Flavones from Combretum quadrangulare Growing in Vietnam and Their Alpha-Glucosidase Inhibitory Activity

Combretum quadrangulare Kurz is widely used in folk medicine in Eastern Asia and is associated with various ethnopharmacological properties including hepatoprotective, antipyretic, analgesic, antidysenteric, and anthelmintic activities. Previous phytochemical investigations reported the presence of numerous triterpenes (mostly cycloartanes, ursanes, lupanes, and oleananes) along with dozens of flavonoids. However, the extracts of C. quadrangulare and isolated flavonoids have not been evaluated for their alpha-glucosidase inhibition. In the frame of our efforts dedicated to the chemical investigation of Vietnamese medicinal plants and their biological activities, a phytochemical study of the MeOH extract of the leaves of C. quadrangulare using bioactive guided isolation was undertaken. In this paper, the isolation and structure elucidation of twelve known compounds, 5-hydroxy-3,7,4′-trimethoxyflavone (1), ayanin (2), kumatakenin (3), rhamnocitrin (4), ombuin (5), myricetin-3,7,3′,5′-tetramethyl ether (6), gardenin D (7), luteolin (12), apigenin (13), mearnsetin (14), isoorientin (15), and vitexin (16) were reported. Bromination was applied to compounds 2 and 3 to provide four new synthetic analogues 8–11. All isolated and synthesized compounds were evaluated for alpha-glucosidase inhibition and antibacterial activity. Compounds 4 and 5 showed moderate antibacterial activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus while others were inactive. All compounds failed to reveal any activity toward extended spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli. Compounds 2, 4, 6–9, and 11–14 showed good alpha-glucosidase inhibition with IC₅₀ values in the range of 30.5–282.0 µM. The kinetic of enzyme inhibition showed that 8 and 11 were noncompetitive type inhibition against alpha-glucosidase. In silico molecular docking model indicated that compounds 8 and 11 were potential inhibitors against enzyme α-glucosidase.     

Lycocasuarines A–C,Lycopodium alkaloids from Lycopodiastrum casuarinoides

Three lycodine-type Lycopodium alkaloids (1–3) were isolated from Lycopodiastrum casuarinoides. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analysis, single-crystal X-ray crystallography, and computational methods. Compound 1 possesses a rearranged five-membered ring D resulting from C-8/C-15 cleavage and a new C-7/C-15 linkage. Compound 2 is the first Lycopodium alkaloid found to bear an additional carbon (C-17) directly bonded to C-8, which is particularly unusual from a biogenetic point of view. Compounds 1–3 were evaluated for acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activities.     

Trichiliasinenoids A–C,three 6,7-secomexicanolide limonoids with a 7,29-linkage from Trichilia sinensis

Trichiliasinenoids A–C (1–3), three new limonoids with an unprecedented C-29-C-7 connecting carbon skeleton formed by migration of C-7 from C-6 to C-29 of a mexicanolide-type limonoid precursor were isolated from the leaves and twigs of Trichilia sinensis. Their structures were assigned by spectroscopic analysis, and the absolute configurations were determined by X-ray crystallography (1) and ECD calculation (2 and 3). A possible biosynthetic pathway of 1 was also proposed. Compound 2 exhibited moderate cytotoxicity against HL-60 cells and weak cytotoxicity against SMMC-7721cells.     

Vercytochalasins A and B: Two unprecedented biosynthetically related cytochalasins from the deep-sea-sourced endozoic fungus Curvularia verruculosa

Vercytochalasins A (1) and B (2), two biosynthetically related cytochalasins featuring novel structure and substituents, were isolated from the endozoic fungus Curvularia verruculosa which was associated with the deep-sea squat lobster Shinkaia crosnieri collected from the cold seep environment in South China sea. Their structures were elucidated by detailed interpretation of NMR spectroscopic and mass spectrometric data. The absolute configurations were confirmed by NOESY experiments as well as by DP4+ and ECD calculations. Differed from common cytochalasins, compound 1 is an uncommon secocytochalasin featuring the ester group cleaved between C-9 and C-23, and incorporating an additional oxygenated C4 unit which coupled with C-20 and C-22 to form a new substituted cyclohexenone moiety, while compound 2 contains an unusual 2?hydroxy-3-oxobutan-2-yl unit at C-22. Both compounds are distinctive from the commonly described cytochalasins. Compound 1 exhibited potent activity against angiotensin-I-converting enzyme (ACE) whereas compound 2 showed antibacterial activity. Molecular docking simulations were performed to explore the intermolecular interaction of compounds 1 and 2 with ACE.     

