Total synthesis of (−)-jaspine B and its 4-epi-analogue from d-xylose

The total synthesis of the HCl salts of (−)-jaspine B ent-1 and its 4-epi-congener ent-4 was accomplished starting from the common template 13 derived from d-xylose. The cornerstone of our synthesis was [3,3]-heterosigmatropic rearrangements, which effectively provided scaffolds with a chiral amino group. A subsequent Wittig olefination installed a C₁₄ alkyl side chain and acid-mediated ring-closing reaction established the tetrahydrofuran core.     

A common and stereoselective strategy for the synthesis of N,O,O,O-tetra-acetyl d-ribo-(2S,3S,4R)-phytosphingosine and 2-epi-jaspine B

A common and stereoselective strategy for the synthesis of N,O,O,O-tetra-acetyl d-ribo-(2S,3S,4R)-phytosphingosine and 2-epi-jaspine B was achieved by using Grignard addition on N-benzyl sugar lactamine and Wittig olefination as key steps.     

A common approach to the total synthesis of l-arabino-, l-ribo-C18-phytosphingosines, ent-2-epi-jaspine B and 3-epi-jaspine B from d-mannose

A common strategy for the total syntheses of the protected l-arabino- and l-ribo-C₁₈-phytosphingosine (8 and 9, respectively), HCl salts of ent-2-epi-jaspine B (ent-6) and 3-epi-jaspine B (7) with efficient use of both flexible building blocks 26 and 27 was achieved. The key step of this approach was [3,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement of allylic trichloroacetimidate 21 and thiocyanate 22, which were derived from the known 2,3:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-d-mannofuranose 18 as the source of chirality. The side chain functionality was installed utilizing a Wittig reaction.     

Synthesis of polyhydroxylated pyrrolizidine and indolizidine compounds and their glycosidase inhibitory activities

The synthesis of the natural product 3-epi-casuarine and two tricyclic ether bridged analogues, plus 7-deoxy-3,6-diepi-casuarine, 7-epi-australine, 1-epi-castanospermine and 1,6-diepi-castanospermine is described. The glycosidase inhibitory activities of these compounds, along with that of uniflorine A and other polyhydroxylated pyrrolizidines and indolizidines that we have published before, are reported.     

Single- and double-chained truncated jaspine B analogues: asymmetric synthesis, biological evaluation and theoretical study of an unexpected 5-endo-dig process

An optimized synthesis of jaspine B analogues bearing an n-octyl or a p-fluorophenethyl lipophilic appendage was developed. Key to the approach was the use of acetylenic nucleophiles for the stereocontrolled introduction of the side chain and the implementation of a novel cyclization procedure to build the tetrahydrofuran ring. Three N-substituted amine or amide derivatives were also accessed. The biological activity of these four jaspine B analogues was shown to strongly depend on the nature of both the N-substituent and the aliphatic moiety connected to the tetrahydrofuran ring. Gratifyingly, the truncated jaspine B derivative proved to be a pro-apoptotic inhibitor of the conversion of ceramide into sphingomyelin. Finally, the efficient formation of a fused bis-furan derivative according to a 5-endo-dig process was observed under saponification conditions. On the basis of a theoretical study, a mechanistic pathway was delineated highlighting the Lewis acidity of the K⁺ ion as the driving force for this transformation in a strongly alkaline medium.     

5-epi-Sinuleptolide from Soft Corals of the Genus Sinularia Exerts Cytotoxic Effects on Pancreatic Cancer Cell Lines via the Inhibition of JAK2/STAT3, AKT,and ERK Activity

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is one of the most lethal malignancies: more than half of patients are diagnosed with a metastatic disease, which is associated with a five-year survival rate of only 3%. 5-epi-Sinuleptolide, a norditerpene isolated from Sinularia sp., has been demonstrated to possess cytotoxic activity against cancer cells. However, the cytotoxicity against pancreatic cancer cells and the related mechanisms are unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-pancreatic cancer potential of 5-epi-sinuleptolide and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. The inhibitory effects of 5-epi-sinuleptolide treatment on the proliferation of pancreatic cancer cells were determined and the results showed that 5-epi-sinuleptolide treatment inhibited cell proliferation, induced apoptosis and G2/M cell cycle arrest, and suppressed the invasion of pancreatic cancer cells. The results of western blotting further revealed that 5-epi-sinuleptolide could inhibit JAK2/STAT3, AKT, and ERK phosphorylation, which may account for the diverse cytotoxic effects of 5-epi-sinuleptolide. Taken together, our present investigation unveils a new therapeutic and anti-metastatic potential of 5-epi-sinuleptolide for pancreatic cancer treatment.     

