Two New Guaiane Sesquiterpenes from the Fruits of Daucus carota

Two new sesquiterpenes, 11‐(acetyloxy)torilolone ( 1 ) and 1β‐hydroxytorilolone ( 2 ) were obtained from the fruits of Daucus carota. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of various spectroscopic analyses and chemical evidence.     

Sesquiterpenes from Rhizomes of Cyperus rotundus with Cytotoxic Activities on Human Cancer Cells in vitro

Two new sesquiterpenes, cyperusol A₃ ( 1 ) and 3β‐hydroxycyperenoic acid ( 2 ), along with three known sesquiterpenes, britanlin E ( 3 ), 1β,4α‐dihydroxyeudesm‐11‐ene ( 4 ), and 11,12‐dihydroxyeudesm‐4‐en‐3‐one ( 5 ), were isolated from the AcOEt‐soluble fraction of rhizomes of Cyperus rotundus L. The structures of 1 and 2 were elucidated by physical and spectroscopic methods (¹H‐ and ¹³C‐NMR, 2D‐NMR, and MS). All of the isolates, 1 – 5 , were evaluated for their cytotoxic activities against human ovarian cancer cells (A2780) and endometrial adenocarcinoma cells (Ishikawa) using MTT assays.     

Terpenoids from Eupatorium fortunei Turcz

Four new terpenoids, namely, rel‐(1R,2S,3R,4R,6S)‐p‐menthane‐1,2,3,6‐tetrol ( 1 ), rel‐(1R,2R,3R,4S,6S)‐p‐menthane‐1,2,3,6‐tetrol ( 2 ), 9‐hydroxythymol 3‐O‐angelate ( 3 ), and (3β,20R)‐20‐hydroxylanost‐25‐en‐3‐yl palmitate ( 4 ), together with fourteen known compounds, were isolated from the AcOEt part of the MeOH extracts of Eupatorium fortunei. In addition, two other monoterpenoids, ‘acetone thymol‐8,9‐diyl ketal’ ( 19 ) and 8‐methoxy‐9‐hydroxythymol 3‐O‐angelate ( 20 ) were also obtained which were probably artifacts but have never been reported in the literature. The structures of the new compounds, including their relative configurations, were established by an extensive study of their spectral data, especially 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR. The cytotoxic activity of the new compounds against human hepatoma (SMMC‐7721), human leukemia (HL‐60), and human hepatocyte (LO₂) cells was investigated.     

萜类化合物为手性源合成拒食剂研究进展

总结了近年来国内外一些萜类化合物如环柠檬醛、香芹酮、香茅醇、紫苏醇、蒈烯、苎烯和环香叶醇等作为手性源在立体选择性合成拒食剂方面的新进展,并且对合成方法进行了简单介绍。最后对萜类化合物在合成拒食剂方面的应用进行了展望。     

Bioactive constituents from Croton sparsiflorus Morong

Whole plant extracts of Croton sparsiflorus in methanol have shown significant enzyme inhibition and antioxidant activities. Bioassay-guided isolation of chloroform fraction at pH 3 resulted in the identification of crotsparinine (1) and crotsparine (2), while sparsiflorine (3) was purified from the chloroform fraction at pH 9. The structures of the compounds were confirmed through spectral analyses (EI-MS, ¹H and ¹³C NMR). The isolated compounds 1–3 exhibited remarkable enzyme inhibition activity with IC₅₀ values 27.01 ± 1.1, 22.26 ± 1.0 and 18.02 ± 1.3 μM in xanthine oxidase and 48.42 ± 1.5, 48.05 ± 1.4 and 7.42 ± 1.0 μM in acetylcholine esterase assays, respectively. These compounds also showed potent radical scavenging and reducing properties in DPPH and FRAP assays, respectively. The present results suggest the validity of the traditional uses of C. sparsiflorus in rheumatism and gout. Furthermore, the isolated noraporphine alkaloids can be useful in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.     

