A new steroid with unique rearranged seven-membered B ring isolated from roots of Asparagus filicinus

A novel skeleton steroid aspafilisine (1), which has a unique rearranged seven-membered B ring formed by the C₍₇₎–C₍₁₄₎ linkage were isolated from the roots of Asparagus filicinus. A novel hemiketal derivative (1a) was synthesized to identify the structure of 1. The structures of 1 and 1a were elucidated by 1D and 2D NMR spectra as well as by HRESIMS data. The absolute configuration of 1 was assigned on the basis of ROESY spectrum, comparison with literature and computational methods. A plausible biosynthetic pathway of 1 was also proposed.     

Panaxfuraynes A and B, two new tetrahydrofuranic polyacetylene glycosides from Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer

Panaxfurayne A (1), a tetrahydrofuranic polyacetylene glycoside, was isolated from the roots of Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer (Araliaceae) together with panaxfurayne B (2) as a geometric isomer of 1. The chemical structures of these two compounds were ascertained by UV, Mass, 1D, and 2D NMR experiments. During these experiments, these tetrahydrofuranic polyacetylene compounds proved to be of biogenetically novel type.     

Ligusaginoids A–D,four eremophilane-type sesquiterpenoid dimers and trimers from Ligularia sagitta

Four novel highly oxygenated eremophilane-type sesquiterpenoid dimers and trimers with the unique 6/6/5/5 polycyclic skeleton, designated as ligusaginoids A–D (1–4), were isolated from the aerial parts of Ligularia sagitta. Their structures with absolute configurations were determined by a combined method. Moreover, a plausible biosynthetic pathway of 1–4 was also proposed. These compounds showed weak antibacterial activities.     

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.     

(±)-Rubioncolin D,a pair of enantiomeric naphthohydroquinone dimers from Rubia oncotricha

A pair of novel enantiomeric naphthohydroquinone dimers with an unprecedented spiro[4.5] carbon core, (±)-rubioncolin D (1), were isolated from Rubia oncotricha. The racemic mixture of 1 was separated by chiral column chromatography. Their structures and stereochemistry were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analysis and electronic circular dichroism calculation. Both compounds (+)-1 and (?)-1 exhibit weak cytotoxicities against A549, SGC-7901 or HeLa cancer cell lines.     

Glabralides A – C,three novel meroterpenoids from Sarcandra glabra

Glabralides A–C (1–3), three novel meroterpenoids including two unprecedented skeletons were isolated from the whole plants of Sarcandra glabra. Glabralide A (1) represented a unique skeleton of the chalcone-coupled monoterpenoid, bearing a bicyclo [2.2.2] octene core unit with five chiral centers. The structures were established by spectroscopic methods, including 2D NMR experiments, and the absolute configurations were determined using circular dichroic (CD) spectra. The plausible biogenetic pathway for 1 suggested that α-phellandrene was conjugated with chalcone by Diels-Alder cyclization, and for 3 implied that α-phellandrene and o-hydroxy phenylacetate cyclized by an uncommon radical addition and cationic cyclization.     

Salviatalin A and salvitrijudin A, two diterpenes with novel skeletons from roots of Salvia digitaloides and anti-inflammatory evaluation

Salviatalin A (1) and salvitrijudin A (2), two diterpenes with novel skeletons, were isolated from the roots of Salvia digitaloides. Their structures were determined using 1D, 2D NMR, and HRESI-MS spectroscopic analyses. Salviatalin A (1) from bioassay-guided fractionation showed a potent inhibitory effect on superoxide anion production in GMLP/CB-activated human neutrophils as well as other anti-inflammatory effects. A plausible biosynthetic pathway is also discussed.     

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.     

Suffruticosine, a novel octacyclic alkaloid with an unprecedented skeleton from Securinegasuffruticosa (Pall.) Rehd.

A novel securinega alkaloid, suffruticosine (1), was isolated from the leaves and barks of Securinegasuffruticosa. The structure of 1, characterized by a fused complex octacyclic system, was elucidated by combined spectroscopic techniques, especially 2D NMR and CD spectral analyses.     

Streptopyrazinones A−D,rare metabolites from marine-derived Streptomyces sp. ZZ446

Secondary metabolites from marine-associated actinomycetes are important source for the discovery of novel bioactive compounds. In this study, an actinomycete Streptomyces sp. ZZ446 was isolated from coastal soils and different media were used to culture this isolated marine actinomycete. It has been found that this actinomycete in the liquid medium of 2216?E with sea salt produced five new compounds of streptopyrazinones A?D (1–4) and N-acetyl-l-isoleucine-l-leucinamide (5) as well as six known diketopiperazines (6–11) and one alkaloid (12). Structures of the new compounds were determined by extensive NMR analyses, HRESIMS data, electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculation, chemical degradation, Marfey's method, and X-ray diffraction analysis. This type of streptopyrazinones A?D (1–4) is rarely found in the natural resources. New compounds 1–5 showed activity in inhibiting the growth of Candida albicans and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.     

A new isoflavane from processed Astragalus membranaceus

A new isoflavane named astraganoside,together with five known compounds had been isolated from the processed Astragralus membranaceus.The structure of the novel compound was elucidated as(3R,4R)-3-(2-hydroxy-3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)chroman- 4,7-diol-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside(1)based on spectroscopic methods including UV,IR,ESI-MS,1D NMR and 2D NMR techniques.     

A novel polyprenylated phloroglucinol, garcinialone, from the roots of Garcinia multiflora

A novel polyprenylated phloroglucinol garcinialone (1) along with a known compound isoxanthochymol (2) have been isolated from the roots of Garcinia multiflora. The structures of 1 and 2 were elucidated spectroscopically, by 1D and 2D NMR and mass spectrometry.     

