Clausenawallines A and B, two new dimeric carbazole alkaloids from the roots of Clausena wallichii

Two new dimeric carbazole alkaloids, clausenawallines A and B, were isolated from the roots of Clausena wallichii. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods. Clausenawalline A was evaluated for its biological activities [anti-malaria (IC₅₀ 2.46 μg/mL), anti-TB (MIC 12.50 μg/mL)] and cytotoxicity against three human cancer cell lines [KB (IC₅₀ 7.87 μg/mL), MCF7 (IC₅₀ 25.43 μg/mL), and NCI-H187 (IC₅₀ 10.97 μg/mL)].     

Antiplasmodial and antiviral cyclohexadepsipeptides from the endophytic fungus Pullularia sp. BCC 8613

Four new cyclohexadepsipeptides, pullularins A-D, were isolated from the endophytic fungus Pullularia sp. BCC 8613. Structures of these compounds were elucidated by interpretation of NMR spectroscopic and mass spectrometric data. The absolute configurations of amino acid and hydroxy acid residues were determined by HPLC analysis of depsipeptide acid hydrolyzates using a chiral column and Marfey's method. Pullularin A exhibited activities against the malarial parasite Plasmodium falciparum K1 (IC₅₀ 3.6 μg/mL) and herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1; IC₅₀ 3.3 μg/mL), whereas it showed weak cytotoxicity to Vero cells (IC₅₀ 36 μg/mL).     

Modiolin and phthalide derivatives from the endophytic fungus Microsphaeropsis arundinis PSU-G18

One new modiolin, microsphaerodiolin (1), and seven new phthalides, microsphaerophthalides A-G (2-8), together with 12 known compounds were isolated from the endophytic fungus Microsphaeropsis arundinis PSU-G18. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods. The new 3-oxygenated phthalides are rare natural products. The known 1-(2,5-dihydroxyphenyl)-2-buten-1-one exhibited significant antifungal activity against Microsporum gypseum SH-MU-4 with an MIC value of 8 μg/mL, moderate antimalarial activity with an IC₅₀ value of 9.63 μg/mL and strong radical scavenging potency with the IC₅₀ value of 0.018 mg/mL. The new compounds 2 and 6 showed moderately antifungal activity against M. gypseum SH-MU-4 and Cryptococcus neoformans, respectively, with equal MIC values of 64 μg/mL.     

Ziziphine N, O, P and Q, new antiplasmodial cyclopeptide alkaloids from Ziziphus oenoplia var. brunoniana

Bioassay-guided fractionation of the EtOAc extract of the roots of Thai Ziziphus oenoplia var. brunoniana resulted in the isolation of four new 13-membered cyclopeptide alkaloids of the 5(13) type, ziziphine N-Q. The structures of the new metabolites were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analyses and the stereochemical assignments were established by comparison with other related compounds of known stereochemistry. Ziziphine N and Q exhibited significant antiplasmodial activity against the parasite Plasmodium falciparum with the inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) values of 3.92 and 3.5 μg/mL, respectively. Ziziphine N and Q also demonstrated weak antimycobacterial activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis with the same MIC value of 200 μg/mL.     

Polyisoprenylated acylphloroglucinols and a polyisoprenylated tetracyclic xanthone from the bark of Calophyllum thorelii

Two new polyisoprenylated acylphloroglucinols, thoreliones A and B, and a new polyisoprenylated tetracyclic xanthone, oxy-thorelione A, together with twelve known compounds, were isolated from the bark of Calophyllum thorelii. The new structures were determined using spectroscopic methods and chemical modification. The major compound thorelione A (1) showed moderate cytotoxic activity against MCF-7, HeLa and NCI-H460 cells with IC₅₀ values of 7.4, 9.3 and 10.6 μg/mL, respectively, using the sulforhodamine B assay.     

Torrubiellutins A-C, from insect pathogenic fungus Torrubiella luteorostrata BCC 12904

Investigation of the insect pathogenic fungus Torrubiella luteorostrata led to the isolation of three new macrocyclic torrubiellutins A-C (1-3) and the known pyrone diterpene 4. Structures were elucidated by spectroscopic data including 1D, 2D NMR, and MS spectral data. The absolute stereochemistry was determined by chemical means using Mosher reactions and Marfey's reagent, together with NOESY spectral data. Torrubiellutin C showed biological activities against KB, MCF-7, NCI-H187, and Vero cell lines with IC₅₀ varying from 0.78 to 4.36 μg/mL, while compound 4 exhibited antimalaria and anti-inflammatory activity with IC₅₀ values of 3.49 and 1.21 μg/mL, respectively.     

