Chemotaxonomy of iridoids in Linaria vulgaris

The phytochemical analysis of the extracts of Linaria vulgaris, has allowed to underline an iridoidic pattern similar to that of the other Linaria plants, with the presence of antirrinoside, antirride, 6-beta-idrossiantirride, 10-beta-glucosilaucubina and a new iridoidic compound, whose structure was demonstrated to be that of 4-carboxy-boonein.     

Phytochemical analysis of Plantago sempervirens from Majella National Park

In this study, we report the isolation and identification of several compounds from Plantago sempervirens Crantz, collected in the protected area of Majella National Park. We examined the polar fraction, in particular the iridoidic one. Aucubin, caryoptoside, plantarenaloside and gardoside were isolated and identified. For the first time, in this species, 8-epiloganic acid was recognised. Also, verbascoside, a phenylethanoid glycoside, was recognised in this plant.     

Synthesis and characterization of 6-O-acyl-2-O-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl-L-ascorbic acids with a branched-acyl chain

We previously reported the chemical synthesis of a series of novel monoacylated vitamin C derivatives, 6-O-acyl-2-O-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl-L-ascorbic acids (6-Acyl-AA-2G) possessing a straight-acyl chain of varying length from C(4) to C(18), as effective skin antioxidants. In this paper, we describe branched type of 6-Acyl-AA-2G derivatives (6-bAcyl-AA-2G) synthesized by use of a 2-branched-chain fatty acid anhydride as an acyl donor. The stability of 6-bAcyl-AA-2G in neutral solution was much higher than that of 6-Acyl-AA-2G, while they were susceptible to enzymatic hydrolysis for exerting vitamin C effect. These branched derivatives as well as 6-Acyl-AA-2G increased the radical scavenging activity against 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl and the lipophilicity in octanol/water-partitioning systems with increasing length of their acyl group. In addition, the 6-bAcyl-AA-2G derivative with an acyl chain of C(12), 6-bDode-AA-2G had the excellent solubility to various solvents, suggesting easy handling in cosmetic use. These characteristics of 6-bAcyl-AA-2G may be available for skin care application as an effective antioxidant.     

Phytochemical characters of Teucrium marum from Sardinia: an endemic plant

In this work the iridoidic fraction of Teucrium marum from Sardinia, was examined. A new clerodane, teumarin B, was isolated and identified by 1H- and 13C-NMR spectra analysis. The endemic character of this plant was further confirmed. Teumarin B showed cytotoxic properties.     

Arbutin derivatives from the seeds of Madhuca latifolia

A new arbutin derivative, madhuglucoside (1), along with three known arbutin derivatives were isolated from the seeds of Madhuca latifolia in addition to seven other known constituents. Their structures were established on the basis of spectral analysis. Compounds 1a, 2a and 3a were obtained in a pure state after acetylation of the mother fraction and characterized as their acetyl derivatives.     

Assessing the antioxidative properties and chemical composition of Linaria vulgaris infusion

The ability of Linaria vulgaris (Scrophulariaceae) infusion to act as a scavenger of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical, reactive oxygen species (superoxide radical, hydroxyl radical, hypochlorous acid (HOCl)) and nitric oxide was investigated. The obtained data indicate that the infusion has a good scavenging activity against superoxide radical and is a very potent nitric oxide and DPPH scavenger. In hydroxyl radical assay a pro-oxidant capacity was noticed, especially for concentrations higher than 31.25 microg mL(-1). No effect was found against HOCl. A phytochemical study of this extract was also performed. The HPLC/UV analysis allowed the identification and quantification of eight organic acids (oxalic, aconitic, citric, ketoglutaric, ascorbic, malic, shikimic and fumaric acids). The phenolic composition of the lyophilised infusion was also determined by HPLC/DAD and four compounds were quantified, but, despite its high content, only linarin was managed to be identified.     