8-epi-erythronolide B and its metabolic fate in fermentations of Streptomyces erythreus

8-epi-erythronolide B (4) has been isolated as a product formed from the acid treatment of erythronolide B (3). When this compound was fed to a blocked mutant of the erythromycin producing organism, Streptomycetes erythreus (Abbott 2NU153), nearly quantitative yields of 3-O-(α-l-mycarosyl)-8-epi-erythronolide B (10) were obtained. The much desired 8-epi-erythromycins (2) were not realized.     

Total synthesis of 4-epi-atpenin A5 as a potent nematode complex II inhibitor

It is clear that atpenins and their analogs are useful chemical tools for elucidation of complex II functionality and that they could act as lead compounds for the development of novel helminth complex II-specific inhibitors. Recently, we discovered 4-epi-atpenin A5 as a potent nematode complex II inhibitor during our SAR studies of atpenin A5. This result led us to embark on a concise total synthesis of 4-epi-atpenin A5. In this study, we describe the total synthesis of 4-epi-atpenin A5. Importantly, this was more concise and practical synthesis than our previous total synthesis of atpenin A5.     

Regiospecific and enantioselective synthesis of methylated metabolites of tea catechins

The regiospecific and enantioselective syntheses of various methylated regioisomers of epicatechin gallate (EGC) and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) have been achieved.     

Syntheses of (±)-9-epi-hederacine A and (±)-9-epi-hederacine B

Racemic syntheses of 9-epi-hederacine A and 9-epi-hederacine B have been achieved. Key transformations include a transannular hemiaminal formation for construction of the azabicyclo[3.2.1]octane core fused to a cyclopentane ring.     

Observations relevant to the mechanism of the reductive aminations of ketones with sodium cyanoborohydride and ammonium acetate

Fortimicin B (2) has been converted to 6'-epi-fortimicin B 5 and 6'-epi-fortimicin A 4 both of which have the same diaminosugar moiety as that present in gentamicin C₂3. The syntheses of the 6'-epi-fortimicins and their antibacterial activities are reported.Although reductive amination of 1,2'-di-N-benzyloxycarbonyl-6'-oxo-fortimicin B-4,5-carbamate 17 with sodium cyanoborohydride and ammonium acetate in methanol gave a mixture of 1,2'-di-N-benzyloxycarbonyl-6'-epi-fortimicin B-4,5-carbamate 18 and 1,2'-di-N-benzyloxycarbonylfortimicin B-4,5-carbamate 14, attempted reduction of 1,2'-di-N-benzyloxycarbonyl-6'-iminofortimicin B-4,5-carbamate 16, under identical conditions gave only recovered imine. The significance of these results relative to the mechanism of the reductive amination of carbonyl compounds with sodium cyanoborohydride and amine salts is discussed.     

Structure–activity relationship studies of atpenin A5 analogs with chemical modification of the side chain moiety

We designed and synthesized new atpenin A5 analogs for SAR study. Most of the analogs lacked one or several functional groups in the side chain of atpenin A5, and the stereoisomers proved to be weak nematode complex II inhibitors. However, we determined that 4-epi-atpenin A5 was a potent nematode complex II inhibitor comparable to atpenin A5. Therefore, 4-epi-atpenin A5 is expected to become a new lead compound in nematicide development.     

High-Performance Liquid Chromatographic Analysis of Triterpenoids in Commercial Frankincense

A reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic procedure has been developed: it is a simple and specific method for the determination of fifteen pentacyclic triterpenic compounds (α-boswellic acid, 3-O-acetyl-α-boswellic acid, β-boswellic acid, 3-O-acetyl-β-boswellic acid, α-amyrin, β-amyrin, lupeol, 3-epi-α-amyrin, 3-epi-β-amyrin, 3-epi-lupeol, α-amyrenone, β-amyrenone, lupenone, lupeolic acid and 3-O-acetyl-lupeolic acid) found in the most commonly traded frankincense, usually called “Eritrean-type” olibanum. In addition, the chromatographic comparison between fresh commercial resins and botanically certified ones was described in order to determine the geographical and/or the botanical origins of commercial frankincense. According to previous botanical studies, it appears difficult to make an unequivocal distinction between Boswellia carteri and B. sacra. On the other hand, Boswellia frereana (considered as a source of high-grade frankincense) shows a characteristic chromatogram and could be unambiguously distinguished from the other producing species of commercial frankincense. In a chemical point of view, Boswellia carteri and B. sacra were more especially characterized by the presence of lupeolic acid, boswellic acids and their respective O-acetyl derivatives, whereas 3-epi-lupeol was the major compound in B. frereana methanolic extracts.     

The formal synthesis of 3-epi jaspine B using stereoselective intramolecular oxa-Michael addition

The formal synthesis of 3-epi jaspine B was achieved by using a stereoselective intramolecular oxa-Michael addition. The diacetate derivative of 3-epi jaspine B was also synthesized.     

