Structure of tecophilin,a tri-caffeoylanthocyanin from the blue petals of Tecophilaea cyanocrocus, and the mechanism of blue color development

The pigment, tecophilin, in blue flowers of Tecophilaea cyanocrocus was isolated and the structure was determined to be 3-O-(6-O-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-β-d-glucopyranosyl)-7-O-(6-O-(4-O-(2-O-(4-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(E)-caffeoyl)-6-O-(4-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(E)-caffeoyl)-β-d-glucopyranosyl)-(E)-caffeoyl)-β-d-glucopyranosyl)delphinidin. The reproduction experiment of the same color as petals according to the results of chemical analysis and measurement of vacuolar pH of blue cells clarified that the blue color solely develops by tecophilin without interaction of metal ions nor co-pigments. ¹H NMR analysis and CD spectrum indicate the co-existence of clockwise intermolecular self-association of the delphinidin nuclei and intramolecular π–π stacking between the chromophore and caffeoyl residues to derive bathochromic shift of the absorption spectrum and stabilize the color by preventing hydration reaction.     

Structural revision of shatavarins I and IV, the major components from the roots of Asparagus racemosus

The two major steroidal saponins from the roots of Asparagus racemosus were isolated by RP-HPLC and their structure determined by extensive NMR studies. Their structures did not match those reported previously for shatavarins I and IV and were found to be 3-O-{[β-d-glucopyranosyl(1→2)][α-l-rhamnopyranosyl(1→4)]-β-d-glucopyranosyl}-26-O-(β-d-glucopyranosyl)-(25S)-5β-furostan-3β,22α,26-triol and 3-O-{[β-d-glucopyranosyl(1→2)][α-l-rhamnopyranosyl(1→4)]-β-d-glucopyranosyl}-(25S)-5β-spirostan-3β-ol.     

A new triterpene and a saponin from Centella asiatica

A new triterpene and a saponin,named 2α,3β,23-trihydroxyurs-20-en-28-oic acid(1)and 2α,3β,23-trihydroxyurs-20-en-28-oic acid O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→4)-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→6)-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl ester(2),have been isolated from the aerial part of Centella asiatica.Their structures were elucidated by spectral methods,including 2D-NMR spectra.     

Two new saponins from Anemarrhena asphodeloides Bge.

Two new saponins 3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl (1→2)-β-D-mannopyranosyl sarsasapogenin, named timosaponin A IV(1) and (5β, 25S)-26-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-furost-20(22)-en-3,26-diol-3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl (1→4) glucopyranosyl (1→2)-β-D-galacopyranoside, named timosaponin B IV(2), were isolated by silica gel column chromatography and preparative HPLC from Anemarrhena asphodeloides Bge. Their structures were elucidated by chemical characters and spectroscopic analysis.     

Asparinins, asparosides, curillins, curillosides and shavatarins: structural clarification with the isolation of shatavarin V, a new steroidal saponin from the root of Asparagus racemosus

A new steroidal saponin, shatavarin V, (3-O-{[α-l-rhamnopyranosyl(1→2)][β-d-glucopyranosyl(1→4)]-β-d-glucopyranosyl}-(25S)-5β-spirostan-3β-ol), was isolated from the roots of Asparagus racemosus by RP-HPLC, and its structure determined by 1D and 2D NMR studies. This data permits clarification of the structures reported for several known saponins: asparinins A and B; asparosides A and B; curillin H; curillosides G and H and shavatarins I and IV.     

C-(β-d-Glucopyranosyl)formamidrazones,formic acid hydrazides and their transformations into 3-(β-d-glucopyranosyl)-5-substituted-1,2,4-triazoles: a synthetic and computational study

