethylsilyl transfer between the 4alpha- and the 5alpha-hydroxy groups acts significantly before RDA cleavage affording an ion at m/z 404. Complete silylation of cholestane-3beta,4alpha,5alpha-triol strongly stabilizes the molecule, affording an abundant molecular ion at m/z 636 and decreasing the abundance of the RDA cleavage. Loss of water (from the non-silylated 5alpha-hydroxy group) plays a very important role during the decomposition of the molecular ion of 3beta,6alpha/beta-bis-trimethylsilyl derivatives of cholestane-3beta,5alpha,6alpha/beta-triols. These derivatives appear to be very useful in assigning the configuration of the carbon 6. This assignment is based on the abundance of the fragment ions at m/z 321, 367 and 403, which are more prominent in the EI mass spectrum of the beta-isomer. In contrast, EI mass spectra of the tris-trimethylsilyl derivatives of cholestane-3beta,5alpha,6beta-triol and cholestane-3beta,5alpha,6alpha-triol differ only slightly and appear to be poorly informative.     

Three new taxoids from the leaves of the Japanese yew, Taxus cuspidata

Three new taxane diterpenoids were isolated from the leaves of the Japanese yew, Taxus cuspidta. Their structures were established as 5 alpha,13 alpha-diacetoxy-taxa-4(20),11-diene-9 alpha,10 beta-diol (1), 7 beta,13 alpha-diacetoxy-5 alpha-cinnamyloxy-2(3-->20)-abeo-taxa-4(20),11-diene-2 alpha,10 beta-diol (2), and 2 alpha,10 beta,13 alpha-triacetoxy-taxa-4(20),11-diene-5 alpha,7 beta,9 alpha-triol (3) respectively on the basis of 1D and 2D NMR data.     

Two new sesquiterpene lactones from Ixeris chinensis

Phytochemical investigation of Ixeris chinensis NAKAI (Asteraceae) has resulted in the isolation of a new guaianolide-type sesquiterpene lactone, ixerochinolide (1) as well as the related glucoside, ixerochinoside (2). In addition, the known guaianolides, 8beta-hydroxy-3-oxo-guaia-4(15),10(14),11(13)-trien-1alpha,5alpha,6beta,7alphaH-12,6-olide (8beta-hydroxydehydrozaluzanin), 8beta,15-dihydroxy-2-oxo-guaia-1(10),3,11(13)-trien-5alpha,6beta,7alphaH-12,6-olide (lactucin), 3beta,8alpha,10alpha-trihydroxy-guaia-4(15),11(13)-dien-1alpha,5alpha,6beta,7alphaH-12,6-olide (10alpha-hydroxy-10,14-dihydro-desacylcynaropicrin) and 3beta-D-glucopyranosyloxy-8beta-(p-hydroxyphenylacetyloxy)-guaia-4(15),10(14),11(13)-trien-1alpha,5alpha,6beta,7alphaH-12,6-olide (8-epicrepioside) were identified. The structures were determined on the basis of spectral analyses, especially 1- and 2D NMR. Compound 1 exhibited significant cytotoxicity against human PC-3 tumor cells.     

Five new sesquiterpenoids and a new diterpenoid from Erigeron annuus (L.) PERS., Erigeron philadelphicus L. and Erigeron sumatrensis RETZ

The aerial parts of Erigeron annuus (L.) PERS., E. philadelphicus L. and E. sumatrensis RETZ. (Compositae) have been investigated chemically. A new sesquiterpenoid, 6beta,14-epoxyeudesm-4(15)-en-1beta-ol (1), and a new diterpenoid, philadelphinone (6), have been isolated from E. philadelphicus. Four new sesquiterpenoids, (7R*)-opposit-4(15)-ene-1beta,7-diol (2), 11-methoxyopposit-4(15)-en-1beta-ol (3), 15-methoxyisodauc-3-ene-1beta,5alpha-diol (4) and 10alpha-hydroxycadin-4-en-15-al (5), have been isolated from E. annuus. Compounds 2 and 4 were also isolated from E. sumatrensis. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated on the basis of their spectral data.     

Sesquiterpene lactones from Saussurea alata

Two new guaianolides, namely, 3beta,8alpha-dihydroxy-13-methoxyl-4(14),10(15)-dien-(1alphaH,5alphaH,6beta H,11betaH)-12,6-olide (1) and 3beta,8alpha-dihydroxy-13-methoxyl-4(14),10(15)-dien-(1alphaH,5alphaH,6beta H,11alphaH)-12,6-olide (2), together with six known guaianolides, 8-hydroxyzaluzanin C, austricin, chlorojanerin, cynaropicrin, chlorohyssopifolin E and chlorohyssopifolin A were isolated from the aerial parts of Saussurea alata. The structures were established mainly based on spectral analysis, especially 2D NMR techniques.     

