Two new sesquiterpene lactones from Sonchus arvensis

Two new sesquiterpene lactones, 1β,15-diacetoxy-5,7α,6,11β(H)-eudesm-3,4-en-6,12-olide (1) and 1β-hydroxy-3,4-en-15-O-β-glucopyranosyl-5,7α,6,11β(H)-eudesman-6,12-olide (2), were isolated from Sonchus arvensis L. (Asteraceae), together with ten known compounds. Their structures were elucidated through spectroscopic and chemical methods. All these known compounds except oleanolic acid (11) were isolated from the genus Sonchus for the first time. Selected new compounds were evaluated for antibacterial activity; unfortunately, they showed weak or no activities against Streptococcus mutans ATCC 25175.     

Synthesis of N 2-Arylisocytidines and N 2-Aryl-2′-deoxyisocytidines

2-(Arylamino)pyrimidin-4-ones were synthesized, silylated, and condensed with l,2,3,5-tetra-O-acetyl-β- d-ribofuranoside to afford the corresponding N ²-aryl protected isocytidines. Deprotection of the acetylated isocytidines using saturated NH₃ in MeOH solution gave 1-(β-d-ribofuranosyl)-2-(arylamino)-4-pyrimidinones. Methyl 2-deoxy-3,5-di-O-toluyl-α/β-d-ribofuranoside was prepared and condensed with the previously silylated bases to afford the anomeric mixture of protected nucleosides. The pure β-anomers were synthesized with better yield by treating the sodium salts of N ²-arylisocytosine derivatives with 2-deoxy-3,5-di-O-toluyl-α-d-ribofuranosyl chloride. Deprotection of the latter anomers afforded the corresponding free hydroxyl derivatives. The synthesized free nucleosides are under antiviral and oligonucleotide investigations.     

Synthesis of <Emphasis Type="Italic">α</Emphasis>-chloropyridine-containing oximes of 3<Emphasis Type="Italic">β</Emphasis>,5-dihydroxy-6-ketosteroids

New derivatives of steroidal 6-ketoximes containing α-chloropyridine neonicotinoid groups characteristic of bioactive compounds were synthesized by formation of oximes of cholestane and stigmastane 3β,5-dihydroxy-6-ketosteroids with O-(2-chloropyridin-5-ylmethyl)hydroxylamine in the presence of zinc or tin(IV) chloride.     

Polar steroidal compounds from the Far-Eastern starfish <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lethasterias fusca</Emphasis>

Nine steroidal compounds including three new steroidal glycosides, viz., sodium (24S)-3,24-di-O-(β-D-xylopyranosyl)-5α-cholestane-3β,6β,8,15α,24-pentol 15-sulfate (fuscaside A), (24S)-3,24-di-O-(β-D-xylopyranosyl)-5α-cholestane-3β,6β,8,15α,24-pentol (fuscaside B), and (22E,24R)-24-O-(β-D-xylopyranosyl)-5α-cholest-22-ene-3β,6α,8,15β,24-pentol (desulfated minutoside A); three previously known glycosides, viz., distolasterosides D₁ and D₂ and pycno-podioside A; two previously known polyhydroxysteroids, viz., 5α-cholestane-3β,6α,8,15β,16β,26-hexaol and 5α-cholestan-3β,4β,6α,7⇇8,15β,16β,26-octol; and the known sodium 24,25-dihydro-marthasterone 3-sulfate were isolated from the Far-Eastern starfish Lethasterias fusca. The structures of these compounds were elucidated by NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 1, pp. 196–200, January, 2008.     

Separation and identification of steroidal compounds with cytotoxic activity against human gastric cancer cell lines <Emphasis Type="Italic">in vitro</Emphasis> from the rhizomes of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Paris polyphylla</Emphasis> var. <Emphasis Type="Italic">chinensis</Emphasis>

A novel steroidal saponin, along with 12 known steroidal compounds, was isolated from the rhizomes of Paris polyphylla var. chinensis. Spectral data, including two-dimensional NMR, showed that the structure of the novel saponin was 3β,21-dihydroxypregnane-5-en-20S-(22,16)-lactone-1-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1→2)-[β-D-xylopyranosyl(1→3)]-β-D-glucopyranoside. The isolated steroidal compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxic activity on human gastric cancer cell line HepG₂, SGC7901, BxPC3. Diosgenin-3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1→2)[α-L-rabinofuranosyl(1→4)]-β-D-glucopyranoside exhibited the most potent cytotoxic activity among the isolated steroids. Published in Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 6, pp. 556–560, November–December, 2007.     

