Cholinesterase‐Inhibiting New Steroidal Alkaloids from Sarcococca hookeriana of Nepalese Origin

Bioassay‐guided phytochemical investigation of Sarcococca hookeriana has resulted in the isolation and structure elucidation of five new pregnane‐type steroidal alkaloids: (?)‐hookerianamide A (=(2β,3β,4β,20S)‐20‐(dimethylamino)‐3‐[(3‐methylbut‐2‐enoyl)amino]‐5α‐pregn‐16‐ene‐2,4‐diol; 1 ), (+)‐hookerianamide B (=(2α,3β,4β,20S)‐4‐acetoxy‐20‐(dimethylamino)‐3‐[(3‐methylbut‐2‐enoyl)amino]‐5α‐pregnan‐2‐ol; 2 ), (?)‐hookerianamide C (=(2β,3β,20S)‐2‐acetoxy‐20‐(dimethylamino)‐3‐[(3‐methylbut‐2‐enoyl)amino]‐5α‐pregnane; 3 ), (?)‐hookerianamine A (=(3β,20S)‐20‐(dimethylamino)‐3‐(methylamino)‐5α‐pregn‐14‐ene; 4 ), and (+)‐phulchowkiamide A (=(3β,20S)‐20‐(methylamino)‐3‐[(2‐methylbut‐2‐enoyl)amino]‐5α‐pregn‐2‐en‐4‐one; 5 ). These compounds, as well as the two chemically derived acetyl derivatives 6 and 7 , displayed cholinesterase inhibition in a concentration‐dependent manner.     

Withanolides from Physalis alkekengi var. francheti

Two new withanolides, namely (20S,22R)‐15α‐acetoxy‐5α‐chloro‐6β,14β‐dihydroxy‐1‐oxowitha‐2,24‐dienolide ( 1 ) and (22R)‐5β,6β : 14α,17 : 14β,26‐triepoxy‐2α‐ethoxy‐13,20,22‐trihydroxy‐1,15‐dioxo‐16α,24‐cyclo‐13,14‐secoergosta‐18,27‐dioic acid 18→20,27→22‐dilactone ( 2 ), along with six known compounds, physagulin B ( 3 ), withangulatin A ( 4 ), physalin I ( 5 ), withaminimin ( 6 ), physagulin J ( 7 ), and ergosta‐5,25‐diene‐3β,24ξ‐diol ( 8 ), were isolated from the whole plant of Physalis alkekengi var. francheti. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analyses.     

Three New Abietane‐type Diterpenes from the Bark of Cryptomeria japonica

Three new abietane‐type diterpenoids, 7β‐acetoxy‐12‐methoxyabieta‐8,11,13‐triene‐6α,11‐diol ( 1 ), 7α‐acetoxy‐12‐methoxyabieta‐8,11,13‐triene‐6α,11‐diol ( 2 ), and 6α‐acetoxy‐12‐methoxyabieta‐8,11,13‐triene‐7α,11‐diol ( 3 ), as well as two known abietane‐type diterpenoids, 12‐methoxyabieta‐8,11,13‐triene‐6α,7β,11‐triol ( 4 ) and 6α‐acetoxy‐12‐methoxyabieta‐8,11,13‐triene‐7β,11‐diol ( 5 ), were isolated from the MeOH extract of the bark of Cryptomeria japonica. Their structures were determined by analysis of spectroscopic data and comparison of NMR data with those of related metabolites.     

Manganese Dioxide Mediated Stereoselective, One-step Synthesis of Novel Steroidal (6R)-Spiro-1’,2’,4’-triazoline-3’-thiones

Oxidative cyclization of 5α-cholestan-6-one thiosemicarbazone (1), its 3β-chloro (2) and 3β-acetoxy (3) analogues with active manganese dioxide at room temperature afforded selectively the corresponding (6R)-spiro-1’,2’,4’-triazoline-3’-thiones 4—6. This synthesis has the advantages of mild reaction conditions, easy handling, easily available reagent and high yields. The products have been characterized by analytical and spectral data.     

