New flavonoid glycosides and other chemical constituents from Clerodendrum phlomidis leaves: isolation and characterisation

Phytochemical investigation of the plant Clerodendrum phlomidis Linn. F. (Lamiaceae) has now led to the isolation of two new flavonoid glycosides (1, 2) together with six known compounds identified as pectolinaringenin (3), pectolinaringenin-7-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (4), 24β-ethylcholesta-5,22E,25-triene-3β-ol (5), 24β-ethylcholesta-5,22E,25-triene-3β-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (6), (2S,3S,4R,10E)-2-[(2′R)-2′-hydroxytetracosanoylamino]-10-octadecene-1,3,4-triol (7) and andrographolide (8) mainly by spectroscopic analysis. Compounds 4 and 6–8 are reported for the first time from C. phlomidis.     

Synthetic Studies on Sialoglycoconjugates 59: Total Synthesis of Tumor-Associated Ganglioside,Sialyl Le

Abstract

The first total synthesis of tumor-associated glycolipid antigen, sialyl Le^a, is described. Methylsulfenyl bromide-silver triflate-promoted coupling of 2-(trimethylsilyl)ethyl O-(2-acetamido-6-O-benzyl-2-deoxy-β-d-glucopyranosyl)-(1→3)-O-(2,4,6-tri-O-benzyl-β-d-galactopyranosyl)-(1→4)-2,3,6-tri-O-benzyl-β-d-glucopyranoside (2) with methyl O-(methyl 5-acetamido-4,7,8,9-tetra-O-acetyl-3,5-dideoxy-d-glycero-α-d-galacto-2-nonulopyranosylonate)-(2→3)-2,4,6-tri-O-benzoyl-1-thio-β-d-galactopyranoside (3) afforded the pentasaccharide 4a and 5a in good yields. Glycosylation of 4a with methyl 2,3,4-tri-O-benzyl-1-thio-β-l-fucopyranoside (6) by use of N-iodosuccinimide (NIS) — trifluoromethanesulfonic acid (TfOH) as a promoter, gave the desired hexasaccharide 7. Compound 7 was converted into the α-trichloroacetimidate 10, via reductive removal of benzyl groups, O-acetylation, removal of the 2-(trimethylsilyl)ethyl group, and treatment with trichloroacetonitrile, which, on coupling with (2S, 3R,4E)-2-azido-3-O-benzoyl-4-octadecene-1, 3-diol (11), gave the β-glycoside 12. Finally, 12 was transformed, via selective reduction of the azide group, coupling with octadecanoic acid, O-deacylation, and hydrolysis of the methyl ester group, into the title ganglioside 15 in good yield.     

Synthetic Studies on Sialoglycoconjugates 75: A Total Synthesis of β-Series Ganglioside GQ1β

