Biotransformation of isoflavones by the larvae of the common cutworm (Spodoptera litura)

Biotransformation of the 5,7,4'-trimethoxyisoflavone (1), 6,7,4'-trimethoxyisoflavone (2), and 7,4'-dimethoxyisoflavone (3) by insects, Spodoptera litura was investigated. Compound 1 was transformed to 5-hydroxy-7,4'-dimethoxyisoflavone (4), 7-hydroxy-5,4'-dimethoxyisoflavone (5) and 4'-hydroxy-5,7-dimethoxyisoflavone (6) by S. litura. Compounds 2 and 3 were hardly metabolized by S. litura. This suggested that compound 1 was converted to compounds 4, 5 and 6 by demethylation at the C-5, C-7 and C-4' position, respectively.     

New stilbenoids from Pholidota yunnanensis and their inhibitory effects on nitric oxide production

Six new stilbenoids, a (bibenzyldihydrophenanthrene) ether designated phoyunnanin D (1), a bis(dihydrophenanthrene) ether designated phoyunnanin E (2), and four stilbenes designated phoyunbene A-D (3-6), were isolated from the air-dried whole plant of Pholidota yunnanensis ROLFE. The new compounds were identified as 7-[2-(3-hydroxyphenethyl)-4-hydroxy-6-methoxyphenoxy]-4-hydroxy-2-methoxy-9,10-dihydrophenanthrene (1), 1-[(9,10-dihydro-4-hydroxy-2-methoxy-7-phenanthrenyl)oxy]-4,7-dihydroxy-2-methoxy-9,10-dihydrophenanthrene (2), trans-3,3'-dihydroxy-2',4',5-trimethoxystilbene (3), trans-3,4'-dihydroxy-2',3',5-trimethoxystilbene (4), trans-3,3'-dihydroxy-2',5-dimethoxystilbene (5), and trans-3-hydroxy-2',3',5-trimethoxystilbene (6) based on spectroscopic evidence. Furthermore, the inhibitory effects of compounds 1-6 on nitric oxide production in a murine macrophage-like cell line (RAW 264.7) activated by lipopolysaccharide and interferon-gamma were examined.     

Prenylisoflavone derivatives from the roots of Hedysarum scoparium

Four new prenylisoflavone derivatives, namely, 5-hydroxy-4'-methoxy-8-prenyl-2'-hydroxyisopropyldihydrofurano[4,5:6,7]-isoflavone (1), 5-hydroxy-4'-methoxy-6-prenyl-2'-hydroxyisopropyldihydrofurano[4,5:8,7]-isoflavone (2), 5-hydroxy-4'-methoxy-8-prenyl-1',2'-peroxyl-3',3'-dimethyldihydropyrano[5,6:6,7]-isoflavone (3), and 5-hydroxy-4'-methoxy-6-prenyl-1',2'-peroxyl-3',3'-dimethyldihydropyrano[5,6:8,7]-isoflavone (4), together with three known ones 5-7, were isolated from the roots of Hedysarum scoparium. Their structures were established by means of detailed spectroscopic analysis (IR, EI- or HR-ESI-MS as well as 1D- and 2D-NMR), and by comparison of their spectroscopic data with those reported for structurally related compounds.     

Liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry study of the flavonoids of the roots of Astragalus mongholicus and A. membranaceus

High-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry has been applied to analyze the flavonoids of Huangqi, the roots of Astragalus mongholicus and A. membranaceus. Eight flavonoids were identified as calycosin-7-O-beta-D-glucoside, calycosin-7-O-beta-D-glucoside-6"-O-malonate (2), ononin, (6aR,11aR)-3-hydroxy-9,10-dimethoxypterocarpan-3-O-bet a-D-glucoside, calycosin, (3R)-7,2'-dihydroxy-3',4'-dimethoxyisoflavan-7-O-beta-D-glucoside, formononetin-7-O-beta-D-glucoside-6"-O-malonate and formononetin by direct comparison with the isolated standards from Huangqi. The existence of (6aR,11aR)-3-hydroxy-9,10-dimethoxypterocarpan, (3R)-7,2'-dihydroxy-3',4'-dimethoxyisoflavan, astrapterocarpanglucoside-6'-O-malonate and astraisoflavanglucoside-6'-O-malonate was detected. This is the first report of flavonoid glycoside malonates in these two Astragalus species, and malonate 2 is a structurally completely identified new compound.     