Synthesis of O-perbenzoylated 3-(β-d-glucopyranosyl)-5-substituted-1,2,4-triazoles, precursors of potent inhibitors of glycogen phosphorylase, was studied by ring closures of N¹-acyl-carboxamidrazone type intermediates. Reactions of C-(β-d-glucopyranosyl)formimidate or C-(β-d-glucopyranosyl)formamidine with acid hydrazides as well as acylation of C-(β-d-glucopyranosyl)formamidrazone by acid chlorides unexpectedly gave the corresponding 1,3,4-oxadiazoles instead of 1,2,4-triazoles. The desired triazoles were obtained in reactions of C-(β-d-glucopyranosyl)formamidine or C-(β-d-glucopyranosyl)formyl chloride with arenecarboxamidrazones, and also in acylations of N¹-tosyl-C-(β-d-glucopyranosyl)formamidrazone with acid chlorides. Theoretical calculations (B3LYP and M06-2X DFT with the standard 6-31G(d,p) basis set) on simple model compounds with methyl and phenyl substituents to understand the bifurcation of the ring closure of N¹-acyl-carboxamidrazones indicated that in general the reaction led to 1,2,4-triazoles. However, the probability of the 1,3,4-oxadiazole forming pathway was shown to be significantly higher with N¹-benzoyl-acetamidrazones, which were closest analogues of the intermediates resulting in C-glucosyl-1,3,4-oxadiazoles. It was thereby demonstrated that the substitution pattern of the N¹-acyl-carboxamidrazones played a fundamental role in determining the direction of the ring closing reaction.     

Highly enantioselective Michael addition of acetone to nitroolefins catalyzed by chiral bifunctional primary amine-thiourea catalysts with acetic acid

Highly enantioselective Michael reaction of acetone with a variety of nitroolefins catalyzed by N-[(1R,2R)-2-aminocyclohexyl]-N′-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-β-d-glucopyranosyl)-thiourea (1b) together with acetic acid is described. The Michael addition products were obtained in high yields (76-94%) and up to 96% ee.     

Thyonosides A and B, two new saponins isolated from the holothurian Thyone aurea

The structures of two saponins, thyonosides A and B, isolated from the holothurian Thyone aurea collected in Namibia, were elucidated by 1D and 2D NMR (¹H, ¹³C, ¹H-¹H COSY, ¹H-¹H J-resolved, TOCSY, HMQC, HMBC and NOESY). The two compounds have the same aglycon but different oligosaccharidic chains. Thyonoside A has a 3-O-methyl-β-d-xylopyranosyl-(1→3)-6-O-sodium sulphate-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)-β-d-quinovopyranosyl-(1→2)-4-O-sodium sulphate-β-d-xylopyranosyl chain, and thyonoside B a 3-O-methyl-β-d-xylopyranosyl-(1→4)-β-d-xylopyranosyl-(1→4)-β-d-quinovopyranosyl-(1→2)-4-O-sodium sulphate-β-d-xylopyranosyl chain. The holostane-type aglycon features an endocyclic double bond at position 7-8, a double bond at position 25-26 and a β-acetoxy group at C16.     

A new,scalable preparation of a glucopyranosylidene-spiro-thiohydantoin: one of the best inhibitors of glycogen phosphorylases

Benzobromo-glucose was converted into per-O-benzoylated β-d-glucopyranosyl cyanide by mercury(II) cyanide in nitromethane. Partial hydrolysis of the nitrile with hydrogen bromide in acetic acid gave per-O-benzoylated C-(β-d-glucopyranosyl)formamide. Photobromination using bromine in carbon tetrachloride, chloroform, or dichloromethane gave the corresponding per-O-benzoylated 1-bromo-1-deoxy-β-d-glucopyranosyl cyanide and C-(1-bromo-1-deoxy-β-d-glucopyranosyl)formamide. Reaction of the latter with ammonium thiocyanate in nitromethane gave the per-O-benzoylated C-6S configured glucopyranosylidene-spiro-thiohydantoin together with a small amount of the per-O-benzoylated C-(1-hydroxy-β-d-glucopyranosyl)formamide. Debenzoylation of the spiro-thiohydantoin with sodium methoxide in methanol gave gram amounts of the title inhibitor. The described sequence should be suitable for scaling up and the target compound can be prepared in ∼30% overall yield starting from d-glucose.     

