Determination of ferruginol in rat plasma via high‐performance liquid chromatography and its application in pharmacokinetics study

Ferruginol, a diterpene phenol, has recently received attention for its extensive pharmacological properties, including anti‐tumor, antibacterial, cardio‐protective and gastroprotective effects. In the present study, a high‐performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method was developed for determination of ferruginol in rat plasma and applied for the pharmacokinetics study. The HPLC assay was performed with a VP ODS‐C₁₈ column. The mobile phaseconsisted of methanol and 1% acetic acid solution (90:10, v/v). The flow rate was 1.0 mL/min, and the wavelength was set at 270 nm. This method was linear over the studied range of 0.1–10.0 µg/mL for ferruginol. The correlation coefficient was 0.9998. The intra‐day and inter‐day precisions were better than 4 and 5%, respectively. The extraction recovery and accuracy were greater than 97 and 96%, respectively. The detection limit was 30 ng/mL. The mean maximum concentration of ferruginol in rat plasma was 3.14 µg/mL at 40 min after oral administration at a dose of 20 mg/kg. Ferruginol was absorbed quickly p.o. with t_1/2ka = 14.86 min and had a high rate of elimination with t_1/2 = 41.73 min. The pharmacokinetic process of ferruginol in rat was well described with a one‐compartment model. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Antioxidant activity and mechanism of the abietane-type diterpene ferruginol

The antioxidant activity of the abietane-type diterpene ferruginol was evaluated by comparison with that of carnosic acid, ( ± )-α-tocopherol and dibutylhydroxytoluene using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, β-carotene bleaching and linoleic acid assays. Ferruginol had the lowest antioxidant activity of this group using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and β-carotene methods in polar solvent buffer. However, ferruginol exhibited stronger activity than carnosic acid and α-tocopherol for linoleic acid oxidation under non-solvent conditions. Five peaks corresponding to ferruginol derivatives were detected through GC-MS analysis of the reaction between ferruginol and methyl linoleate. The three reaction products were identified as dehydroferruginol, 7β-hydroxyferruginol and sugiol, and the other two peaks were assumed to be 7α-hydroxyferruginol and the quinone methide derivative of ferruginol. The time course of the reaction suggests that the quinone methide was produced early in the reaction and reacted further to produce dehydroferruginol, 7-hydroxyferruginol and sugiol. Thus, we inferred that quinone methide formation was a key step in the antioxidant reaction of ferruginol.     

Isolation of antibacterial diterpenoids from Cryptomeria japonica bark

The aims of the present study were to determine the antibacterial activity of bark extract of Cryptomeria japonica D. Don and to isolate potential antibacterial constituents. The results showed that the ethanolic extract of C. japonica bark possessed a good antibacterial activity. Nine compounds including seven diterpenoids (ferruginol (I), isopimaric acid (II), iguestol (III), isopimarol (IV), phyllocladan-16alpha-ol (V), sandaracopimarinol (VI) and sugiol (VII)) and two steroids (beta-sitosterol (VIII) and beta-sitostenone (IX)) were isolated from active subfractions; beta-sitostenone was isolated for the first time from this plant. Among these compounds, ferruginol possessed the strongest antibacterial activity and had MIC values ranging from 6.3 to 12.5 microg mL(-1) against all bacteria tested. Isopimaric acid was also an antibacterial natural product. Cryptomeria japonica bark extract and its diterpenoids, ferruginol and isopimaric acid, have the ability to inhibit the bacterial growth and can be used as the source for natural bactericides.     

Chemistry of the podocarpaceae—IV Constituents of the heartwood of Podocarpus dacrydioides A. Rich

The extractives of the heartwood of Podocarpus dacrydioides A. Rich. contain the known diterpenoid constituents, podocarpic acid (I, R = H), methyl podocarpate (I, R = CH₃), ferruginol (II), Δ⁹-dehydro-ferruginol (III), sugiol (9-ketoferruginol, IV), xanthoperol (V) (in trace amount) and a new resin acid, C₂₀H₂₈O₅, for which the name pododacric acid is proposed. A saturated hydrocarbon also isolated is probably n-heptacosane.     