Inclusion compounds of cystostatic active (C5H5)2VCl2 and (CH3C5H4)2VCl2 with α-, β- and γ-cyclodextrines: Synthesis, EPR study and microbiological behavior toward Escherichia coli

The inclusion of vanadocene dichloride (VDC) and 1,1′-dimethyl vanadocene dichloride (MeVDC) into cyclodextrines (α-CD, β-CD and γ-CD) was studied by EPR spectroscopy. It was found that VDC and MeVDC with β-CD and γ-CD form true inclusion compounds, but with α-CD, VDC and MeVDC gave only fine dispersion mixtures. The inclusion was validated by anisotropic EPR spectra of solid samples. In addition, the antimicrobial was validated by anisotropic EPR spectra of solid samples. In addition, the antimicrobial behavior (against E. coli) of each of the complexes was determined. It was established that not only did VDC and MeVDC cause elongation of E. coli, but also the new vanadocene inclusion complexes were effective in this regard.     

Chemical effects on K and L shell production cross sections and transfer probabilities in Nb compounds

In this study, the chemical effects on σ_Ki (i = α, β), σ_Lα cross sections, K_β/K_α X-ray intensity ratios and vacancy transfer probabilities from K to L (η _KL) for pure Nb and Nb compounds were investigated. The samples were excited by 59.5 keV γ-rays from ²⁴¹Am and 5.96 keV photon energy from a ⁵⁵Fe annular radioactive sources. K and L X-rays emitted by samples were counted by an Ultra-LEGe detector with a resolution of 150 eV at 5.9 keV. While it was observed that the chemical bonding had an effect on the σ_Kβ, σ_Lα cross sections and K_β/K_α X-ray intensity ratios for compounds, it was almost negligible for σ_Kα cross section because K_α transitions (2P_3/2,1/2→1S_1/2) occurred in inner shells. It is well known that interactions between central element atom and ligands come into existence in valence state, so outer energy levels are sensitive to the chemical environment. The experimental values of σ_Kα cross section and η _KL are in good agreement with theoretically calculated and other experimental values of pure niobium, but the experimental values of the σ_Kβ, σ_Lα cross sections and K_β/K_α X-ray intensity ratios have differences for some compounds because valence electrons have different bond distances and binding energies in different compounds.     

Chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of Erodium species: E. ciconium L., E. cicutarium L., and E. absinthoides Willd. (Geraniaceae)

The present study gives results of chemical composition analyses and antimicrobial activity testing of three Erodium species: E. ciconium L., E. cicutarium L., and E. absinthoides Willd. Essential oils were obtained by hydro-distillation from air-dried entire plants and analyzed by GC and GC-MS. A total of 209 different compounds were identified: 162 for E. cicutarium, 107 for E. ciconium, and 79 for E. absinthoides. Antimicrobial activity (broth microdilution method) of the oils was screened against a panel of Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria and a number of fungi. Moderate susceptibility of all tested strains was observed. Determined MIC values were 0.156–5 mg mL⁻¹ (bacterial strains) and 0.039–0.325 mg mL⁻¹ (fungal strains). Major component of the most active oil, palmitic acid, was also tested for activity together with stearic and myristic acids.     

Cellulases and Hemicellulases from Endophytic <Emphasis Type="Italic">Acremonium</Emphasis> Species and Its Application on Sugarcane Bagasse Hydrolysis