Hydrolytic Reaction of Plant Extracts to Generate Molecular Diversity: New Dammarane Glycosides from the Mild Acid Hydrolysate of Root Saponins of Panax notoginseng

Molecular diversity was generated by hydrolyzing the crude root saponins of Panax notoginseng (Burk .) F. H. Chen under mild acidic condition (AcOH/EtOH 1 : 1). From the acid hydrolysate, five new dammarane glycosides, named notoginsenoside T₁ (=(3β,6α,12β,20E,23RS)‐24,25‐epoxy‐6‐[(β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl)oxy]‐dammar‐20(22)‐ene‐3,12,23‐triol; 1 ), notoginsenoside T₂ (=(3β,6α,12β,20E,23RS)‐24,25‐epoxy‐6‐[(β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl)oxy]‐23‐methoxydammar‐20(22)‐ene‐3,12‐diol; 2 ), notoginsenoside T₃ (=(3β,6α,12β,20S)‐6‐[(β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl)oxy]‐20‐ethoxydammar‐24‐ene‐3,12‐diol; 3 ), notoginsenoside T₄ (=(3β,6α,12β,20S,22E,24RS)‐6‐[(β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl)oxy]dammar‐22‐ene‐3,12,20,24,25‐pentol; 4 ), and notoginsenoside T₅ (=(3β,6α,12β, 24E)‐6‐[(β‐D ‐xylopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl)oxy]dammara‐20(21),24‐diene‐3,12‐diol; 5 ), were isolated, together with 15 known dammarane glycosides, and their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic evidence. Among the known compounds, ginsenosides Rg₃ and Rh₁ were isolated as major constituents, in addition to ginsenosides Rg₅, Rh₄, and a mixture of (20R)‐ and (20S)‐25‐hydroxyginsenoside Rh₁, all of which were obtained from P. notoginseng for the first time.     

Three New C21 Steroidal Glycosides from the Stems of Marsdenia tenacissima

Three new glycosides, (3β,5α,8α,11α,12β,14β,17α,20R)‐3‐[(2,6‐dideoxy‐4‐O‐(6‐deoxy‐3‐O‐methyl‐β‐D ‐allopyranosyl)‐3‐O‐methyl‐β‐D ‐arabino‐hexopyranosyl)oxy]‐12‐O‐tigloyl‐8,20 : 11,20‐diepoxypregnane‐12,14‐diol ( 1 ), (3β,5α,8α,11α,12β,14β,17α,20R)‐3‐[(2,6‐dideoxy‐4‐O‐(6‐deoxy‐3‐O‐methyl‐β‐D ‐ allopyranosyl)‐3‐O‐methyl‐β‐D ‐arabino‐hexopyranosyl)oxy]‐12‐O‐(2‐methylbutanoyl)‐8,20 : 11,20‐diepoxypregnane‐12,14‐diol ( 2 ), and (3β,5α,11α,12β,14β,17α)‐12‐acetoxy‐3‐[(2,6‐dideoxy‐4‐O‐(6‐deoxy‐3‐O‐methyl‐β‐D ‐allopyranosyl)‐3‐O‐methyl‐β‐D ‐arabino‐hexopyranosyl)oxy]‐20‐oxo‐8,14‐epoxypregnan‐ 11‐yl isobutyrate ( 3 ) were isolated from the stems of Marsdenia tenacissima. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by means of spectral data, including HR‐ESI‐MS, and 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR.     