Furostanol saponins with inhibitory action against COX-2 production from Tupistra chinensis rhizomes

Two furostanol saponins were obtained from the n-butanol fraction of methanol extract from Tupistra chinensis rhizomes,a folk medicine of Shennongjia Forest District of Hubei Province.Their structures were determined as (25S)-26-O-(β-D-glucopyranosyl)- furost-1β,3β,22α,26-tetrol-3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→2)-β-D-glucopyranoside (1) and (25R)- 26-O-(β-D-glucopyranosyl)-furost-1β,3β22α,26-tetrol 3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→2)-β-D-glu- copyranoside (2),on basis of chemical and spectroscopic evidences.1 and 2 displayed marked inhibitory action towards COX-2 production in macrophages of the rat abdomen induced by LPS at 20μg/mL.     

Asymmetric synthesis of suitably protected γ-hydroxy-aza-β3-homothreonine building blocks

An efficient and easily applicable method for the enantioselective synthesis of γ-Hydroxy aza-β³-homothreonine (aza-β³-Hyht) has been established. The method involves stereoselective reductive amination of glyoxylic acid and the corresponding Fmoc protected chiral hydrazine. A stereoselectivity of 99% was achieved for each step using (R)-2,3-O-isopropylideneglyceraldehyde as the chiral auxiliary. This new synthetic monomer is a useful building block for the solid-phase synthesis of new peptidomimetics.     

Enantioselective catalysis. Part 142: Carbohydrate-derived oxime ethers from functionalised aldehydes and O-β-d-glucopyranosylhydroxylamine—new CN ligands stable towards hydrolysis

A new way of linking carbohydrates to phosphorus- or nitrogen-containing aldehydes via oxime ethers is described resulting in novel CN ligands which are stable towards hydrolysis. Reaction of O-β-d-glucopyranosylhydroxylamine 2 with 2-diphenylphosphanylbenzaldehyde 3 or pyridine-2-carbaldehyde 4 afforded the oxime ethers O-(β-d-glucopyranosyl)-2-diphenylphosphanylbenzaldoxime 5 and O-(β-d-glucopyranosyl)pyridine-2-carbaldoxime 6. After peracetylation of the hydroxyl groups in 5 and 6, the protected sugar derivatives O-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-β-d-glucopyranosyl)-2-diphenylphosphanylbenzaldoxime 7 and O-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-β-d-glucopyranosyl)pyridine-2-carbaldoxime 8 were obtained. The molecular structure of 7 was established by X-ray diffraction studies.     

Synthesis and conjugation of a sulfated disaccharide involved in the aggregation process of the marine sponge Microciona prolifera

The synthesis is reported of allyl (sodium 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-β-d-glucopyranosyl 3-sulfate)-(1→3)-α-l-fucopyranoside which represents an oligosaccharide fragment of the aggregation factor of the marine sponge Microciona prolifera. The title compound was obtained by coupling of 3-O-allyloxycarbonyl-2-deoxy-4,6-O-isopropylidene-2-phthalimido-β-d-glucopyranosyl trichloroacetimidate with allyl 2,4-di-O-benzoyl-α-l-fucopyranoside, followed by de-isopropylidenation, acetylation, de-allyloxycarbonylation, sulfation, de-acylation, and finally N-acetylation. The allyl glycoside was eventually converted into a 3-(2-aminoethylthio)propyl glycoside and then coupled to bovine serum albumin (BSA) using diethyl squarate as the bivalent linker, yielding 8 hapten molecules per molecule of BSA.     

An appraisal of Luffa aegyptiaca extract and its isolated triterpenoidal saponins in Trichinella spiralis murine models