Abstract

A first total synthesis of a β-series ganglioside GQ1β (IV³Neu5Acα2, III⁶Neu5Acα2-Gg4Cer) is described. Regio- and stereoselective dimeric sialylation of the hydroxyl group at C-6 of the GalNAc residue in 2-(trimethylsilyl)ethyl O-(2-acetamido-2-deoxy-3-O-levulinyl-β-d-galactopyranosyl)-(1→4)-O-(2,3,6-tri-O-benzyl-β-d-galactopyranosyl)-(1→4)-O-2,3,6-tri-O-benzyl-β-d-glucopyranoside (3) with methyl [phenyl 5-acetamido-8-O-(5-acetamido-4,7,8,9-tetra-O-acetyl-3,5-dideoxy-d-glycero-α-d-galacto-2-nonulopyranosylono-1′,9-lactone)-4,7-di-O-acetyl-3,5-dideoxy-2-thio-d-glycero-d-galacto-2-nonulopyranosid]onate (4) using N-iodosuccinimide (NIS)-trifluoromethanesulfonic acid (TfOH) as a promoter gave the desired pentasaccharide 5 containing α-glycosidically-linked dimeric sialic acids. This was transformed into the acceptor 6 by removal of the levulinyl group. Condensation of methyl O-[methyl 5-acetamido-8-O-(5-acetamido-4,7,8,9-tetra-O-acetyl-3,5-dideoxy-d-glycero-α-d-galacto-2-nonulopyranosylono-1′,9-lactone)-4,7-di-O-acetyl-3,5-dideoxy-d-glycero-d-galacto-2-nonulopyranosylonate]-(2→3)-2,4,6-tri-O-benzoyl-1-thio-β-d-galactopyranoside (7) with 6, using dimethyl(methylthio)sulfonium triflate (DMTST) as a promoter, gave the desired octasaccharide derivative 8 in high yield. Compound 8 was converted into α-trichloroacetimidate 11, via reductive removal of the benzyl groups, O-acetylation, removal of the 2-(trimethylsilyl)ethyl group, and treatment with trichloroacetonitrile, which, on coupling with (2S,3R,4E)-2-azido-3-O-benzoyl-4-octadecene-1,3-diol (12), gave the β-glycoside 13. Finally, 13 was transformed, via selective reduction of the azido group, coupling with octadecanoic acid, O-deacylation, and hydrolysis of the methyl ester group, into the title ganglioside 15 in good yield.     

SYNTHESIS OF ANELLATED ANHYDROPYRANOSES ON THE BASIS OF 1,6-ANHYDRO-3-DEOXY-4-METHYLSULFANYL-3-[(METHYLSULFANYL)METHYLENE]-β-D-ERYTHRO-HEXOPYRANOS-2-ULOSE

(Z)-1,6-Anhydro-3-deoxy-4-methylsulfanyl-3-[(methylsulfanyl)methylene]-β-D-erythro-hexopyranos-2-ulose (1) reacted with diethyl malonate, 1,3-diketones, N-aryl-3-oxobutyramides and dialkyl 3-oxoglutarate, respectively, in the presence of potassium carbonate and crown ether to yield diethyl 2-(1,6-anhydro-4-methylsulfanyl—D-arabino-hex-2-ulopyranos-3-ylmethylene) malonate (2), 1-{(1R,2S,8S,9R)-2-hydroxy-4-methyl-8-methylthio-3,11,12- trioxatricyclo7.2.1.0^2,7dodeca-4,6-dien-5-yl} ethanone (3), (1R,2S,12S,13R)-2-hydroxy-12-methylthio-3,15,16-trioxatetracyclo[11.2.1. 0^2,11. 0^4,9] hexadeca- 4(9),10-dien-8-one (4), (1R,8S,9R)-5-acetyl-3-aryl-8-methylthio-11,12-dioxa- 3-azatricyclo-[7.2.1.0^2,7]dodeca-2(7),5-dien-4-ones (5,6) and dialkyl (1R,8S,-9R)-4-hydroxy-8-methylthio-11,12-dioxatricyclo[7.2.1.0^2,7]dodeca-2(7),3,5-triene-3,5-dicarboxylates (7,8), respectively.     

SYNTHESIS OF THE C-DISACCHARIDE α-C(1→3)-L-FUCOPYRANOSIDE OF N-ACETYLGALACTOSAMINE[1]

Radical C-glycosidation of racemic 5-exo-benzeneselenyl-6-endo-chloro-3-methylidene-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-one ((±)-2) with α-acetobromofucose (3) provided a mixture of α-C-fucosides that were reduced with NaBH₄ to give two diastereomeric alcohols that were separated readily. One of them ((?)-6) was converted into (?)-methyl 2-acetamido-4-O-acetyl-2,3-dideoxy-3-C-(3′,4′,5′-tri-O-acetyl-2′,6′-anhydro-1′,7′-dideoxy-α-L-glycero-D-galacto-heptitol-1′-C-yl)-α -D-galactopyranuronate ((?)-11) and then into (?)-methyl 2-acetamido-2,3-dideoxy-3-C-(2′,6′-anhydro-1′,7′-dideoxy-α-L-glycero-D-galacto-heptitol-1′-C-yl)-β -D-galactopyranoside ((?)-1), a new α-C(1→3)-L-fucopyranoside of N-acetylgalactosamine. Its ¹H NMR data shows that this C-disaccharide (α-L-Fucp-(1→3)CH₂-β-D-GalNAc-OMe) adopts a major conformation in solution similar to that expected for the corresponding O-linked disaccharide, i.e., with antiperiplanar σ(C-3′,C-2′) and σ(C-1′,C-3) bonds.     

