Microbial metabolism of biologically active secondary metabolites from Nerium oleander L

Ursolic acid (1) and kaempferol (3) are two major constituents of the Mediterranean plant Nerium oleander L. Microbial metabolism of (1) with Aspergillus flavus (ATCC 9170) resulted in the formation of 3-oxo-ursolic acid derivative, ursonic acid (2). On the other hand, Cunninghamella blakesleeana (ATCC 8688A) was able to convert (3) into kaempferol 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (4) as well as the new natural product kaempferol 4'-sulfate (5). Incubation of kaempferol with Mucor ramannianus (ATCC 9628) led to the isolation of one metabolite identified as kaempferol 4'-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranoside (6). Transformation of kaempferol to the new compound kaempferol 7-O-beta-D-4-O-methylglucopyranoside (7) and herbacetin 8-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (8) was observed after fermentation with Beauveria bassiana (ATCC 13144). Cytotoxic as well as antioxidant activities of the isolated metabolites were determined.     

Acanmontanoside, a new phenylethanoid diglycoside from Acanthus montanus

A new phenylethanoid glycoside acylated with syringic acid, namely acanmontanoside, was isolated from the aerial portions of Acanthus montanus (Nees). T. Anderson, along with decaffeoylverbascoside, verbascoside, isoverbascoside, leucosceptoside A, (2R)-2-O-?-D-glucopyranosyl-2H-1,4-benzoxazin-3(4H)-one (HBOA-Glc), (2R)-2-O-?-D-glucopyranosyl-4-hydroxy-2H-1,4-benzoxazin-3(4H)-one (DIBOA-Glc), (3R)-1-octen-3-ol-3-O-?-D-xylopyranosyl-(1→6)-O-?-D-glucopyranoside and ebracteatoside B. The structure elucidations were based on physical data and spectroscopic analyses including 1D- and 2D-NMR.     

A new cytotoxic cardenolide from the latex of Antiaris toxicaria

A new cardenolide,toxicarioside E(1),was isolated from the latex ofAntiaris toxicaria(Pers.) Lesch(Moraceae).Its structure was elucidated on the basis of spectral data and chemical evidence.Compound 1 showed significant cytotoxicity against K562 and SGC-7901 cell lines in vitro by MTT method with the IC_(50) value of 0.026 and 0.027μg/mL,respectively.     

Suffruyabiosides A and B, two new monoterpene diglycosides from moutan cortex

Two new monoterpene diglycosides, suffruyabiosides A and B, and seven known compounds 3-9 were isolated from Moutan Cortex (root cortex of Paeonia suffruticosa Andrews). The structures were elucidated on the basis of 2D NMR spectral data. Suffruyabiosides A and B are rare monoterpene diglycosides, including a cellobiose in the molecules. Salicylpaeoniflorin (4) had a antiproliferation effect similar to paeoniflorin (3) on human lung adenocarcinoma epitherial A549 cells. Galloylpaeoniflorin (8) and salicylpaeoniflorin (4) revealed a more pronounced radical scavenging effect than a-tocopherol (positive control). An increase in the number of phenolic hydroxyl groups produced a more effective radical scavenging effect [8 > mudanpioside E (6) > oxypaeoniflorin (5)]. Comparison of the effects of 4 and 5 showed that o-substitution with a phenolic hydroxyl group was more effective than p-substitution. The results suggest that salicylpaeoniflorin (4) may be useful as a cytotoxic and a radical scavenging agent.     

