Versatile synthesis of epicatechin series procyanidin oligomers, and their antioxidant and DNA polymerase inhibitory activity

Proanthocyanidins, known as condensed tannins or oligomeric flavonoids, exist in many edible plants and show various interesting biological activities. We have developed a simple and versatile method of synthesizing procyanidin oligomers consisting of (−)-epicatechin and (+)-catechin. This method is applicable to the synthesis of various 3-O-substituted oligomers. We report here the stereoselective and length controlled synthesis of [4-8]-condensed (−)-epicatechin series procyanidin oligomers. We described the details of the synthesis of an two tetramers, (−)-epicatechin-(−)-epicatechin-(−)-epicatechin-(−)-epicatechin and (−)-epicatechin-(−)-epicatechin-(−)-epicatechin-(+)-catechin (arecatannin A1), (−)-epicatechin pentamer and two 3,3″,3?-tri-O-galloyl trimers, (−)-epicatechin-(−)-epicatechin-(−)-epicatechin-3,3″,3?-tri-O-gallate and (−)-epicatechin-(−)-epicatechin-(+)-catechin-3,3″,3?-tri-O-gallate with the condensation method using TMSOTf as a catalyst. The ability of DPPH radical scavenging activity and DNA polymerase inhibitory activity of these oligomeric compounds were investigated.     

Preparative isolation of procyanidins from grape seed extracts by high-speed counter-current chromatography

High-speed counter-current chromatography (HSCCC) has been applied to the separation of grape seed procyanidins. The isolation of dimeric to tetrameric procyanidins is achieved after removing the polymeric compounds by solvent precipitation. An additional clean-up by solid-phase extraction on polyamide improved the purities of the isolated compounds. The solvent systems ethyl acetate/2-propanol/water (40:1:40, v/v/v), ethyl acetate/2-propanol/water (20:1:20, v/v/v), and ethyl acetate/1-butanol/water (14:1:15, v/v/v) were successfully used for the fractionation. The combination of HPLC-MS, diode array detection, and NMR analysis, as well as phloroglucinolysis, confirmed the structures of the isolated compounds: B1 [EC-(4beta-->8)-C], B2 [EC-(4beta-->8)-EC], B3 [C-(4alpha-->8)-C], B4 [C-(4alpha-->8)-EC], B5 [EC-4beta-->6-EC], B7 [EC-(4beta-->8)-C], [ECG-(4beta-->8)-C], trimeric procyanidin C1 [EC-4beta-->8-EC-4beta-->8-EC], and the tetrameric procyanidin cinnamtannin A2 (where C: catechin, EC: epicatechin and ECG: epicatechin-3-O-gallate).     

Structural characterization of a procyanidin tetramer and pentamer from the apple by low-temperature NMR analysis

The structures of a procyanidin tetramer and pentamer from unripe apple (Malus pumila) were elucidated by low-temperature NMR analysis at −34 °C. These structures were [epicatechin-(4β→6)-epicatechin-(4β→8)-epicatechin-(4β→8)-epicatechin (1)] and [epicatechin-(4β→8)-epicatechin-(4β→8)-epicatechin-(4β→8)-epicatechin-(4β→8)-epicatechin (2)].     

Studies on the constituents of bark of Parameria laevigata Moldenke

One new trimeric proanthocyanidin, epicatechin-(2beta-->O-->7, 4beta-->6)-epicatechin-(2beta-->O--->7, 4beta-->8)-epicatechin (5) and two new tetrameric proanthocyanidins, epicatechin-(2beta-->O-->7, 4beta-->8)-[epicatechin-(4beta-->6)]-epicatechin-(4beta-->8)-epicatechin, named as parameritannin A-1 (6), and epicatechin-(2beta-->O-->5, 4beta-->6)-[epicatechin-(2beta-->O-->7, 4beta-->8)]-epicatechin-(4beta-->8)-epicatechin, named as parameritannin A-2 (7), have been isolated from the bark of Parameria laevigata Moldenke (Apocynaceae) along with the two known dimers, proanthocyanidin A-2 (1) and proanthocyanidin A-6 (2), and two trimers, cinnamtannin B-1 (3) and aesculitannin B (4). These structures were elucidated by spectral and chemical evidence.     