Mimics of the Structural Elements of Type III Group B Streptococcus Capsular Polysaccharide. Part I: Synthesis of a Carboxylate-Containing Pentasaccharide

Abstract

A carboxylate-containing pentasaccharide, methyl O-(β-d-galactopyranosyl)-(1→4)-O-(β-d-glucopyranosyl)-(1→6)-O-{3-O-[(S)-1-carboxyethyl]-β-d-galactopyranosyl-(1→4)-O}-(2-acetamido-2-deoxy-β-d-glucopyranosyl)-(1→3)-β-d-galactopyranoside (27) was synthesized by block condensation of suitably protected donors and acceptors. Phenyl 3-O-benzyl-4,6-di-O-chloroacetyl-2-deoxy-2-phthalimido-1-thio-β-d-glucopyranoside (17) was condensed with methyl 2,4,6-tri-O-benzyl-β-d-galactopyranoside (4) to afford a disaccharide, methyl O-(3-O-benzyl-4,6-di-O-chloroacetyl-2-deoxy-2-phthalimido-β-d-glucopyranosyl)-(1→3)-2,4,6-tri-O-benzyl-β-d-galactopyranoside (18). Removal of chloroacetyl groups gave 4,6-diol, methyl 0-(3-O-benzyl-2-deoxy-2-phthalimido-β-d-glucopyranosyl)-(1→3)-2,4,6-tri-O-benzyl-β-d-galactopyranoside (19), in which the primary hydroxy group (6-OH) was then selectively chloroacetylated to give methyl O-(3-O-benzyl-6-O-chloroacetyl-2-deoxy-2-phthalimido-β-d-glucopyranosyl)-(1→3)-2,4,6-tri-O-benzyl-β-d-galactopyranoside (20). This acceptor was then coupled with 2,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-3-O-[(S)-1-(methoxycarbonyl)ethyl]-α-d-galactopyranosyl trichloroacetimidate (14) to afford a trisaccharide, methyl O-{2,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-3-O-[(S)-l-(methoxycarbonyl)ethyl]-β-d-galactopyranosyl}-(1→4)-O-(3-O-benzyl-6-O-chloroacetyl-2-deoxy-2-phthalimido-β-d-glucopyranosyl)-(1→3)-2,4,6-tri-O-benzyl-β-d-galactopyranoside (21). Removal of the 6-O-chloroacetyl group in 21 gave 22, which was coupled with 4-O-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-β-d-galactopyranosyl)-2,3,6-tri-O-acetyl-α-d-glucopyranosyl trichloroacetimidate (23) to yield protected pentasaccharide 24. Standard procedures were used to remove acetyl groups and the phthalimido group, followed by N-acetylation, and debenzylation to yield pentasaccharide 27 and a hydrazide by-product (28) in a 5:1 ratio, respectively. Compound 27 contains a complete repeating unit of the capsular polysaccharide of type III group B Streptococcus in which terminal sialic acid is replaced by an (S)-1-carboxyethyl group.     