Anti-HIV Ermiasolides from Croton megalocarpus

In recent years, elucidation of novel anti-HIV bioactive compounds from natural products is gaining importance rapidly, not only from the research and publications, but also from controlled clinical studies. Here we report three new anti-HIV eudesmane-type sesquiterpenes, 5β-Hydroxy-8α-methoxy eudesm-7(11)-en-12,8-olide (1), 5β,8α-Dihydroxy eudesm-7(11)-en-12,8-olide (2) and 5β-Hydroxy-8H-β-eudesm-7(11)-en-12,8-olide (3). These are trivially named ermiasolide A-C and were isolated from the bark of Croton megalocarpus. 5β-Hydroxy-8α-methoxy eudesm-7(11)-en-12,8-olide (1), showed the highest anti-HIV activity by inhibiting 93% of the viral replication with an IC₅₀ = 0.002 µg/mL. On the other hand, 5β-Hydroxy-8H-β-eudesm-7(11)-en-12,8-olide (3) and 5β,8α-dihydroxy eudesm-7(11)-en-12,8-olide (2), inhibited viral replication by 77.5% at IC₅₀ = 0.04 µg/mL and 69.5% at IC₅₀ = 0.002 µg/mL, respectively. Molecular docking studies showed that the proposed mechanism of action leading to these results is through the inhibition of HIV-protease.     

Terpenoids from the Stems of Drypetes congestiflora

Two new eremophilane‐type sesquiterpenoids, 1α‐hydroxyeremophila‐6,9,11‐trien‐8‐one ( 1 ), 4α‐hydroxyeremophila‐1,9‐diene‐3,8‐dione ( 2 ), and a new friedelane‐type triterpenoid, friedelane‐3α,16β‐diol ( 4 ), along with six known terpenoids, 3 and 5 – 9 , have been isolated from the stems of Drypetes congestiflora. Their structures and relative configurations were elucidated on the basis of detailed spectroscopic analyses and by comparison of their NMR data with those reported in the literature. All of the compounds, 1 – 9 , were isolated for the first time from this species. Compound 3 exhibited moderate cytotoxic activities against the A549 and B16F10 cell lines.     

Tigliane Diterpene Esters from the Leaves of Croton tiglium

Three new tigliane‐type diterpene esters, 1 – 3 with unusual 7‐oxo‐5‐ene or 7‐hydroxy‐5‐ene moieties in their skeletons, were isolated from the leaves of Croton tiglium. Their structures were unambiguously elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic data.     

Terpenoids from Roots of Chloranthus spicatus

Five new terpenoids, including four eudesmane‐type sesquiterpenoids, 1 – 4 , and one labdane‐type diterpenoid, 6 , together with ten known compounds, were isolated from the roots of Chloranthus spicatus. The structures and their relative configurations were mainly established by 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR spectra, and MS experiments.     

Two new labdane-type diterpenoids cinnamate from Croton decalvatus Esser

Two new labdane diterpene derivatives, crotondecalvatin A (1) and crotondecalvatin B (2) were obtained from the leaves and twigs of Croton decalvatus. The structures of compounds were established on the basis of extensive spectroscopic data.     

Terpenoids from Two Dicranopteris Species

Two new compounds, (6S,13S)‐6‐{[β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→4)‐α‐L ‐rhamnopyranosyl]oxy}cleroda‐3,14‐dien‐13‐ol ( 1 ) and kadsuric acid 3‐methyl ester ( 2 ), together with nine known compounds, (6S,13E)‐6‐{[β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→4)‐α‐L ‐rhamnopyranosyl]oxy}cleroda‐3,13‐dien‐15‐ol ( 3 ), (6S,13S)‐6‐[6‐O‐acetyl‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→4)‐α‐L ‐rhamnopyranosyl]oxy}‐13‐{[α‐L ‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1→4)‐β‐D ‐fucopyranosyl]oxy}cleroda‐3,14‐diene ( 4 ), (6S,13S)‐6‐{[6‐O‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→4)‐α‐L ‐rhamnopyranosyl]oxy}‐13‐{[α‐L ‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1→4)‐β‐D ‐fucopyranosyl]oxy}cleroda‐3,14‐diene ( 5 ), 15‐hydroxydehydroabietic acid ( 6 ), 15‐hydroxylabd‐8(17)‐en‐19‐oic acid ( 7 ), junicedric acid ( 8 ), (4β)‐kaur‐16‐en‐18‐oic acid ( 9 ), (4β)‐16‐hydroxykauran‐18‐oic acid ( 10 ), and (4β,16β)‐16‐hydroxykauran‐18‐oic acid ( 11 ) were isolated from the fronds of Dicranopteris linearis or D. ampla. Their structures were established by extensive 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR spectroscopy. Compounds 1 and 3 – 8 showed no anti‐HIV activities.     