Trichinella spiralis is an intestinal and tissue parasitic nematode, emerging and re-emerging causative agent of a serious foodborne parasitic infection. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of Luffa aegyptiaca leaf extract and its triterpene glycosides on the intestinal and muscle stages of T. spiralis infection in vitro and in vivo. Phytochemical investigations of the extract led to the isolation of five compounds, namely (1) 3-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-16-O-β-hydroxyolea12-en 23, 28-β-d-diglucopyranoside ester, (2) 3β-hydroxylolea12-en-28-oic acid (Oleanoic acid), (3) oleanolic acid 3-O-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 4)-β-d-glucopyranoside, (4) 3-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-28-β-d-glucopyranosyl oleanolate, and (5) stigmast-5, 22-dien-3-O-β-d-glucopyrano-side. Moreover, the in vitro study showed marked degeneration and destruction of adult worms and larval teguments with tested drugs. Also, in the in vivo study, mice were divided into six groups; group I: infected and untreated, group II: received leaf extract as prophylaxis, group III: infected and treated with leaf extract, group IV: treated with compound (4), group V: treated with compound (1), and group VI: treated with albendazole. Furthermore, the treatment efficacy was assessed by the adult and total larval counts, histopathological study of the small intestinal and muscle tissues, and immunohistochemical staining of CD34 in muscles. The results revealed a significant reduction of total adult and larval counts in prophylactic and treated groups compared to the positive control group, with a reduction of total adult count by 63.48% and 74.4% in compound (1) and compound (4) treated groups, respectively. Also, a reduction was detected in larval counts by 36.5%, and 93.6% in compound (1) and compound (4) treated groups during both the muscular and intestinal phases, respectively.Additionally, histopathological examination of the small intestine and muscles showed marked improvement with a reduction in the inflammatory infiltrates in treated groups. CD34 expressions were reduced in treated groups with more reduction in compound (4) treated group. In conclusion, this study implies that L. aegyptiaca leaf extract and its tested triterpene glycosides might be used for anti-trichinellosis treatments.     

Solid-phase synthesis of O-sulfated glycopeptide by the benzyl-protected glycan strategy

To expand the repertoire of our benzyl-protection strategy for solid-phase glycopeptide synthesis, an O-sulfated glycopeptide was chosen as the synthetic target. Trisaccharyl serine derivatives (Galβ1-4-GlcNAcβ1-2-Manα1-3-Ser) carrying (4-methoxyphenyl)methyl (MPM) groups at either 3-O or 6-O of the Gal residue were prepared through three stereoselective glycosylations. Cleavage of MPM followed by reaction with Me₃N·SO₃ efficiently afforded 3-O- and 6-O-sulfo-glycoserines, respectively. A preliminary debenzylation study using the sulfated glycoserines revealed that the sulfate groups persisted under ‘low-acidity TfOH’ conditions, when using a limited amount of TfOH and extending the reaction period. The 3-O-sulfo-glycoserine was then introduced into an icosapeptide modeled after an α-dystroglycan fragment by a combination of automated and manual solid-phase peptide synthesis procedures. The synthesized glycopeptide was successfully debenzylated by the low-acidity TfOH cocktail with slight damage to the sulfate functionality.     

Neoverataline A and B, two antifungal alkaloids with a novel carbon skeleton from Veratrum taliense

Bioassay-guided fractionation of the ethanol extract of the roots and rhizomes of Veratrum taliense yielded two new and thirteen known steroidal alkaloids. The structures of the two new compounds, neoverataline A and B, were established by extensive spectroscopic analyses to be 3,4-secocevane-4,9-olid-14,15,16,20-tetra-ol-3-oic acid and 3,4-secocevane-4,9-olid-7,14,15,16,20-penta-ol-3-oic acid, respectively, and are a novel carbon skelton. All of the fifteen alkaloids were subjected to in vitro antifungal assays, which showed that the verazine- (veramitaline, stenophylline B, stenophylline B-3-O-β-d-glucopyranoside, veramiline-3-O-β-d-glucopyranoside) and jerveratrum-type (jervine, jervine-3-O-β-d-glucopyranoside) alkaloids exhibited strong antifungal activities against the phytopathogenic fungus Phytophthora capisis with MICs of 160, 120, 160, 80, 80 and 120 μg·L⁻¹, respectively. Furthermore, the verazine-type alkaloids stenophylline B, stenophylline B 3-O-β-d-glucopyranoside and veramiline 3-O-β-d-glucopyranoside were shown to also inhibit the growth of another fungal phytopathogen Rhizoctonia cerealis with MICs of 160, 120 and 120 μg mL⁻¹. The MICs of triadimefon (an antifungal agrochemical used herein as a positive control) against P. capisis and R. cerealis were 120 and 80 μg mL⁻¹, respectively. A preliminary structure-activity relationship regarding these alkaloids has been formulated.     