New Sesquiterpenoids from Ligularia duciformis

From the whole plants of Ligularia duciformis, four new sesquiterpenoids, 3β‐acetoxy‐6β‐methoxyeremophila‐7(11),9(10)‐dien‐12,8β‐olide ( 1 ), 3β‐acetoxy‐8α‐hydroxy‐6β‐methoxyeremophila‐7(11),9(10)‐dien‐12,8β‐olide ( 2 ), 3β‐acetoxy‐10β‐hydroxy‐6β,8β‐dimethoxyeremophil‐7(11)‐en‐12,8α‐olide ( 3 ), and 3β‐acetoxy‐6β,8β,10β‐trihydroxyeremophil‐7(11)‐en‐12,8α‐olide ( 4 ) were isolated. Their structures were established by high‐field NMR techniques (¹H,¹H‐COSY, ¹³C‐APT, HMQC, HMBC, and NOESY) and HR‐ESI‐MS analysis, together with comparison of the spectroscopic data with those of structurally related compounds. In addition, the cytotoxicity of the new compounds against human hepatic cancer cells Bel‐7402, human pneumonic cancer cells A‐549, and human colonic cancer cells HCT‐8 were evaluated, the new compounds showed no cytotoxicity against the three tumor cells (all IC₅₀ values >200 μM ).     

Synthesis of Some Novel Phenyl Substituted Oxothiazolidin- 1’’,3’’,4’’-thiadiazolo-[3’,4’-b]thiazoline of 3β-Substituted Cholestane

Three title compounds 4a—4c have been synthesized by the cyclodehydration of 1’-benzylidine-4’-(3β-substituted-5α-cholestane-6-yl)thiosemicarbazones 2a—2c with thioglycolic acid followed by the treatment with cold conc. H2SO4 in dioxane. The compounds 2a—2c were prepared by condensation of 3β-substituted-5α-cholestan- 6-one-thiosemicarbazones 1a—1c with benzaldehyde. These thiosemicarbazones 1a—1c were obtained by the reaction of corresponding 3β-substituted-5α-cholestan-6-ones with thiosemicarbazide in the presence of few drops of conc. HCl in methanol. The structures of the products have been established on the basis of their elemental, analytical and spectral data.     

Monomeric Magnesium and Calcium Complexes containing the Rigid,Dianionic 1, 2‐Bis[(2, 5‐di‐tert‐butylphenyl)imino]acenaphthene (dtb‐BIAN) and 1, 2‐Bis[(2‐biphenyl)imino]acenaphthene (bph‐BIAN) Ligands

The new rigid bidentate nitrogen ligands 1, 2‐bis[(2, 5‐di‐tert‐butylphenyl)imino]acenaphthene ( 1 ) (dtb‐BIAN) and 1, 2‐bis[(2‐biphenyl)imino]acenaphthene ( 2 ) (bph‐BIAN) have been synthesized by condensation of 1, 2‐acenaphthylenedione with 2, 5‐di‐tert‐butylaniline and 2‐aminobiphenyl, respectively. Reduction of 1 and 2 with magnesium and calcium results in the formation of the monomeric metal complexes [(dtb‐BIAN)Mg(THF)₂] ( 3 ), [(bph‐BIAN)Mg(DME)₂] ( 4 ), and [(bph‐BIAN)Ca(THF)₃] ( 5 ). Compounds 1 — 5 have been characterized by C/H analyses, IR, ¹H NMR, and ¹³C NMR spectra, the structures of 2 , 3 , and 5 have been estimated by single crystal X‐ray diffraction.     

Four New Compounds from Sinacalia tangutica

Four new compounds, 9α‐hydroxy‐1β‐methoxycaryolanol ( 1 ), stigmast‐5‐ene‐7α,22α‐diol‐3β‐tetradecanoate ( 2 ), 7‐O‐(6′‐acetoxy‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl)coumarin ( 3 ), and 8‐O‐(6′‐acetoxy‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl)‐7‐hydroxycoumarin ( 4 ), together with ten known compounds, were isolated from the aerial parts of Sinacalia tangutica. The structures of the new compounds were established by means of extensive spectroscopic analyses (1D‐ and 2D‐NMR, EI‐MS, HR‐ESI‐MS, as well as IR and UV) and by comparison of their spectroscopic data with those of structurally related compounds reported in the literature.     