Composition, antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-wood-decay fungal activities of the twig essential oil of Taiwania cryptomerioides from Taiwan

This study investigated the chemical composition, antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-wood-decay fungal activities of the essential oil isolated from the twigs of Taiwania cryptomerioides from Taiwan. The essential oil was isolated using hydrodistillation in a Clevenger-type apparatus, and characterized by GC-FID and GC-MS. A total of 35 compounds were identified, representing 100% of the oil. The main components identified were alpha-cadinol (45.9%), ferruginol (18.9%) and beta-eudesmol (10.8%). The antioxidant activity of the oil was tested by the DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) free radical scavenging capability test. The results showed an IC50 of 90.8 +/- 0.2 microg/mL. The active source compound was ferruginol. The antimicrobial activity of the oil was tested by the disc diffusion and micro-broth dilution methods against ten microbial species. The oil exhibited strong growth suppression against Gram-positive bacteria and yeast with inhibition zones of 45-52 mm and MIC values of 31.25-62.5 microg/mL, respectively. The anti-wood-decay fungal activity of the oil was also evaluated. The oil demonstrated excellent activity against four wood-decay-fungal species. For the antimicrobial and anti-wood-decay fungal activities of the oil, the active source compounds were determined to be alpha-cadinol, beta-eudesmol and ferruginol.     

Determination of fingerprints contents of different extracts and parts of six endemic Salvia taxa by GC–MS: Source species for valuable compounds with drug or drug potential

Public use of Salvia species and their importance in the scientific world is continually increasing. It is known that this use and the importance of Salvia species are mostly due to the terpenoid compounds that they contain. In this context, the terpenoid–steroid–flavonoid contents of extracts of six endemic Salvia (S. kurdica, S. pseudeuphratica, S. rosifolia, S. siirtica, S. cerino-pruinosa var. cerino-pruinosa and S. cerino-pruinosa var. elazigensis) species prepared with different solvents were determined by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Within the framework of the ingredient analysis, content analysis of the ethanol extracts of the root, branch, leaf and flower parts of the species collected in the same period between 2015 and 2017 years was performed. In general, extracts prepared with chloroform and ethanol were found to contain a wide variety of compounds while petroleum ether extracts were found to contain much less varied compounds. In addition, in general, root extracts are richer in terpenoid compounds than aerial part extracts. Some species can be used as source species in terms of ferruginol, cryptanol, 6,7-dehydroroyleanone, lup-(20)29-ene-2α-hydroxy-3β-acetate, salvigenin and β-sitosterol contents (52,114.28, 75,979.08, 101,247.41, 40,071.29, 33,952.13 and 34,010.90 μg analyte/g extract, respectively).     

Composition, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of the seed essential oil of Calocedrus formosana from Taiwan

The hydrodistillated seed essential oil of Calocedrus formosana was analyzed to determine its composition and yield. Twenty-seven compounds were identified, the main ones being alpha-pinene (63.8%), totarol (9.9%) and ferruginol (8.9%). Monoterpene hydrocarbons (73.5%) and oxygenated diterpenes (18.8%) were the predominant groups of compounds. The seed essential oil exhibited excellent antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-wood-decay fungal activities.     

Enantioselective Polyene Cyclization Catalyzed by a Chiral Brønsted Acid

The first enantioselective polyene cyclization initiated by a BINOL‐derived chiral N‐phosphoramide (NPA) catalyzed protonation of an imine is described. The ion‐pair formed between the iminium ion and chiral counter anion of the NPA plays an important role for controlling the stereochemistry of the overall transformation. This strategy offers a highly efficient approach to fused tricyclic frameworks containing three contiguous stereocenters, which are widely found in natural products. In addition, the first catalytic asymmetric total synthesis of (?)‐ferruginol was accomplished with an NPA catalyzed enantioselective polyene cyclization, as the key step for the construction of the tricyclic core, with excellent yield and enantioselectivity.     

Two Glycosides and Other Constituents from Anemone tomentosa Roots

Two new natural products, i.e., 1‐O,2‐O‐[(1S,2S)‐1‐(3‐acetyl‐2,4,6‐trihydroxyphenyl)‐3‐hydroxypropane‐1,3‐diyl]‐β‐D ‐glucopyranose (=tomentoside I; 1 ) and (3β)‐3‐(acetyloxy)ferruginol 12‐[6‐O‐(4‐hydroxy‐3,5‐dimethoxybenzoyl)‐β‐D ‐glucopyranoside] (=tomentoside II; 2 ), were isolated from the EtOH extract of the root of Anemone tomentosa, together with five known compounds. Their structures were characterized by means of spectroscopic methods, especially by ¹H‐, ¹³C‐, and 2D‐NMR and HR‐MS, as well as by chemical methods and comparison with literature data.     