Thiocytochalasins A−D,four sulfur-containing cytochalasans from an endophytic fungus Phoma multirostrata XJ-2-1

Four unprecedented sulfur-containing cytochalasans, thiocytochalasins A?D (1?4), were isolated from an endophytic fungus Phoma multirostrata XJ-2-1. Thiocytochalasins A (1) and B (2) feature a novel 5/6/14/5 tetracyclic scaffold, which are the first examples of cytochalasan containing a thiophene moiety. Thiocytochalasins C (3) and D (4) are epimeric cytochalasan homodimers formed via a thioether bridge. Their structures with absolute configurations were established by detailed analysis of the HRESIMS, NMR, and X-ray crystallography. The plausible biogenetic pathway of 1?4 was postulated. Compounds 3 and 4 exhibited significant cytotoxicity against CT26 cells with IC₅₀ values of 0.85 and 0.76 µmol/L, respectively.     

Amphezonol A, a novel polyhydroxyl metabolite from marine dinoflagellate Amphidinium sp.

Amphezonol A (1), a novel polyhydroxyl linear carbon-chain metabolite, has been isolated from the cultured marine dinoflagellate Amphidinium sp., which was isolated from an Okinawan marine acoel flatworm Amphiscolops sp. The structure of 1 was elucidated by detailed analyses of 2D NMR spectra. Amphezonol A (1) possesses one tetrahydrofuran ring, two tetrahydropyran rings, and twenty-one hydroxyl groups on C₆₀-linear aliphatic chain with one exo-methylene and one methyl branch. Amphezonol A (1) exhibited a modest inhibitory activity against DNA polymerase α.     

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.     

Sesquiterpenoid with new skeleton from Chloranthus henryi

Dayejijiol (1), a novel sesquiterpene with a new carbon skeleton, and a novel labdane-type diterpenoid (13S)-13-hydroxy-19-methoxy-5αH-8(17), 14-labdadien (3), together with three known compounds chloranthalactone A (4), shizukanolide (5), shizukolidol (6) were isolated from Chloranthus henryi Hemsl. Their structures were established by a combination of 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic techniques. Compounds 1 and 5 exhibited anti-tumor activities against Hela and K562 human tumor cell lines.     

Novel cytotoxic constituents of Orthosiphon diffusus

Chemical investigation on Orthosiphon diffusus resulted in the isolation of four relatively rare, novel polychiral furanopyrans, orthodiffenes A-D (1-4) which were characterized from detailed studies of their 1D and 2D NMR spectra. The X-ray crystallographic analysis of orthodiffene A (1) was accomplished. The in vitro cytotoxic activity of orthodiffenes A-C (1-3) was tested against Jurkat and HL-60 cells using camptothecin as a positive control. Orthodiffenes A (1) and B (2) showed comparable activity to camptothecin against HL-60 and Jurkat cells, respectively.     

Guianofruits C–I from fruit oil of andiroba (Carapa guianensis,Meliaceae)

Two novel chukrasone-type limonoids, named Guianofruits C and D (1 and 2), a guianolide derivative named Guianofruit E (3), and four novel phragmalin–type limonoids named Guianofruits F–I (4–7), were isolated from the fruit oil of Carapa guianensis AUBLET (Meliaceae), a traditional medicine in Brazil and Latin American countries. Their structures were mainly elucidated based on spectroscopic analyses using 1D and 2D NMR techniques. The effects of compounds 1–6 on the production of NO by LPS-activated mouse peritoneal macrophages were investigated. Two new chukrasone-type limonoids, Guianofruits C (1) and D (2), exhibited moderate inhibitory activities.     

Two novel tricyclic diterpenoids from Isodon rubescens var. taihangensis

Two novel tricyclic diterpenoids rubescensins U (1) and V (2) were isolated from the leaves of Isodon rubescens var. taihangensis. They were elucidated as a 8,15-seco-ent-kauranoid and an ent-abietanoid, respectively, by 1D and 2D NMR spectra, and single crystal X-ray analysis. Compound 1 is the first example of an 8,15-seco-ent-kaurane from the plants genus Isodon. A discussion of their biogenesis is described.     

Cyclooxygenase-2 enzyme inhibitory withanolides from Withania somnifera leaves

Four novel withanolide glycosides and a withanolide have been isolated from the leaves of Withania somnifera. The structures of the novel compounds were elucidated as physagulin D (1→6)-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)-β-d-glucopyranoside (1), 27-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl physagulin D (2), 27-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl viscosalactone B (3), 4,16-dihydroxy-5β, 6β-epoxyphysagulin D (4), and 4-(1-hydroxy-2,2-dimethylcyclo-propanone)-2,3-dihydrowithaferin A (5) on the basis of 1D-, 2D NMR and MS spectral data. In addition, seven known withanolides withaferin A (6), 2,3-dihydrowithaferin A (7), viscosalactone B (8), 27-desoxy-24,25-dihydrowithaferin A (9), sitoindoside IX (10), physagulin D (11), and withanoside IV (12) were isolated. These withanolides were assayed to determine their ability to inhibit cycloxygenase-1 (COX-1) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) enzymes and lipid peroxidation. The withanolides tested, except compound 9, showed selective COX-2 enzyme inhibition ranging from 9 to 40% at 100 μg/ml. Compounds 4, 10 and 11 also inhibited lipid peroxidation by 40, 44 and 55%, respectively. The inhibition of COX-2 enzyme by withanolides is reported here for the first time.