Terpenoids from the Roots of Ligularia muliensis

Three new eremophilane‐type sesquiterpenes, (6β,8α)‐6‐(acetyloxy)‐8‐hydroxyeremophil‐7(11)‐en‐12,8‐olide ( 1 ), (6α,8α)‐6‐hydroxyeremophil‐7(11)‐en‐12,8‐olide ( 2 ), and (6α,8α)‐6‐(acetyloxy)eremophil‐7(11)‐en‐12,8‐olide ( 3 ) ((8α)‐eremophil‐7(11)‐en‐12,8‐olide = (4aR,5S,8aR,9aS)‐4a,5,6,7,8,8a,9,9a‐octahydro‐3,4a,5‐trimethylnaphtho[2,3‐b]furan‐2(4H)‐one), besides the recently elucidated eremoligularin ( 4 ) and bieremoligularolide ( 5 ), as well as a new highly oxygenated monoterpene, rel‐(1R,2R,3R,4S,5S)‐p‐menthane‐1,2,3,5‐tetrol ( 12 ), together with six known constituents, i.e., the sesquiterpenes 6 and 7 , the norsesquiterpenes 8 – 10 , and the monoterpene 13 , were isolated from the roots of Ligularia muliensis. In addition, an attempt to dimerize 1 to a bieremophilenolide (Scheme) resulted in the generation of the new derivative (6β,8β)‐6‐(acetyloxy)‐8‐chloroeremophil‐7(11)‐en‐12,8‐olide ( 11 ). The new structures were established by means of detailed spectroscopic analysis (IR, FAB‐, EI‐, or HR‐ESI‐MS as well as 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR experiments). Compounds 4 and 5 were evaluated for their antitumor effects in vitro (Table 3).     

Three Terpenoids and a Tocopherol‐Related Compound from Ricinus communis

Four new compounds named (3E,7Z,11E)‐19‐hydroxycasba‐3,7,11‐trien‐5‐one ( 1 ), 6α‐hydroxy‐10β‐methoxy‐7α,8α‐epoxy‐5‐oxocasbane‐20,10‐olide ( 2 ), 15α‐hydroxylup‐20(29)‐en‐3‐one ( 3 ), and (2R,4aR, 8aR)‐3,4,4a,8a‐tetrahydro‐4a‐hydroxy‐2,6,7,8a‐tetramethyl‐2‐(4,8,12‐trimethyltridecyl)‐2H‐chromene‐5,8‐dione ( 4 ) were isolated from the MeOH extracts of the aerial parts of Ricinus communis L. by chromatographic methods. Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic experiments.     

Croargoids A–G,Eudesmane Sesquiterpenes from the Bark of Croton argyratus

Seven new sesquiterpenes, named croargoid A–G (1–7), were isolated from the bark of Croton argyratus. Compounds 1–4 were the first examples of eudesmane sesquiterpene lactones containing C₅-OH group. Compound 7 was a highly degraded eudesmane sesquiterpene possessing a rare eleven-carbon skeleton. Their structures with stereochemistry were mainly elucidated by NMR analyses in combination with MS and ECD data. Cytotoxicities and NO inhibitions of all isolates were evaluated and only compound 5 showed moderate NO inhibitory activity.     