Synthetic Studies on Sialoglycoconjugates 66: First Total Synthesis of a Cholinergic Neuron-Specific Ganglioside GQ1bα1

Abstract

A first total synthesis of a cholinergic neuron-specific ganglioside, GQ1bα (IV³Neu5Acα, III⁶Neu5Acα, II³Neu5Acα₂-Gg₄Cer) is described. Regio- and stereo-selective monosialylation of the hydroxyl group at C-6 of the GalNAc residue in 2-(trimethylsilyl)ethyl O-(2-acetamido-2-deoxy-3,4-O-isopropylidene-β-d-galactopyranosyl)-(1→4)-O-(2,6-di-O-benzyl-β-dgalactopyranosyl)-(1→4)- O-2,3,6-tri-O-benzyl-β-dglucopyranoside (4) with methyl (phenyl 5-acetamido-4,7,8,9-tetra-O-acetyl-3,5-dideoxy-2-thio-d glycero-d galacto-2-nonulopyranosid) onate (5), and subsequent dimericsialylation of the hydroxyl group at C-3 of the Gal residue with methyl [phenyl 5-acetamido-8-O-(5-acetamido-4,7,8,9-tetra-O-acetyl-3,5-dideoxy-d glycero-α-d galacto-2-nonulopyranosylono-1′,9-lactone)-4, 7-di-O-acetyl-3,5-dideoxy-2-thio-d glycero-d galacto-2-nonulopyranosid]onate (7), using N-iodosuccinimide (NIS)-trifluoromethanesulfonic acid (TfOH) as a promoter, gave the desired hexasaccharide 8 containing α-glycosidically-linked mono- and dimeric sialic acids. This was transformed into the acceptor 9 by removal of the isopropylidene group. Condensation of methyl O-(methyl 5-acetamido-4,7,8,9-tetra-O-acetyl-3,5-dideoxy-d glycero-α-d galacto-2-nonulopyranosylonate)-(2→3)-2,4,6-tri-O-benzoyl-1-thio-β-dgalactopyranoside (10) with 9, using dimethyl(methylthio)sulfonium triflate (DMTST) as a promoter, gave the desired octasaccharide derivative 11 in high yield. Compound 11 was converted into α-trichloroacetimidate 14, via reductive removal of the benzyl groups, O-acetylation, removal of the 2-(trimethylsilyl)ethyl group, and treatment with trichloroacetonitrile, which, on coupling with (2S,3R,4E)-2-azido-3-O-benzoyl-4-octadecene-1,3-diol (15), gave the β-glycoside 16. Finally, 16 was transformed, via selective reduction of the azido group, coupling with octadecanoic acid, O-deacylation, and hydrolysis of the methyl ester group, into the title ganglioside 18 in good yield.     

Synthetic Studies on Sialoglycoconjugates 61: Synthesis of α-Series Ganglioside GM1α

Abstract

A stereocontrolled synthesis of α-series ganglioside GM1α (III⁶Neu5AcGgOse₄Cer) is described. Glycosylation of 2-(trimethylsilyl)ethyl O-(2,3,6-tri-O-benzyl-β-d-galactopyranosyl)-(1→4)-2,3,6-tri-O-benzyl-β-d-glucopyranoside (1) with the suitably protected galactosamine donor, methyl 3-O-acetyl-4,6-O-benzylidene-2-deoxy-2-phthalimido-1-thio-β-d-galactopyranoside (4) gave the desired trisaccharide, which was transformed into the trisaccharide acceptor via removal of the phthaloyl and O-acetyl groups followed by N-acetylation. Glycosylation of this acceptor with methyl 3-O-benzyl-2,4,6-tri-O-benzoyl-1-thio-β-d-galactopyranoside (7) gave the asialo GM1 saccharide derivative, which was transformed into the acceptor by removal of benzylidene group. Coupling of this gangliotetraose acceptor with phenyl (methyl 5-acetamido-4,7,8,9-tetra-O-acetyl-3,5-dideoxy-2-thio-d-glcero-d-galacto-2-nonulopyranosyl)onate by use of NIS-TfOH afforded the desired GM1α oligosaccharide derivative in high yield, which was transformed, via removal of the benzyl group followed by O-acetylation, selective removal of the 2-(trimethylsilyl)ethyl group and subsequent imidate formation, into the final glycosyl donor. Condensation of this imidate derivative with (2S, 3R, 4E)-2-azido-3-O-benzoyl-4-octadecene-1,3-diol (15) gave the β-glycoside, which on channeling through selective reduction of azido group, coupling of the amino group with octadecanoic acid, O-deacylation and saponification of the methyl ester group, gave the title compound GM1α.     