Three New Chromanones from Calea clausseniana

Three new chromanones, uniflorol A acetate ( 1 ), uniflorol B acetate ( 2 ), and 2,2‐dimethyl‐6‐{1‐[(4′‐acetoxy)angeloyloxy]ethyl}chroman‐4‐one ( 3 ), together with the known chromanone 4 , and two known p‐hydroxyacetophenone derivatives, 5 and 6 , were isolated from the CH₂Cl₂ crude extract of the underground parts of Calea clausseniana Baker . The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic analyses, including 2D‐NMR techniques.     

Cardenolides and Cardiac Aglycone from the Stem Bark of Trewia nudiflora

Five new cardenolides and one new cardiac aglycone, i.e., (5α)‐sarmentogenin 3‐(α‐L ‐rhamnopyranoside) ( 1 ), (5α)‐sarmentogenin ( 2 ), 11‐oxouzarigenin 3‐(α‐L ‐rhamnopyranoside) ( 3 ), (5α)‐gitoxigenin 3‐(α‐L ‐rhamnopyranoside) ( 4 ), (5α)‐oleandrigenin 3‐(α‐L ‐rhamnopyranoside) ( 5 ), and (5α)‐oleandrigenin 3‐[β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1 → 4)‐α‐L ‐rhamnopyranoside] ( 6 ), together with two known cardenolides, i.e., frugoside (= (3β,5α)‐3‐[(6‐deoxy‐β‐D ‐allopyranosyl)oxy]‐14,19‐dihydroxycard‐20(22)‐enolide) and (17α)‐ascleposide (= (3β,5α,17α)‐3‐[(6‐deoxy‐α‐D ‐allopyranosyl)oxy]‐14‐hydroxycard‐20(22)‐enolide), were isolated from the stem bark of Trewia nudiflora L. (Euphorbiaceae) collected in Xishuangbanna, Yunnan Province, China. Their structures were established by spectroscopic studies. Cardenolides were first found in the genus Trewia (Euphorbiaceae).     

Five New Tetranortriterpenoids from the Seeds of Toona ciliata

Five new tetranortriterpenoids, toonaciliatones B–F ( 1 – 5 , resp.), together with four known compounds, dihydrocedrelone ( 6 ), cedrelone ( 7 ), 6α‐acetoxyazadirone ( 8 ), and 6α‐acetoxy‐14β,15β‐epoxyazadirone ( 9 ), were isolated from the seeds of Toona ciliata. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, including 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR spectroscopy.     

Two New Eudesmanolides from the Flowers of Achillea millefolium

Two new eudesmanolides, 3β‐acetoxy‐1β,4α‐dihydroxy‐11αH‐eudesman‐12,6α‐olide ( 1 ) and 3β‐acetoxy‐1β‐hydroxy‐11αH‐eudesman‐4(15)‐en‐12,6α‐olide ( 2 ), were isolated from the flowers of Achillea millefolium, their structures were established on the basis of spectral analysis.     

Synthesis,structural characterization and in vitro cytotoxicity of diorganotin complexes with Schiff base ligands derived from 3‐hydroxy‐2‐naphthoylhydrazide

