Biosynthesis of Cosmosporasides Reveals the Assembly Line for Fungal Hybrid Terpenoid Saccharides

Fungal hybrid terpenoid saccharides constitute a new and growing family of natural products with significant biomedical and agricultural activities. One representative family is the cosmosporasides, which feature oxidized terpenoid units and saccharide moieties; however, the assembly line of these building blocks has been elusive. Herein, a cos cluster from Fusarium orthoceras was discovered for the synthesis of cosmosporaside C ( 1 ) by genome mining. A UbiA family intramembrane prenyltransferase (UbiA-type PT), a multifunctional cytochrome P450, an α,β-hydrolase, an acetyltransferase, a dimethylallyl transferase (DMAT-type PT) and a glycosyltransferase function cooperatively in the assembly of the scaffold of 1 using primary central metabolites. The absolute configuration at C4, C6 and C7 of 1 was also established. Our work clarifies the unexpected functions of UbiA-type and DMAT-type PTs and provides an example for understanding the synthetic logic of hybrid terpenoid saccharides in fungi.     

Triterpenes and limonoids of Cedrela: Distribution,biosynthesis, and 1H and 13C NMR data

Cedrela genus, a member of the Meliaceae family, presents both chemical characteristics associated with and those that distinguish it from the rest of its members. The presence of triterpenes and limonoids is the characteristic of the Meliaceae family, but the class and type of these chemical constituents are distinctive for each genus. Cedrela includes cycloartane, ursane, oleanane, tirucallane, butyrospermane, and apotirucallane triterpenes, and its limonoids belongs to six class and nine types, known as class Ia-type havanensines, class Ib-type delevoyin, class II-type gedunin, class IIIb-type andirobin, class IIIg-type mexicanolide, class IVa-type evoludone, class Va-type obacunol, class V-type limonin, and class VIII. Each of these structural arrangements includes specific traits, defined by their biosynthetic origin, which can be established by means of structural elucidation techniques, particularly ¹H and ¹³C NMR, which assisted by 2D NMR techniques, allowing to deduce their structures unequivocally. The constant presence of these skeletal arrangements in Cedrela ensures that they are its chemophenetic markers and their recurrence is an important criterion for their identity. This review is a compilation of the occurrence of triterpenes and limonoids in Cedrela genus, detailing their biosynthetic association and collecting and organizing their NMR data, with the purpose of facilitating its location, analysis, and use in the phytochemical study of species from this genus.     

Production of triterpene acids by cell suspension cultures of Olea europaea

Olive (Olea europaea) contains large quantity of triterpene acids including oleanolic acid (6) as a major one. Varieties of biological activities exhibited by triterpene acids attracted our attentions, especially from pharmaceutical viewpoints. Cell culture of olive plant was induced and its triterpene constituents were studied. From the cell suspension cultures, six ursane type triterpene acids; ursolic acid (9), pomolic acid (10), rotundic acid (11), tormentic acid (12), 2alpha-hydroxyursolic acid (13) and 19alpha-hydroxyasiatic acid (14), and two oleanane type acids; oleanolic acid and maslinic acid (7), have been isolated. Quantity of ursane type triterpene acids produced by cell cultures was larger than that of oleanane type. Further, a multifunctional oxidosqualene cyclase (OSC) named OEA was cloned by homology based PCRs from the same cultured cells. Major product of OEA is alpha-amyrin (ursane skeleton), showing good accordance to higher content of ursane-type triterpene acids in the cultured cells, and strongly suggesting OEA to be a major contributor OSC for their production.     

Triterpenoids from the Flowers of Salvia miltiorrhiza

A phytochemical investigation of the flowers of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge led to the isolation of two new oleanane‐ and ursane‐type triterpenoids, (3α)‐olean‐12‐ene‐3,23‐diol ( 1 ) and (3α)‐urs‐12‐ene‐3,23‐diol ( 2 ), as well as of four known triterpenoids. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic evidence, including 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR, HR‐MS, and the X‐ray analysis, and by comparison with literature data.     

Oxidation reactions in triterpenes under chemical ionization conditions

From a collisional activation spectral study it has been found that certain triterpene alcohols with an ursane or oleanane skeleton undergo oxidation to the corresponding ketones under chemical ionization (NH₃) conditions giving rise to abundant [M + NH₄ ? 2]⁺ ions. Mass-analysed ion kinetic energy and B²/E scan results indicate that both [M + NH₄]⁺ and [M + N₂H₇ ? 2]⁺ ions contribute to the formation of the [M + NH₄ ? 2]⁺ ion.     

