A Novel Biaryl Ether from Cinnamomum osmophloeum

Chemistry of Natural Compounds - Cinnamosmophin (1), along with 12 known compounds, was isolated from the barks of Cinnamomum osmophloeum (Lauraceae). Their structures were unambiguously elucidated...     

A Novel Biphenyl Derivative from Cinnamomum insulari-montanum

Chemistry of Natural Compounds - A novel biphenyl derivative, insularione (3,3′,4,4′,6-pentahydroxy-3,4-dihydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-2,5-dione) (1), was isolated from the stems of...     

Evaluation of Motor Coordination and Antidepressant Activities of Cinnamomum osmophloeum ct. Linalool Leaf Oil in Rodent Model

Cinnamomum plants (Lauraceae) are a woody species native to South and Southeast Asia forests, and are widely used as food flavors and traditional medicines. This study aims to evaluate the chemical constituents of Cinnamomum osmophloeum ct. linalool leaf oil, and its antidepressant and motor coordination activities and the other behavioral evaluations in a rodent animal model. The major component of leaf oil is linalool, confirmed by GC-MS analysis. Leaf oil would not induce the extra body weight gain compared to the control mice at the examined doses after 6 weeks of oral administration. The present results provide the first evidence for motor coordination and antidepressant effects present in leaf oil. According to hypnotic, locomotor behavioral, and motor coordination evaluations, leaf oil would not cause side effects, including weight gain, drowsiness and a diminishment in the motor functions, at the examined doses. In summary, these results revealed C. osmophloeum ct. linalool leaf essential oil is of high potential as a therapeutic supplement for minor/medium depressive syndromes.     

A new cyclobutane lignan from Cinnamomum balansae

A new cyclobutane lignan, named cinbalansan (6), was isolated from the leaves of Cinnamomum balansae, along with five known compounds, 1,2-dimethoxy-4-(1-E-propenyl)benzene (1), 1,2-dimethoxy-4-(1-Z-propenyl)benzene (2), 1,2-dimethoxy-4-(2-propenyl)benzene (3), 3,4-dimethoxybenzaldehyde (4), and E-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-2-propenal (5). The structure of cinbalansan was shown to be 1beta,2beta,3alpha,4alpha-1,2-dimethyl-3,4-bis(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)cyclobutane by a combination of 1H-, 13C-NMR, and NOE- experiments and by direct analysis of the 1H-NMR spectrum by the method of X-application.     

Thermal Degradation of Linalool-Chemotype Cinnamomum osmophloeum Leaf Essential Oil and Its Stabilization by Microencapsulation with β-Cyclodextrin

The thermal degradation of linalool-chemotype Cinnamomum osmophloeum leaf essential oil and the stability effect of microencapsulation of leaf essential oil with β-cyclodextrin were studied. After thermal degradation of linalool-chemotype leaf essential oil, degraded compounds including β-myrcene, cis-ocimene and trans-ocimene, were formed through the dehydroxylation of linalool; and ene cyclization also occurs to linalool and its dehydroxylated products to form the compounds such as limonene, terpinolene and α-terpinene. The optimal microencapsulation conditions of leaf essential oil microcapsules were at a leaf essential oil to the β-cyclodextrin ratio of 15:85 and with a solvent ratio (ethanol to water) of 1:5. The maximum yield of leaf essential oil microencapsulated with β-cyclodextrin was 96.5%. According to results from the accelerated dry-heat aging test, β-cyclodextrin was fairly stable at 105 °C, and microencapsulation with β-cyclodextrin can efficiently slow down the emission of linalool-chemotype C. osmophloeum leaf essential oil.     

A new benzodioxocinone from the leaves of Cinnamomum tenuifolium

Investigation of the leaves' extract of Cinnamomum tenuifolium (Lauraceae) led to the isolation of one novel benzodioxocinone, 2,3-dihydro-6,6-dimethylbenzo-[b][1,5]dioxocin-4(6?H)-one (1). The structure was determined through in-depth spectroscopic and mass-spectrometric analyses. The antioxidant potential was evaluated using the following in?vitro method: scavenging of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical. We also detected the anti-proliferative effect of 1 on human oral cancer cells and its IC(50) is 107.7?μM.     

A new gamma-lactone from the leaves of Cinnamomum kotoense

A new C19 gamma-lactone, cinnakotolactone (1), along with a known analogue, isolinderanolide B (2), were isolated from the n-hexane layer of the leaf extracts of Cinnamomum kotoense. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analysis. The anti-proliferation activities of 1 and 2 were evaluated against human HT29 and MCF-7 cancer cell lines, and their IC50 values ranged from 3.3 +/- 0.3 to 25.8 +/- 5.3 microM.     