The aim of this work was to have cellulase activity and hemicellulase activity screenings of endophyte Acremonium species (Acremonium zeae EA0802 and Acremonium sp. EA0810). Both fungi were cultivated in submerged culture (SC) containing l-arabinose, d-xylose, oat spelt xylan, sugarcane bagasse, or corn straw as carbon source. In solid-state fermentation, it was tested as carbon source sugarcane bagasse or corn straw. The highest FPase, endoglucanase, and xylanase activities were produced by Acremonium sp. EA0810 cultivated in SC containing sugarcane bagasse as a carbon source. The highest β-glucosidase activity was produced by Acremonium sp. EA0810 cultivated in SC using d-xylose as carbon source. A. zeae EA0802 has highest α-arabinofuranosidase and α-galactosidase activities in SC using xylan as a carbon source. FPase, endoglucanase, β-glucosidase, and xylanase from Acremonium sp. EA0810 has optimum pH and temperatures of 6.0, 55 °C; 5.0, 70 °C; 4.5, 60 °C; and 6.5, 50 °C, respectively. α-Arabinofuranosidase and α-galactosidase from A. zeae EA0802 has optimum pH and temperatures of 5.0, 60 °C and 4.5, 45 °C, respectively. It was analyzed the application of Acremonium sp. EA0810 to hydrolyze sugarcane bagasse, and it was achieved 63% of conversion into reducing sugar and 42% of conversion into glucose.     

An expeditious,environment-friendly,and microwave-assisted synthesis of 5-isatinylidenerhodanine derivatives

A series of nine 5-arylidenerhodanine derivatives was prepared in good yields and purity without the use of a solvent or catalyst under microwave-assisted condensation with some substituted isatins. All 5-arylidenerhodanines were evaluated as possible inhibitors of the CK1α/β, CDK5/p25, and GSK-3α/β kinases. None of them showed substantive inhibitory activity against these kinases when evaluated at the concentration of 10 μM.     

Evasteriosides A and B and other sulfated steroids from the Pacific starfish <Emphasis Type="Italic">Evasterias retifera</Emphasis>

Two new polar steroidal glycosides identified as sodium (20R,22E,24R,25S)-3-O-(β-d-xylopyranosyl)-24-methyl-5α-cholest-22-ene-3β,6β,8,15α,26-pentol 26-sulfate (evasterioside A) and sodium (20R,22E)-24-O-(β-d-xylopyranosyl)-5α-cholest-22-ene-3β,6β,8,15α,24-pentol 3-sulfate (evasterioside B) were isolated from the Pacific starfish Evasterias retifera collected in the Sea of Japan. Five known compounds, viz., coscinasterioside B, aphelasterioside A, marthasterone 3-sulfate and (20R)-cholest-7-en-3β-ol and cholesterol sulfates, were identified. The structures of the new natural compounds were established using their 2D NMR and mass spectra and some chemical transformations.     

Polyfunctional fluoroalkyl-containing carbonyl compounds in the synthesis of heterocycles

Efficient procedures for the regioselective synthesis of fluoroalkyl-containing threefive-, six-, and seven-membered heterocycles as well as of related fused compounds, namely, α,β-epoxyketones, α,β-aziridinylketones, pyrazoles, pyrazolines, isoxazolines, 1,2-dithiolenes, amino- and mercaptopyrimidines, Δ^3,5-2-thioxo-1,3,2-thiazaphosphorines, Δ^3,5-2-thioxo-1,3,2-oxazaphosphorines, 2,3-dihydro-1,4-diazepines, azirino[1,2-a]quinoxalines, benzo[b]-and naphtho[2,3-b]-1,4-diazepines, and triazolopyridazines, which have been developed by the authors and coworkers, are summarized. The α- and β-functionalized fluoroalkylcontaining carbonyl compounds (β-diketones, β-ketoesters, their salts, regioisomeric β-aminovinyl ketones, β-aminovinylthiones, β-hydroxyketones, α,β-enones, and their halogen derivatives) were used as synthons in the processes of formation of the above-mentioned heterocycles. Dedicated to the memory of Academician I. Ya. Postovskii on his 100th birthday. Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 7, pp. 1279–1286, July, 1998.     

Thermodynamic evaluation of antibacterial activity for inclusion complexes of amoxicillin with cyclodextrins

The antibacterial action of amoxicillin (AMPC) and the inclusion complexes of AMPC with α-, β- and γ-cyclodextrins (α-CD, β-CD and γ-CD, respectively) to Escherichia coli B (E. coli) was evaluated by isothermal titration microcalorimetry and by petri-dish bioassay method. The effects of the compounds on produced heat during the exponential phase of the E. coli growing were measured and the growing rate constants of the cells was calculated from the power-time (p-t) curve before and after the treatment with AMPC. Results from the both methods showed that the antibacterial activity became stronger in the following order: AMPC-βCD > AMPC-γCD ≈ AMPC-αCD > AMPC only.     

