Circumdatin M,a new benzodiazepine alkaloid with a unique pyrimidone-4-pyrone moiety from a Hawaiian marine fungus Aspergillus sp. FM242

A new benzodiazepine alkaloid, circumdatin M (1), with a rare pyrimidone-4-pyrone moiety was isolated from a Hawaiian marine fungus Aspergillus sp. FM242. The structure of compound 1 was determined by analysis of HRMS and NMR spectroscopic data, and DP4+ NMR calculations. The absolute configurations of compound 1 were assigned by CD calculations. Compound 1 was tested inactive against A2780 and A2780CisR.     

Njaoamine I,a cytotoxic polycyclic alkaloid from the Haplosclerida sponge Haliclona (Reniera) sp.

A new cytotoxic polycyclic alkaloid containing a quinoline moiety, njaoamine I (1) has been isolated from the methanol extract of the sponge Haliclona (Reniera) sp. collected at Okuza Island, Tanzania. The structure of compound 1 was determined by 1D and 2D NMR and HRMS data analysis. Its relative configuration was elucidated by a NOESY experiment and confirmed by comparison of its NMR spectral data to those of njaoamines A–H. Moreover, njaoamine G (2) was also detected by LC/MS analysis of the methanol extract. Njaoamine I (1) displays cytotoxic activity against a panel of three human tumor cell lines in the micromolar range.     

Meloslines A and B,two novel indole alkaloids from Alstonia scholaris

An unprecedented indole alkaloid melosline A (1), with 6/5/6/6 tetracyclic ring skeleton, together with a new alkaloid melosline B (2) and one known compound (3) were isolated from the leaves and twigs of Alstonia scholaris. The new structures were elucidated by comprehensive spectroscopic analysis. The absolute configuration of compound 1 was confirmed by comparison of experimental data with calculated electronic circular dichroism (ECD). Compound 1 exhibited moderate cytotoxicity against MCF-7 cancer cell lines.     

A new ent-norabietant diterpenoid from roots of Euphorbia lathyris L.

A new highly oxidized ent-norabietane diterpenoid named lathyrisol A (1) was isolated from roots of Euphorbia lathyris L. The structure and absolute configuration of 1 were elucidated on the basis of data obtained by HRESIMS, NMR, and the Cu-Kα radiation X-ray diffraction analysis. This compound is the first example of naturally occurring norabietane diterpenoid with an exocyclic olefin at the C-4 position.     

Verbenanone,an octahydro-5H-chromen-5-one from a Hawaiian-plant associated fungus FT431

Verbenanone (1), a new secondary metabolite with a unique (4aS,8aS)-octahydro-5H-chromen-5-one moiety has been obtained from the endophytic fungus FT431, which was isolated from the native Hawaiian plant Verbena sp. The structure of compound 1 was characterized based on NMR and MS spectroscopic analysis. The absolute configuration (AC) of compound 1 was determined by Mosher acids. Compound 1 was tested against A2780 and A2780cisR, but it was inactive.     

Two new polyketides from Hawaiian endophytic fungus Pestalotiopsis sp. FT172

Two new polyketides, pestalotiotones A (1) and B (2) were isolated from the cultured broth of Pestalotiopsis sp. FT172. The structures of compounds 1 and 2 were determined by analysis of HRMS and NMR spectroscopic data. The absolute configurations of compound 1 were assigned by Mosher reaction, J-based configuration analysis, and DP4 NMR calculations. Both compounds were tested against cancer cell lines, pathogenic fungi and bacteria.     

Physalinol A,a 1,10-seco-physalin with an epidioxy from Physalis alkekengi L. var. franchetii (Mast.) Makino

Physalinol A (1), a novel 1, 10-seco-physalin with a peroxy bridge, was isolated from the organic extracts of Physalis alkekengi L. var. franchetii (Mast.) Makino. The structure was determined on the basis of 1D and 2D NMR spectra and HR-ESI-MS data. The absolute configuration of 1 was evidenced by X-ray diffraction data and further confirmed by ECD calculations. The isolated compound 1 has no cytotoxicity against HCT-116 and PC-3 cancer cell lines and a weak antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coil. In addition, compound 1 also exhibited a weak anti-inflammatory action in lipopolysacaride (LPS)-induced RAW 264.7 macrophages with an IC₅₀ value of 57.3?±?1.03?μM.     

