A New Hydrolyzable Tannin from Balanophora harlandii with Radical‐Scavenging Activity

One new hydrolyzable tannin, 1‐O‐[(E)‐p‐coumaroyl]‐3‐O‐galloyl‐β‐D ‐glucopyranose ( 1 ), was isolated from the rhizome of Balanophora harlandii, together with 18 known phenolic compounds. Their structures were determined by detailed spectroscopic analysis. Of the known compounds, 3‐O‐caffeoyl‐D ‐glucopyranose ( 6 ) was obtained as a natural product for the first time, and compounds 2 – 6 and 8 – 19 were identified for the first time from this plant. The radical‐scavenging activity of the isolated compounds was tested by a DPPH assay.     

A Benzofuranoid and Two Clerodane Diterpenoids from Pulicaria wightiana

Methyl 5‐formyl‐1‐benzofuran‐6‐carboxylate ( 1 ) and the two clerodane diterpenes, methyl 6‐oxocleroda‐3,13‐dien‐15,16‐olid‐18‐oate ( 2 ) and 2β‐(2‐methylbutanoyl)cleroda‐3,13‐dien‐15,16‐olid‐18‐oic acid ( 3 ), together with 15 known compounds, were isolated from the aerial parts of Pulicaria wightiana. The structures of the new compounds 1, 2 , and 3 were established by spectroscopic (mainly 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR) methods.     

The Syntheses of 4‐Arylamino‐1,2,3‐Triazoles and Stable 6‐Sydnonyl Verdazyls from Sydnone Derivatives and Their Fragments

α‐Chloroformylarylhydrazones 1 and α‐chloroformylarylhydrazones of sydnonecarbaldehydes 3 have been prepared by a new synthetic route: α‐chloroformylarylhydrazines hydrochlorides 2 reacted with corresponding carbonyl compounds. Reactions of compounds 3 with various hydrazines to give 6‐sydnonyl‐1,2,4,5‐tetrazinan‐3‐ones 7 and/or carbazones 8 were also investigated. By oxidization with lead dioxide, compounds 7 were trans formed to stable 6‐sydnonyl‐3,4‐dihydro‐3‐oxo‐1,2,4,5‐tetrazin‐1(2H)‐yl radical derivatives 9 (sydnonyl verdazyls). Furthermore, sydnonecarbaldehydes arylhydrazones 5 through acidic conditions could be transferred to 4‐arylamino‐1,2,3‐triazoles 6 which were also obtained by means of acidic decompositions of 4‐formylsydnones 10 .     

Xanthone O‐Glycosides from the Roots of Pteris Multifida

Two new xanthone glycosides and six known compounds were isolated from the roots of Pteris multifida. Based on spectroscopic and chemical methods, the structures of the new compounds were elucidated as 1‐hydroxy‐4,7‐dimethoxy‐8‐(3‐methyl‐2‐butenyl)‐6‐O‐α‐L‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐[β‐D‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→3)]‐β‐D‐glucopyranosylxanthone ( 1 ), and 1,3‐dihydroxy‐7‐methoxy‐8‐(3‐methyl‐2‐butenyl)‐6‐O‐α‐L‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1 →2)‐[β‐D‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→3)]‐β‐D‐glucopyranosylxanthone ( 2 ), respectively.     

Constituents from Rubia Ustulata Diels and R. Yunnanensis Diels and Their Antiplatelet Aggregation Activity

A new anthraquinone glycoside, rubiayannone‐A ( 1 ), and a new coumarin, rubilatin‐A ( 2 ), together with twenty‐two known compounds were isolated and characterized from the roots of Rubia ustulata. A new anthraquinone, 2‐carbomethoxyanthraquinone ( 3 ), and rubiayannone‐A, 2‐formylanthraquinone were obtained from the roots of R. yunnanensis. The structures of those compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic methods. The antiplatelet aggregation activity of the isolated compounds 1, 4～6 were also discussed.     