Convenient synthesis of 2,4-disubstituted pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidines via regioselective palladium-catalyzed reactions

A novel and effective route for the synthesis of 2,4-disubstituted pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidines III is reported starting from the corresponding 2,4-dichloropyridopyrimidine 1 through regioselective functionalization palladium-catalyzed C–C coupling reactions, by two successive palladium-catalyzed reactions involving an original regioselective chlorine discrimination. Alternatively, type III compounds were elaborated from 2 by C-2 chlorine further displacement of the C-4 isopropylsulfanyl group, which acted as a temporary C-4 protecting group. Further Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling reactions led to C-2 and C-4 disubstituted compounds.     

Chiral ligands derived from abrine. Part 7: Effect of O,S, N in aromatic ring substituents at C-1 on enantioselectivity induced by tetrahydro-β-carboline ligands in diethylzinc addition to aldehydes

The effect of O, S and N atoms in aromatic ring substituents at C-1 position of tetrahydro-β-carboline ligands on the enantioselectivity of diethylzinc additions to benzaldehyde was studied when esters or tertiary alcohol functions were present at C-3. A mechanism is proposed to explain why the ester ligands 2c and 2d, in which the pyridyl N atom is at C′-2 in 2c and at C′-3 in 2d, catalyzed the addition of diethylzinc to benzaldehyde to form the (R)- and (S)-enantiomers of 1-phenyl-1-propanol, respectively. An explanation was also proposed for the moderate enantioselectivity induced by tert-alcohol 3c versus the very small enantioselectivity induced by 3d, containing a 3-pyridyl function at C-1, during diethylzinc additions. A -CH₂-t-Bu substituent at C-1 leads to very high enantioselectivities.     

Euphatexols A and B,two unusual euphane triterpenoids from the latex of Euphorbia resinifera

Two unusual euphane triterpenoids, named euphatexols A (1) and B (2), were isolated from the latex of Euphorbia resinifera. Their structures were elucidated based on the extensive analysis of spectroscopic data (HRMS, 1D and 2D NMR). Compound 1 possesses a rare tetrahydrofuran ring formed via C-1 and C-11, which is firstly reported in euphane triterpenoids. Compound 2 represents an unusual 27-nor-euphane triterpenoid. Moreover, compounds 1 and 2 showed significant cytotoxic activities against HepG2 cells with 87.0% and 87.4% inhibition rate at 1 μM, respectively.     

β-Carboline-type indole alkaloid glycosides from Ophiorrhiza trichocarpon

Six new β-carboline-type indole alkaloid glycosides, ophiorrhisides A–F (1–6), were isolated from Ophiorrhiza trichocarpon (Rubiaceae) collected in Thailand. Ophiorrhisides A (1) and B (2) possess a lactam function in the C ring and a unique biose residue in the molecule. Ophiorrhiside F (6) has a highly oxidized C ring with a 1,2-dicarbonyl function at C-5 and C-6 positions as well as a double bond between C-3 and C-14.     

Site-selective oxidation of unactivated C–H sp3 bonds of oleanane triterpenes by Streptomyces griseus ATCC 13273

The oxidization of unactivated C–H bonds is of great interests in the structural modification of pentacyclic triterpenes. Herein we discovered the unique capability of Streptomyces griseus ATCC 13273 to catalyze the site-selective oxidation of C-29 methyl group to carboxyl group over a range of oleanane triterpenes, oleanolic acid (1), hederagenin (2), echinocystic acid (3), quillaic acid (4) and senegenin (5). Along with this reaction the hydroxylation on C-24 and C-21 were also discovered on some substrates. As a result, eight new compounds (1c, 2a～5a and 2b～4b) among the ten metabolites were isolated. The anti-inflammatory activities of these compounds were evaluated against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitric oxide (NO) production in RAW 264.7 macrophages, and the products with hydroxyl group on C-21 (1c, 2b and 5a) showed significantly enhanced activities with the IC₅₀ values of 1.230, 0.078 and 0.015 μM, respectively. Thus S. griseus ATCC 13273 was further proved as a useful biocatalyst to expand the structural diversity of oleanane triterpenes for medicinal chemistry research.     

