Chemical constituents of Malagasy liverworts, part III: sesquiterpenoids from Bazzania decrescens and Bazzania madagassa

In the continuation of our investigation of the phytochemical constituents of Malagasy liverworts, a new cuparane-type sesquiterpenoid together with five known compounds was isolated from Bazzania decresens. Bazzania madagassa furnished a new cyclomyltaylane-type sesquiterpenoid and a new acoradienol. The structures of the isolated compounds were determined based on a combination of physical and spectroscopic evidence. The chemosystematics of the genus Bazzania as well as the biogenesis of cyclomyltaylane sesquiterpenoids in liverworts is discussed.     

Chemical constituents from Curcuma longa L. and their inhibitory effects of nitric oxide production

A new bisabolane-type sesquiterpenoid, turmerone Q (1), along with six known compounds (2–7), were isolated from the rhizomes of Curcuma longa L. The structural elucidation of the new compound was conducted using ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, HSQC, HMBC and NOESY spectroscopic analyses. The absolute configuration of 1 was elucidated by comparison of the experimental and calculated ECD spectra. The anti-inflammatory effects of 1–7 were evaluated through lipopolysaccharide-induced nitric oxide (NO) production in RAW 264.7 macrophages assays, and compounds 6 and 7 showed potent inhibitory activity against NO production.     

Chemical constituents of Malagasy liverworts, part II: mastigophoric acid methyl ester of biogenetic interest from Mastigophora diclados (Lepicoleaceae Subf. Mastigophoroideae)

In the course of our chemotaxonomic study of the liverworts growing in Madagascar, mastigophoric acid methyl ester, along with eleven known compounds were isolated from Mastigophora diclados. Isolated metabolites showed that the Malagasy Mastigophora is more related to the samples from Borneo and Japan than to the Taiwanese or Malaysian ones. The biosynthesis of the herbertane type sesquiterpenoids from Mastigophora diclados is suggested to be similar to those found in the genus Herbertus. The herbertane-type sesquiterpenoids were screened for Staphylococcus aureus strain inhibition.     

Chemical constituents,Antibacterial and Acetylcholine esterase inhibitory activity of Cupressus macrocarpa leaves

Abstract

The chemical constituents of Cupressus macrocarpa were investigated. A new neolignan glycoside (1) in addition to nine known compounds were isolated. The acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activity and antibacterial activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) of different fractions and isolates of C. macrocarpa were evaluated. The light petroleum fraction showed the highest activity in both assays with IC₅₀ value of 88.79 µg/ml and 152.58 µg/ml for the AChE inhibitory activity and MRSA antibacterial activities, respectively. Weak to moderate activity were detected for the isolated compounds.     

New seco-dibenzocyclooctadiene lignans with nitric oxide production inhibitory activity from the roots of Kadsura longipedunculata

Four new seco-dibenzocyclooctadiene lignans,kadlongilignans A-D(1-4),consisting of a rare 6,7-seco-(1),two 15,16-seco-(2 and 3) and a 9,10-seco-dibenzocyclooctadiene(4) lignans,were isolated from the roots of Kadsura longipedunculata.Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analysis,including extensive NM R,MS and ECD(electronic circular dichroism) spectra.Compounds 3 and 4 exhibited potent inhibitory activities against NO(nitric oxide) production of LPS(lipopolysaccharide)-induced murine macrophages with the inhibition rates of 36.3% and 26.9%,respectively.     

Highly-oxygenated isopimarane-type diterpenes from Orthosiphon stamineus of Indonesia and their nitric oxide inhibitory activity

From the methanolic extract of Indonesian Orthosiphon stamineus, nine new highly-oxygenated isopimarane-type diterpenes [7-O-deacetylorthosiphol B (1), 6-hydroxyorthosiphol B (2), 3-O-deacetylorthosiphol I (3), 2-O-deacetylorthosiphol J (4), siphonols A-E (5-9)] have been isolated together with nine known diterpenes [orthosiphols H (10), K (11), M (12) and N (13); staminols A (14) and B (15); neoorthosiphols A (16) and B (17); norstaminol A (18)]. Their structures were determined based on the spectroscopic data. The isolated diterpenes inhibited nitric oxide (NO) production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated macrophage-like J774.1 cells. Compounds 4-7, 9, 10, 14, and 17 showed inhibitory activities more potent (IC(50), 10.8-25.5 microM) than a positive control N(G)-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA; IC(50), 26.0 microM).     