Two-fragment α-adrenolytics

Dialkyl β-(2-aroxyethylamino)ethylphosphonates,N-[β-(2-methoxyphenoxy)ethyl]-N′-[β-(diethoxyphosphoryl)ethyl]-α,ω-diaminoalkanes, and diethyl β-(N-arylpiperazino)ethyl-phosphonates were synthesized by the reactions of dialkyl vinylphosphonates with β-aroxyethylamines,N-[β-(2-methoxyphenoxy)ethyl]-α,ω-diaminoalkanes, andN-aryl-piperazines, respectively. The compounds synthesized exhibit hypotensive and α-adrenolytic activities. Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 5, pp. 987–991, May 1999.     

Accelerated sample treatment for screening of banned doping substances by GC–MS: ultrasonication versus microwave energy

A comparison between ultrasonication and microwave irradiation as tools to achieve a rapid sample treatment for the analysis of banned doping substances in human urine by means of gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) was performed. The following variables were studied and optimised: (i) time of treatment, (ii) temperature, (iii) microwave power and (iv) ultrasonic amplitude. The results were evaluated and compared with those achieved by the routine method used in the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) accredited Antidoping Laboratory of Rome. Only under the effect of the ultrasonic field was it possible to enhance the enzymatic hydrolysis reaction rate of conjugated compounds. Similar reaction yield to the routine method was achieved after 10 min for most compounds. Under microwave irradiation, denaturation of the enzyme occurs for high microwave power. The use of both ultrasonic or microwave energy to improve the reaction rate of the derivatisation of the target compounds with trimethyliodosilane/methyl-N-trimethylsilyltrifluoroacetamide (TMSI/MSTFA/NH₄I/2-mercaptoethanol) was also evaluated. To test the use of the two systems in the acceleration of the reaction with TMSI, a pool of 55 banned substances and/or their metabolites were used. After 3 min of ultrasonication, 34 of the 55 compounds had recoveries similar to those obtained with the classic procedure that lasts for 30 min (Student’s t test, n = 5), 18 increased to higher silylation yields, and for the compounds 13β,17α-diethyl-3α,17β-dihydroxy-5α-gonane (norboletone metabolite 1), metoprolol and metipranolol the same results were obtained increasing the ultrasonication time to 5 min. Similar results were obtained after 3 min of microwave irradiation at 1,200 W. In this case, 30 of the 55 compounds had recoveries similar to the classic procedure (Student’s t test, n = 5) whilst 18 had higher silylation yields. For the compounds 3α-hydroxy-1α-methyl-5α-androstan-17-one (mesterolone metabolite 1), 17α-ethyl-5β-estrane-3α,17β,21-triol (norethandrolone metabolite 1), epioxandrolone, 4-chloro-6β,17β-dihydroxy-17α-methyl-1,4-androstadien-3-one (chlormetandienone metabolite 1), carphedon, esmolol and bambuterol the same results were obtained after 5 min under microwave irradiation.     

Condensations of Ethyl 3-Ethoxy-4-(triphenylphosphoranylidene)-2-butenoate with α,β-Unsaturated Carbonyl Compounds

 Wittig condensations of α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds with ethyl 3-ethoxy-4-(triphenylphosphoranylidene)-2-butenoate gave good to high yields of (2E,4E,6E)-ethyl 3-ethoxy-2,4,6-alkatrienoates. Some of last mentioned compounds were almost quatitatively hydrolysed to (4E,6E)-ethyl 3-oxo-4,6-alkadienoates. This method can therefore be used as an attractive alternative for the preparation of unsaturated conjugated β-keto esters previously prepared in very low yields from α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds and ethyl 3-oxo-4-(triphenylphosphoranylidene)butanoate.     

Oxidation of steroidal diols and triols with air/NaH

Abstract  

The unusual air oxidation of steroidal triols and diols in the presence of sodium hydride in THF is described. The initial oxidation product, ketone or aldehyde, frequently undergoes further transformations in the reaction medium. The course of the reaction depends on the stereochemistry of the substrate. For example, oxidation of (20R)-20-hydroxymethyl-6β-methoxy-3α,5α-cyclopregnane-16β,17α-diol with air/NaH afforded 6β-methoxy-23,24,25,26,27-pentanor-3α,5α-cyclofurostane-16α,17α-diol in 60% yield whereas similar reaction of (20R)-20-hydroxymethyl-6β-methoxy-3α,5α-cyclopregnane-16α,17α-diol gave 6β-methoxy-D-homo-16a-oxa-3α,5α-cycloandrostan-16-one in 30% yield. The objective of this preliminary study was to select alcohols susceptible to air/NaH oxidation and to establish the effect of conditions on the course of the reaction.     