Notoamide E: Biosynthetic incorporation into notoamides C and D in cultures of Aspergillus versicolor NRRL 35600

Notoamide E, a short-lived secondary metabolite, has been proposed as a biosynthetic intermediate to several advanced metabolites isolated from Aspergillus versicolor. In order to verify the role of this indole alkaloid along the biosynthetic pathway, synthetic doubly ¹³C-labeled notoamide E was fed to Aspergillus versicolor. Analysis of the metabolites showed significant incorporation of notoamide E into the natural products notoamides C and D.     

Amphichoterpenoids A–C,unprecedented picoline-derived meroterpenoids from the ascidian-derived fungus Amphichorda felina SYSU-MS7908

Amphichoterpenoids A–C(1–3), unprecedented picoline-derived meroterpenoids possessing a pyrano[3,2-c]pyridinyl-g-pyranone scaffold, were characterized from the ascidian-derived fungus Amphichorda felina SYSU-MS7908. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, X-ray diffraction and electronic circular dichroism(ECD) calculations. A plausible biosynthetic pathway was proposed. The isolated compounds displayed moderate inhibitory activity against acetylcholinesterase with 50% inhibiting concentration(IC50) values of 18.8–53.2 mmol/L.     

Triterpenoids from the Leaves of Ilex hainanensis

Phytochemical investigation on the leaves of Ilex hainanensis Merr . led to the isolation of four new ursane‐ and oleanane‐based triterpenoids, ilexhainanins A–D ( 1 – 4 ), as well as two known compounds, 2α,3β,19α‐trihydroxyurs‐12‐ene‐23,28‐dioic acid and 2α,3β,19α‐trihydroxyolean‐12‐ene‐23,28‐dioic acid. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of chemical and spectroscopic evidence, and by comparison with literature data.     

Unusual p‐Coumarates from the Stems of Vaccinium myrtillus

The two previously unreported esters 1 and 2 of pentane‐2,4‐diol and p‐coumaric acid (=3‐(4‐hydroxyphenyl)prop‐2‐enoic acid) along with 13 known compounds including 6 oleanane‐ and ursane‐type triterpenoids were isolated from MeOH extracts of the stems of Vaccinium myrtillus. The structures of the new compounds were assigned as (2S,4R)‐4‐(β‐D ‐glucopyranosyloxy)pentan‐2‐yl (2E)‐p‐coumarate ( 1 ) and its aglycone 2 on the basis of 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR spectroscopic analyses of the isolated and synthesized compounds and molecular modelling experiments. This is the first report on the occurrence of a chiral pentane‐2,4‐diol linker between the phenol‐derived acid and a glycoside part in natural products.     

Ecotype Division and Chemical Diversity of Cynomorium songaricum from Different Geographical Regions

Cynomorium songaricum is an important endangered plant with significant medicinal and edible values. However, the lack of resources and quality variation have limited the comprehensive developments and sustainable utilization of C. songaricum. Here, we evaluated the chemical and genetic traits of C. songaricum from the highly suitable habitat regions simulated with species distribution models. The PCA and NJ tree analyses displayed intraspecific variation in C. songaricum, which could be divided into two ecotypes: ecotype I and ecotype II. Furthermore, the LC-MS/MS-based metabolomic was used to identify and analyze the metabolites of two ecotypes. The results indicated that a total of 589 compounds were detected, 236 of which were significantly different between the two ecotypes. Specifically, the relative content and the kind of flavonoids were more abundant in ecotype I, which were closely associated with the medicinal activities. In contrast, amino acids and organic acids were more enriched in ecotype II, which may provide better nutritional quality and unique flavor. In summary, our findings demonstrate the ecotype division and chemical diversity of C. songaricum in China from different geographical regions and provide a reference for the development of germplasm and directed plant breeding of endangered medicinal plants.     

Clerodane Diterpenoids from an Edible Plant Justicia insularis: Discovery,Cytotoxicity, and Apoptosis Induction in Human Ovarian Cancer Cells