A new alkylbenzoquinone from Embelia rowlandii Gilg. (Myrsinaceae)

A new alkylbenzoquinone named embeliquinone (1) together with five known compounds, lupeol (2), 3-O-[6′-O-palmitoyl-β-d-glucosyl]-spinasta-7,22(23)-diene (3), quercetin (4), (2S,3S,4R,8E)-2-[(2′R)-2′-hydroxy-heneicosanoylamino]-heneicosane-1,3,4-triol-8-ene (5), and β-sitosterol-3-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (6) were isolated from the MeOH leaf extract of Embelia rowlandii by using repeated open column chromatography techniques. The structure of the new compound was characterized by analyses of 1D- and 2D-NMR, and MS data. Embeliquinone (1) had moderate anti-cell proliferation activity against A549 cell line with the IC₅₀ value of 21.8 μM. In addition, 1 exhibited weak antibacterial activities against Klebsiella pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus with an MIC value of 206.0 μM in both cases.     

Two new quercetin glycoside derivatives from the fruits of Gardenia jasminoides var. radicans

Two new quercetin glycoside derivatives named quercetin-3-O-[2-O-trans-caffeoyl-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 6)-β-d-glucopyranoside] (1) and quercetin-3-O-[2-O-trans-caffeoyl-β-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 6)-β-d-glucopyranoside] (2) along with three known flavonoids, 5-hydroxy-6,7,3′,4′,5′-pentamethoxyflavone (3), 5,7-dihydroxy-8-methoxyflavone (4) and kaempferol 3-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (5), were isolated from the fruits of Gardenia jasminoides var. radicans. The structures of the new compounds were determined by means of extensive spectroscopic analysis (1D, 2D NMR and HR-ESI-MS), glycoside hydrolysis and sugar HPLC analysis after derivatisation. This is the first report on the isolation of a pair of compounds with α or β-l-rhamnopyranosyl configuration from plant and the first detail assignment of their NMR data.     

Studies on the Thioglycosides of N-Acetylneuraminic Acid. 6: Synthesis of Ganglioside GM4 Analogs1

Abstract

Two kinds of ganglioside GM₄ thioanalogs having different fatty acyl groups at the ceramide moiety, (2S, 3R, 4E)-1-O-[3-S-(5-acetamido-3,5-di-deoxy-D-glycero-α-D-galacto-2-nonulopyranosylonic acid)-3-thio-β-D-galacto-pyranosyl]-2-octadecanamido (or -tetracosanamido)-4-octadecene-1,3-diol (12, 13), have been synthesized. Condensation of the trichloroacetimidate 7, derived from 1,2,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-3-S-(methyl 5-acetamido-4,7,8,9-tetra-O-acetyl-3,5-dideoxy-D-glycero-α-D-galacto-2-nonulopyranosylonate)-3-thio-β-D-galactopyranose (6) by selective 1-O-deacetylation and subsequent trichloroacetimidation, with (2S, 3R, 4E)-2-azido-3-O-benzoyl-4-octadecene-1,3-diol (4), gave the coupling product (8), which was converted into the title compounds via selective reduction of the azide group, condensation with fatty acids, and removal of the protecting groups.     