A new hydrochalcone from Miliusa sinensis

A new dihydrochalcone 4',6'-dihydroxy-2',3',4-trimethoxydihydrochalcone (1) along with nine known compounds, pashanone (2), dihydropashanone (3), pinostrobin (4), 5-hydroxy-7,4'-dimethoxyflavanone (5), 5-hydroxy-6,7-dimethoxyflavanone (6), 5-hydroxy-7,8-dimethoxyflavanone (7), 24-methylencycloartane-3β,21-diol (8), liriodenine (9) and 3,5-dihydroxy-7,3',4'-trimethoxyflavone (10), were isolated from the extracts, exhibiting cytotoxic activity (n-hexane and ethyl acetate extracts) of Miliusa sinensis. The structure of (1) was elucidated by the analysis of spectral data (IR, HR-MS, EI-MS, 1D and 2D NMR).     

New isoflavones and flavanol from Iris potaninii

Two new isoflavones, 6, 3', 4'-trimethoxy-7, 8, 5'-trihydroxyisoflavone (1), 7, 4'-dimethoxy-8, 3', 5'-trihydroxy-6-O-beta-D-glucopyranosylisoflavone (2), and 5, 3, 3'-trihydroxy-7, 4'-dimethoxyflavanone (3) have been isolated from the underground parts of Iris potaninii along with known isoflavones (4-8) and iriflophenone (9). The structures of the new compounds were determined using NMR and mass spectroscopic methods.     

Isolation and characterisation of bioactive isoflavonoids from the roots of Dalbergia horrida

The roots of Dalbergia horrida yielded two new isoflavanones, Dalhorridin (I) - 5,5'-dihydroxy-3',4'-methylenedioxy-5'-prenyl-6',6'-dimethyl-dihydropyrano(2',3' : 7,8)-isoflavanone and Dalhorridinin (II) - 5,7,5'-trihydroxy-3',4'-methylenedioxy-8-[5-methyl-2-(2-hydroxyisopropyl)-1,4-hexadienyl]isoflavanone along with two known isoflavones, Dalspinin and Dalspinosin. Preliminary biological screening of the enriched extract revealed that it showed analgesic, anti-inflammatory, CNS depressant and mild anti-bacterial properties.     

Isolation of four new flavonoids from Melicope triphylla

Four new flavonoids, 3,5-dihydroxy-7,8-dimethoxy-3',4'-methylenedioxyflavone (1), 3,5-dihydroxy-7-methoxy-3',4'-methylenedioxyflavone (2), 3,5-dihydroxy-7-isopentenyloxy-8-methoxy-3',4'-methylenedioxyflavone (3) and 5-hydroxy-3-isopentenyloxy-7-methoxy-3',4'-methylenedioxyflavone (4), were isolated from the leaves of Melicope triphylla. In addition, two known flavonoids were detected including 5-hydroxy-3,7-dimethoxy-3',4'-methylenedioxyflavone (5) and 5-hydroxy-7-isopentenyloxy-3,8-dimethoxy-3',4'-methylenedioxyflavone (6). The structures of the new compounds were established by spectroscopic methods.     

Isolation of Six New Flavonoids from Melicope triphylla

Six new flavonoids-5-hydroxy-3,8-dimethoxy-3',4':6,7-bismethylenedioxyflavone (1), 3,3',4',5-tetramethoxy-7-(3-methylbut-2-enyloxy)flavone (2), 7-(2-hydroxy-3-methylbut-3-enyloxy)-3,3',4',5-tetramethoxyflavone (3), 7-(2-hydroxy-3-methylbut-3-enyloxy)-3,5-dimethoxy-3',4'-methylenedioxyflavone (4), 7-(2-hydroxy-3-methylbut-3-enyloxy)-3,3',4',5,8-pentamethoxyflavone (5), and 7-(2-hydroxy-3-methylbut-3-enyloxy)-3,5,8-trimethoxy-3',4'-methylenedioxyflavone (6)-were isolated from the leaves of Melicope triphylla. In addition, six already known flavonoids were also detected: 5-hydroxy-3,6,7-trimethoxy-3',4'-methylenedioxyflavone (7), 5,7-dihydroxy-3,3',4',8-tetramethoxyflavone (8), 4',5-dihydroxy-3,3',7,8-tetramethoxyflavone (9), 3,5,6,7,8-pentamethoxy-3',4'-methylenedioxyflavone (10), 3,5,6,7-tetramethoxy-3',4'-methylenedioxyflavone (11), and 3,3',4',5,6,7,8-heptamethoxyflavone (12). The structures of the new compounds were established by spectroscopic methods. Compound 2 displayed ichthyotoxic activity against Japanese killifish (medaka in Japanese) (Oryzias latipes var.) at 10?ppm.     