Objectives: The toxicity of chemotherapeutic anticancer drugs is a serious issue in clinics. Drug discovery from edible and medicinal plants represents a promising approach towards finding safer anticancer therapeutics. Justicia insularis T. Anderson (Acanthaceae) is an edible and medicinal plant in Nigeria. This study aims to discover cytotoxic compounds from this rarely explored J. insularis and investigate their underlying mechanism of action. Methods: The cytotoxicity of the plant extract was evaluated in human ovarian cancer cell lines and normal human ovarian surface epithelia (HOE) cells using a sulforhodamine B assay. Bioassay-guided isolation was carried out using column chromatography including HPLC, and the isolated natural products were characterized using GC-MS, LC-HRMS, and 1D/2D NMR techniques. Induction of apoptosis was evaluated using Caspase 3/7, 8, and 9, and Annexin V and PI based flow cytometry assays. SwissADME and SwissTargetPrediction web tools were used to predict the molecular properties and possible protein targets of identified active compounds. Key finding: The two cytotoxic compounds were identified as clerodane diterpenoids: 16(α/β)-hydroxy-cleroda-3,13(14)Z-dien-15,16-olide (1) and 16-oxo-cleroda-3,13(14)E-dien-15-oic acid (2) from the Acanthaceous plant for the first time. Compound 1 was a very abundant compound (0.7% per dry weight of plant material) and was shown to be more potent than compound 2 with IC₅₀ values in the micromolar range against OVCAR-4 and OVCAR-8 cancer cells. Compounds 1 and 2 were less cytotoxic to HOE cell line. Both compounds induced apoptosis by increasing caspase 3/7 activities in a concentration dependent manner. Compound 1 further increased caspase 8 and 9 activities and apoptosis cell populations. Compounds 1 and 2 are both drug like, and compound 1 may target various proteins including a kinase. Conclusions: Clerodane diterpenoids (1 and 2) in J. insularis were identified as cytotoxic to ovarian cancer cells via the induction of apoptosis, providing an abundant and valuable source of hit compounds for the treatment of ovarian cancer.     

A novel 10-membered macrocyclic lactone from the mangrove-derived endophytic fungus Annulohypoxylon sp.

A novel 10-membered macrolactone, hypoxylide (1), was isolated from the endophytic fungus Annulohypoxylon sp. that was obtained from the Mangrove plant Rhizophora racemosa. The structure and absolute configuration of 1 were unambiguously elucidated by comprehensive 1D and 2D NMR, as well as by HRESIMS and ECD spectroscopic analyses. Hypoxylide (1) features an unprecedented polyketide skeleton comprised of a trihydroxynaphthalene-dione moiety fused to a decalactone ring. A plausible biosynthetic pathway of this novel metabolite is proposed.     

Enzymatic transformation of platycosides and one‐step separation of platycodin D by high‐speed countercurrent chromatography

Platycosides, the saponins found in the roots of Platycodon grandiflorum (Platycodi Radix), are typically composed of oleanane triterpenes with two side chains. In platycosides, platycodin D, a glucose unit at C‐3, is a major component, which has several pharmacological activities. Because of the high demand for this compound, we attempted to enzymatically convert platycodin D₃ and platycoside E, having two and three glucose units at C‐3, respectively, into platycodin D. In this study, we tested the ability of several glycosidases to transform platycosides, or more specifically, the ability to transform platycoside E and platycodin D₃ into platycodin D. To obtain pure platycodin D on a preparative scale, high‐speed countercurrent chromatography with a solvent system of ethyl acetate/n‐butanol/water (1.2:1:2, v/v/v) was used for the separation of the enzymatically transformed product. Approximately 39.4 mg of platycodin D (99.8% purity) was obtained from 200 mg of the product in a one‐step separation. The results strongly support the advantage of enzymatic transformation of the platycosides for the efficient enrichment of platycodin D in the complicated extract of the medicinal plant.     

Triterpenoid Saponins from the Spikes of Prunella vulgaris

Three new oleanane‐skeleton triterpenoid saponins, 3β,4β,16α‐17‐carboxy‐16,24‐dihydroxy‐28‐norolean‐12‐en‐3‐yl 4‐O‐β‐D ‐xylopyranosyl‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosiduronic acid ( 1 ), (3β,4β,16α)‐17‐carboxy‐16,24‐dihydroxy‐28‐norolean‐12‐en‐3‐yl β‐D ‐glucopyranosiduronic acid methyl ester ( 2 ), and (3β,4β)‐24‐hydroxy‐16‐oxo‐28‐norolean‐12‐en‐3‐yl 4‐O‐β‐D ‐xylopyranosyl‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosiduronic acid ( 3 ), together with eight known constituents, i.e., the oleanane‐type triterpenoids 4 – 6 , and the ursane‐type triterpenoids 7 – 11 , were isolated from the spikes of Prunella vulgaris. The new structures were established by means of detailed spectroscopic analysis (IR, HR‐ESI‐MS, 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR experiments). Compounds 1 – 3 were tested for their inhibition activity against the growth of tumor cell lines; only compound 3 displayed marginal inhibition activity.     

