Two novel tricyclic diterpenoids from Isodon rubescens var. taihangensis

Two novel tricyclic diterpenoids rubescensins U (1) and V (2) were isolated from the leaves of Isodon rubescens var. taihangensis. They were elucidated as a 8,15-seco-ent-kauranoid and an ent-abietanoid, respectively, by 1D and 2D NMR spectra, and single crystal X-ray analysis. Compound 1 is the first example of an 8,15-seco-ent-kaurane from the plants genus Isodon. A discussion of their biogenesis is described.     

Cytotoxic ent-kauranoid derivatives from Isodon rubescens

An extensive study of the diterpenoids produced by the species of Isodon rubescens, has led to the isolation of 12 new ent-kaurane diterpenoids, hebeirubescensins A-L (1-12), and 19 known analogues. Their structures were determined on the basis of spectroscopic analysis. Selected compounds were assayed for their inhibitory ability against human A549, HT-29, and K562 cells. Among them, hebeirubescensins B and C exhibited significant cytotoxicity with IC₅₀ values of <2.0 μM. The structure-activity relationships were discussed.     

Diterpenoids from Isodon pharicus

A phytochemical investigation of Isodon pharicus led to the isolation of a novel asymmetric ent-kauranoid dimer, bispseurata F (1), and three new diterpenoids, pharicinins A-C (2-4). Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analysis. Compound 1 features a unique linkage pattern of C-17 with C-11′ to connect the two monomers. A possible biogenetic pathway of 1 was also proposed. Compounds 3 and 4 exhibited moderate inhibitory activity against NB4 and SH-SY5Y cell lines.     

3,4-seco-Diterpenoids from Trigonostemon flavidus

Phytochemical investigation on the stems of Trigonostemon flavidus resulted in the isolation of five new 3,4-seco-diterpenoids, trigoflavidones A-E (1-5), structurally related to the main co-occurring known 3,4-seco-sonderianic acid (6) and 3,4-seco-sonderianol (7). Compound 4 possesses new 3,4-seco rearranged ent-pimarane skeletal type, characteristic of a vinyl group at C-8, while 5 features a unique five-membered ring (C₁) fused with a cyclopropane ring (C₂). The structures of the new compounds were established by a combination of spectroscopic data and computational methods. Compounds 1-7 were tested for their cytotoxicities on HL-60, SMMC-7721, A-549, MCF-7, and SW480 human tumor cell lines.     

Eight new limonoids from Turraea pubescens

Eight new ring B-seco limonoids, turrapubesic acids A-C (1-3) and turrapubesins C-G (4-8), along with turraflorin E and isoazadironolide were isolated from the twigs and leaves of Turraea pubescens. Turrapubesic acids A-C (1-3) are a group of ring B-seco limonoid 17-carboxylic acids with a new C₂₃ skeleton, and turrapubesin C (4) incorporates an unprecedented 1,30-oxygen bridge. The structures including absolute stereochemistry of 1-8 were established on the basis of extensive NMR spectroscopic analysis and CD study. The cytotoxicity of the isolates against the P-388 and A-549 cells was evaluated.     

Symmetric and asymmetric ent-kaurane dimers isolated from Isodon japonicus

Bisjaponins A (1) and B (2), two new dimeric ent-kaurane diterpenoids connected with a rare four-membered carbon ring, which was formed by [2+2] reaction, were isolated from the aerial parts of Isodon japonicus. Their structures were elucidated by the analysis of spectroscopic evidence including extensive 2D NMR and MS data. Both the compounds were inactive for their cytotoxicity against human tumor cell lines, K562 and HepG2.     

Bisleuconins A-D: a pair of epimeric ent-kauranoid dimers and two new asymmetric analogues isolated from Isodonleucophyllus

A phytochemical investigation of Isodon leucophyllus led to the isolation of four novel ent-kauranoid dimers: bisleuconins A-D (1-4), and one known compound, rabdoloxin A (5). It was interesting that the structures of bisleuconins A (1) and B (2) were elucidated as a pair of epimeric ent-kauranoid dimers with unique linkage pattern C-16→C-17′ to connect two monomers. Bisleuconins C (3) and D (4) were two new asymmetric ent-kauranoid dimers. A possible biogenetic pathway of 1 and 2 was also proposed.     