Discovery, structure and biological activities of the cyclotides

The cyclotides are a family of small disulfide rich proteins that have a cyclic peptide backbone and a cystine knot formed by three conserved disulfide bonds. The combination of these two structural motifs contributes to the exceptional chemical, thermal and enzymatic stability of the cyclotides, which retain bioactivity after boiling. They were initially discovered based on native medicine or screening studies associated with some of their various activities, which include uterotonic action, anti-HIV activity, neurotensin antagonism, and cytotoxicity. They are present in plants from the Rubiaceae, Violaceae and Cucurbitaceae families and their natural function in plants appears to be in host defense: they have potent activity against certain insect pests and they also have antimicrobial activity. There are currently around 50 published sequences of cyclotides and their rate of discovery has been increasing over recent years. Ultimately the family may comprise thousands of members. This article describes the background to the discovery of the cyclotides, their structural characterization, chemical synthesis, genetic origin, biological activities and potential applications in the pharmaceutical and agricultural industries. Their unique topological features make them interesting from a protein folding perspective. Because of their highly stable peptide framework they might make useful templates in drug design programs, and their insecticidal activity opens the possibility of applications in crop protection.     

A new sterol from the Vietnamese marine sponge Xestospongia testudinaria and its biological activities

A new sterol, langcosterol A (1), together with two known sterols 2 and 3, were isolated from the marine sponge Xestospongia testudinaria collected in Vietnam. Their chemical structures were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analyses and comparisons with published data. The new compound 1 and the known compound 3 exhibited moderate cytotoxic activities against three human cancer cell lines (A549, lung cancer; MCF7, breast cancer; HeLa, cervical cancer) and a human normal cell line (WI-38 fibroblast), with IC₅₀ values ranging from 29.0 to 68.0 μM.     

Isolation, structure elucidation, and biological activity of a new alkaloid from Zanthoxylum rhetsa

Several biologically active alkaloids (1-4, 6), including a new quinazoline-6-carboxylic acid (1), were isolated from the medicinal plant Zanthoxylum rhetsa, an evergreen tree, native to subtropical areas. Whereas the pharmacological properties of the plant extract and single constituents have been widely tested, we now show that all of the metabolites have antialgal activities, all but 6 are antibacterial, and 6 and the reduction product 5 (derived from 4) are also antifungal.     

The structure of hormaomycin and one of its all-peptide aza-analogues in solution: syntheses and biological activities of new hormaomycin analogues

Four new aza-analogues of hormaomycin 1, a secondary metabolite with interesting biological activities produced by Streptomyces griseoflavus, were synthesized and subjected to preliminary tests of their antibiotic activity to provide new insights into the structure-activity relationship studies of this class of compounds. The solution structures of hormaomycin 1 and its aza-analogue 2 a were determined by NMR spectroscopy. The data exhibited a reasonably rigid conformation for both molecules, stabilized by stacking interactions between the aromatic moieties attached to the ring and the side chain. According to NMR-spectral data the aza-analogue epi-2 a has a rather different conformation and indeed shows no antibacterial activity whatsoever.     

New triterpene diglycosides from the rhizome of Cimifuga foetida

Five new 9,19-cycloartane triterpene diglycosides, which have been named cimiaceroside C (1), and cimifosides A-D (2-5) together with the known compounds cimiracemoside D (6), cimidahurine (7) and alpha-D-glucopyranosyl-l-beta-D-fructofuranoside (8) were isolated from the rhizome of Cimicifuga foetida. The new triterpene diglycosides 1-5 were identified as cimiacerol-3-O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1'-->3')-beta-D-xylopyranoside, 12beta-hydroxycimigenol-3-O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1'-->3')-beta-D-xylopyranoside, 25-Oacetylcimig-enol-3-O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1'-->3')-beta-D-xylopyranoside, 24- acetylhydroshengmanol-3-O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1'-->3')-beta-D-xylopyranoside and 26-deoxyacetylacteol-3-O-beta-D-xylo- pyranosyl-(1'-->3')-beta-D-xylopyranoside, respectively, based on analysis of their spectral data and chemical reactions.     