Studies on nepalese crude drugs. XXVIII. Chemical constituents of Bhote Khair, the underground parts of Eskemukerjea megacarpum HARA

From the underground parts of Eskemukerjea megacarpum HARA, two new stilbenes (14, 15) were isolated, together with a known coumarin, 5,7-dihydroxycoumarin (1), a tyramine derivative, trans-feruloyltyramine (2), two pyrogallol derivatives, gallic acid (3) and beta-glucogallin (4), four flavonoids, trifolin (5), hyperin (6), myricetin 3-O-beta-D-galactopyranoside (7), and myricitrin (8), five stilbenes, resveratorol (9), astringenin (10), piceid (11) astringin (12), and resveratorol 3-O-beta-D-(6-O-galloyl)glucopyranoside (13), a flavan-3-ol, (-)-epigallocatechin 3-O-gallate (16), two proanthocyanidins, catechin-(4alpha-->8)-epigallocatechin 3-O-gallate (17) and epicatechin 3-O-gallate-(4beta-->8)-epigallocatechin 3-O-gallate (18), and an anthocyanin, idaein (19). Compounds 14 and 15 were identified as (E)-3,5,3',4'-tetrahydroxystilbene 3-O-beta-D-(6-O-galloyl)glucopyranoside and (E)-3,5,4'-trihydroxystilbene 3-O-beta-D-(6-O-galloyl)glucopyranoside, respectively, based on spectral and chemical data.     

High-performance liquid chromatographic determination of oligomeric procyanidins from dimers up to the hexamer in hawthorn

An HPLC method using UV diode array detection was developed for analysing procyanidins qualitatively and quantitatively up to the hexameric level in hawthorn samples. The analysed compounds included procyanidin dimers B-2, B-4 and B-5, procyanidin trimers C-1, epicatechin-(4beta-->8)-epicatechin-(4beta-->6)-epicatechin and epicatechin-(4beta-->6)-epicatechin-(4beta-->8)-epicatechin, a tetramer D-1 and a pentamer E-1 both consisting of (-)-epicatechin units linked through C-4beta/C-8 bonds. The concentrations of two unknown tetramers and a hexamer F were also quantified. The oligomeric procyanidins (OPs) were specifically determined due to the development of a method for isolating them from hawthorn during sample preparation. The pattern of oligomeric procyanidins in the leaves, flowers and fruits was similar, but the concentrations varied depending on the part of the plant. The concentration in leaves was 1.6%, in flowers 1.2% and in fruits 0.2% of the dry mass. The method was validated with respect to repeatability, recovery, linearity, and sensitivity. The repeatability for the quantitative analytical method of all the OPs in leaves was 7.7%, in flowers 8.8%, and in fruits 12.3%. The recovery of the main OPs ranged from 91 to 97%. The correlation coefficients of calibration curves were between 0.997 and 1.000. The limits of quantitation for different procyanidin standards were 0.05-0.12 mg/ml, when 10 microl of each standard solution was injected into the HPLC.     

Proanthocyanidins ofPolygonum coriarium III. Structures of proanthocyanidins T1 and T2

The roots ofPolygonum coriarum have yielded two oligomeric proanthocyanidins, T1 and T2, and their structures have been established: 3-O-galloyl-7-O-[O-(6-O-galloyl)--D-glucopyranosyl]-(–)-epigallocatechin-(4-8)-(–)-epicatechin-(4-8)-(–)-epicatechin-(4-8)-(–)-epigallocatechin 3-O-gallate (T1) and (–)-epicatechin-(4-8)-[3-O-galloyl-(–)-epigallocatechin]-(4-8)-(–)-epicatechin-(4-8)-(+)-catechin (T2).The material of this paper were presented at the IInd International Symposium on the Chemistry of Natural Compounds (SCNC, Eskisehir, Turkey, October 22–24, 1996).Translated from Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 4, pp. 588–593, July–August, 1977.     