Natural product inhibitors of fatty acid biosynthesis: synthesis of the marine microbial metabolites pseudopyronines A and B and evaluation of their anti-infective activities

Total syntheses of the title natural products, pseudopyronines A (1) and B (2), have been achieved using methyl β-oxo carboxylic ester starting materials. The natural products and a small set of structurally related compounds were evaluated for growth inhibitory activity against a range of pathogenic microorganisms and were found to exhibit good potency (IC₅₀≥0.46 μg/mL) and selectivity towards Leishmania donovani. Several of the compounds inhibited recombinant fatty acid biosynthesis enzymes from both Plasmodium falciparum and Mycobacterium tuberculosis, validating these targets in the search for new anti-infective agents.     

Zyzzyanone A, a novel pyrrolo[3,2-f]indole alkaloid from the Australian marine sponge Zyzzya fuliginosa

A new dipyrroloquinone, zyzzyanone A 1, having a pyrrolo[3,2-f]indole-4,8(1H,7H)-dione skeleton, was isolated from the Australian marine sponge Zyzzya fuliginosa, along with the known pyrroloquinoline alkaloids, makaluvamines C, E, G, H, and L, and damirones A and B. The structure of 1 was determined by spectroscopic data. Zyzzyanone A 1 shows moderate cytotoxic activity against mouse Ehrlich carcinoma cells (IC₅₀ 25 μg/mL), inhibits the cell division of fertilized sea urchin eggs at a concentration of 25 μg/mL, and exhibits UV-A and UV-B absorbing activity.     

An anti-herpes simplex virus-type 1 agent from Xylaria mellisii (BCC 1005)

A structurally unique polyketide, mellisol (1) and 1,8-dihydroxynaphthol 1-O-α-glucopyranoside (3), were isolated from the fungus Xylaria mellisii (BCC 1005). The relative stereostructure of 1 was determined on the basis of X-ray crystallographic data. Compounds 1 and 3 exhibited activity against herpes simplex virus-type 1 with IC₅₀ values of 10.50 and 8.40 μg/mL, respectively. They also showed cytotoxic activity against vero cells at the concentration of 40-50 μg/mL.     

An asymmetric ent-kauranoid dimer from Isodon rubescens var. lushanensis

A novel asymmetric ent-kauranoid dimer, lushanrubescensin J (1), was isolated from Isodon rubescens var. lushanensis. Its structure was elucidated by the spectroscopic evidences. The stereochemistry was confirmed by the single crystal X-ray diffraction of its tetraacetate. Compound (1) exhibited potent inhibitory activity against K562 cells with IC₅₀ = 0.93 μg/mL.     

Abiesanordines A-N: fourteen new norditerpenes from Abies georgei

Fourteen new norditerpenoids (abiesanordines A-N, 1-14), including a novel podocarpene bearing a rare enolic structure (abiesanordine A, 1), were isolated from Abies georgei together with eight known ones. Their structures were determined mainly by detailed analysis of 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic data including HSQC, DQF COSY, HMBC, and NOESY. All the isolates were tested for inhibitory activities against LPS-induced NO production in RAW264.7 macrophages, abiesanordine I (9) showed the strongest activity with the IC₅₀ value of 17.0 μg/mL. Furthermore, it exhibited no cytotoxicity against RAW264.7 macrophages under the concentration of 50 μg/mL.     

Ircinamine B, bioactive alkaloid from marine sponge Dactylia sp.

Ircinamine B was isolated from the marine sponge Dactylia sp., which was collected at Cape Sada in Japan. Based on extensive spectral analysis, the structures of the isolated metabolites were established. This novel compound showed moderate activity against the murine leukemia cell line P388 (IC₅₀ 0.28 μg/mL).     

A concise synthesis of indolic enamides: coscinamide A, coscinamide B, and igzamide

A concise synthesis of indolic enamides coscinamide A, coscinamide B, and the brominated tryptamine derivative igzamide is described. Both E- and Z-isomers of these natural compounds were obtained during the thermally assisted dehydration reaction and were tested for antitumor activity. Coscinamide B was found to possess antitumor activity against DU145 with an IC₅₀ of 7.6 μg/mL.     

N-Hydroxypyridone alkaloids,chromone derivatives,and tetrahydroxanthones from the scale-insect pathogenic fungus Orbiocrella sp. BCC 33248

Six new compounds, an N-hydroxypyridone glucoside, orbiocrellin A (1), its aglycone orbiocrellin B (2), chromone glucosides 3 and 4, a dihydrochromone 5a/5b, and a chromone 6, were isolated from the scale-insect pathogenic fungus Orbiocrella sp. BCC 33248. Orbiocrellin A (1) exhibited antimalarial activity against Plasmodium falciparum K1 (IC₅₀ 3.1 μg/mL) while it was non-cytotoxic. In contrast, orbiocrellin B (2) showed both antimalarial (IC₅₀ 2.1 μg/mL) and cytotoxic (NCI-H187 cells, IC₅₀ 0.70 μg/mL) activities.     