Structure elucidation of casbane diterpenes from Croton argyrophyllus

Two novel casbane diterpenes 1-hydroxy-(2E,6Z,12E)-casba-2,6,12-triene-4,5-dione (1) and 6E,12E-casba-1,3,6,12-tetraen-1,4-epoxy-5-one (2) were isolated from the ethanol extract of the stems of Croton argyrophyllus. Structural characterization including the relative stereochemistry of all compounds was established on the basis of spectroscopic methods, mainly 1D and 2D NMR, and HRESIMS.     

Crotofolane‐ and Casbane‐Type Diterpenes from Croton argyrophyllus

Phytochemical analysis of Croton argyrophyllus led to the isolation of five new diterpenes named (5β,6β)‐5,6 : 13,16‐diepoxycrotofola‐4(9),10(18),13,15‐tetraen‐1‐one ( 1 ), (5β,6β)‐5,6 : 13,16‐diepoxy‐2‐epicrotofola‐4(9),10(18),13,15‐tetraen‐1‐one ( 2 ), (5β,6β)‐5,6 : 13,16‐diepoxy‐16‐hydroxy‐2‐epicrotofola‐4(9),10(18),13,15‐tetraen‐1‐one ( 3 ), (5β,6β)‐5,6 : 13,16‐diepoxy‐16‐hydroxy‐2‐epicrotofola‐4(9), 10(18),13,15‐tetraen‐1‐one ( 4 ) and (2E,5β,6E,12E)‐5‐hydroxycasba‐2,6,12‐trien‐4‐one ( 5 ), in addition to the known diterpenes crotonepetin and depressin, and acetylaleuritolic acid and spinasterol. The structures of the isolated compounds were established by a combination of spectroscopic methods, including HR‐ESI‐MS, 2D‐NMR, and X‐ray crystallography.     

Three Novel Terpenoids from Schisandra pubescens var. pubinervis

Three new terpenoids, pubinernoids A–C ( 1 – 3 ), together with six known sesquiterpenoids, were isolated from the leaves and stems of Schisandra pubescens var. pubinervis. The structures of the new compounds were established on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analyses, including application of 2D‐NMR spectroscopic techniques. A plausible formation of the sesquiterpenoid 2 is proposed (Scheme 2), starting from guaianediol ( 4 ) as the biogenetic precursor, which was also present in the extract.     

A Modular Approach for the Synthesis of Natural and Artificial Terpenoids

Many terpenoids with isoprene unit(s) demonstrating critical biological activities have been isolated and characterized. In this study, we have developed a robust chem-stamp strategy for the construction of the key isoprene unit, which consists of two steps: one-carbon extension of aldehydes to the alkenyl boronates by the boron-Wittig reaction and the rhodium-catalyzed reaction of alkenyl boronates with 2,3-allenols to yield enals. This chem-stamp could readily be applied repeatedly and separately, enabling the modular concise synthesis of many natural and pharmaceutically active terpenoids, including retinal, β-carotene, vitamin A, tretinoin, fenretinide, acitretin, ALRT1550, nigerapyrone C, peretinoin, and lycopene. Owing to the diversified availability of the starting materials, aldehydes and 2,3-allenols, creation of new non-natural terpenoids has been realized from four dimensions: the number of isoprene units, the side chain, and the two terminal groups.     

Two New 3,4‐Seco‐ent‐kaurenes and Other Constituents from the Costa Rican Endemic Species Croton megistocarpus

Following our phytochemical studies of Costa Rican plants, we report the isolation of two new 3,4‐seco‐ent‐kaurenes from the aerial parts of Croton megistocarpus (Euphorbiaceae). The structures of the two compounds were elucidated as 14‐[(2‐methylbutanoyl)oxy]‐3,4‐seco‐ent‐kaura‐4(19),16‐dien‐3‐oic acid ( 1 ) and 14‐{[(2Z)‐2‐methylbut‐2‐enoyl]oxy}‐3,4‐seco‐ent‐kaura‐4(19),16‐dien‐3‐oic acid ( 2 ). In addition, seven known diterpene clerodanes were also isolated and identified. The structures of the compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, including HR‐MS, ¹H‐NMR, ¹³C‐NMR, COSY, HMQC, HMBC, and NOESY experiments.