Synthetic Studies on Sialoglycoconjugates 70: Synthesis of Sialyl and Sulfo Lewis × Analogs Containing a Ceramide or 2-(Tetradecyl)hexadecyl Residue

Abstract

Four sialyl and sulfo Le^x analogs containing glucose in place of N-acetylglucosamine, and a ceramide or 2-(tetradecyl)hexadecyl residue, have been synthesized. Condensation of O-(methyl 5-acetamido-4,7,8,9-tetra-O-acetyl-3,5-dideoxy-d-glycero-α-d-galacto-2-nonulopyranosylonate)-(2→3)-O-(4-O-acetyl-2,6-diO-benzoyl-β-d-galactopyranosyl)-(1→4)-O-[(2,3,4-tri-O-acetyl-α-L-fucopyranosyl)-(1→3)]-2,4-di-O-benzoyl-α-d-glucopyranosyl trichloroacetimidate (1) with (2S,3R,4E)-2-azido-3-O-benzoyl-4-octadecene-1,3, diol (2) or 2-(tetradecyl)-hexadecyl-1-ol (3) gave the corresponding β-glycosides 4 and 7. Compound 4 was converted into the ganglioside 6 via selective reduction of the azido group, coupling with octadecanoic acid, O-deacylation, and saponification of the methyl ester group. Hydrolysis of the O-acyl groups in 7 followed by saponification of the methyl ester, gave sialyl Le^x ganglioside analog 8 containing a branched fatty alkyl residue. On the other hand, glycosylation of O-(4-O-acetyl-2,6-di-O-benzoyl-3-O-levulinyl-β-d-galactopyranosyl)-(1→4)-[O-(2,3,4-tri-O-acetyl-α-L-fucopyranosyl)-(1→3)]-2,6-di-O-benzoyl-α-d-glucopyranosyl trichloroacetimidate (13), prepared from 2-(trimethylsilyl)ethyl O-(2,6-di-O-benzoyl-β-d-galactopyranosyl)-(1→4)-O-[(2,3,4-tri-O-benzyl-α-L-fucopyranosyl)-(1→3)]-2,6-di-O-benzoyl-β-d-glucopyranoside (9) via selective 3-O-levulinylation, acetylation, removal of the 2-(trimethylsilyl)ethyl group, with 2 or 3, gave the desired β-glycosides 14 and 19. Selective reduction of the axido group in 14 followed by coupling with octadecanoic acid gave the ceramide derivative 16. Removal of the levulinyl group in 16 and 19, treatment with sulfur trioxide pyridine complex and subsequent hydrolysis of the protecting groups yielded the corresponding sulfo Le^x analogs 18 and 21.     

Anti-inflammatory flavanol glycosides from Saraca asoca bark

Saraca asoca (Roxb.) de Wilde, a common tree of India, is popularly used in the Ayurvedic and modern herbal systems of medicine for genito-urinary problems of women. Considering the reported antimicrobial or anti-inflammatory effect of S. asoca bark against such infections, we studied the anti-inflammatory activity-guided isolation of active compounds from methanol extract. The methanol extract of bark has yielded 10 compounds out of which 3′-deoxyepicatechin-3-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (6) and 3′-deoxycatechin-3-O-α-l-rhamnopyranoside (8) have been found to be in vitro and in vivo active. 3′,5-Dimethoxy epicatechin (3), 3′-deoxyepicatechin-3-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (6), 3′-deoxycatechin-3-O-α-l-rhamnopyranoside (8) and epigallocatechin (9) are being reported for the first time from S. asoca.     

Synthetic Studies on Sialoglycoconjugates 85: Synthesis of Sialyl Lewis X Ganglioside Analogs Containing a Variety of Anionic Substituents in Place of Sialic Acid