A divergent approach for the synthesis of some polyhydroxy pyrrolidines and piperidines from ribosylamine

A simple and efficient synthesis of 1,4-dideoxy-1,4-imino-d-ribitol, 1,4-dideoxy-1,4-imino-l-lyxitol, N-benzyl derivative of d-ribitol, 3,4,5-trihydroxy-piperidine, l-4-epi-isofagomine and d-3-epi-isofagomine, which are glycosidase inhibitors has been described from the commercially available d-ribose as a starting material.     

In vivo transformations of dihydro-epi-deoxyarteannuin B in Artemisia annua plants

[15-¹³C²H₃]-dihydro-epi-deoxyarteannuin B (4a) has been fed to intact Artemisia annua plants via the root and three labeled metabolites (17a-19a) have been identified by 1D- and 2D-NMR spectroscopies. The in vivo transformations of 4a in A. annua are proposed to involve enzymatically-mediated processes in addition to possible spontaneous autoxidation. In the hypothetical spontaneous autoxidation pathway, the tri-substituted double bond in 4a appears to have undergone ‘ene-type’ reaction with oxygen to form an allylic hydroperoxide, which subsequently rearranges to the allylic hydroxyl group in the metabolite 3α-hydroxy-dihydro-epi-deoxyarteannuin B (17a). In the enzymatically-mediated pathways, compound 17a has then been converted to its acetyl derivative, 3α-acetoxy-dihydro-epi-deoxyarteannuin B (18a), while oxidation of 4a at the ‘unactivated’ 9-position has yielded 9β-hydroxy-dihydro-epi-deoxyarteannuin B (19a). Although all of the natural products artemisinin (1), arteannuin K (7), arteannuin L (8), and arteannuin M (9) have been suggested previously as hypothetical metabolites from dihydro-epi-deoxyarteannuin B in A. annua, none were isolated in labeled form in this study. It is argued that the nature of the transformations undergone by compound 4a are more consistent with a degradative metabolism, designed to eliminate this compound from the plant, rather than with a role as a late precursor in the biosynthesis of artemisinin or other natural products from A. annua.     

An efficient stereocontrolled synthesis of (−)-10-epi-5β,11-dihydroxyeudesmane and (−)-4,10-epi-5β,11-dihydroxyeudesmane

A concise and efficient synthesis of (−)-10-epi-5β,11-dihydroxyeudesmane 1 and (−)-4,10-epi-5β,11-dihydroxyeudesmane 2, via (−)-10-epi-γ-eudesmol 5, was accomplished starting from (+)-dihydrocarvone. The salient feature of our synthesis is the utilization of substrate-directable epoxidation and homogeneous hydrogenation to control the stereochemistry at the C-4 and C-5 positions of the title compounds.     

Total synthesis of (+)-massarinolin B and (+)-4-epi-massarinolin B, fungal metabolites from Massarina tunicata

The Cr(II)- and Ni(II)-mediated coupling of several tricyclic chiral aldehydes with (E)-β-iodomethacrylates (Nozaki-Hiyama-Kishi reaction) was successfully applied to the preparation of some valuable key intermediates of our synthetic strategy to the fungal metabolites (+)-massarinolin B, (+)-4-epi-massarinolin B and (+)-massarinolin C.     

Asymmetric synthesis of N,O,O,O-tetra-acetyl d-lyxo-phytosphingosine,jaspine B (pachastrissamine) and its C(2)-epimer

The highly diastereoselective conjugate addition of lithium (S)-N-benzyl-N-(α-methylbenzyl)amide to a γ-silyloxy-α,β-unsaturated ester and in situ enolate oxidation with (+)-(camphorsulfonyl)oxaziridine has been used as the key step in the asymmetric synthesis of N,O,O,O-tetra-acetyl d-lyxo-phytosphingosine, jaspine B (pachastrissamine) and its C(2)-epimer.     

Influence of intramolecular hydrogen bonds in the enzyme-catalyzed regioselective acylation of quinic and shikimic acid derivatives

Selective mono-functionalization of 3-epi, 4-epi-, and 5-epi quinic and shikimic acid derivatives has been accomplished by enzymatic acylation with Candida antarctica lipase A (CAL-A). We propose that the selectivity of this lipase is related to both the inherent receptor selectivity and the degree of intramolecular hydrogen bonding in the ligand. Conformational analysis of the hydroxyl protons has been carried out by ¹H NMR spectroscopy. We have shown that exchange of the hydroxyl protons by acid catalysis provides a useful method for the detection of intramolecular hydrogen bonds. The interpretation of exchange rates and coupling constants determines the direction of the H-bonds as conditioned by the relative acceptor and donor properties of the hydroxyl groups. The selectivity of the acylation agrees fully with the effectiveness of H-bonding networks in polyol compounds and with the higher reactivity of the equatorial hydroxyl groups.