A novel homosesquiterpenoid from the stems of Cinnamomum burmanii

A novel homosesquiterpenoid, burmanol (1), along with 16 known compounds, including one triterpenoid, one quinol, two chlorophylls, two coumarins, two steroids, three lignans and five benzenoids were obtained from the stems of Cinnamomum burmanii (Lauraceae). The structures of these compounds were determined on the basis of spectroscopic analysis.     

A reticuloendothelial system-activating arabinoxylan from the bark of Cinnamomum cassia

A neutral polysaccharide, named cinnaman AX, was isolated from the dried bark of Cinnamomum cassia Blume. It was homogeneous on electrophoresis and gel chromatography. It is composed of L-arabinose: D-xylose in the molar ratio of 4:3, and its molecular weight was estimated to be about 1.0 x 10(6). Methylation analysis, carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance and controlled Smith degradation studies enabled elucidation of its structural features. It showed remarkable reticuloendothelial system-potentiating activity in a carbon clearance test.     

A new amide from the stems of Cinnamomum reticulatum Hay

Cinnaretamine, a new amide, has been isolated from Cinnamomum reticulatum Hay (Lauraceae), together with six known compounds, N-trans-feruloylmethoxytyramine, N-cis-feruloylmethoxytyramine, (+)-syringaresinol, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, syringic acid and vanillic acid. The structure of cinnaretamine was determined on the basis of spectroscopic analysis.     

A novel cytotoxic monoterpenoid from the leaves of Cinnamomum subavenium

Subamone (1), a novel Cinnamomum monoterpenoid, has been isolated from Cinnamomum subavenium (Lauraceae), and its structure was determined on the basis of spectroscopic analysis. Subamone's cytotoxic activities were evaluated against A549 (human lung cancer cell), and DU-145 and LNCaP (human prostate cancer cell lines) and its cytotoxicity was found to be significantly against LNCaP rather than DU-145 and A549 cancer cell lines.     

Amides from the stems of Cinnamomum burmannii

A novel amide, cinnabutamine (1), along with five known amides, cinnaretamine (2), N-trans-caffeoyl-5-hydroxytyramine (3), N-trans-feruloyltyramine (4), N-trans-feruloyl-5-methoxytyramine (5) and N-cis-feruloyl-5-methoxytyramine (6), were isolated from the stems of Cinnamomum burmannii (Lauraceae). Their structures were characterized and identified by spectral analysis.     

Cytotoxic constituents from the leaves of Cinnamomum subavenium

Two new butanolides, subamolide D (1) and subamolide E (2), and a new secobutanolide, secosubamolide A (3), along with 21 known compounds were isolated from the leaves of Cinnamomum subavenium. The structures of 1-3 were determined by spectroscopic analysis. Propidium iodide staining and cytometry analysis were used to evaluate the cell cycle progression of the treated SW480 cells and it was found that 1 and 2 caused DNA damage in a dose- and time-dependent manner.     

A Novel Fortunate A from Cryptomerica fortunei

A novel compound, named fortunate A, was isolated from the ethanol extract of the stem bark of Cryptomerica fortunei. Its structure was established on the basis of the spectral evidences including 1D and 2D NMR spectrum.     

A Novel Norlignan and a Novel Phenylpropanoid from Peperomia tetraphylla

A novel cyclobutane‐type norlignan, peperotetraphin (=methyl rel‐(1R,2S,3S)‐2,3‐bis(7‐methoxy‐1,3‐benzodioxol‐5‐yl)cyclobutanecarboxylate; 1 ), and a novel phenylpropanoid, i.e., methyl (2E)‐3‐(7‐methoxy‐1,3‐benzodioxol‐5‐yl)prop‐2‐enoate ( 2 ), along with three known compounds, α‐asarone (=1,2,4‐trimethoxy‐5‐[(1E)‐prop‐1‐en‐1‐yl]benzene), vanillic acid (=4‐hydroxy‐3‐methoxybenzoic acid), and veratric acid (=3,4‐dimethoxybenzoic acid), were isolated from the EtOH extract of the whole plant of Peperomia tetraphylla. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic methods, especially 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR techniques. This is the first report of naturally occurring cyclobutane‐type norlignans.     

A Novel Benzenoid from Liriodendron tulipifera

Chemistry of Natural Compounds - A new benzenoid, named tulipintriol (1), was isolated from the leaves of Liriodendron tulipifera (Magnoliaceae). The structure of the new benzenoid was elucidated...     

A Novel Alkaloid from Melodinus henryi

The isolation and structure elucidation of a novel alkaloid, namely of the 14‐O‐ethyl‐substituted (3α,14α,16α)‐2,7‐secoeburnamine derivative 1 from the leaf of Melodinus henryi is reported. Ten known alkaloids were also isolated. Their structures were determined spectroscopically. The isolates were evaluated for their cytotoxicity.