Synthesis of Coleon U

The recent publication by Matsumoto¹ of a synthesis of Coleon U²(1) prompts us to present our own preparation of this poly-hydroxy diterpene as the tri-O-methyl (12a) and tetra-O-methyl ethers (12b). In a previous communication³ we outlined our approach which is aimed at several similar natural products such as Coleon C⁴ (1b), Lycoxanthol⁵ (2), etc. and differs considerably from that of the Japanese group. Formally at least, the two syntheses start with the same material, (+) ferruginol methyl ether 5a. In our case the latter was prepared by recorded methods from methyl O-methyl podocarpate after introducing the iso-propyl sidechain⁶ (→4), transforming the C.4 methoxycarbonyl residue to a methyl⁷ (→5a, ferruginol methyl ether) which was oxidised at the benzylic position of the B ring to give sugiol methyl ether 5b.     

Inuroyleanol and 7-ketoroyleanone,two novel diterpenoids of Inula royleana DC

From the roots of Inula royleana DC (Compositae), two novel tricyclic diterpenoids, named inuroyleanol and 7-ketoroyleanone, have been isolated and their structures established. Inuroyleanol is 11,14-dihydroxy-12-methoxy-abieta-8,11,13-trien-7-one (3a) and 7-ketoroyleanone is 12-hydroxy-abieta-8,12-dien-7,11,14-trione (1d). Inuroyleanol provides a link in the series of naturally occurring oxidative metabolites of the ferruginol (2) skeleton.     

A new abietane and two dimeric abietane diterpenes from the black heartwood of Cryptomeria japonica

Three new diterpenes, sugikurojins A-C (1-3) were isolated from the black heartwood of Cryptomeria japonica. The structure of sugikurojin A was deduced to be 19-hydroxy-6,7-dehydroferruginol on the basis of extensive NMR experiments. Sugikurojin B was a dimer of 6,7-dihydroxyferruginol and 6,7-dehydroferruginol with a 6-O-11' linkage. Sugikurojin C was a dimeric ferruginol with 6-O-7' and 7-O-6' linkages. Also obtained in this investigation were the known compounds formosaninol (4), 15 sesquiterpenes (5-19), 16 diterpenes (20-35), three phenylpropanoids (36-38), and a phenolic compound (39).     

A stereospecific synthesis of (±)-ferruginol

A stereospecific synthesis of (±)-ferruginol following the Robinson “ring extension” method has been described. The infra-red spectra of the benzoates of the synthetic and natural ferruginol are found to be identical.     

Abietane Diterpenoids from the Hairy Roots of Salvia corrugata

Salvia corrugata Vahl. is an interesting source of abietane and abeo-abietane compounds that showed antibacterial, antitumor, and cytotoxic activities. The aim of the study was to obtain transformed roots of S. corrugata and to evaluate the production of terpenoids in comparison with in vivo root production. Hairy roots were initiated from leaf explants by infection with ATCC 15834 Agrobacterium rhizogenes onto hormone-free Murashige and Skoog (MS) solid medium. Transformation was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction analysis of rolC and virC1 genes. The biomass production was obtained in hormone-free liquid MS medium using Temporary Immersion System bioreactor RITA^®. The chromatographic separation of the methanolic extract of the untransformed roots afforded horminone, ferruginol, 7-O-acetylhorminone and 7-O-methylhorminone. Agastol and ferruginol were isolated and quantified from the hairy roots. The amount of these metabolites indicated that the hairy roots of S. corrugata can be considered a source of these compounds.     

A Convenient Synthesis of Hydrophenanthrenes the Synthesis of Ferrugindl and Xanthoperol

We wish to report an approach (equation 1) to hydrophenanthrenes which shows considerable promise of providing a general synthetic route for diterpenes, steroids, triterpenes, and tetraterpenes. Herein we illustrate the utility of this Friedel-Crafts type of procedure^3,6 by describing a synthesis of ferruginol (6) ⁷ and xanthoperol (8).⁸     

Sesquiterpenoids of the Sponge Dysidea fragilis of the North-Brittany Sea

The title sponge is shown to contain eight new sesquiterpenoids for which a common, unusual biogenetic origin is postulated. The compounds are shown to be: (–)-(1R*,4R*)-3-(3′-furyl)methyl-2-p-menthen-7-yl acetate ((–)- 8b ); two diols separated as the monoacetates (–)-(1S*,4R*)-3-(3′-furyl)methyl-l-hydroxy-2-p-menthen-7-yl acetate ((–)- 13a ) and the (–)-(1R*,4R*)-epimer (–)- 13b , the two C(4)-epimeric 4-ethoxy-3-(1′(7′),2′-p-menthadien-3′-yl)methyl-2-buten-4-olides ((+)- 14a and (–)- 14b ), (–)-3-(3′-furyl)methyl-7-nor-2-p-menthen-l-one ((–)- 11 ), (–)-(3Z)-1-(3′-furyl)-4,8-dimethylnona-3, 7-dien-2-yl acetate ((–)- 17 ), and (+)-3-(5′,7′-seco-2′(10′)-pinen-7′-yl)methylfuran ((+)- 15 ).     