Two new cycloartanes from the leaves of Combretum quadrangulare growing in Vietnam and their biological activities

Two new cycloartanes, combretanones G and H (1 and 2), were isolated from the leaves of Combretum quadrangulare. Their structures were elucidated by applying a set of spectroscopic methods, while their relative configurations were determined using DFT-NMR chemical shift calculations and subsequent assignment of DP4 probabilities. Compounds 1 and 2 are C-23/C-24 stereoisomers of the previously-reported euphonerin E. Both exhibited moderate cytotoxicity against three human cancer cell lines. Compound 2 was shown to be a potent antiparasitic. Our results confirm the traditional medicinal uses of Combretum quadrangulare in Vietnam.     

Two new b-hydroxy amino acid-coupled secoiridoids from the flower buds of Lonicera japonica:Isolation,structure elucidation,semisynthesis,and biological activities

Two new b-hydroxy amino acid-coupled secoiridoids,named serinosecologanin(1) and threoninosecologanin(2),were isolated from an aqueous extract of the flower buds of Lonicera japonica.Their uncommon structures including absolute configurations were determined by spectroscopic data analysis,and confirmed by semisynthesis from the co-occurring secologanin(3) and secologanic acid(4).Compounds 1 and 2 exhibited resistant activity against b-glucosidase from almonds and hesperidinase from Aspergillus niger,they also showed activity against the release of glucuronidase in rat polymorphonuclear leukocytes induced by the platelet-activating factor with inhibition rates of(34.9 3.1)% and(53.6 2.6)%,respectively.     

Synthesis and biological activities of new 1,4-benzothiazine derivatives.

New 2H-1,4-benzothiazin-3(4H)-one derivatives possessing (4-phenyl-1-piperazinyl)alkyl moieties at the 2-position were synthesized and tested for calcium antagonistic and calmodulin antagonistic activities. Antihypertensive effects in spontaneously hypertensive rats were also evaluated. In general, these compounds were rather weak calcium channel blockers, although, in contrast, many of them had moderate to potent calmodulin antagonistic activity, and 2-[3-(4-(4-fluorophenyl)-1-piperazinyl]propyl]-2H-1,4-benzothiazin -3 (4H)-one derivatives 45, 74 and 75 showed potent antihypertensive effects.     

Chaetomugilins I-O, new potent cytotoxic metabolites from a marine-fish-derived Chaetomium species. Stereochemistry and biological activities

Chaetomugilins I-O were isolated from a strain of Chaetomium globosum originally isolated from the marine fish Mugil cephalus, and their absolute stereostructures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analyses, including 1D and 2D NMR techniques, as well as chemical transformations. These compounds exhibited significant growth inhibition of cultured P388, HL-60, L1210, and KB cell lines. In addition, chaetomugilin I showed selective cytotoxic activity against 39 human cancer cell lines.     

Diterpenoids from Isodon species and their biological activities

Isodon species (Labiatae) are widely distributed plants, many of which are used in folk medicine. Over the past twenty years, they have received considerable phytochemical and biological attention. Thestructures of their many diterpenoids constituents, especially those with an ent-kaurane skeleton, have been elucidated. The significant phytochemical and pharmacological diterpenoids form the subject of this review. There are 290 references.     

New cytotoxic cardenolide glycoside from the seeds of Cerbera manghas

A new cytotoxic cardenolide glycoside, 3beta-O-(2'-O-acetyl-alpha-L-thevetosyl)-14beta-hydroxy-7-en-5beta-card-20(22)-enolide, (7,8-dehydrocerberin), together with five known cardenolides, 17beta-neriifolin, deacetyltanghinin, tanghinin, cerberin and 2'-O-acetyl-cerleaside A were isolated from the seeds of Cerbera manghas L. Their structures were elucidated by 1D- and 2D-NMR techniques as well as UV, IR and mass spectral data. 7,8-Dehydrocerberin, deacetyltanghinin and tanghinin exhibited cytotoxic activities against oral human epidermoid carcinoma (KB), human breast cancer cell (BC) and human small cells lung cancer (NCI-H187).