Polycyclic polyprenylated acylphloroglucinol with an unprecedented spirocyclic core from Hypericum patulum

Spirohypatone A (1), a spirocyclic PPAP (polycyclic polyprenylated acylphloroglucinol) bearing an unprecedented hexahydro-1′H-spiro[cyclohexane-1,2′-pentalene]-2,4,6-trione core and a new homologue (spirohypatone B, 2) were isolated from Hypericum patulum together with two known biosynthetic precursors. Compound 1 represents the first spirocyclic PPAP possessing a 5/5/6 carbon ring system, biogenetically derived from the intermediate 3 (attack from C-3 to C-12), which was differed from normal spirocyclic PPAPs (attack from C-3 to C-11). In addition, through extensive spectroscopic analysis, an interconversion mechanism of keto-enol of 1 was postulated and confirmed by its methylated reaction. The structures and absolute configurations of 1 and 2 were determined by comprehensive spectroscopic and chemical derivatized methods and X-ray crystallography. Compounds 1, 2, and 4 were tested to exhibit cytotoxic activities against several cancer cell lines.     

Artanomadimers A–F: six new dimeric guaianolides from Artemisia anomala

A novel dimeric guaianolide with an unprecedented skeleton, named artanomadimer A (1), and five new analogues, artanomadimers B–F (2–6), were isolated from the aerial parts of Artemisia anomala. Their structures and stereochemistry were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic methods, and the absolute stereochemistry of compound 4 was confirmed by X-ray crystallographic analysis. Artanomadimer A (1) is probably formed through a Diels–Alder reaction with the new carbon–carbon bond formation of C-11/C-2′ and C-13/C-5′ based on its structure. A cytotoxic evaluation showed that compounds 1 and 6 exhibited significant inhibitory effects against the cell growth of BGC-823 tumor cell lines with IC₅₀ values of 2.71 and 6.25 μM, respectively.     

Birhodomolleins D and E,two new dimeric grayanane diterpenes with a 3-O-2′ linkage from the fruits of Rhododendron pumilum

Two dimeric grayanane diterpenes with a novel 3-O-2 linkage, birhodomolleins D (1) and E (2), were isolated and structurally elucidated from the fruits of Rhododendron pumilum. Their structures were fully determined by comprehensive analysis of spectroscopic data.     

The conversion of 3,4-cis- to 3,4-trans-cannabinoids

An investigation of the conversion of Δ¹-3,4-cis-THC 1a to Δ⁶-3,4-trans-THC 2a with BBr₃ is described. By use of 1a of known optical purity it was determined that the main epimerization occurs at C-4. The small loss of optical purity observed during formation of 2a results from either competitive epimerization at C-3 or a racemization process. The conversion of 3,4-cis- to 3,4-trans-HHCs proceeds with exclusive C-4 inversion.     

A pair of epimeric cassane-type diterpenoids and a new labdane-type derivative from Caesalpinia decapetala

Caesaldecins A and B (1a/1b), a pair of epimeric cassane-type diterpenoids containing an ether linkage between C-6 and C-20 and an α,β-butenolide ring in the northern hemisphere, were isolated from the leaves of the medicinal plant Caesalpinia decapetala (Roth) Alston, along with a new labdane-type diterpenoid, termed as 8(17),11(Z),13(E)-trien-15,18-dioic acid (2). Structures of 1 and 2 were established by extensive spectroscopic analyses, including HRESIMS, 1D and 2D NMR, and electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculations. The in vitro antibacterial and inhibitory activities against a panel of bacteria and cancer cell lines were evaluated, respectively. Compound 2 displayed moderate antibacterial activity against the methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus subsp. aureus (MRSA) with an MIC₅₀ value of 5.99?μg?mL^?1.     

Didemnaketals D and E,bioactive terpenoids from a Red Sea ascidian Didemnum species

Two new spiroketals, didemnaketals D (1) and E (2) were isolated from a marine ascidian species belonging to the genus Didemnum. The structures of the compounds were elucidated by extensive 1D (¹H, ¹³C, and DEPT) and 2D (COSY, TOCSY, HSQC, HMBC, NOESY, and ROESY) NMR studies and high-resolution mass spectroscopic data. The new didemnaketals differ from the reported ones in which that they lack the methyl functionality at C-6 and the hydroxy moiety at C-21. Instead, they possess an ester moiety at C-6 in addition to new oxygen functionality at C-20 of the didemnaketals. Compounds 1 and 2 were evaluated for their protein kinase inhibitory activity against different kinases (CDK5, CK1, DyrK1A, and GSK3) at 10 μg/mL. Compounds 1 and 2 showed moderate activity against these kinases. In addition, the compounds displayed moderate antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis, respectively.     

Mycopyranone: A 8,8ˈ-binaphthopyranone with potent anti-MRSA activity from the fungus Phialemoniopsis sp.