Ten new calyxins from Alpinia katsumadai: a systematically studies on the stereochemistry of calyxins

Ten new calyxin natural products, named calyxin N (1), ent-calyxin N (2), calyxin O (3), ent-calyxin O (4), calyxin P (5), 9″-epicalyxin P (6), calyxin Q (7), calyxin R (8), calyxin S (9) and 5-epicalyxin S (10), were isolated from the seeds of Alpinia katsumadai. Their planar structures were elucidated by a combination of various spectroscopic methods, primarily NMR and MS, while the absolute configurations of the isolated calyxins were comprehensively studied by the modified Mosher's method, electronic circular dichroism (ECD) and theoretical calculations. This is the first systematically study on the absolute configurations of calyxins. Most of the isolated compounds showed moderate to strong antiproliferative activities against NCI-H460, HeLa, SMMC-7721 and HCT-116 cancer cell lines.     

Novel ent-kaurane dimers from Isodon rubescens var. rubescens

Three novel asymmetric ent-kaurane dimers xindongnins M-O (1-3) were isolated from Isodon rubescens var. rubescens. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods including 2D NMR analysis. The relative stereochemistry of 1 was determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction, which also confirmed the unique linkage of a single carbon-carbon bond between the two subunits of this dimer. A biogenetic pathway was proposed for the formation of these dimers.     

Seven new prenylated indole diketopiperazine alkaloids from holothurian-derived fungus Aspergillus fumigatus

Seven new prenylated indole diketopiperazine alkaloids, including compound 1, 3 spirotryprostatins C-E (2-4), 2 derivatives of fumitremorgin B (5 and 6), and 13-oxoverruculogen (7), have been isolated from the holothurian-derived fungus Aspergillus fumigatus, along with 12 known ones (8-19). The structures of the new compounds were determined on the basis of extensive spectroscopic data and amino acid analysis. All new compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxic activities on MOLT-4, A549, HL-60, and BEL-7420 cell lines by the MTT and SRB methods.     

Kadcoccilactones K-R, triterpenoids from Kadsura coccinea

Phytochemical investigation on the stems of Kadsura coccinea led to the isolation of 8 new triterpenoids, kadcoccilactones K-R (1-8), and 10 known analogues. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis. Compounds 1-3 characterized with an aromatic ring E in their molecules are rarely naturally occurred kadlongilactone derivatives. Moreover, all compounds were evaluated for their inhibitory activity against K562, Bel-7402, and A549 human tumor cells. Compounds 9 and 10 exhibited potent cytotoxicity against K562, Bel-7402, and A549 cell lines with IC₅₀ values less than 0.1, 0.1, and 1.0 μm, respectively.     

New alkaloids and diterpenes from a deep ocean sediment derived fungus Penicillium sp.

Four new alkaloids, including two new meleagrin analogs, meleagrins B (2) and C (3), and two new diketopiperazines, roquefortines F (5) and G (6), together with six new diterpenes, conidiogenones B-G (7-12), were isolated from a deep ocean sediment derived fungus Penicillium sp. The structures and stereochemistry of the new compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic methods. The cytotoxicity of the new compounds against the HL-60, A-549, BEL-7402, and MOLT-4 cell lines was evaluated.     

Agelasines O-U, new diterpene alkaloids with a 9-N-methyladenine unit from a marine sponge Agelas sp.

New diterpene alkaloids, agelasines O-U (1-7), have been isolated from an Okinawan marine sponge Agelas sp. The gloss structures and relative stereochemistries of 1-7 were elucidated from the spectroscopic data. Agelasines O-R (1-4) were the third examples of diterpene alkaloid with a 9-N-methyladenine and a pyrrole units. Agelasine O (1) has a halimane skeleton, while agelasines P-R (2-4) have a clerodane skeleton. Agelasines S-U (5-7) were new diterpene alkaloids with a 9-N-methyladenine unit consisting of a halimane skeleton, a labdane skeleton, and a clerodane skeleton, respectively. Agelasines O-R (1-4) and T (6) showed antimicrobial activities against several bacteria and fungi.     

Lannotinidines A-G, new alkaloids from two species of Lycopodium

Seven new Lycopodium alkaloids, lannotinidines A-G (1-7), have been isolated from the club moss Lycopodium annotinum and L. annotinum var. acrifolium. Stereochemistry of 1-7 was elucidated by combination of NOESY correlations and chemical transformation. Lannotinidines B-E (2-5) elevated NGF mRNA expression.     