Studies on the Constituents of the Root-Bark of Hernandia Ovigera L. (III)

In the course of continuing search for the constituents of the root-bark of Hemandiu ovigera L., led to the isolation of eight compounds: desoxypodophyllotoxin(I), thalicarpine(III)) dehydrothalicarpine(IV), ovigerine(V), hernangerine(VI), hernandonine(VIII) and two unknown substances, mp. 219–220° and mp. 269–270°. Desoxypodophyllotoxin( I) and thalicarpine(III) exhibited a distinctively cytotoxic activity against nasopharynx carcinoma was reported by S. M. Kupchan et.al^3,9. Dehydrothalicarpine( IV) is merely a dehydro product of thalicarpine(III) at C–6a and C–7 of aporphine moiety. The isolation of dehydrothalicarpine(IV) made the first instance from Hernandia ovigera L. Comparison of their components distribution in each part of Hernandia ovigera was shown in Table I.     

Carbamate Series of Juvenoids: Variation of the O-alkyl substituent

By changing the O-alkyl substituents of the carbamate moiety of alkyl N-{2-{4-[(2-oxocyclohexyl)methyl]phenoxy}ethyl}carbamates and subsequent transformation of the oxo group in the cyclohexyl substituent, the juvenoids 1–20 were synthesized (Scheme). The methyl ( 1–4 ), propyl ( 9–12 ), isopropyl ( 13–16 ), and prop-2-ynylcarbamates ( 17–20 ) were subjected to biological screening on several non-related insect species (Tenebrio molitor, Galleria mellonella, Dysdercus cingulatus, and Pyrrhocoris apterus). Some of the juvenoids showed high biological activity and excellent selectivity with respect to target insect species (Table 2).     

Three abietane diterpenes and two diterpenes incorporated sesquiterpenes from the bark of Cryptomeria japonica

Three new abietane diterpenes, sugikurojins D (1), E (2), and F (3), and two new abietanes which incorporate cadinane, sugikurojins G (4) and H (5) were isolated from the bark of Cryptomeria japonica. These structures were elucidated primarily by extensive NMR experiments. The structure of sugikurojin D (1) was deduced to be 6alpha-acetoxy-7beta,11-dihydroxy-12-methoxy-8,11,13-abietatriene. Sugikurojin E (2) was deduced to be 6alpha-acetoxy-7beta,12-dihydroxy-8,11,13-abietatriene. Sugikurojin F (3) was 7alpha-methoxy-8,13-abietadien-11,12-dione. Sugikurojins G (4) and H (5) had a unique skeleton incorporating an alpha-cadinol or a 1alpha-hydroxy-T-cadinol in ferruginol, respectively. Also obtained in this investigation were the known diterpenes (6-14). An antibacterial activity of ten among these against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli was inactive at the (MIC: 125 microg/ml) level. Meanwhile, in the cytotoxic activity against HL-60, compounds 4, 8, and 11 showed moderate (IC50: 4, 35.4; 8, 28.0; 11, 52.4 microM) though weak (IC50: 4, 100; 8, 80.8; 11, 100 microM) activity against HCT-15.     

Enrichment of the thymoquinone content in volatile oil from Satureja montana using supercritical fluid extraction

Supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) of the volatile oil from Satureja montana L. was performed under different conditions of pressure (90 and 100 bar), temperature (40 and 50°C), mean particle sizes (0.4, 0.6 and 0.8 mm) and CO₂ flow rate (0.8, 1.1 and 1.3 kg/h) to understand the influence of these parameters on the composition and yield of this oil. The results were compared with those obtained for the essential oil isolated by hydrodistillation (HD). The volatile and the essential oil were analysed by GC and GC‐MS. The main compounds are carvacrol (52.2–62.0% for HD vs. 41.7–64.5% for SFE), thymol (8.6–11.0% for HD vs. 6.0–11.3% for SFE), p‐cymene (6.9–12.8% for HD vs. 6.0–17.8% for SFE), γ‐terpinene (6.4–9.4% for HD vs. 2.3–6.0% for SFE) and β‐bisabolene (2.0–2.7% for HD vs. 2.2–3.5% for SFE). The major difference between SFE and HD was the relative amount of thymoquinone, an oxygenated monoterpene with important biological activities, which can be ten‐fold higher in volatile oil (1.6–3.0 for SFE vs. 0.2% for HD). The morphology of the glandular trichomes of S. montana and the effect of the grinding process on them was also evaluated by SEM.