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.     

A new coumarin glycoside from Daphne giraldii

A new coumarin glycoside was isolated from the ethanol extract of the barks of stem of Daphne giraldii Nitsche. Its structure was defined as daphnetin 8-O-b-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→6)-b-D-glucopyranoside on the basis of spectral evidences.     

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.     

Two new glycosides from the genus of Cassia

Two new glycosides were isolated and characterized by spectral analysis from the seeds of Cassia obtusifolia and the leaves of Cassia angustifolia.The structure was elucidated as 1-hydroxyl-2-acetyl-3,8-dimethoxynaphthalene-6-O-β-D-apiofuranosyl- (1→2)-β-D-glucopyranoside and 2-acetyl-3-methyl-8-methoxyl-1,4-naphthoquinone-6-O-β-D-glucopyranoside.     

Two new flavonoid diglycosides from Cephalotaxus sinensis

Two new acetylated flavonoid diglycosides, scutellarein-5-O-[a-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→ 4)-b-D-6-O-acetylglucopyranoside] (1), apigenin-5-O-[a-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-b-D-3,6-di-O-acetylglucopyranoside] (2), were isolated from the leaves of Cephalotaxus sinensis. Their structures were determined by chemical and spectroscopic methods including HR-FAB-MS, 1H–1H COSY, HSQC and HMBC experiments.     

Two new C-glycosylflavones from Mimosa pudica

Two new C-glycosylflavones were isolated from the whole plant of Mimosa pudica,and their structures were determined as 6,7,3′,4′-tetrahydroxyl-8-C-[α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)]-β-D-glucopyranosyl flavone(1),5,7,3′,4′-tetrahydroxy-8-C[β-D- apiose-(1→4)]-β-D-glycopyranosyl flavone (2).Their structures elucidated by chemical and spectroscopic analysis including IR,MS,1D and 2D NMR spectra.     

A new triterpene glycoside from sea cucumber Holothuria leucospilota

A new triterpene glycoside, leucospilotaside A, along with a known saponin, isolated from sea cucumber Holothuria leucospilota, and its structure was elucidated as 3β-O-[4-O-sodiumsulfate-β-D-quinovopyranosyl-(1→2)-β-D-xylopyranosyl]-holosta-22-ketone-9-en-17α,25α-diol (1) by extensive spectroscopic analysis and chemical methods. Leucospilotaside A (1) has a ketone carbonyl group (22) in the aglycon side chain.     

A new C21-steroidal glycoside from Cynanchum stauntonii

A new C21-steroidal glycoside with two known compounds were isolated from the root of Cynanchum Stauntonii.Based on thespectral analysis,including MS,1H NMR,13C NMR,DEPT,1H-1H COSY,13C-1H COSY,HMQC and HMBC,their chemicalstructures were determinated as glaucogenin-C 3-O-a-L-cymaropyranosyl-(1→4)-b-D-digitoxopyranosyl-(1→4)-β-D-canaropyranoside(1),stigmasterol(2)and ursolic acid(3).     

Synthesis of an antimetastatic tetrasaccharide β-D-Gal-(1→4)-β-d-GlcpNAc-(1→6)-α-D-Manp-(1→6)-β-D-Manp-OMe

An antimetastatic tetrasaccharide T₁,β-D-Gal-（1→4）-β-D-GlcpNAc-（1→6）-α-D-Manp-（1→6）-β-D-Manp-OMe,was synthesized with two approaches.The first approach was a conventional method employing thioglycoside and Koenigs-Knorr glycosylation reaction in 24%overall yield.The second one was a novel route through the azidoiodo-glycosylation strategy by using 2-iodo-2-deoxylactosyl azide as the donor in 36%overall yield.     

Four new constituents from Taraxacum mongolicum

Two new flavone glycosides,isoetin-7-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-2′-O-α-L-arabinopyranoside (1) and isoetin-7-O-β-D-glucopyr- anosyl-2′-O-α-D-glucopyranoside (2),a new lignan,mongolicumin A (3),and a new guaianolide,mongolicumin B (4) were isolated from the aerial part of Taraxacum mongolicum.Their structures were elucidated mainly by spectral analyses.     

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.     

Synthesis of an aryl 2-deoxy-β-glycosyl tetrasaccharide to probe retaining endo-glycosidase mechanism

The synthesis of the 1,3–1,4-β-glucanase substrate analogue 4-nitrophenyl O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→3)-2-desoxi-β-d-glucopyranoside 2 is reported. Starting from the main tetrasaccharide obtained by enzymatic depolymerization of barley β-glucan, the synthetic scheme involves preparation of the corresponding 3-O-substituted glycal which was converted into a 2-deoxy-α-glycosyl iodide as a glycosyl donor. The key glycosylation step was successfully achieved by nucleophilic substitution of the iodide donor with 4-nitrophenolate with high β-selectivity.     