Isatindigodiphindoside,an alkaloid glycoside with a new diphenylpropylindole skeleton from the root of Isatis indigotica

A novel indole alkaloid glycoside with an unprecedented 2-(diphenylpropyl)-indole skeleton, isatindigodiphindoside (1), was isolated from an aqueous extract of the roots of Isatis indigotica. The structure was determined by extensive spectroscopic studies, especially by 2D NMR data analysis combined with enzymatic hydrolysis and ECD calculations. Plausible biosynthetic pathways of compound 1 are also discussed.     

Angustifolinoid A,a macrocyclic flavonoid glycoside from Elaeagnus angustifolia flowers

A novel macrocyclic flavonoid glycoside, angustifolinoid A (1), featuring an unprecedented 13-membered heterocyclic ring moiety, along with a known flavonoid glycoside, tiliroside (2), were isolated from Elaeagnus angustifolia flowers. Their structures were determined by extensive spectroscopic analysis and electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculation. Biosynthesis analysis indicated that compound 1 might be derived from compound 2 via a key enzymatic intramolecular oxidative coupling. Compounds 1 and 2 showed inhibitory activities against cyclooxygenases, COX-1 and COX-2.     

Mycopyranone: A 8,8ˈ-binaphthopyranone with potent anti-MRSA activity from the fungus Phialemoniopsis sp.

A new 8,8?-binaphthopyranone (mycopyranone, 1) was isolated from a solid fermentation of Phialemoniopsis sp. (fungal strain MSX61662), and the structure was elucidated via analysis of the NMR and HRESIMS data. The axial chirality of 1 was determined to be M by ECD. The central chirality at C-4/C-4? was assigned through a modified Mosher’s method, while the absolute configuration at C-3/C-3? was deduced based on analysis of the ³J_H-3-H-4 values and NOESY correlations. Compound 1 was evaluated for its antimicrobial properties against Staphylococcus aureus SA1199 and a clinically relevant methicillin-resistant S. aureus strain (MRSA USA300 LAC strain AH1263). Compound 1 inhibited the growth of both strains in a concentration dependent manner with IC₅₀ values in the low μM range. Molecular docking indicated that compound 1 binds to the FtsZ (tubulin-like) protein in the same pocket as viriditoxin (2), suggesting that 1 targets bacterial cell division.     

Halichonic acid,a new rearranged bisabolene-type sesquiterpene from a marine sponge Halichondria sp.

A new compound, halichonic acid (1), was isolated from a marine sponge Halichondria sp., together with (6R,7S)-7-amino-7,8-dihydro-α-bisabolene (2). The structure of 1 was elucidated by spectroscopic analysis and ECD spectrum calculation to be a rearranged bisabolene-type sesquiterpene having a 3-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonene moiety. Compound 2 was cytotoxic against HeLa cells with an IC₅₀ value of 50?μM, whereas 1 did not show cytotoxicity even at 50?μM. It is possible that 1 is biosynthesized from farnesyl pyrophosphate and glycine, with rearrangement.     

Sphaerialactonam,a γ-lactam–isochromanone from the Hawaiian endophytic fungus Paraphaeosphaeria sp. FT462

Reinvestigation of the endophytic fungus Paraphaeosphaeria sp. FT462 from the Hawaiian plant Lycopodiella cernua (L.) Pic. Serm led to the isolation and identification of a unique γ-lactam-isochromanone (1). The structure of 1 was determined by NMR, MS spectroscopic analysis, and quantum chemical calculations of NMR. The compound was tested inactive against A2780 and A2780cisR.     

Alkaloids from the roots of Stemona tuberosa and their anti-tobacco mosaic virus activities

Stemtuberlines A (1) and B (2), two new alkaloids with a unique tricyclic pyrrolo [3,2,1-jk]benzazepine-12-one nucleus, three new croomine-type alkaloids, stemtuberlines C-E (3–5), together with seven known ones were isolated from the roots of Stemona tuberosa. The structures of the new alkaloids were elucidated based on a comprehensive spectroscopic data analysis. The absolute configurations of 1 and 2 were determined by quantum ECD calculations. The anti-tobacco mosaic virus activity of the Stemona alkaloids was firstly evaluated and compound 11 exhibited significant anti-tobacco mosaic virus activity with the curative inhibition rate of 84.6% at concentration of 50?μg/mL.     

Blennolide derivatives from the soil-derived fungus Trichoderma asperellum PSU-PSF14

Three new blennolide derivatives, blennolides L-N (1–3), together with five known metabolites were isolated from the soil-derived fungus Trichoderma asperellum PSU-PSF14. Their structures were determined by analysis of spectroscopic data. Their relative configurations were determined by analysis of NOEDIFF data and confirmed by X-ray crystallography for compound 1 whereas the absolute configurations were established by means of experimental and calculated TDDFT ECD data. Compound 1 displayed antifungal activity against Cryptococcus neoformans ATCC90112 and ATCC90113 flucytosine-resistant with the MIC values of 128 and 64?μg/mL, respectively, and was inactive against noncancerous Vero cell lines.     