Flavonoids from Andrographis viscosula

Phytochemical investigation of the whole plant of Andrographis viscosula has led to the isolation of three new 2'-oxygenated flavonoids, (2R)-5-hydroxy-7,2',3'-trimethoxyflavanone (1), 7,2',5'-trimethoxyflavone (2), 5,7,2',3'-tetramethoxyflavone (3), and eight known flavones, 5,7,2'-trimethoxyflavone (4), 5,7,2',4',5'-pentamethoxyflavone (5), echioidinin (6), 5,2',6'-trihydroxy-7-methoxyflavone (7), 5-hydroxy-7,2'-dimethoxyflavone (8), echioidin (9), echioidinin 5-O-glucoside (10), and 5,2',6'-trihydroxy-7-methoxyflavone 2'-O-glucoside (11). The structures of 1-11 were elucidated by physical and spectral methods, including extensive 2D NMR studies. The presence of 2'-oxygenated flavonoids is apparently restricted to Andrographis species in Acanthaceae. Therefore, 2'-oxygenated flavonoids are regarded as chemotaxonomic markers of Andrographis genus in the Acanthaceae family.     

Prenylated isoflavones from Flemingia philippinensis

Two new prenylated isoflavones, named flemiphilippinins E and F, were isolated from the roots of Flemingia philippinensis, together with six known ones. The structures of the above compounds were established by spectroscopic methods. Flemiphilippinins E and F were identified as 5,4'-dihydroxy-8-(3,3-dimethylallyl)-6',6'-dimethyl-5'-(1,1-dimethylallyl) pyrano(2',3':7,6)isoflavone and 5,4'-dihydroxy-4',4',5'-trimethyl-4',5'-dihydrofurano(2',3':7,8) isoflavone, respectively, by a combination of HR-EI-MS, (1)H NMR, (13)C NMR, HMQC, HMBC, and NOESY spectra.     

Two new homoisoflavonoids from Caesalpinia pulcherrima

Two new homoisoflavonoids, (E)-7-methoxy-3-(4'-methoxybenzylidene)chroman-4-one (1) and (E)-7-hydroxy-3-(3',4',5'-trimethoxybenzylidene)chroman-4-one (5), along with three known homoisoflavonoids (Z)-7-hydroxy-3-(4'-methoxybenzylidene)chroman-4-one (isobon ducellin) (2), (E)-7-hydroxy-3-(4'-methoxybenzylidene)chroman-4-one (bonducellin) (3) and (E)-7-hydroxy-3-(2',4'-dimethoxybenzylidene)chroman-4-one (4) were isolated from the whole plant of Caesalpinia pulcherrima. The structures of these new compounds were elucidated by electron impact mass spectrometry (EI-MS) and 1D and 2D-NMR spectral studies. Antimicrobial activity of the new compounds was evaluated.     

NMR spectral assignments of a new [C--O--C] isoflavone dimer from Andira surinamensis

The phytochemical investigation of extracts from the branch wood and branch barks of Andira surinamensis yielded a novel isoflavone dimer, 4'-methoxyisoflavone-(7-O-7')-3',4'-methylenedioxyisoflavone (surinamensin), along with the triterpene lupeol and the known isoflavones 5,7-dihydroxy-4'-methoxyisoflavone (biochanin A), 5,4'-dihydroxy-7-methoxyisoflavone (prunetin), 7,3'-dihydroxy-4'-methoxyisoflavone (calycosin), and 5,7,3'-trihydroxy-4'-methoxyisoflavone (pratensein). The structure of the new isoflavone was elucidated by 1D and 2D homonuclear and heteronuclear NMR spectroscopy and by comparison with published data for closely related compounds.     

A new isoflavone glycoside from Ceiba pentandra (L.) Gaertner

From the 80% EtOH extract of the bark of Ceiba pentandra (L.) Gaertner, a new isoflavone glycoside was isolated along with known isoflavones, vavain and vavain glucoside. The structure was elucidated by spectroscopic analysis as 5-hydroxy-7,4',5'-trimethoxyisoflavone 3'-O-alpha-L-arabinofuranosyl(1-->6)-beta-D-glucopyranoside.     

Structural determination of flavonoids from Sophora flavescens

Eight flavonoids were isolated from Sophora flavescens. Among them, three prenylflavanones: (2S)-6[2(3-hydroxyisopropyl)-5-methyl-4-hexenyl]-5-methoxy-7,2', 4'-trihydroxyflavanone (1), (2S)-5, 4'-dimethoxy-8-lavandulyl-7, 2'-dihydroxy flavanone (2) and (2S)-8-(5-hydroxy-2-isopropenyl-5-methylhexyl)-7-methoxy-5,2', 4'-trihydroxyflavanone (3) are new compounds. Their chemical structures were determined by spectral methods including 2D NMR.     