Synthesis of Four Spacer-Containing Trisaccharides with the 4-0-(β-L-Rhamnopyranosyl)-D-glucopyranose Unit in Common,Representing Fragments of Capsular Polysaccharides from Streptococcus Pneumoniae Types 2, 7F, 22F,and 23F

Abstract

The synthesis is reported of 3-aminopropyl 3-O-[4-O(β-L-rhamnopyranosyl)-β-D-glucopyranosyl]-α-L-rhamnopyranoside (34), 3-aminopropyl 2-acetamido-3-O-[4-0-(β-L-rhamnopyranosyl)-β-D-glucopyranosyl]-2-deoxy-β-D-galactopyranoside (37), 3-aminopropyl 3-O-[4-O-(β-L-rhamnopyranosyl)-α-D-glucopyranosyl]-α-D-galactofuranoside (41), and 3-aminopropyl 4-O-[4-O-(β-L-rhamnopyranosyl)-β-D-glucopyranosyl]-β-D-galactopyranoside (45). These are spacer-containing fragments of the capsular polysaccharides of Streptococcus pneumoniae type 2, 7F, 22F, and 23F, respectively, which are constituents of Pneumovax^© 23. 2,3,4-Tri-O-benzyl-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl bromide was coupled to l,6-anhydro-2,3-di-(O-benzyl-β-D-glucopyranose (3). Opening of the anhydro ring, removal of AcO-1, and imidation of l,6-anhydro-2,3-di- O-benzyl-4-O-(2,3,4-tri-O-benzyl-β-L-rhamnopyranosyl)-β-D-glucopyranose (4β) afforded 6-O-acetyl-2,3-di-O-ben-zyl-4-O-(2,3,4-tri- O-benzyl-β-L-rhamnopyranosyl)-αβ-D-glucopyranosyl trichloroacet-imidate (7αβ). Condensation of 7αβ with 3-N-benzyloxycarbonylaminopropyl 2-O-ben-zyl-5,6-O-isopropylidene-α-D-galactofuranoside (26), followed by deprotection gave 41 Opening of the anhydro ring of 4 p followed by debenzylation, acerylauon, removal of AcO-1, and imidation yielded 2,3,6-tri-(9-aceryl-4-O-(2,3,4-tri-0-acetyl-P-L-rharnnopyran-.-osyl)-α-D-glucopyranosyl trichloroacetimidate (11). Condensation of 11 with 3-N-bcn-zyloxycarbonylaminopropyl 2,4-di-O-benzyl-α-L-rhamnopyranoside (18), with 3-N-bcn-zyloxycarbonylaminopropyl 2-acetamido-4,6-O-benzylidene-2-deoxy-β-D-galactopyran-oside (21), or with 3-N -benzyloxycarbonylaminopropyl 2-O-acetyl-3-O-allyl-6-O-benzyl-β-D-galactopyranoside (31), followed by deprotection afforded 34, 37, and 45, respectively.     

A new triterpenoid saponin from the roots of Platycodon grandiflorum

A new triterpenoid saponin, 3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl 16-oxo-platycodigenin 28-O-β-D-apiofuranosyl-(1→3)-β-D-xylopyranosyl-(1→4)-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-α-L-arabinopyra-nosyl ester, was isolated from the roots of Platycodon grandiflorum, together with three known saponins, including platycodin D, deapio platycoside E and platycoside E. The structure of the new compound, named 16-oxo-platycodin D, was elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic data.     

Synthesis of Rosavin and its analogues based on a Mizoroki-Heck type reaction

The Rosavin framework could be constructed with either phenylboronic acids, the protected arabinopyranosyl bromide 4 or the protected xylopyranosyl bromide 5, along with allyl O-β-d-glucopyranoside 7 that could be easily prepared based on direct β-glucosidation between allyl alcohol and d-glucose using the immobilized β-glucosidase (EC 3.2.1.21). The key reaction was the Pd(II)-catalyzed Mizoroki-Heck type reaction between allyl β-d-glucopyranoside congeners 9 or 10 and arylboronic acids. Deprotection of the coupling products afforded synthetic Rosavin 1, 4-methoxycinnamyl 6-O-(α-l-arabinopyranosyl)-β-d-glucopyranoside 2, and cinnamyl 6-O-(β-d-xylopyranosyl)-β-d-glucopyranoside 3, which were identical with the natural products in respect to the specific rotation and spectral data.