A series of diorganotin complexes with Schiff base ligands, (E)‐N′‐(5‐bromo‐2‐hydroxybenzylidene)‐3‐hydroxy‐2‐naphthohydrazide, H₂L1, and (E)‐N′‐(5‐chloro‐2‐hydroxybenzylidene)‐3‐hydroxy‐2‐naphthohydrazide, H₂L2, were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, ¹H, ¹³C and ¹¹⁹Sn NMR spectroscopy. The molecular structures of the complexes, [(5‐bromo‐2‐oxidobenzylidene)‐3‐hydroxy‐2‐naphthohydrazidato]di(o‐chlorobenzyl)tin(IV) 6 and [(5‐chloro‐2‐oxidobenzylidene)‐3‐hydroxy‐2‐naphthohydrazidato]dibutyltin(IV) 9, were determined through single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction and revealed a distorted trigonal‐bipyramidal configuration. The in vitro cytotoxic activity of the Schiff bases and their diorganotin complexes was also evaluated against several human carcinoma cell lines, namely HT29 (human colon carcinoma cell line), SKOV‐3 (human ovarian cancer cell line), MCF7 (hormone‐dependent breast carcinoma cell line) and MRC5 (non‐cancer human fibroblast cell line). [(5‐Bromo‐2‐oxidobenzylidene)‐3‐hydroxy‐2‐naphthohydrazidato]dibutyltin(IV) 2 and [(5‐bromo‐2‐oxidobenzylidene)‐3‐hydroxy‐2‐naphthohydrazidato]dibenzyltin(IV) 5 were the most active diorganotin complexes of H₂L1 ligand. Among the diorganotin complexes of H₂L2 ligand, [(5‐chloro‐2‐oxidobenzylidene)‐3‐hydroxy‐2‐naphthohydrazidato]dicyclohexyltin(IV) 11 showed good cytotoxic activity against all the tested cell lines. As such, the above compounds can be considered agents with potential anticancer activities, and can therefore be investigated further in in vitro or in vivo anticancer studies. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Halogenated Sesquiterpenes from the Marine Red Alga Laurencia saitoi (Rhodomelaceae)

Four new halogenated sesquiterpenes, 10‐bromo‐3‐chloro‐2,7‐epoxychamigr‐9‐en‐8α‐ol ( 1 ), 2,10β‐dibromochamigra‐2,7‐dien‐9α‐ol ( 2 ), (9S)‐2‐bromo‐3‐chloro‐6,9‐epoxybisabola‐7(14),10‐diene ( 3 ), and (9R)‐2‐bromo‐3‐chloro‐6,9‐epoxybisabola‐7(14),10‐diene ( 4 ), were characterized from the marine red alga Laurencia saitoi. In addition, two known halosesquiterpenes, 2,10‐dibromo‐3‐chlorochamigr‐7‐en‐9α‐ol ( 5 ) and isolaurenisol ( 6 ), were also isolated and identified. Their structures were established on the basis of extensive analysis of spectroscopic data.     

Reduction of Digallane [(dpp‐bian)Ga?Ga(dpp‐bian)] with Group 1 and 2 Metals

The reduction of digallane [(dpp‐bian)Ga? Ga(dpp‐bian)] ( 1 ) (dpp‐bian=1,2‐bis[(2,6‐diisopropylphenyl)imino]acenaphthene) with lithium and sodium in diethyl ether, or with potassium in THF affords compounds featuring the direct alkali metal–gallium bonds, [(dpp‐bian)Ga? Li(Et₂O)₃] ( 2 ), [(dpp‐bian)Ga? Na(Et₂O)₃] ( 3 ), and [(dpp‐bian)Ga? K(thf)₅] ( 7 ), respectively. Crystallization of 3 from DME produces compound [(dpp‐bian)Ga? Na(dme)₂] ( 4 ). Dissolution of 3 in THF and subsequent crystallization from diethyl ether gives [(dpp‐bian)Ga? Na(thf)₃(Et₂O)] ( 5 ). Ionic [(dpp‐bian)Ga]^?[Na([18]crown‐6)(thf)₂]⁺ ( 6 a ) and [(dpp‐bian)Ga]^?[Na(Ph₃PO)₃(thf)]⁺ ( 6 b ) were obtained from THF after treatment of 3 with [18]crown‐6 and Ph₃PO, respectively. The reduction of 1 with Group 2 metals in THF affords [(dpp‐bian)Ga]₂M(thf)_n (M=Mg ( 8 ), n=3; M=Ca ( 9 ), Sr ( 10 ), n=4; M=Ba ( 11 ), n=5). The molecular structures of 4 – 7 and 11 have been determined by X‐ray crystallography. The Ga? Na bond lengths in 3 – 5 vary notably depending on the coordination environment of the sodium atom.     