Triterpenoids from Cedrela sinensis

Twenty-three new triterpenoids (1-23), all having an apotirucallane skeleton, were isolated from the seeds, leaves, and stems of Cedrela sinensis (Meliaceae). Their structures were determined by 2D NMR experiments, X-ray crystallographic analysis, and chemical methods. These triterpenoids showed a moderate cytotoxic activity against P-388 murine leukemia cells (IC₅₀ 0.26-9.9 μg/mL).     

Structures of cytotoxic bicyclic hexapeptides, RA-XIX, -XX, -XXI, and -XXII, from Rubia cordifolia L.

Novel bicyclic hexapeptides, RA-XIX, -XX, -XXI, and -XXII, were isolated from the roots of Rubia cordifolia L. The structures of RA-XIX and RA-XX were established by semisynthesis from a cycloisodityrosine, derived from previously reported RA-VII, and those of RA-XXI and RA-XXII by chemical correlation with RA-XX and previously reported RA-VIII, respectively. The IC₅₀ values of these new peptides against P-388 leukemia cells were 0.013-0.63 μg/mL.     

Polyhydroxylated steroids from the octocoral Isis hippuris

The specimens for previous studies on the secondary metabolites of the Formosan octocoral Isis hippuris were all collected at Green Island. In the course of our studies on bioactive compounds from marine organisms, the acetone-solubles of the Formosan octocoral I. hippuris collected at Orchid Island has led to the isolation of six new polyoxygenated steroids (1-6), along with a known compound 7. Compound 6 possesses a new type of steroid side chain moiety. The structures of these compounds were determined on the basis of their spectroscopic and physical data. The anti-HCMV (human cytomegalovirus) activity and cytotoxicity against selected cell lines of 1-7 were evaluated. Compound 3 exhibited inhibitory activity against HCMV, with an EC₅₀ values of 2.0 μg/mL, respectively. Compound 7 displayed cytotoxicity against P-388 and A-549 cell lines with ED₅₀ values of 3.2 and 3.86 μg/mL, respectively.     

Sphenalactones A-D, a new class of highly oxygenated trinortriterpenoids from Schisandra sphenanthera

Four novel highly oxygenated trinortriterpenoids, sphenalactones A-D (1-4), were isolated from the leaves and stems of Schisandra sphenanthera and their structures were elucidated by extensive analysis of 1D and 2D NMR data. Compounds 1-4 featured a C₂₇ backbone and showed anti-HIV-1 activity with EC₅₀ values in the range of 35.5-89.1 μg/mL with low cytotoxicity against C8166 cells (CC₅₀ > 200 μg/mL).     

Bioactive polyketides from the fungus Astrocystis sp. BCC 22166

Five new compounds, phthalide 1, dihydroisocoumarin 2, and 3, pyrone 4, and benzophenone 5, together with nine known compounds, 3,4-dihydro-4,5,8-trihydroxy-3-methylisocoumarin, sclerotinin A, methyl-8-hydroxy-6-methylxanthone-1-carboxylate, sydowinin A, conioxanthone A, 1,3,8-trihydroxy-6-methylxanthone, 1,8-dihydroxy-3-methoxy-6-methylxanthone, coniochaetone B, and xylaranol B, were isolated from the fungus Astrocystis sp. BCC 22166. Structures of these compounds were elucidated using NMR spectroscopic and MS spectrometric analyses. Compound 1 exhibited antibacterial activity against Bacillus cereus (IC₅₀=12.5 μg/mL) while compound 2 showed cytotoxicity to KB and Vero cells (IC₅₀=22.6 and 48.2 μg/mL).     

Shinsonefuran, a cytotoxic furanosesterterpene with a novel carbon skeleton, from the deep-sea sponge Stoeba extensa

Shinsonefuran, a cytotoxic sesterterpene with a novel carbon skeleton, was isolated from the deep-sea sponge Stoeba extensa. The gross structure and relative stereochemistry of shinsonefuran were determined by spectral and chemical methods. In addition, relative stereochemistry of halisulfate 7, previously reported from a marine sponge Coscinoderma sp., was revised. Shinsonefuran exhibited cytotoxicity against HeLa cells with an IC₅₀ value of 16 μg/mL.