Synthesis and cyclization reactions with pyrazolopyrimidinyl keto esters part I. Reactivity of pyrazolopyrimidinyl β-keto ester and pyrazolopyrimidinyl α,β-unsaturated ketones

5-Acetyl-4,5-dihydro-1-phenylpyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidin-4-one was prepared and subjected to various chemical transformations to give novel 5-heterocyclic pyrazolopyrimidinone derivatives of expected important biological activity. Then, the latter compounds were used to obtain β-keto ester and α,β-unsaturated carbonylpyrazolopyrimidinones which were used as alternate precursors to produce new pyrazolopyrimidinones substituted with five-membered heterocycles such as pyrazole and isoxazole. The structure of these compounds was identified on the basis of their chemical behaviour as well as elemental and spectral analysis.     

Study on the Inclusion Compounds of Eugenol with α-, β-, γ- and Heptakis (2,6-di-O-methyl)-β-cyclodextrins

Several host–guest inclusion compounds of eugenol as a guest molecule and cyclodextrins (α-,β-,γ-CD) and heptakis (2,6-di-O-methyl)-β-cyclodextrin (DMβ-CD) as hosts were investigated in the solid state and in aqueous solution. The one-to-one solid inclusion compounds of eugenol and β-CD or γ-CD were prepared, but those of eugenol with α- or DMβ-CD were not obtained under the same condition. However, the UV-visible absorption spectroscopy data indicated that the liquid guest could form a 1:1 inclusion compound with all four hosts respectively in aqueous solution. The two solid inclusion compounds were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), infrared spectroscopy (IR), thermogravimetric analysis (TG), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The association constants (K), calculated from the modified Benesi–Hidebrand equation, of eugenol with α-, β-, γ- and DMβ-CD is 4.95 × 10⁴, 3.96 × 10⁵, 1.47 × 10⁵ and 9.33 × 10⁴ mol⁻¹ dm³, respectively.     

New polyhydroxysteroids and steroid glycosides from the far east starfishCeramaster patagonicus

Two new polyhydroxysteroids and five new glycosides were isolated from the starfishCeramaster patagonicus and their structures were elucidated: 5α-cholestane-3β,6α,15β,16β,26-pentol, (22E)-5α-cholest-22-ene-3β,6α,8,15α,24-pentol, (22E)-28-O-[O-(2-O-methyl-β-d-xylopyranosyl)-(1→2)-β-d-galactofuranosyl]-24-hydroxymethyl-5α-cholest-22-ene-3β,4β, 6α,8,15β,16β,28-heptol (ceramasteroside C₁), (22E)-28-O-[O-(2,4-di-O-methyl-β-d-xylopyranosyl)-(1→2)-β-d-galactofuranosyl]-24-hydroxymethyl-5α-cholest-22-ene-3β, 6α,8,15β,16β,28-hexol (ceramasteroside C₂), (22E)-28-O-[O-methyl-β-d-xylopyranosyl)-(1→2)-β-d-galactofuranosyl]-24-hydroxymethyl-5α-cholest-22-ene-3β,6α,8,15β,16β 28-hexol (eramasteroside C₃), (22E)-28-O-[O-(2-O-methyl-β-d-xylopyranosyl)-(1→2)-β-d-galactofuranosyl]-24-methyl-5α-cholest-22-ene-3β,4β,6α,8, 15β, 26-hexol (ceramasteroside C₄), and (22E)-28-O-[O-(2-O-methyl-β-d-xylopyranosyl)-(1→2)-β-d-xylopyranosyl]-5α-cholest-22-ene-3β,6α,8,15β,24-pentol (ceramasteroside C₅)). Three known polyhydroxysteroids (24-methylene-5α-cholestane-3β,6α,8,15β,16β,26-hexol, 5α-cholestane-3β,6α,8,15β,16β,26-hexol, and 5α-cholestane-3β,6β,15α,16β,26-pentol) were also isolated. Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 1, pp. 190–195, January, 1997.