A Concise One‐Pot Synthesis of 3,4‐Diaryl‐1H‐pyrazoles from Natural Isoflavones and Hydrazine Hydrate

An efficient protocol has been developed for the preparation of a series of new 3,4‐diaryl‐1H‐pyrazoles, potential pharmacological and agricultural targets, by the reaction of hydrazine hydrate with different natural isoflavones or their derivatives. The target compounds were obtained in good‐to‐excellent yields (80–95%; Table 2) under fairly mild reaction conditions (80°) tolerating various functional groups. The new compounds were fully characterized, and the single‐crystal X‐ray structures of 3,5‐diethoxy‐2‐[4‐(4‐ethoxyphenyl)‐1H‐pyrazol‐3‐yl]phenol ( 26 ) and of the peracetylated compound 2‐{1‐acetyl‐4‐[4‐acetoxy‐3‐(diacetylamino)phenyl]‐1H‐pyrazol‐3‐yl}‐5‐acetoxyphenyl acetate ( 35 ) were solved (Figure).     

A New Glycine Derivative and a New Indole Alkaloid from the Fermentation Broth of the Plant Endophytic Fungus Pestalotiopsis podocarpi Isolated from the Chinese Podocarpaceae Plant Podocarpus macrophyllus

A new glycine derivative, podocarpiamide ( 1 ), a new indole alkaloid, 1‐methoxy‐1H‐indol‐3‐ethanol ( 2 ), together with two known compounds, 1‐methoxy‐1H‐indole‐3‐acetic acid ( 3 ) and methyl 1‐methoxy‐1H‐indole‐3‐acetate ( 4 ), were isolated from the fermentation broth of the plant endophytic fungus Pestalotiopsis podocarpi. Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analysis including 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR (HSQC, HMBC, and COSY) and MS experiments. Compound 1 has an interesting unusual carbamic acid structure.     

Design,Synthesis, and Insecticidal Activity of 1,5‐Diphenyl‐1‐pentanone Analogues

Three series of novel 1,5‐diphenyl‐1‐pentanone derivatives were designed and synthesized. Their structures were characterized by IR, ¹H NMR techniques, and elemental analysis. The insecticidal activities of the new compounds were preliminarily evaluated. The bioassay results indicated that the compounds X11 – X30 displayed better aphicidal activity against Aphis gossypii than compounds X1 – X10 and the lead compound (E)‐1,5‐diphenyl‐1‐penten‐1‐one ( A ). The inhibitory rates of compounds X6 and X29 were 100% against Plutella xylostella (L.) at 600 mg·L^?1. Compounds X12 , X13, X19 , X24, X25 , X26 and X27 showed higher insecticidal activity against Tetranychus cinnabarinus (Boisduval) at 600 mg·L^?1 than the lead compound ( A ).     

Palaeophytochemical Components from the Miocene‐Fossil Wood of Pinus Griffithii

Some Miocene‐fossil wood of Pinus griffithii preserved as lignified wood in brown coal was found in an open coalmine in Xundian of Yunnan Province, China. To explore its chemical components, here we show the palaeophytochemical investigation of this Pliocene‐fossil wood of P. armandii, resulting in the isolation of 11 compounds ( 1–11 ) including one new compound named 3,3‐dimethoxy‐24‐ethyl‐cholestan ( 1 ) by liquid column chromatography. Furthermore, sixteen volatiles were detected from this fossil wood by gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry (GC‐MS). These structures of 11 compounds were elucidated by analysis of their MS, 1D and 2D‐NMR spectra, and comparison with published data.     

Tocopherols and Triterpenoids from Sida acuta

A new tocopherol derivative, 7_a‐methoxy‐α‐tocopherol ( 1 ), and a new taraxastane triterpene, taraxast‐1,20(30)‐dien‐3‐one ( 5 ), together with four known compounds, β‐tocopherol ( 2 ), α‐tocopherol ( 3 ), α‐tocospiro B ( 4 ) and taraxasterone ( 6 ) were isolated from the whole plant of Sida acuta. Their structures were elucidated by spectral analysis including MS, 1D and 2D‐NMR spectroscopy. Among those compounds, compounds 1 , 2 , and 3 showed significant antioxidant effect (EC₅₀ = 86.9, 68.2, and 70.9 μM, respectively) in the DPPH radicals scavenging activity assay.     