Two new xanthones from the pericarp of Garcinia mangostana

Two new xanthones, 3-hydroxy-6-methoxy-5'-isopropyl-4',5'-dihydrofuro[2',3'?:?7, 8]-6″,6″-dimethyl-4″,5″-dihydropyrano[2″,3″?:?1,2]xanthone (1) and 1,6-dihydroxy-7-methoxy-8-(3-methylbut-3-enyl)-6',6'-dimethyl-4',5'-dihydropyrano[2'3'?:?3,2]xanthone (2), were isolated from the pericarp of Garcinia mangostana. Their structures were elucidated by spectral means (1-D and 2-D NMR, MS).     

Cytotoxic pyranonaphthoquinones from Melloa quadrival vis (Bignoniaceae)

Three new pyranonaphthoquinones: 5-hydroxy-6-methoxy-alpha-lapachone, 5,6-dihydroxy-a-lapachone and 4',5-dihydroxy-6-methoxy-alpha-lapachone, and two known compounds: lapachol and 5,5'-dihydroxy-3',4',7-trimethoxyflavanone, were isolated from the stem bark of Melloa quadrivalvis. Their structures were established by spectrometric data, mainly 1D- and 2D-NMR and mass spectra. The methylazoetetrazolium (MTT) method using viable cells of the strain Hep2 and the strain NCIH-292 demonstrated cytotoxic activity. The CI50 was also calculated. The chloroform extract and 5-hydroxy-6-methoxy-alpha-lapachone inhibited cell growth.     

由2',4'-二氢-6'-甲氧基-3',5'-二甲基查耳酮合成新黄酮

在DMSO/ I2的氧化作用下,由2',4'-二氢-6'-甲氧基-3',5'-二甲基查耳酮可合成一种全新结构的黄酮:7-羟基-5-甲氧基-6,8-二甲基黄酮(产率91%),而在HCl/MeOH作用下则得到了两种黄烷酮:7-羟基-5-甲氧基-6,8-二甲基黄烷酮 (产率70%) 和 5,7-二羟基-6,8-二甲基黄烷酮 (产率20%).     

Chemical composition of Argentinean propolis collected in extreme regions and its relation with antimicrobial and antioxidant activities

This paper reveals, for the first time, the functional properties of propolis from an extreme region of Argentine (El Rincón, Province of Catamarca, Argentina), as well as the isolation and identification of bioactive compounds. The antioxidant activity was determined by the ABTS method and beta-carotene bleaching. The antibacterial activity was determined on methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) by the microdilution method and bioautographic assays. Twelve compounds were isolated and identified by NMR spectroscopy. The main bioactive compounds were 2',4'-dihydroxy-3'-methoxychalcone (3), 2',4'-dihydroxychalcone (9), 2',4',4-trihydroxy-6'- methoxychalcone (8), 5-hydroxy-4',7-dimethoxyflavone (4), 4',5-dihydroxy-3,7,8-trimethoxyflavone (10) and 7-hydroxy- 5,8-dimethoxyflavone (11). All compounds were active against clinical isolates (MIC50 10 microg/mL) and displayed antioxidant activity (SC50 values of 20 microg/mL). The MIC and SC50 values of the isolated compounds were lower than those obtained with crude propolis extracts, chloroform sub-extracts and isolated fractions.     

Identification and biological activity of microbial metabolites of xanthohumol

Microbial transformation of xanthohumol using the culture broth of Cunninghamella echinulata NRRL 3655 afforded (2S)-8-[4"-hydroxy-3"-methyl-(2"-Z)-butenyl]-4',7-dihydroxy-5-methoxyflavanone (5) and (2S)-8-[5"-hydroxy-3"-methyl-(2"-E)-butenyl]-4',7-dihydroxy-5-methoxyflavanone (6). Xanthohumol (1) and flavanone 6 as well as (E)-2"-(2"'-hydroxyisopropyl)-dihydrofurano[2",3":4',3']-2',4-dihydroxy-6'-methoxychalcone (2), (2S)-2"-(2"'-hydroxyisopropyl)-dihydrofurano[2",3":7,8]-4'-hydroxy-5-methoxyflavanone (3) obtained with Pichia membranifaciens showed antimalarial activity against Plasmodium falciparum.