Structural determination of glycopeptidolipids of Mycobacterium smegmatis by high‐resolution multiple‐stage linear ion‐trap mass spectrometry with electrospray ionization

Glycopeptidolipids (GPLs) are abundant in the cell walls of different species of mycobacteria and consist of tripeptide‐amino‐alcohol core of D‐Phe‐D‐allo‐Thr‐D‐Ala‐L‐alaninol linked to 3‐hydroxy or 3‐methoxy C_26–34 fatty acyl chain at the N‐terminal of D‐Phe via amide linkage, and a 6‐deoxytalose (6‐dTal) and an O‐methyl rhamnose residues, respectively, attach to D‐allo‐Thr and the terminal L‐alaninol. They are important cell‐surface antigens that are implicated in the pathogenesis of opportunistic mycobacteria belonging to the Mycobacterium avium complex. In this contribution, we described multiple‐stage linear ion trap in conjunction with high‐resolution mass spectrometry towards structural characterization of complex GPLs as [M + Na]⁺ ions isolated from Mycobacterium smegmatis, a fast‐growing and non‐pathogenic mycobacterial species. Following resonance excitation in an ion trap, MSⁿ spectra of the [M + Na]⁺ ions of GPLs contained mainly b and y series ions that readily determine the peptide sequence. Fragment ions from MSⁿ also afford locating the 6‐dTal and O‐methyl rhamnose residues linked to the D‐allo‐Thr and terminal L‐alaninol of the peptide core, respectively, as well as recognizing the modifications of the glycosides, including their acetylation and methylation states and the presence of succinyl group. The GPL families consisting of 3‐hydroxy fatty acyl and of 3‐methoxy fatty acyl substituents are readily distinguishable. The MS profiles of the GPLs from cells are dependant on the conditions they were grown, and several isobaric isomers were identified for many of the molecular species. These multiple‐stage mass spectrometric approaches give detailed structures of GPL in complex mixtures of which the isomeric structures are difficult to define using other analytical methods. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Iridoidic pattern in endemic Sardinian plants: the case of Galium species

The monoterpenoid fractions of three endemic Galium ssp. (Rubiaceae) from Sardinia Island were examined and compared with the iridoidic pattern yet known in Galium species. This comparison evidenced theirs endemic characters. In particular, in G.corsicum and in G. glaucophyllum loganic acid was isolated and identified for the first time in Galium genus. In G. schmidii a rare iridoid is present, 10-hydroxy-loganin, whose presence in this genus was evidenced only in G. mollugo and loganin isolated for the first time.     

Novel hydridoirida-beta-diketones containing small molecules, CO, or ethylene: their behavior in coordinating solvents such as dimethylsulfoxide or acetonitrile

New hydridoirida-beta-diketones [IrH[(PPh2(o-C6H4CO))2H](CO)]ClO4 2 and [IrH[(PPh2(o-C6H4CO))2H](olefin)]BF4 (olefin = C2H4, 5; 1-hexene, 10) have been prepared. These complexes may afford new diacylhydridoiridium(III) derivatives. In chloroform solution, complex 2 is in equilibrium with the deprotonated diacylhydride trans-[IrH(PPh2(o-C6H4CO))2(CO)] complex 3. In DMSO, deprotonation of 2 occurs to yield the kinetically favored product 3, which isomerizes to the thermodynamically favored complex cis-[IrH(PPh2(o-C6H4CO))2(CO)] 4. Reprotonation of 4 with HBF4 in chlorinated solvents gives the cation in 2. In coordinating solvents such as dimethyl sulfoxide or acetonitrile, complex 5 undergoes displacement of ethylene to afford [IrH{(PPh2(o-C6H4CO))2H](L)]BF4 (L = DMSO, 7; CH3CN, 9). Complexes 5 and 7 undergo deprotonation by NEt3 to give the corresponding diacylhydrides. The ethylene complex gives only trans-[IrH(PPh2(o-C6H4CO))2(C2H4)] 6, while the dimethyl sulfoxide derivative affords a mixture of trans- and cis-[IrH(PPh2(o-C6H4CO))2(DMSO)] 8. Complex 10 shows inhibited alkene rotation around the Ir-olefin axis. All of the complexes were fully characterized spectroscopically. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis was performed on complexes 3, 4, and 9. The 13C NMR and X-ray data point to a carbenoid character in the carbon atoms bonded to iridium in the irida--diketone fragment, so that it can be considered as an acyl(hydroxycarbene) moiety.     

Hydroxymethylation and aminomethylation of 6-mercaptopurine and its derivatives

Labile aminomethyl and hydroxymethyl derivatives of 6-mercaptopurine (I) (6-MP) and S⁶-acyloxymethyl-6-MP have been converted to stable acetyloxymethyl derivatives by their reaction with acetic anhydride. Analysis of the reaction products and comparison of their 'H nmr spectra and hplc chromatograms with those of acetyloxymethyl derivatives of known structures suggested 1) that the aminomethyl derivatives of 6-MP were 7-substituted derivatives, 2) that the aminomethyl derivative of S⁶-acetyloxylmethyl-6-MP was a 9-derivative, 3) that the hydroxymethyl derivative of 6-MP was a mixture of 7-substituted and S⁶,3-disubstitu-ted derivatives, and 4) that the hydroxymethyl derivative of S⁶-pivaloyloxymethyl-6-MP was a 9-substituted derivative. In addition, a previously unreported dialkyl derivative of 6-MP VI was isolated from its reaction with aminomethylating agent and characterized. Analyses of the 'H nmr spectra and hplc chromatograms of the reaction of VI with acetic anhydride suggested that VI was a 1,7-disubstituted derivative.     