Chemical constituents of the style of Zea mays L. with glycation inhibitory activity

A new sesquiterpene along with 15 known compounds were isolated from the style of Zea mays L. These structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analysis. The ability of these compounds to inhibit glycation in vitro was analyzed. This allowed determination of chemical functional groups required for the inhibition of glycation.     

Melampolides from the leaves of Smallanthus sonchifolius and their inhibitory activity of lps-induced nitric oxide production

Two new melampolide-type sesquiterpene lactones, 8beta-epoxyangeloyloxy-9alpha-ethoxy-14-oxo-acanthospermolide (1) and 8beta-angeloyloxy-9alpha-ethoxy-14-oxo-acanthospermolide (2), were isolated from the leaves of yacon [Smallanthus sonchifolia (POEPP. et ENDL.) H. Robinson] along with eleven known melampolides, allo-schkuhriolide (3), enhydrin (4), polymatin A (5), fluctuanin (6), 8beta-angeloyloxy-9alpha-acetoxy-14-oxo-acanthospermolide (7), 8beta-angeloyloxy-14-oxo-acanthospermolide (8), 8beta-methacryloyloxymelampolid-14-oic acid methyl ester (9), uvedalin (10), polymatin B (11), 8beta-tigloyloxymelampolid-14-oic acid methyl ester (12), and sonchifolin (13). Their structures were established on the basis of spectroscopic evidence including 1D- and 2D-NMR experiments. All isolates were evaluated for inhibition of LPS-induced nitric oxide production in murine macrophage RAW 264.7 cells.     

Polyphenols from Sophora yunnanensis, and their inhibitory effects on nitric oxide production

A new flavonoid, (2R,3R)-3,7,4'-trihydroxy-3',5'-dimethoxyflavanone, named sophorayunnanol (1), together with eight known polyphenols (2-9), were isolated from the roots of Sophora yunnanensis C.Y.MA (Leguminosae). The structure including absolute stereochemistry of 1 was determined by spectroscopic (high resolution (HR)-MS, 1D- and 2D-NMR, and circular dichroism (CD)) methods. The inhibitory activity of these compounds was examined against nitric oxide (NO) production by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and interferon (IFN)-γ activated macrophages, RAW264.7 cells. 3,7,3',5'-Tetrahydroxy-4'-methoxyflavone (6) and piceatannol (9) showed potent inhibitory activity against the production of NO with IC(50) values of 14.4±2.5 and 12.9±1.8 μM, respectively. This article is the first report on phytochemical study of S. yunnanensis.     

An efficient synthesis of a potent anti-inflammatory agent, viscolin, and its inducible nitric oxide synthase inhibitory activity

A new and efficient synthetic pathway employed the aldol condensation between the acetophenone (3) and vanillin derivative (4) resulted in the precursor chalcone intermediate (14). The target compound viscolin (1) could be afforded through the hydrogenation of the chalcone and followed by deprotection. The present strategy described the development of a more efficient procedure that allowed large-scale production of viscolin for the further research of biological activity both in vitro and in vivo.     

Chemical constituents from the bark of bauhinia purpurea and their NO inhibitory activities

Abstract

Phytochemical studies led to the isolation of a new phenylpropanoid glucoside, named purpuroside (1), along with eight known compounds (2–9) from the bark of Bauhinia purpurea. The structure of the new compound was elucidated on the basis of its spectroscopic data. The absolute configuration of compound 2 was verified by X-ray diffraction analysis. Compounds 1, 2, 7, 8, and 9 inhibited NO production in mouse peritoneal macrophages with IC₅₀ values from 35.5 to 63.0?μM.     