Synthesis ofa trimeric lignin model compound composed ofol-O-4 and β-O-4 linkages under microwave irradiation

A trimeric lignin model compound composed of α-O-4 and β-O-4 linkages was prepared by the microwave-assisted synthesis, which consisted of three steps： （a） the synthesis of 3-methoxy-4- benzyloxyacetophenone （2） from acetovanillone （1）, （b） the bromination of compound 2 to produce 3- methoxy-4-benzyloxy-α-bromoacetophenone （3）, and （c） followed by a nucleophilic substitution of compound （3） to obtain 3-methoxy-4-benzyloxy-α-（3-methoxy-4-（1-propenyl）phenol）-acetophenone （4）. The target product was characterized by MS, 1H NMR and 13C NMR spectroscopy. It was found that the trimeric compound synthesized can be used as a preferable lignin model compound because it contains guaiacyl structural unit （3-methoxy-4-hydroxy phenyl propane） linked by α-O-4 and β-O-4 linkages. In addition, under the conditions of microwave irradiation, the reaction time of each step is significantly reduced, and the selectivity of target product is greatly improved. The yields of each step and the overall sequence are 95.31%. 87.3%. 90.6% and 75.4% （95.31%× 87.3% × 90.6%）. respectively.     

Justiciosides E-G, triterpenoidal glycosides with an unusual skeleton from Justicia betonica

Three new triterpenoidal glucosides, justiciosides E, F and G, were isolated from the aerial portion of Justicia betonica. Their structures were established through chemical and spectroscopic analyses, and showed an unusual A-nor-B-homo oleanan-12-ene skeleton type for the aglycone moiety as A-nor-B-homo-oleanan-10,12-diene-3β,11α,28-triol 28-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→2)-β-d-glucopyranoside, A-nor-B-homo-oleanan-10,12-diene-3β,11α,28-triol 28-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→2)-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→2)-β-d-glucopyranoside, and 11α-methoxy-A-nor-B-homo-oleanan-10,12-diene-3β,11α,28-triol 28-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→2)-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→2)-β-d-glucopyranoside, respectively.     

Tetracyclic triterpenoids isolated from semi-mangrove plant Hibiscus tiliaceus

A continuing phytochemical study on the semi-mangrove plant Hibiscus tiliaceus yielded two new tetracyclic triterpenoids （3β,24S）-19（10→9）-abeo-8α,9β,10α-eupha-5,25（26）-dien-3,24-diol （tiliacol A, 1 ）, and （3β,23Z）-19（10→9）-abeo-8α,9β,10α-tircalla-5,23-dien-3,25-diol （tiliacol B, 3）, together with one known analog （2）. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectral analyses （MS, IR, 1D NMR and 2D NMR） and comparison with literature compounds. Compound 2 showed potent cytotoxicity against both P388 and HeLa cells with ICon values of 11.2 μmol/L and 11.5 μmol/L, resoectively.     

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.     

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.     

The microbiological transformation of steroidal saponins by Curvularia lunata

The microbiological transformation of polyphyllin I (compound I), polyphyllin III (compound II), polyphyllin V (compound III) and polyphyllin VI (compound IV) by Curvularia lunata into their corresponding subsaponins, for example, diosgenin-3-O-α-l-arabinofuranosyl (1→4)-β-d-glucopyranoside (compound V), diosgenin-3-O-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl (1→4)-β-d-glucopyranoside (compound VI), diosgenin-3-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (compound VII) and pennogenin-3-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (compound VIII), were studied in this paper. Curvularia lunata is able to hydrolyze terminal rhamnosyls that are linked by 1→2 C- bond to sugar residues of steroidal saponins at C-3 position with high activity and regioselectivity.     

Selective binding of bile salts by β-cyclodextrin derivatives with appended quinolyl arms

Two β-cyclodextrin derivatives bearing appended quinolyl and isoquinolyl arms,i.e.mono-(6-quinolyl- 6-deoxy)-β-cyclodextrin(1) and mono-(6-isoquinolyl-6-deoxy)-β-cyclodextrin(2) were synthesized in satisfactory yields and fully characterized.Their original conformations and binding behaviors toward four bile salt guests,that is,sodium cholate(CA),sodium deoxycholate(DCA),sodium glycocholate (GCA),and sodium taurocholate(TCA),were investigated by means of fluorescence,circular dichroism and 2D NMR spectroscopy.The study of solution structures revealed that both quinolyl and isoquinolyl arms were located outside the cyclodextrin cavity.The results obtained from the fluorescence titrations showed that the binding abilities of hosts 1 and 2 with selected bile salts varied in an order of DCA > CA > GCA.The selective binding of hosts toward bile salt guests was discussed from the viewpoints of induced-fit and multiple binding.