Saxifraganoids A and B,two novel cucurbitane triterpenoid glycosides from Saxifraga umbellulata var. pectinata

Two novel cucurbitane triterpenoid glycosides, named saxifraganoids A (1) and B (2), were isolated from Saxifraga umbellulata var. pectinata. Their structures including absolute configurations were elucidated based on the analysis of spectroscopic data (1D, 2D NMR and HRMS), and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Compound 1 represents the first example of cucurbitane triterpenoid with a Δ¹⁷⁽²⁰⁾, and compound 2 contained an unusual N-acetylglucosamine at C-16. The protective effects against liver injury induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) in the human embryonic-liver L-02 cells of these two compounds were evaluated.     

A novel azide-free asymmetric synthesis of oseltamivir phosphate (Tamiflu) starting from Roche’s epoxide

A novel azide-free asymmetric synthesis of oseltamivir phosphate 1 (Tamiflu®) starting from Roche’s epoxide is described. Roche epoxide 2 was converted into N-acetyl aminoalcohol 3 in 95% yield via a BF₃·OEt₂-catalyzed epoxide-opening with acetonitrile as a nucleophile. Compound 3 was then transformed into a methanesulfonate 4 in 98% yield. Compound 4 was converted into aziridine 5 in 91% yield. Aziridine 5 was subsequently converted into oseltamivir phosphate 1 via two paths (a and b). In the path a, compound 5 underwent aziridine-opening with diallylamine as a nucleophile to afford compound 7 in 93% yield; compound 7 could then be converted into oseltamivir phosphate 1 in 88% yield. In path b, compound 5 underwent aziridine-opening with isopropyl 2,2,2-trichloroacetimidate as a nucleophile to afford compound 8 in 94% yield, which was then converted into oseltamivir phosphate 1 in 82% yield.     

Abiesanol A, a novel biflavanol with unique six connective hexacyclic rings isolated from Abies georgei

A novel biflavanol with unique six connective hexacyclic rings, abiesanol A (1), was isolated from the aerial parts of Abies georgei together with four known flavanols. The structure of new compound was elucidated mainly by the analysis of 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic data. In addition, single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis was adopted to confirm the structure of abiesanol A (1). In biological assay for inhibitory activities against LPS-induced nitric oxide (NO) production in RAW264.7 macrophages, abiesanol A (1) showed potent effects at 50 μg/mL with the inhibition rate of 43.0%. Under the same concentration, abiesanol A (1) did not show any cytotoxicity against RAW264.7 macrophages.     

Koanolide A,antiproliferative germacrane-type sesquiterpene lactone from Koanophyllon gibbosum

A new germacrane-type sesquiterpene lactone, koanolide A (1), was isolated from the aerial parts of Koanophyllon gibbosum. The new structure was elucidated using spectroscopic and spectrometric data analyses, including 1D and 2D NMR. The absolute configuration of compound 1 was established by X-ray crystallography. The antiproliferative activity of 1 was studied in a panel of six representative human solid tumor cell lines and showed GI₅₀ values ranging from 0.34 to 20 μM.     

Bousigonine A and B,bis- and tri-indole alkaloids from Bousigonia mekongensis and their preventing high glucose-induced podocyte injury activity

Bousigonine A (1), an unprecedented eburnamine-voaphylline type dimeric indole alkaloid, and Bousigonine B (2), the first example of eburnamine-eburnamine-aspidospermine type trimeric indole alkaloid were isolated from Bousigonia mekongensis. Their structures were elucidated mainly by spectroscopic analysis and compared to published data. Their preventing high glucose-induced podocyte injury activity were evaluated for the first time, and compound 1 exhibited significant effect with EC₅₀ value of 2.5 μM.     

Aplyronines D–H from the sea hare Aplysia kurodai: isolation,structures, and cytotoxicity

Five cytotoxic macrolides, aplyronines D–H (4–8), were isolated from the Japanese sea hare Aplysia kurodai. They are new congeners of the antitumor compound aplyronine A (1), which was previously isolated from the same organism. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic analysis (NMR and MS). The cytotoxicity of these new compounds was evaluated in comparison with that of aplyronines A–C (1–3), suggesting the importance of the 7-O-seryl ester group for mediating the potent cytotoxicity of aplyronines.