Multiple proton ionizable calixarene derivatives with different ring sizes and complexation ability as efficient ionophores for complexation and solvent extraction of trivalent indium

The solvent extraction behavior of multiple proton ionizable p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene and [6]arene carboxylic acid derivatives towards indium has been investigated along with an acyclic monomeric analogue from weakly acidic media into chloroform. The extraction mechanism is ion exchange and carboxylic acid groups are adequate ligating sites for extraction. The cyclic structure of calixarene ligands to accommodate the potential guest species and the cooperativity effect of multifunctional groups significantly affect the complexation behavior and calixarene derivatives are found to be excellent extractants over the monomeric analogue. The composition of the extracted complex depends on the solution pH and attempts to determine the composition of the extracted complex for the extraction of indium have been stymied by complications arising from the formation of polynuclear species of indium and bridged polymeric species of calixarene carboxylic acid derivatives. One mole of calix[4]arene derivative extracts 2.5 moles of indium whereas the calix[6]arene derivative tends to extract 4.0 moles of indium. The loaded indium is back extracted with 1 mol dm(-3) hydrochloric acid solution. Though quantitative back extraction of indium was achieved from the fully loaded calix[6]arene derivative, it was only achieved up to 85% in the case of the calix[4]arene derivative.     

Synthesis and antitumor properties of N1-acyloxymethyl derivatives of bis(2,6-dioxopiperazines)

Many N1-acyloxymethyl derivatives VI of bis(2,6-dioxopiperazine) I, ICRF-154, were prepared and tested for antitumor activity. The treatment of I with formaldehyde gave a crystalline bis(N1-hydroxymethyl) derivative VII, which was acylated under various conditions to give bis(N1-acyloxymethyl) derivatives VI. Antitumor activity of VI against P388 leukemia in mice was studied. Several bis(N1-acyloxymethyl) compounds such as phenylacetyloxymethyl VI-6, methoxycarbonyloxymethyl VI-41, isobutoxycarbonyloxymethyl VI-44, and furancarboxymethyl VI-38 compounds were found to have potent antitumor activities. On the other hand, water-soluble esters having an amine or a carboxylic acid function in their acyl groups showed rather reduced activity. These bis(N1-acyloxymethyl) derivatives VI were presumably hydrolyzed into the parent bis(2,6-dioxopiperazine) I by nonspecific esterase in the body to exhibit their antitumor activity.     

Antituberculous compounds. XXVIII. Synthesis of pyrazolopyridines

In a previous paper it was reported that N′-alkyl derivative of isonicotinic acid hydrazide (INH) was more active against tuberele bacilli than the acyl derivative containing the same number of carbon atoms. The authors subsequently reported that the pyrido[2, 3-d]pyridazine was closely related to the acyl derivative of INH except that the terminal carbonyl group was cyclized to the pyridine nucleus, therefore these derivatives were not effective against tubercle bacilli; however, pyridopyridazine, which is similar to the alkyl derivatives of INH, will be more effective against tubercle bacilli. According to the similar expectation, some pyrazolopyridines were prepared.     

Constituents of holothuroidea, 14. Isolation and structure of new glucocerebroside molecular species from the sea cucumber Stichopus japonicus

Five glucocerebroside molecular species, SJC-1-SJC-5, have been isolated from the less polar lipid fraction of a chloroform/methanol extract of the sea cucumber Stichopus japonicus. The structures of these glucocerebroside molecular species were determined on the basis of chemical and spectroscopic evidence. SJC-1, SJC-2, and SJC-3 are typical sphingosine- and phytosphingosine-type glucocerebroside molecular species with nonhydroxylated and hydroxylated fatty acyl moieties. SJC-4 and SJC-5 are also sphingosine-type glucocerebroside molecular species with hydroxylated fatty acyl moieties, although they are new glucocerebroside molecular species with unique sphingosine bases.     