Polyoxygenated Klysimplexane- and Eunicellin-Based Diterpenoids from the Gorgonian Briareum violaceum

Three new polyoxygenated diterpenoids with a rare 4-isopropyl-1,5,8a-trimethylperhydrophenanthrane structure of the klysimplexane skeleton, briarols A‒C (1‒3), and one eunicellin-based diterpenoid, briarol D (4), were isolated from Briareum violaceum, a gorgonian inhabiting Taiwanese waters. The chemical structures of these compounds were determined by employing extensive analyses of NMR and high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HRESIMS) data. Metabolites 1‒3 were found to possess the rarely found skeleton of the diterpenoid klysimplexin T. All isolated compounds showed very weak cytotoxic activity against the growth of three cancer cell lines. A plausible biosynthetic pathway for briarols A‒C from the coexisting eunicellin diterpenoid briarol D (4) was postulated.     

Novel 24-nor-, 24-nor-2,3-seco-, and 3,24-dinor-2,4-seco-ursane triterpenes from Diospyros decandra: evidences for ring A biosynthetic transformations

Novel 24-nor-, 24-nor-2,3-seco, and 3,24-dinor-2,4-seco-ursane type triterpenes have been isolated along with one known compound from the stem bark of Diospyros decandra. The structures of these highly oxidized metabolites were established on the basis of extensive NMR and MS studies. They possibly represent intermediates in the biosynthetic transformation of ring A in an ursane triterpene. Some isolates showed mild anti-mycobacterial activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis with MIC values ranging from 25 to 200 μg/mL.     

Saiyutones A-D: four new unusual biflavones from Desmos chinensis

Four new unusual biflavones, saiyutones A-D, were isolated from the leaves of Desmos chinensis together with 16 known compounds. Their structures were determined on the basis of UV, IR, NMR, and MS analysis, and by comparison of their spectroscopic data with those reported. Saiyutones A and B had a unique biflavone skeleton with a 3-6″ linkage through a methylene group. It was proposed that the formation of a cyclic hemiketal was the key step in the biosynthetic pathway of saiyutones C and D.     

Comparison of Constituents and Antioxidant Activity of Above-Ground and Underground Parts of Dryopteris crassirhizoma Nakai Based on HS-SPME-GC-MS and UPLC/Q-TOF-MS

Dryopteris crassirhizoma Nakai is a Chinese traditional medicinal fern plant for heat-clearing and detoxifying, promoting blood circulation and dissipating blood stasis. Previous researches showed that many factors could influence the components of medicinal plants, and the plant part is one of the main factors. So far, only the underground part of D. crassirhizoma, called “Mianma Guanzhong”, has been widely sold in the market. However, the above-ground part was usually at low utilization, resulting in a waste of medicinal resources. In order to further develop and utilize the medicinal resources of D. crassirhizoma, the constituents, total flavonoid contents and antioxidant activity of the above-ground and underground parts of D. crassirhizoma were tentatively analyzed and compared based on HS-SPME-GC-MS and UPLC/Q-TOF-MS. The results showed that (1) the volatile components were mainly focused in the above-ground part of D. crassirhizoma, including 3-carene, isoledene, ionene, 4-amino-1-naphthol and furfural. (2) Nonvolatile components of the underground part of D. crassirhizoma contained phenolic acid, flavonoids, phloroglucinol and less fatty acid. (3) The common compounds of the above-ground and underground parts of D. crassirhizoma were phenolic acid and flavaspidic acid AB. (4) Antioxidant activity of the underground part was stronger than that of the above-ground part of D. crassirhizoma. In conclusion, both the above-ground and underground parts of D. crassirhizoma are important medicinal resources worthy of further development.     

Control charts to evaluate long-term performance in proficiency tests

As proficiency tests (PTs) provider, the European Union Reference Laboratory for Chemical Elements in Food of Animal Origin (EURL-CEFAO) yearly organizes exercises on the determination of chemical elements within the area of its mandate. The scheme is addressed to the National Reference Laboratories (NRLs) of the European Union Member States. Each PT is planned giving priority to the matrices and elements for which maximum levels are set in Commission Regulation No. 1881/2006 and following amendments as well as to those mainly considered in National Residues Control Plans. Samples to be distributed are prepared in the Laboratory’s facilities using materials purchased on the market and often adjusting the concentration levels of the analytes around their maximum levels. In the 2006–2011 period, PTs were planned as a long-term programme pursuing the general objective of providing the NRLs with a scheme that can give them the opportunity to check and improve the performance of their analytical methods and to verify the effectiveness of any corrective actions through the repetition of the same matrix. Control charts give participants the possibility of a long-term follow-up of their performance promoting the improvement of Quality Control. To this aim, Shewhart and Cusum control charts for z-scores are prepared according to ISO 13528:2005 and updated after each PT for each laboratory. z-scores are assigned using values of σ _pEURL-CEFAO that correspond to the level of performance appropriate to the demand. Cusum charts are also evaluated by EURL-CEFAO in order to identify problems that may cause a bias in the measurement method.