Abstract

Three sialyl-Le^x ganglioside analogs containing carboxymethyl, sulfate, and phosphate groups in place of the sialic acid moiety, have been synthesized. Glycosylation of 2-(trimethylsilyl)ethyl O-(2,3,4-tri-O-benzyl-α-L-fucopyranosyl)-(1→3)-O-(2-acetamido-6-O-benzyl-2-deoxy-β-d-glucopyranosyl) - (1→3) - 2, 4, 6-tri-O-benzyl-β-d-galactopyranoside (10) with methyl 2,4,6-tri-O-benzoyl-3-O-(methoxycarbonyl)methyl-1-thio-β-d-galactopyranoside (6) or methyl 2-O-benzoyl-4,6-O-benzylidene-3-O-levulinoyl-1-thio-β-d-galactopyranoside (9) using dimethyl-(methylthio)sulfonium triflate (DMTST) as a promoter, afforded the corresponding tetrasaccharide derivatives 11 and 19. Compounds 11 and 19 were converted into the α-trichloroacetimidates 14 and 23, via reductive removal of the benzyl and benzylidene groups, O-acetylation, removal of the 2-(trimethylsilyl)ethyl group, and treatment with trichloroacetonitrile, which, on coupling with (2S, 3R, 4E)-2-azido-3-O-benzoyl-4-octadecene-1,3-diol (15) or 2-(tetradecyl)hexadecan-1-ol (24), gave the lipophilic derivatives 16 and 25. Compound 16 was transformed, via selective reduction of the azido group, condensation with octadecanoic acid, O-deacylation, and hydrolysis of the methyl ester group, into the title compound 18 in good yield. Compound 25 was treated with hydrazine acetate to give compound 26, which in turn was transformed, via sulfation or phosphorylation, and O-deacylation, into the target compounds 28 and 31.     

Synthetic Studies on Sialoglycoconjugates 60: α-Stereocontrolled,Glycoside Synthesis of Trimeric Sialic Acid with Galactose and Lactose Derivatives

Abstract

α-Stereocontrolled, glycoside synthesis of trimeric sialic acid is described toward a systematic approach to the synthesis of sialoglycoconjugates containing an α-sialyl-(2→8)-α-sialyl-(2→8)-sialic acid unit α-glycosidically linked to O-3 of a galactose residue in their oligosaccharide chains. Glycosylation of 2-(trimethylsilyl)ethyl 6-O-benzoyl-β-d-galactopyranoside (4) or 2-(trimethylsilyl)ethyl 2,3,6,2′,6′-penta-O-benzyl-β-lactoside (5), with methyl [phenyl 5-acetamido-8-O-[5-acetamido-8-O-(5-acetamido-4,7,8,9-tetra-O-acetyl-3,5-dideoxy-d-glycero-α-d-galacto-2-nonulopyranosylono-1”, 9′-lactone)-4,7-di-O-acetyl-3,5-dideoxy-d-glycero-α-d-galacto-2-nonulopyranosylono-1′, 9-lactone]-4,7-di-O-acetyl-3,5-dideoxy-2-thio-d-glycero-d-galacto-2-nonulopyranosid]onate (3), using N-iodosuccinimide-trifluoromethanesulfonic acid as a promoter, gave the corresponding α-glycosides 6 and 8, respectively. The glycosyl donor 3 was prepared from trimeric sialic acid by treatment with Amberlite IR-120 (H⁺) resin in methanol, O-acetylation, and subsequent replacement of the anomeric acetoxy group with phenylthio. Compounds 6 and 8 were converted into the per-O-acyl derivatives 7 and 9, respectively.     

Two new triterpenoids from Nauclea officinalis

Two new triterpenoids and three 27-nor-triterpenoids were isolated from the stems (with bark) of Nauclea officinalis. Their structures were identified to be 2β,3β,19α,23-tetrahydroxy-urs-12-en-28-oic acid (1), 2β,3β,19α,23-tetrahydroxy-urs-12-en-28-O-[β-d-glucopyranosyl (1-2)-β-d-glucopyranosyl] ester (2), pyrocincholic acid 3β-O-α-l-rhamnopyranoside (3), pyrocincholic acid 3β-O-α-l-rhamnopyranosy1-28-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl ester (4), pyrocincholic acid 3β-O-α-l-rhamnopyranosy1-28-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1-6)-β-d-glucopyranosyl ester (5) by spectroscopic methods including 1D, 2D NMR and HR-MS analyses. The cytotoxic activity of 1–5 against lung cancer A-549 cells was also investigated.     