Stereoselective synthesis of procyanidin B3-3-O-gallate and 3,3″-di-O-gallate, and their abilities as antioxidant and DNA polymerase inhibitor

A simple method for the synthesis of procyanidin B3 substituted with a galloyl group at the 3 and 3″ position is described. Condensation of a benzylated catechin-3-O-gallate electrophile with a nucleophile, catechin and catechin-3-O-gallate, proceeded smoothly and stereoselectively to afford the corresponding dimer gallates, procyanidin B3-3-O-gallate and procyanidin B3-3,3″-di-O-gallate, in good yields. Further, their antioxidant activities on UV-induced lipid peroxide formation, DPPH radical scavenging activity and inhibitory activity of DNA polymerase were also investigated. Among three procyanidin B3 congeners (procyanidin B3, 3-O-gallate and 3,3″-di-O-gallate), the 3,3″-di-O-gallate derivative showed the strongest antioxidant and radical scavenging activity. Interestingly, the 3-O-gallate derivative was the strongest inhibitor of mammalian DNA polymerase with IC₅₀ value of 0.26 μM, although it showed the weakest antioxidant and radical scavenging activity. It became apparent that the presence of a galloyl group at the C-3 position in the proanthocyanidin oligomer was very important for biological activity, however, the antioxidant activity of these compounds was not parallel to the DNA polymerase inhibitory activity.     

Five new triterpenoid saponins from the roots of Platycodon grandiflorum

Five new triterpenoid saponins, platycoside H [3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->6)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-2beta,3beta,16alpha,23-tetrahydroxyolean-12-en-28-oic acid 28-O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1-->4)-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-alpha-L-arabinopyranoside], platycoside I [3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->6)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->6)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-2beta,3beta,16alpha,23-tetrahydroxyolean-12-en-28-oic acid 28-O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1-->4)-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-alpha-L-arabinopyranoside], platycoside J [3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-2beta,3beta,16alpha,23-tetrahydroxyolean-12-en-28-oic acid 28-O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1-->4)-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-alpha-L-arabinopyranoside], platycoside K [3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->3)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-2beta,3beta,16alpha,23,24-pentahydroxyolean-12-en-28-oic acid], and platycoside L [3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->6)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-2beta,3beta,16alpha,23,24-pentahydroxyolean-12-en-28 oic acid], and three known triterpenoid saponins, platycoside F, platycoside B, and platycoside C, were isolated from the roots of Platycodon grandiflorum A. DC. Their chemical structures were elucidated on the basis of their spectral data and chemical evidence.     

Indonesian medicinal plants. XXV. Cancer cell invasion inhibitory effects of chemical constituents in the parasitic plant Scurrula atropurpurea (Loranthaceae)

Six fatty acids (1-6), two xanthines (7, 8), two flavonol glycosides (9, 10), one monoterpene glucoside (11), one lignan glycoside (12), and four flavanes (13-16) were clarified by a bioassay-guided separation as chemical constituents of Scurrula atropurpurea (Loranthaceae), a parasitic plant of the tea plant Thea sinensis (Theaceae). Among these constituents, it was found that the alkynic fatty acid octadeca-8,10,12-triynoic acid (6) exhibits a more potent inhibitory effect on cancer cell invasion in vitro than flavanes [(+)-catechin (13), (-)-epicatechin (14), (-)-epicatechin-3-O-gallate (15) and (-)-epigallocatechin-3-O-gallate (16)].     

Constituents of a fern, Davallia mariesii Moore. II. Identification and 1H- and 13C-nuclear magnetic resonance spectra of procyanidin B-5, epicatechin-(4 beta----8)-epicatechin-(4 beta----6)-epicatechin, and epicatechin-(4 beta----6)-epicatechin-(4 beta----8)-epicatechin-(4 beta----6)-epicatechin.

Procyanidin B-5 (1), epicatechin-(4 beta----8)-epicatechin-(4 beta----6)-epicatechin (2), and epicatechin-(4 beta----6)-epicatechin-(4 beta----8)-epicatechin-(4 beta----6)-epicatechin (3), which showed an inhibitory effect toward protein kinase C, were isolated from the rhizomes of Davallia mariesii Moore. Detailed analyses of their 1H- and 13C-nuclear magnetic resonance spectra were carried out by the use of two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance techniques.     