Steroidal Saponins from Disporopsis pernyi

Four new steroidal saponins, named disporosides A–D ( 1 – 4 ), corresponding to (3β,25R)‐3‐[(β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐[β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→6)]‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl)oxy]‐5β‐spirostan ( 1 ), (3β,25R)‐3‐[(β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐[6‐O‐hexadecanoyl‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→6)]‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl)oxy]‐5β‐spirostan ( 2 ), (3β,22R,25R)‐26‐[(β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl)oxy]‐3‐[(β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl)oxy]‐5β‐furostan ( 3 ), and (3β,22R,25R)‐26‐[(β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl)oxy]‐3‐[(β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐[β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→6)]‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl)oxy]‐5β‐furostan ( 4 ), have been isolated from the fresh rhizomes of Disporopsis pernyi, together with the three known compounds Ys‐I, agavoside B, and (3β,25R)‐3‐[(β‐D ‐xylopyranosyl‐(1→3)‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→4)‐β‐D ‐galactopyranosyl)oxy]‐5α‐spirostan‐12‐one. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analyses, chemical transformations (acid hydrolysis), and comparison with literature data.     

Chemical Constituents from the Roots of Schnabelia tetradonta

The new rearranged‐abietane diterpene 1 , the four new triterpenoids 2 – 5 , and the new aminoethylphenyl oligoglycoside 6 , besides 19 known compounds, were isolated from the roots of Schnabelia tetradonta, a Chinese endemic herb. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic evidence as 12,17‐epoxy‐11,14,16‐trihydroxy‐17(15→16)‐abeo‐abieta‐8,11,13,15‐tetraen‐7‐one ( 1 ), 21β‐(β‐D ‐glucopyranosyloxy)‐2α,3α‐dihydroxyolean‐12‐en‐28‐oic acid ( 2 ), 2β,3β,16β‐trihydroxy‐15‐oxo‐28‐norolean‐12‐en‐23‐oic acid ( 3 ), 3β‐[(4‐O‐acetyl‐β‐D ‐glucopyranuronosyl)oxy]‐2β,16β‐dihydroxy‐28‐norolean‐15‐oxo‐12‐en‐23‐oic acid ( 4 ), 3β‐[(4‐O‐acetyl‐6‐O‐methyl‐β‐D ‐glucopyranuronosyl)oxy]‐2β,16β‐dihydroxy‐15‐oxo‐28‐norolean‐12‐en‐23‐oic acid ( 5 ), and 4‐[2‐(acetylamino)ethyl]phenyl O‐6‐O‐[(Z)‐p‐methoxycinnamoyl]‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→2)]‐O‐[β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→3)]‐4‐O‐acetyl‐α‐L ‐rhamnopyranoside ( 6 ), respectively.     

Phenylethanoid Glycosides from the Roots of Digitalis ciliata Trautv.

Three new phenylethanoid glycosides, named digicilisides A – C ( 1  –  3 , resp.), have been isolated from the roots of Digitalis ciliata, along with five known phenylethanoid glycosides. The structures of 1  –  3 were identified as 2‐(4‐hydroxy‐3‐methoxyphenyl)ethyl β‐d ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→3)‐[α‐l ‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1→6)]‐4‐O‐[(E)‐feruloyl]‐β‐d ‐glucopyranoside ( 1 ), 2‐(3,4‐dihydroxyphenyl)ethyl α‐l ‐arabinopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐[β‐d ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→3)]‐[α‐l ‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1→6)]‐4‐O‐[(E)‐feruloyl]‐β‐d ‐glucopyranoside ( 2 ), and 2‐(3,4‐dihydroxyphenyl)ethyl β‐d ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→3)‐{6‐O‐[(E)‐feruloyl]‐β‐d ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→6)}‐4‐O‐[(E)‐caffeoyl]‐β‐d ‐glucopyranoside ( 3 ).