SYNTHESIS OF NEW OXAMIDE DERIVATIVES OF D-GLUCOSAMINE AND ALIPHATIC OR AROMATIC AMINES

New oxamides, derivatives of D-glucosamine and aliphatic or aromatic amines were prepared by acylation of methyl 3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-2-acetamido-2-deoxy-α- or -β-D-glucopyranoside (1c or 1d) with oxalyl chloride, followed by reaction with amine. The reaction was assumed to proceed by the intermediate of N-carbomethoxy N-(methyl 3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-2-deoxy-α or β-D-glucopyranosid-2-yl) oxamic acid chloride which reacted with amines, and afforded N-acetyl, N-(methyl 3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-2-deoxy-α- or -β-D-glucopyranosid-2-yl), N′-alkyl or aryloxamide (5–7), and N-(methyl 3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-2-deoxy-α- or -β-D-glucopyranosid-2-yl), N′-alkyl or aryloxamide (8–13).     

Cytotoxic flavonoids and other constituents from the stem bark of Ochna schweinfurthiana

Seven flavonoids, hemerocallone (1), 6,7-dimethoxy-3′,4′-dimethoxyisoflavone (2), amentoflavone (4), agathisflavone (6), cupressuflavone (8), robustaflavone (9) and epicatechin (10), together with three other compounds, lithospermoside (3), β-D-fructofuranosyl-α-D-glucopyranoside (5) and 3β-O-D-glucopyranosyl-β-stigmasterol (7), were isolated from the ethyl acetate extract of the stem bark of Ochna schweinfurthiana F. Hoffm. All the compounds were characterised by spectroscopic and mass spectrometric methods, and by comparison with literature data. Cytotoxicity of the extracts and compounds against cervical adenocarcinoma (HeLa) cells was evaluated by MTT assay. Compounds 4 and 6 exhibited good cytotoxic activity, with IC₅₀ values of 20.7 and 10.0 μM, respectively.     

SYNTHESIS OF 3-O-ARABINOSYLATED (1→6)-β-D-GALACTAN EPITOPES

Two tetrameric arabinogalactans, β-D-galactopyranosyl-(1→6)-β-D-galactopyranosyl-(1→6)-[α-L-arabinofuranosyl-(1→3)]-D-galactopyranose (14) and α-L-arabinofuranosyl-(1→3)-β-D-galactopyranosyl-(1→6)-β-D-galactopyranosyl-(1→6)-D-galactopyranose (25), which are good candidates for CCRC-M7 epitope characterization, were synthesized efficiently using a convergent strategy. Migration of an acceptor acetyl group proved to be an obstacle to synthesis, but regioselective glycosylation or 4-O-benzyl protection of the acceptor circumvented this problem allowing efficient synthesis of the 1→6 linked target compounds.     

Synthesis of l -cystine modified cyclodextrin monomers and dimers with primary-side versus secondary-side and their molecular binding behaviours

A series of β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) derivatives modified by l -cystine, including 3,3′- l -cystine-bridged bis(β-CD) (2), 3- l -cystine-β-CD (3), 6,6′- l -cystine-bridged bis(β-CD) (4) and 6- l -cystine-β-CD (5), were synthesised in moderate yields by the reaction of l -cystine with mono-[2-O-(p-tolysulfonyl)]-β-CD (2-O-Ts-β-CD) or mono-[6-O-(p-tolysulfonyl)]-β-CD (6-O-Ts-β-CD). Their binding manners and inclusion abilities towards some dye guests (ANS, TNS, AR, NR, EY and FL) were, respectively investigated by the methods of 2D NMR spectrometry and fluorescence spectrometry in aqueous solution (pH 7.2). The results obtained show that the stoichiometric 1:1 complexes formed by l -cystine modified β-CD monomers and dimers 2–5 with dye guests give higher complex stability constants (K _S) than those of native β-CD. In addition, the difference of inclusion complexation between primary-side and secondary-side modified/bridged β-CDs was compared in detail and discussed from the viewpoint of inclusion orientation, size/shape fit, cooperative binding and hindrance of substituent.