Tannins from Betel Nuts

From the acetone extract of fresh-betel nuts, two procyanidin pentamers, two procyanidin tetramers and three procyanidin trimers, along with (+)-catechin, (-)-epicatechin, procyanidin A-l, procyanidin B-l, procyanidin B-2, and procyanidin B-7 were isolated. Based on ₁H NMR and ₁₃C NMR spectral data as well as the results of thiolysis degradation, the chemical structures of two series of oligomeric arecatannins A and B have been established. The arecatannins from betel nuts were found to be condensed-type tannins which possess (-)-epicatechin unit and (+)-catechin units. All arecatannins had C₄-C₈ linked (-)-epicatechin in the upper units whereas the (+)-catechin in the terminal unit had C₄-C₈ or C₄-C₆ linkage.     

Study of the catechins and proanthocyanidins ofQuercus robur

More than 20 compounds have been isolated from the bark ofQuercus robur. Monomers: (–)-epicatechin, (–)-epicatechin gallate, (+)-catechin, (+)-catechin gallate, (+)-gallocatechin, (–)-epigallocatechin, and (–)-epigallocatechin gallate; dimeric proanthocyanidins: (+)-catechin-(4-8)-(+)-catechin, 3-O-galloyl-(+)-catechin-(4-8)-3-O-galloyl-(+)-catechin, 3-O-galloyl-(+)-gallocatechin-(4-8)-(+)-gallocatechin, (–)-epicatechin-(4-8)-3-O-galloyl-(–)-epigallocatechin gallate, 3-O-galloyl-(–)-epicatechin-(4-8)-3-O-galloyl-(–)-epigallocatechin, 3-O-galloyl-(–)-epigallocatechin-(4-8)-(+)-catechin; and oligomeric proanthocyanidins: D14-D19.Materials presented at the IInd International Symposium on the Chemistry of Natural Compounds (SCNC, Eskiehir, Turkey, October, 22–24, 1996).Institute of the Chemistry of Plant Substances, Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Tashkent, fax (3712) 40 64 75. Translated from Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 6, pp. 819–833, November–December, 1997.     

New oligomeric proanthocyanidin glycosides platanoside-A and platanoside-B from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Platanus orientalis</Emphasis> trunk bark

Two new oligomeric proanthocyanidin glycosides were isolated from trunk bark of Platanus orientalis. Their structures and relative configurations were found to be 7-O-β-D-Glcp-(–)-epicatechin-(4β-8)-(–)-epicatechin(4β-8)-(–)-epicatechin-3-O-gallate (platanoside-A) and 7-O-β-D-Glc \textp\xrightarrow6 {\text{p}}\xrightarrow{6} galloyl-(+)-catechin-3-O-gallate(4α-8)-(–)-epicatechin-3-O-gallate-(4β-8)-(–)-epicatechin-3-O-gallate-(4β-8)-5-O-β-D-Glcp-(–)epicatechin-3-O-gallate (platanoside-B).     

Procyanidin oligomers. A new method for 4→8 interflavan bond formation using C8-boronic acids and iterative oligomer synthesis through a boron-protection strategy

Interest in the synthesis of procyanidin (catechin or epicatechin) oligomers that contain the 4→8 interflavan linkage remains high, principally due to research into their health effects. A novel coupling utilising a C8-boronic acid as a directing group was developed in the synthesis of natural procyanidin B3 (i.e., 3,4-trans-(+)-catechin-4α→8-(+)-catechin dimer). The key interflavan bond was forged using a novel Lewis acid-promoted coupling of C4-ether 6 with C8-boronic acid 16 to provide the α-linked dimer with high diastereoselectivity. Through the use of a boron protecting group, the new coupling procedure was extended to the synthesis of a protected procyanidin trimer analogous to natural procyanidin C2.     