Efficient,collective synthesis and nitric oxide inhibitory activity of rubrolides E,F, R,S and their derivatives

An efficient first synthesis of biologically significant natural butenolides, rubrolides F (1f), R (1r), S (1s) & its 7″,8″-didehydro derivative (1sa), and 3″-bromo rubrolide (1fa) along with the synthesis of rubrolide E (1e) and its di-O-methyl derivative (1ea) is accomplished in a collective fashion from commercially available and inexpensive precursors in overall yields of 14–48.5%. Key features are Wittig-Horner reaction, SeO₂-induced tandem allylic hydroxylation/intramolecular cyclization and Knoevenagel condensation. Next, in their inhibitory activity towards nitric oxide (NO) production in lipopolysaccharide-induced RAW 264.7 macrophages as an indicator of anti-inflammatory activity, all compounds displayed good inhibitory activity in a concentration-dependent manner. None of the compound exhibited notable cytotoxicity at the highest concentration (10 μM) and IC₅₀ values are found in the range from 8.53 to 17.85 μM.     

New Labdane diterpenes from Hedychium yunnanense with cytotoxicity and inhibitory effects on nitric oxide production

Two new labdane diterpenes, hedychenoids A (1) and B (2), were isolated from the rhizomes of Hedychium yunnanense, together with four known ones hedychenone (3), forrestin A (4), villosin (5) and calcaratarin C (6). Their structures were determined on the basis of NMR (1D and 2D) and mass spectroscopic analysis. Compounds 2, 3 and 5 exhibited cytotoxicity against SGC-7901 with IC₅₀ values of 14.88 ± 0.52, 7.08 ± 0.21 and 7.76 ± 0.21 μg/ml, 3 and 5 against HeLa with IC₅₀ values of 9.76 ± 0.48 and 13.24 ± 0.63 μg/ml, respectively. Compounds 2, 5 showed inhibitory effects against nitric oxide production in LPS and IFN-γ-induced RAW 264.7 murine macrophages with IC₅₀ values of 6.57 ± 0.88 and 5.99 ± 1.20 μg/ml, respectively.     

Identification of a new naphthalene and its derivatives from the bulb of eleutherine americana with inhibitory activity on lipopolysaccharide-induced nitric oxide production

A new naphthoquinone, (-)-3-[2-(acetyloxy)propyl]-2-hydroxy-8-methoxy-1,4-naphthoquinone (1) was isolated from the bulb of Eleutherine americana MERR. et HEYNE (Iridaceae) together with two known compounds, eleutherinol (6) and 1,5-dihydroxy-3-methylanthraquinone (7) which were found in this species for the first time. The other known compounds, (-)-isoeleutherin (2), (+)-eleutherin (3), (-)-hongconin (4), and (+)-dihydroeleutherinol (5) which were reported previously from this species, were also isolated in the present study. Compounds 2-6 exhibited potent inhibitory activity on nitric oxide production in RAW 264.7 lipopolysaccharide-activated mouse macrophage cells with IC(50) values of 7.7, 11.4, 19.8, 21.7, and 34.4 microM, respectively, whereas the other two compounds, 1 and 7, were inactive. The structure of compound 1 was elucidated by spectroscopic data analysis including 1D and 2D NMR experiments.     

Chemical constituents of Blumea balsamifera of Indonesia and their protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B inhibitory activity

A methanol extract of the leaves of Blumea balsamifera (L.) DC. (Asteraceae) afforded a new guaian-type sesquiterpene, epiblumeaene K (1), together with four known guaian-type sesquiterpenes (2-5), three known sesquiterpenes (6-8), and nine known flavonoids (9-17) by a combination of chromatography and preparative TLC techniques. Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic methods and comparison with the literature data. Among the isolated compounds, a known sesquiterpene, beta-caryophyllene 8R,9R-oxide (6), exhibited a significant PTP1B inhibitory activity in a dose-dependent manner, with an IC50 value of 25.8 microM (5.62 microg/mL).     