Structural determination of a new 2(3 --> 20)abeotaxane with an unusual 13beta-substitution pattern and a new 6/8/6-ring taxane from Taxus cuspidata

A new 2(3 --> 20)abeotaxane with an unusual 13beta-substitution pattern and a new 6/8/6-ring taxane were isolated from the methanol extract of the needles of Taxus cuspidata. The structures were established as 2alpha,7beta-diacetoxy-5alpha,10beta,13beta-trihydroxy-2(3 --> 20)abeotaxa-4(20), 11-dien-9-one (1) and 2alpha,5alpha,7beta,9alpha,13alpha-pentahydroxy-10beta-acetoxytaxa-4(20),11-diene (2) on the basis of 1D and 2D NMR spectral data and high-resolution FAB-MS analyses.     

Five new nortropane alkaloids and six new amino acids from the fruit of Morus alba LINNE growing in Turkey

Investigation of the constituents of the fruits of Morus alba LINNE (Moraceae) afforded five new nortropane alkaloids (1-5) along with nor-psi-tropine (6) and six new amino acids, morusimic acids A-F (7-12). The structures of the new compounds were determined to be 2alpha,3beta-dihydroxynortropane (1), 2beta,3beta-dihydroxynortropane (2), 2alpha,3beta,6exo-trihydroxynortropane (3), 2alpha,3beta,4alpha-rihydroxynortropane (4), 3beta,6exo-dihydroxynortropane (5), (3R)-3-hydroxy-12-[(1S,4S)-4-[(1S)-1-hydroxyethyl]-pyrrolidin-1-yll-dodecanoic acid-3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (7), (3R)-3-hydroxy-12-[(1S,4S)-4-[(1S)-1-hydroxyethyl]-pyrrolidin-1-yll-dodecanoic acid (8), (3R)-3-hydroxy-12-1(1R,4R,5S)-4-hydroxy-5-methyl-piperidin-1-yll-dodecanoic acid-3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (9), (3R)-3-hydroxy-12-[(1R,4R,5S)-4-hydroxy-5-methyl-piperidin-1-yll-dodecanoic acid (10), (3R)-3-hydroxy-12-[(1R,4R,5S)-4-hydroxy-5-hydroxymethyl-piperidin-1-yl]-dodecanoic acid-3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (11), and (3R)-3-hydroxy-12-[(1R,4S,5S)-4-hydroxy-5-methyl-piperidin-1-yl]-dodecanoic acid (12) on the basis of spectral and chemical data.     

Two new rearranged taxoids from Taxus wallichiana ZUCC

Two new rearranged taxane diterpenoids, 5alpha,7beta,10beta,13alpha-tetrahydroxy-2alpha,9alpha,15-triacetoxy-11(15-->1)-abeo-taxa-4(20), 11-diene (1) and 5alpha,9alpha,10beta,13alpha-tetraacetoxy-15-hydroxy-11(15-->1)-abeo-taxa-4(20), 11-diene (2) have been isolated from the barks of Taxus wallichiana. The structures of these compounds have been confirmed by modern spectroscopic techniques.     

Organometallic coordination polymers generated from bent Bis(acetylenylphenyl)oxadiazole ligands and Ag(I) salts

Two new bent oxadiazole bridging benzoacetylene ligands 2,5-bis(4-ethynylphenyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole (L9) and 2,5-bis(3-ethynylphenyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole (L10) were synthesized. The coordination chemistry of them with various inorganic Ag(I) salts has been investigated. Seven new coordination polymers were prepared by solution reactions and fully characterized by infrared spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. [Ag2(L9)](SO3CF3)2 (1) (triclinic, P; a =10.292(4), b = 10.794(4), c = 11.399(5) A; alpha = 98.894(5), beta = 102.360(6), gamma = 90.319(5) degrees ; Z = 2), [Ag(L9)]SbF6 (2) (orthorhombic, Cmca; a = 19.059(9), b = 12.922(6), c = 15.609(7) A; Z = 8), [Ag(L9)]BF4 (3) (orthorhombic, Cmca; a = 19.128(3), b = 12.6042(18), c = 28.003(4) A; Z = 16), [Ag(L9)]ClO4 (4) (monoclinic, P2(1)/c; a = 8.5153(16), b = 19.722(4), c = 10.320(2) A; beta = 105.307(3) degrees ; Z = 4), [Ag(L10)]SO3CF3 (5) (triclinic, P; a = 9.0605(13), b = 10.4956(15), c = 10.8085(16) A; alpha = 101.666(2), beta = 109.269(2), gamma = 100.944(2) degrees ; Z = 2), [Ag(L10)(H2O)(0.5)]BF4.0.5H2O (6) (monoclinic, C2/m; a = 32.180(6), b = 17.027(3), c = 8.1453(15) A; beta = 102.541(3) degrees ; Z = 8), and {[Ag2(L10)2(H2O)](ClO4)2}.o-xylene (7) (monoclinic, P2(1)/c; a = 8.1460(10), b = 17.326(2), c = 30.345(4) A; beta = 97.71 degrees ; Z = 4) were obtained by the combination of L9 and L10 with various Ag(I) salts in a benzene/methylene chloride mixed solvent system. In addition, the luminescent and electrical conductive properties of these new compounds were investigated.     