Five novel norcembranoids from Sinularia leptoclados and S. parva

Three new norcembrane-based diterpenoids, leptocladolides A (1), B (4) and C (5), along with five known metabolites 6-10, have been isolated from the dichloromethane extract of a Taiwanese soft coral Sinularia leptoclados. Furthermore, a chemical investigation on the dichloromethane extract of S. parva has resulted in the isolation of two new related isomers, 1-epi-leptocladolide A (2) and 7E-leptocladolide A (3), in addition to 1 and 7. The structures of new metabolites 1-5 were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analyses and their relative stereochemistries were determined by NOESY experiments. The new metabolites 1 and 3 have been shown to exhibit significant cytotoxic activity against KB and Hepa59T/VGH cancer cell lines.     

Cytotoxic bromoditerpenes from the red alga Sphaerococcus coronopifolius

Three new brominated diterpenes (1, 2, 8), along with six previously reported metabolites (3-7, 9), were isolated from the organic extract of Sphaerococcus coronopifolius, collected in Palaiokastritsa bay at the west coasts of Corfu Island. The structures of the new natural products, as well as their relative stereochemistry, were established by means of spectral data analyses, including 2D experiments. The absolute stereochemistry of 2 and 4 as well as the structure revision of the previously reported metabolite 3 were established by X-ray crystallographic analyses. The cytotoxicity of the isolated metabolites was evaluated against the NSCLC-N6-L16 and A549 human lung cancer cell lines.     

Halichonadins G-J, new sesquiterpenoids from a sponge Halichondria sp.

Three new dimeric sesquiterpenoids, halichonadins G-I (1-3), and one new eudesmane sesquiterpenoid possessing a 1-phenethyl urea moiety, halichonadin J (4), were isolated from a marine sponge Halichondria sp. Halichonadins G (1) and H (2) are homo-dimers of eudesmane sesquiterpenoid, linked through a methyl 2-{1-(2-amino-2-oxoethyl)ureido}acetate fragment and a 2-hydroxymalonamide fragment, respectively, while halichonadin I (3) is a new hetero-dimer of eudesmane sesquiterpenoid linked through a urea fragment. The structures of 1-4 were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic data.     

Asymmetric Michael addition using N-cinnamoyl- and N-crotonyl-trans-hexahydrobenzoxazolidin-2-ones

Preparation of N-cinnamoyl- and N-crotonyl-oxazolidin-2-ones 2 and 3 or ent-2 and ent-3 from (4S,5S)- and (4R,5R)-trans-hexahydrobenzoxazolidin-2-ones 1 or ent-1 are reported. Stereoselective copper promoted conjugated additions of Grignard reagents to chiral N-enoyl amides 2 and 3 or ent-2 and ent-3 in the presence of Zn(II) salts afforded the 1,4-addition products 4-11 and the corresponding enantiomers.     

Harrisotones A-E, five novel prenylated polyketides with a rare spirocyclic skeleton from Harrisonia perforata

Five novel prenylated polyketides, harrisotones A-E (1-5) representing a rare spirocyclic skeleton, along with a new hydroperoxypolyketide harrisonol A (6), were isolated from the stems and leaves of Harrisonia perforata. The structures of harrisotones A-E (1-5) were extensively elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analysis, especially 2D NMR and CD spectra. A plausible origin of compounds 1-5 was rationalized biogenetically, and traced back to harrisonol A (6). Harrisotones A-C (1-3) and harrisonol A (6) exhibited significant cytotoxicity against P-388 and/or A-549 tumor cell lines.     

Chloctanspirones A and B, novel chlorinated polyketides with an unprecedented skeleton, from marine sediment derived fungus Penicillium terrestre

Two novel chlorinated sorbicillinoids named chloctanspirones A (1) and B (2), possessing an unprecedented bicyclo[2.2.2]octane-2-spiro cyclohexane skeleton, together with their quasi-precursors terrestrols K (3) and L (4), two additional new chlorinated compounds, were isolated from a marine sediment derived fungus Penicillium terrestre. Their structures including absolute stereochemistries were elucidated by analysis of NMR, MS data, and TDDFT CD calculations. The cytotoxic effects of 1-4 were preliminarily evaluated in HL-60 and A-549 cells. Compound 1 was active against both HL-60 and A-549 cells with IC₅₀s 9.2 and 39.7 μM, respectively, while 2 showed weaker activity only against HL-60 cells (IC₅₀ 37.8 μM).