Phenolic constituents from the heartwood of Artocapus altilis and their tyrosinase inhibitory activity

From the MeOH extract of the heartwood of Artocapus altilis, thirteen phenolic compounds have been isolated, namely curcumin (1), desmethoxycurcumin (2), retrodihydrochalcone (3), apigenin (4), tangeretin (5), nobiletin (6), O-methyldehydrodieugenol (7), dehydrodieugenol (8), beta-hydroxypropiovanillone (9), p-coumaric acid (10), p-hydroxybenzaldehyde (11), vanillin (12), and vanillic acid (13). This is the first report on the presence of these compounds in the heartwood of A. altilis. Compounds 1, 2, and 10 showed more potent tyrosinase inhibitory activities, with IC50 values ranging from 2.3 to 42.0 microM, than the positive control kojic acid (IC50, 44.6 microM). The most active compound, p-coumaric acid (10) (IC50, 2.3 microM), was 22 times more active in tyrosinase inhibitory activity than kojic acid.     

Chemical constituents from the leaves of Hydrangea macrophylla var. thunbergii (III): Absolute stereostructures of hydramacrosides A and B, secoiridoid glucoside complexes with inhibitory activity on histamine release

Following the characterization of dihydroisocoumarin constituents, two secoiridoid glucoside complexes, called hydramacrosides A and B, were isolated from the leaves of Hydrangea macrophylla Seringe var. thunbergii Makino. The absolute stereostructures of hydramacrosides A and B were elucidated on the basis of chemical and physicochemical evidence, which included the application of the 13C-NMR glycosylation shift rule of 1,1'-disaccharides and the modified Mosher's method. Hydramacrosides A and B exhibited an inhibitory effect on histamine release from rat mast cells induced by an antigen-antibody reaction.     

Structures and cytotoxic activity relationship of casearins, new clerodane diterpenes from Casearia sylvestris Sw

Casearins G-R, new cytotoxic clerodane diterpenes have been isolated from the leaves of Casearia sylvestris Sw. (Flacourtiaceae). Their structures have been elucidated by spectroscopic methods and chemical conversions, and their structure-activity relationships have been discussed.     

Substrate specificity of Rv3378c, an enzyme from Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and the inhibitory activity of the bicyclic diterpenoids against macrophage phagocytosis

The Rv3378c gene product from Mycobacterium tuberculosis encodes a diterpene synthase to produce tuberculosinol (3), 13R-isotuberculosinol (4a), and 13S-isotuberculosinol (4b) from tuberculosinyl diphosphate (2). The product distribution ratios are 1 : 1 for 3 to 4 and 1 : 3 for 4a to 4b. The substrate specificity of the Rv3378c-encoded enzyme was examined. The 3 labdadienyl diphosphates, copalyl diphosphate (CDP) (7), ent-CDP (8), and syn-CDP (9), underwent the conversion reaction, with good yields (67-78%). Copalol (23) and manool (24) were produced from 7, ent-copalol (25) and ent-manool (26) from 8, and syn-copalol (27) and vitexifolin A (28) from 9. The ratio of 23 to 24 was 40 : 27, that of 25:26 was 22 : 50, and that of 27:28 was 16 : 62. Analysis on a GC-MS chromatograph equipped with a chiral column revealed that 24, 26, and 28 consisted of a mixture of 13R- (a) and 13S-stereoisomers (b) in the following ratio: ca. 1 : 1 for 24a to 24b, ca. 1 : 5 for 26a to 26b, and ca. 1 : 19 for 28a to 28b. The structures of these products indicate that the reactions of the 3 CDPs proceeded in the same fashion as that of 2. This is the first report on the enzymatic synthesis of natural diterpenes manool, ent-manool, and vitexifolin A. Both Rv3377c and Rv3378c genes are found in virulent Mycobacterium species, but not in avirulent species. We found that 3 and 4 inhibited the phagocytosis of opsonized zymosan particles by human macrophage-like cells. Interestingly, the inhibitory activity was synergistically increased by the coexistence of 3 and 4b. Other labdane-related diterpenes, 13-16 and 23-28, had little or no inhibitory activity. This synergistic inhibition by 3 and 4 may provide further advantage to the impairment of phagocyte function, which might contribute to pathogenicity of M. tuberculosis.