Synthesis and Antimicrobial Activity of Some Condensed [4‐(2,4,6‐Trimethylphenyl)‐1(2H)‐oxo‐phthalazin‐2‐yl]acetic Acid Hydrazide

Some new 1,2,4‐triazolo‐, 1,3,4‐oxadiazolo‐, 1,3,4‐thiadiazol‐, and pyrazolo‐2,4,6‐trimethylphenyl‐1(2H)‐oxo‐phthalazine derivatives were synthesized and identified by IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, MS and elemental analysis. The new compounds were synthesized with the objective of studying their antimicrobial activity.     

Two New Sesquiterpenoids from the Rhizomes of Curcuma xanthorrhiza

Zedoardiol ( 1 ), a new furanoguaiane sesquiterpenoid, and 3,4‐dihydroxybisabola‐1,10‐diene ( 2 ), a new naturally occurring bisabolane sesquiterpenoid, together with six known compounds, were isolated from Curcuma xanthorrhiza Roxb . Their structures were determined on the basis of comprehensive spectroscopic analyses, mainly 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR, MS, IR and X‐ray single‐crystal diffraction. Herein, the isolation and structure elucidation of the compounds are described.     

New Bisabolane Sesquiterpenes from the Rhizomes of Curcuma xanthorrhiza Roxb. and Their Inhibitory Effects on UVB‐Induced MMP‐1 Expression in Human Keratinocytes

Two new bisabolane sesquiterpenoids, 1 and 2 , along with five known ones, 13‐hydroxyxanthorrhizol ( 3 ), 12,13‐epoxyxanthorrhizol ( 4 ), xanthorrhizol ( 5 ), β‐curcumene ( 6 ), and β‐bisabolol ( 7 ), were isolated from the rhizomes of Curcuma xanthorrhiza Roxb . The chemical structures of the new compounds were determined to be (7R,10R)‐10,11‐dihydro‐10,11‐dihydroxyxanthorrhizol 3‐O‐β‐D ‐glucopyranoside ( 1 ) and (?)‐curcuhydroquinone 2,5‐di‐O‐β‐D ‐glucopyranoside ( 2 ) on the basis of 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR spectroscopic analyses and optical‐rotation characteristics. Compounds 2 and 3 decreased MMP‐1 expression in UVB‐treated human keratinocytes by ca. 8.9‐ and 7.6‐fold at the mRNA level, and by ca. 9.2‐ and 6.6‐fold at the protein level, respectively. The results indicate that the isolated compounds may have anti‐aging effects through inhibition of MMP‐1 expression in skin cells.     

Three New Thiophene Acetylenes from Rhaponticum uniflorum (L.) DC.

Three new thiophene‐acetylenes, 7‐chloroarctinone‐b ( 1 ), rhapontiynethiophenes A ( 2 ) and B ( 3 ), along with arctinone‐b ( 4 ) were isolated from the MeOH extract of the roots of Rhaponticum uniflorum (L.) DC. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by detailed spectroscopic data analysis and by comparison with known compounds.     

Synthesis of Novel 3‐Acetyl‐2‐Aryl‐5‐(3‐Aryl‐1‐Phenyl‐Pyrazol‐4‐yl)‐2,3‐Dihydro‐1,3,4‐Oxadiazoles

A series of novel pyrazolyl‐substituted 1,3,4‐oxadiazole derivatives ( 4a‐4o ) were prepared by cyclization of the intermediate N′‐((3‐aryl‐l‐phenyl‐pyrazol‐4‐yl)methylene)arylhydrazide with acetic anhydride. The structures of the new compounds were confirmed by IR, ¹H NMR, MS and elemental analysis. Furthermore, preliminary bioassay of some of the title compounds indicated that they exhibited moderate inhibition against HIV‐1 PR.     