Synthesis of proanthocyanidins. Part 1. The first oxidative formation of the interflavanyl bond in procyanidins

A novel and efficient method for the oxidative condensation of tetra-O-methyl-3-oxocatechin 4 with tetra-O-methylcatechin is described. Treatment of a solution of 3 (2 equiv) and 4 (1 equiv) with silver tetrafluoroborate readily affords the phenolic per-O-methyl ethers of 3-oxocatechin(4-8)-catechin 18 and 19. Subsequent metal hydride reduction provides access to procyanidin B-3 analogues with the 3,4-cis diastereomers predominating.     

Facile method for the preparation of lyso-GM1 and lyso-GM2

This paper reports a facile method for the preparation of lyso-GM1 [Gal beta1-->3GalNAc beta1--> 4(Neu5Ac alpha2-->3)Galbeta1-->4Glc beta1-->1'-sphingosine] and lyso-GM2 [GalNAc beta1-->4(Neu5Ac alpha2-->3)Gal beta1-->4Glc beta1-->sphingosine], respectively, from GM1 [Galbeta1-->3GalNAc beta1-->4(Neu5Ac alpha2-->3)Galbeta1-->4Glc beta1-->1'-Cer] and GM2[GalNAc beta1-->4(Neu5Ac alpha2-->3)Galbeta1-->4Glc beta1-->1'-Cer], using sphingolipid ceramide deacylase and high performance anion-exchange chromatography (HPAEC). The enzymatically released lyso-GM1 and/or lyso-GM2 was effectively separated from its parent ganglioside by HPAEC using a Mono Q HR 5/5 column with an Amersham Biosciences fast protein liquid chromatography system. The yield was almost quantitative and the separation completed in approximately 3 h. This method is more convenient and effective than the conventional method using alkaline hydrolysis and silicic acid chromatography to generate and purify lyso-gangliosides.     

粘委陵菜中的鞣质成分的研究

从枯委陵菜(potenjtilla viscosa J.Don)根中分离出七个鞣质成分, 经波谱分析, 化学降解和衍生物制备等手段确定了它们的化学结构, 分别为(+)-儿茶素(1), (+)-儿茶素3-O-β-D葡萄糖苷(2), afzelechin-(4α-8)-儿茶素(3), 原花色苷元B-3(4), 原花色苷元B-33'-O-β-D-葡萄吡喃糖苷(5), 原花色苷元C-2(6)和枯委陵菜素(potentillanin)(7), 其中5和7是首次发现的天然化合物,化合物1及2具有保肝作用。     

Stereoselective oxidation at C-4 of flavans by the endophytic fungus Diaporthe sp. isolated from a tea plant

The microbial transformation of five flavans (1-5) by endophytic fungi isolated from the tea plant Camellia sinensis was investigated. It was found that the endophytic filamentous fungus Diaporthe sp. oxidized stereoselectively at C-4 position of (+)-catechin (1) and (-)-epicatechin (2) to give the correspondent 3,4-cis-dihydroxyflavan derivatives (6, 10), respectively. (-)-Epicatechin 3-O-gallate (3) and (-)-epigallocatechin 3-O-gallate (4) were also oxidized by the fungus into 3,4-dihydroxyflavan derivatives (10, 12) via (-)-epicatechin (2) and (-)-epigallocatechin (11), respectively. Meanwhile, (-)-gallocatechin 3-O-gallate (5), (-)-catechin (ent-1) and (+)-epicatechin (ent-2), which possess a 2S-phenyl substitution, resisted the biotransformation.     

Revised structures of gambiriins A1, A2, B1, and B2, chalcane-flavan dimers from gambir (Uncaria gambir extract)

Gambir, the aqueous extract from Uncaria gambir (Rubiaceae), has been used as an astringent medicine in Asian countries. Investigation of the constituents in the extract led to the isolation of four chalcane-flavan dimers, gambiriin A1 (6), A2 (7), B1 (8), and B2 (9), in addition to (+)-catechin (1), (+)-epicatechin (2), and dimeric proanthocyanidins, procyanidin B1 (3), procyanidin B3 (4), and gambiriin C (5). The spectroscopic and chemical data obtained in the present study indicated that their previously proposed structures 6a, 7a, 8a, and 9a should be revised to 6, 7, 8, and 9, respectively.