Pregnane glycosides, gymnepregosides G-Q from the roots of Gymnema alternifolium.

The structural elucidation of eleven new related polyoxypregnane glycosides, gymnepregosides G (1), H (2), I (3), J (4), K (5), L (6), M (7), N (8), O (9), P (10) and Q (11), from the roots of Gymnema alternifolium (Asclepiadaceae) was achieved by a detailed study of 1H- and 13C-NMR spectral data and chemical means. The results obtained for new compounds, 1-11, show that they are (20S)-pregn-6-ene-3 beta,5 alpha,8 beta,12 beta,14 beta,17 beta,20-heptaol 3-O-glycosides, and all the sugars at C-3 are beta(i-->4)-linked. Some of them possess benzoyl, (E)- and (Z)-cin-namoyl, and tigloyl residues as the ester linkages located at C-12 and/or C-20 of the aglycone.     

Copacamphane, picrotoxane and cyclocopacamphane sesquiterpenes from Dendrobium nobile

Dendronobilins K - N, four new sesquiterpenes with copacamphane-type (1), picrotoxane-type (2, 3) and cyclocopacamphane-type (4) skeletons, were isolated from the n-BuOH soluble fraction of the 60% ethanol extract of the stems of Dendrobium nobile. Their structures were established as 2beta,11,12-trihydroxycopacamphan-15-one (1), (2beta,3beta,4beta,5beta)-2,4,11,12-tetrahydroxypicrotoxan-3(15)-olactone (2), (2beta,3beta,5beta)-2,11,12,13-tetrahydroxypicrotoxan-3(15)-olactone (3), and (5beta,8beta)-cyclocopacamphane-5,8,12,15-tetrol (4) on the basis of spectroscopic analysis. Compounds 3 and 4 were inactive in both immunomodulatory and antioxidant bioassay in vitro.     

Immunosuppressive sesquiterpenes from Tripterygium wilfordii

Five new sesquiterpenes, 1beta-furanoyl-2beta,3alpha,7alpha,8beta,11-pentaacetoxy-4alpha,5alpha-dihydroxy-dihydroagarofuran (1), 1beta,2beta,3alpha,5alpha,7beta,8beta,11-heptaacetoxy-dihydroagarofuran (2), 1beta-furanoyl-2beta,3alpha,7alpha,8beta,11-pentaacetoxy-5alpha-hydroxy-dihydroagarofuran (3), 1beta,7beta,8alpha-triacetoxy-2beta-furanoyl-4alpha-hydroxy-11-isobutyryloxy-dihydroagarofuran (4), and 1beta-nicotinoyl-2beta,5alpha,7beta-triacetoxy-4alpha-hydroxy-11-isobutyryloxy-8alpha-furanoyl-dihydroagarofuran (5), were isolated from the xylem of Tripterygium wilfordii, together with a known compound (6). Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic studies. Compounds 2-5 showed significant immunosuppressive activities.     

Three new podocarpane-type diterpenoids from callus of Securinega suffruticosa

Three new podocarpane-type diterpenoids, 3beta,12-dihydroxy-13-methyl-6,8,11,13-podocarpatetraen (1), 3beta,12-dihydroxy-13-methyl-5,8,11,13-podocarpatetraen-7-one (2), and 1-(7-hydroxy-2,6-dimethyl-1-naphthyl)-4-methyl-3-pentanone (3) (20(10-->5)-abeo-4,5-seco-5(10),6,8,11,13-podocarpapentaen-3-one) were isolated from callus of Securinega suffruticosa. The structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods. Compounds 1, 2, and 3 showed cytotoxic activity against five human cancer cell lines (A549, BEL 7402, BGC-823, HCT-8, A2780).     

Four novel metabolites from microbial transformation of curcumol by Cunninghamella blakesleana

Further study on the microbial transformation of curcumol (1) by Cunninghamella blakesleana (AS3.970) led to the isolation of four novel metabolites. Their structures were elucidated as 3beta-hydroxy curcumol (2), 12-hydroxy curcumol (3), 1alpha-hydroxy-10beta,14-epoxy curcumol (4) and (2S,4S,5S,7S)-10-hydroxymethyl-7-isopropyl-2-methoxy-4-methyl-1-oxaspiro[4,6]undec-10-en-8-one (5) on the basis of spectral methods. All of them were characterized as new compounds.