Alkaloid and Anthraquinone Derivatives Produced by the Marine‐Derived Endophytic Fungus Eurotium rubrum

Cultivation of the fungal strain Eurotium rubrum, an endophytic fungus that was isolated from the inner tissue of the semi‐mangrove plant Hibiscus tiliaceus, resulted in the isolation of one new dioxopiperazine alkaloid, 12‐demethyl‐12‐oxo‐eurotechinulin B ( 1 ), and one new anthraquinone derivative, 9‐dehydroxyeurotinone ( 2 ), together with ten known compounds including variecolorin J ( 3 ), eurotechinulin B ( 4 ), variecolorin G ( 5 ), alkaloid E‐7 ( 6 ), cryptoechinuline G ( 7 ), isoechinulin B ( 8 ), 7‐isopentenylcryptoechinuline D ( 9 ), 2‐O‐methyl‐9‐dehydroxyeurotinone ( 10 ), emodin ( 11 ), and emodic acid ( 12 ). The structures of the isolated compounds were determined by extensive analysis of their spectroscopic data as well as by comparison with literature reports. Some of the purified compounds were evaluated for antibacterial, antifungal, and cytotoxic activities.     

Synthesis and biological activity of novel N‐tert‐butyl‐N,N′‐substitutedbenzoylhydrazines containing 2‐methyl‐3‐(triphenylgermanyl)propoxycarbonyl

In a search for new insect growth regulators with unusual biological properties and different activity spectrum, we thought that the preservation of the bioactive unit and the introduction of 2‐methyl‐3‐(triphenylgermanyl)propoxycarbonyl in N‐tert‐butyl‐N,N′‐dibenzoylhydrazine would enhance their larvicidal activities to a significant degree. Therefore, we designed and synthesized N′‐tert‐butyl‐N′‐[2‐methyl‐3‐(triphenylgermanyl)propoxycarbonyl]‐N‐benzoylhydrazine and analogs by two procedures. These novel compounds were characterized by elemental analyses, IR, and ¹H NMR. At the same time, N‐tert‐butyl‐N‐substitutedbenzoylhydrazines were prepared by a new method, and some reactions involved were studied. The preliminary results indicate that some compounds have inhibitory effects against plant pathogenetic bacteria such as early blight of tomato. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Two New C19‐Diterpenoid Alkaloids with Anti‐inflammatory Activity from Aconitum iochanicum

Two new C₁₉ ‐diterpenoid alkaloids, 7,8‐epoxy‐franchetine ( 1 ) and N(19)‐en‐austroconitine A ( 2 ), were isolated from Aconitum iochanicum . Compound 1 was a new C₁₉ ‐diterpenoid alkaloid with a 7,8‐epoxy unit. Their structures were elucidated by comprehensive spectroscopic analyses including UV , IR , MS , 1D and 2D NMR . Biological activity tests indicated that two new compounds exhibited inhibitory activity against nitric oxide (NO ) production in LPS ‐activated RAW264 .7 macrophages. Compared with positive control, the two new compounds showed weak anti‐inflammatory effects with the inhibition rate of 27.3% and 29.2%, respectively.     

Two Rare α‐Pyrone (=2H‐Pyran‐2‐one) Derivatives from Gentiana rhodantha Franchet

Two new rare α‐pyrone (=2H‐pyran‐2‐one) derivatives, rhodanthpyrones A and B ( 1 and 2 , resp.), together with fourteen known compounds, 3 – 16 , were isolated from the whole plants of Gentiana rhodantha. The structures of these compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic analyses. This is the first report on the occurrence of α‐pyrone derivatives in the genus Gentiana.     

Two New Steroidal Alkaloids from Veratrum nigrum L.

Phytochemical studies on Veratrum nigrum L., collected in Shanxi, P. R. China, resulted in the isolation of two new steroidal alkaloids, 23‐methoxycyclopamine ( 1 ) and 15‐O‐(2‐methylbutanoyl)‐3‐O‐veratroylprotoverine ( 2 ). The structures of the two new compounds were established by means of extensive NMR spectroscopic studies.