A new 8,8?-binaphthopyranone (mycopyranone, 1) was isolated from a solid fermentation of Phialemoniopsis sp. (fungal strain MSX61662), and the structure was elucidated via analysis of the NMR and HRESIMS data. The axial chirality of 1 was determined to be M by ECD. The central chirality at C-4/C-4? was assigned through a modified Mosher’s method, while the absolute configuration at C-3/C-3? was deduced based on analysis of the ³J_H-3-H-4 values and NOESY correlations. Compound 1 was evaluated for its antimicrobial properties against Staphylococcus aureus SA1199 and a clinically relevant methicillin-resistant S. aureus strain (MRSA USA300 LAC strain AH1263). Compound 1 inhibited the growth of both strains in a concentration dependent manner with IC₅₀ values in the low μM range. Molecular docking indicated that compound 1 binds to the FtsZ (tubulin-like) protein in the same pocket as viriditoxin (2), suggesting that 1 targets bacterial cell division.     

Syntheses and conformational analyses of new naphth[1,2-e][1,3]oxazino[3,2-c]quinazolin-13-ones

The syntheses of naphth[1,2-e][1,3]oxazino[3,2-c]quinazolin-13-one derivatives (3a–f) were achieved by the solvent-free heating of benzyloxycarbonyl-protected intermediates (2a–f) with MeONa. For intermediates 2a–f, prepared by the reactions of substituted aminonaphthols with benzyl N-(2-formylphenyl)carbamate, not only the expected trans ring form B and chain form A¹, but also the rearranged chain form A² as a new tautomer were detected in DMSO at room temperature. The quantity of A² in the tautomeric mixture was changed with time.Conformational analyses of the target heterocycles 3a–f by NMR spectroscopy and accompanying theoretical calculations at the DFT level of theory revealed that the oxazine ring preferred a twisted chair conformation and the quinazolone ring was planar. Besides the conformations, both the configurations at C-7a and C-15 and the preferred rotamers of the 1-naphthyl substituent at C-15 were assigned, which allowed evaluation of the aryl substituent-dependent steric hindrance in this part of the molecules. Configurational assignments were corroborated by quantifying the ring current effect of 15-aryl in terms of spatial NICS.     

Trichilin B, a novel limonoid with highly rearranged ring system from Trichilia connaroides

Trichilin B (2), a limonoid having an unprecedented highly rearranged ring system, along with biosynthetically correlated trichilin A (1), was isolated from Trichilia connaroides. The structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analysis. Compound 2 features a unique 9,17-oxygen bridge, while two unprecedented δ-lactone rings fused to rings A and B at C-5, C-9 and ring C at C-8, C-14. Their cytotoxic activities were also evaluated.     

Synthesis and functionalization of chiral superstructured porphyrins

Chiral porphyrins 1 and 2, bearing, respectively, four and two chains at the meso carbons, each one with a stereocentre at C-2 and a double bond at C-5, were functionalized to afford the corresponding thiosemicarbazonic derivatives 9–12 and the nickel(II) porphyrinato 13, compounds with potential antiviral, antibacterial and antitumour properties. To verify the biological activity of some of these products, assays of proliferation inhibition and apoptosis tests in vitro on human leukemic cell lines U937 were carried out for compounds 1, 6, 9 and 10.     

Preparation of 2,2′-anhydronucleosides: regio- and stereoselective modifications of the base and sugar moieties

2′-Deoxy-2′-iodonucleosides 4–9, obtained from suitably protected furanoid glycals 1 and 2 with different silylated pyrimidine bases, were transformed into the corresponding 2,2′-anhydronucleosides 10–15 with inversion of the configuration at C-2′, by heating in DMF with n-dibutyltin oxide. Regio- and stereospecific opening at C-2′ of the 2,2′-ring in compounds 10, 11, and 12 with sodium azide afforded the related 2′-azido-2′-deoxynucleosides 16, 17 and 18, respectively. Action of sodium hydroxide on 12 caused the regioselective opening of the above-mentioned ring at C-2 with retention of the configuration at C-2′ giving 19. Compound 19 could be transformed straightforwardly into 18 by well-established methodology. On the other hand, compound 15 could be transformed into the related 2′,3′-anhydronucleoside 23 by a regio- and stereoselective addition at N-3–C-2′ of allyl bromide concomitant with 2,2′-ring opening and inversion of the configuration at C-2′ to afford the intermediate 2′-bromo-2′-deoxynucleoside 21, which was subsequently treated with sodium methoxide giving 23.