On triazoles. XII. The carbamoylation and thiocarbamoylation of 5-amino-1,2,4-triazoles

The reaction of 5-amino-3-R-1H-1,2,4-triazoles 1 with isocyanates 2 (X = O) and isothiocyanates 2 (X = S) was studied. It was stated that with isocyanates 3a (X = O) type ring-carbamoylated products were formed which did not rearrange to the corresponding exo-carbamoylated derivatives 6a (X = O). On the other hand the thiocarbamoylation of derivatives 1 provided at mild conditions lead to derivatives 3a (X = S) which could be rearranged by heating to derivatives 6a (X = S). In one case the isomeric 4a (X = S) type derivative was also isolated. The comparison of the ir, uv, pmr and cmr spectra of the isomers isolated with the corresponding spectra of the carbamoylated and thiocarbamoylated 3,5-diamino-1,2,4-triazole derivatives helped to prove unequivocally the isomeric and tautomeric structure of compounds obtained giving a possibility to correct many confusions in the literature.     

A comparative chemotaxonomic study on Vinca sardoa steam and Vinca difformis pourret

The phytochemical analysis of iridoidic fraction of the aerial parts of Vinca sardoa and Vinca difformis, gave the identification of loganic acid in V. difformis as unique iridoid glucoside, while loganin is also present in V. sardoa. The two taxa highly differ in alkaloids, so the chemotaxonomic classification in two different species is supported.     

Acyl chlorides of 2,2,5,5-tetramethyl-3-imidazolin-1-oxyl-4-0-acylhydroximic acids

Acylation of nitroenamine derivatives of imidazolidin-1-oxyl with carboxylic acid chlorides leads to 0-acylhydroximic acid chloride derivatives of 3-imidazolin-1-oxyl. The reaction proceeds apparently through a nitrile oxide. It was shown for the 0-benzoyl derivative that reaction of the obtained acyl chlorides with nucleophilic reagents usually gives products of chlorine atom substitution with simultaneous cleavage of the acyl group.Translated from Izvestiya Akademii Nauk SSSR, Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 2, pp. 444–450, February, 1991.     

The formation of the indolizino[1,2-c]quinolinium system by a novel nucleophilic reaction

2-Methyl-3-(2-pyridyl)quinoline (1) with a bromomethyl ketone or ethyl bromoacetate yields 6-methyl-12-acylindolizino[1,2-c]quinolinium bromides ( 5–9 ). The acyl derivatives can be deacylated in acid yielding 6-methyl indolizino[1,2-c]quinolinium salts ( 4 ). Benzoylation of 4 yields the 12-benzoyl derivative ( 6 ). The deacylation product ( 4 ) has been synthesized from 2-acetamidophenacyl bromide ( 10 ) and 2-pyridylacetone ( 12 ).     

Chemical modification of oleanene type triterpenes and their inhibitory activity against HIV-1 protease dimerization

Oleanolic acid derivatives with different lengths of 3-O-acidic acyl chains were synthesized and evaluated for their inhibitory activity against HIV-1 protease. The lengths of the acidic chains were optimized to 6 and 8 carbons. Changing a 3-ester bond to an amide bond or dimerization of the triterpenes retained their inhibitory activity against HIV-1 protease. Introduction of an additional acidic chain to C-28 of oleanolic acid increased the inhibitory activity appreciably, though a derivative with only one acidic chain linked at C-28 also showed potent activity against HIV-1 protease. The inhibitory mechanism was proved directly by size exclusion chromatography to be inhibition of dimerization of the enzyme polypeptides. The ester bonds of the triterpene derivatives were found to be stable to lipase under mild alkaline conditions.     

Chemistry of ecteinascidins. Part 2. Preparation of 6'-O-acyl derivatives of stable ecteinascidin and evaluation of cytotoxicity

A large amount of stable ecteinascidin 770 (1b) was isolated from the Thai tunicate, Ecteinascidia thurstoni, which was pretreated with potassium cyanide in buffer solution (pH 7), along with a minor metabolite, ecteinascidin 786 (1c). A number of 6'-O-acyl derivatives 3-19 and three diacetyl derivatives 2a-c of the stable 1b were prepared and evaluated for activity against human tumor cell lines HCT116, QG56, and DU145. Nitrogen-containing heterocyclic ester derivatives such as 12, 13, and 16-19 showed similar in vitro cytotoxicity to 1b, whereas the other derivatives were less cytotoxic than 1b. Furthermore, we discovered that the N-indole-3-carbonyl derivative of ecteinascidin 770 (22) has higher cytotoxicity than 1b.