Daphnezomines P, Q, R and S, new alkaloids from Daphniphyllum humile

Four new alkaloids, daphnezomines P-S (1-4), have been isolated from the fruits of Daphniphyllum humile, and the structures and the stereochemistry were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic data including 2D NMR and MS/MS spectra, and chemical correlations. Daphnezomines P (1) and Q (2) were the first Daphniphyllum alkaloids with an iridoid glycoside moiety.     

New alkaloids from the seeds of Strychnos nux-vomica

Eight new trace indolomonoterpenic alkaloids (1–8) were isolated from the seeds of Strychnos nux-vomica. Their structures and absolute configurations were determined by extensive analysis of MS, NMR, CD, and ECD. The skeleton of compound 1 is an unprecedented 6/5/6/5/6/6/7 heptacyclic ring system. Compound 2 possesses a 2-pyridone moiety, and has not yet been found in strychnos alkaloids. Compounds 6 and 7 showed neuroprotective activities on PC12 cells with IE 50 values of 0.68–4.81 μM and 0.54–6.50 μM, respectively. The biosynthetic pathway of 1 was also postulated.     

Nakinadines B-F: new pyridine alkaloids with a β-amino acid moiety from sponge Amphimedon sp.

Five new 3-alkylpyridine alkaloids with a β-amino acid moiety, nakinadines B-F (1-5), have been isolated from an Okinawan marine sponge Amphimedon sp. (SS-1059), and the structures and stereochemistry were elucidated by spectroscopic data. Nakinadines B (1) and C (2) showed modest cytotoxicity.     

Two new quinolone alkaloids from Dianthus superbus var. superbus

Two new quinolone alkaloids, superbusines A (1) and B (2), were obtained from the whole plants of a Chinese medicinal plant, Dianthus superbus var. superbus. Their structures, featuring a glucosyl moiety linked with a rare 2-(hydroxymethyl)-5-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)phenol fragment, were determined on the basis of detailed spectroscopic analyses, and the absolute configurations were assigned by time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT)-based electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculations. The two alkaloids were evaluated in a series of bioassays without showing antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, cytotoxic and α-glucosidase inhibitory properties, while they exhibited slight protection against amyloid-β(Aβ)-induced injury on neuron SH-SY5Y cells.     

Nagelamides M and N, new bromopyrrole alkaloids from sponge Agelas species

Two new bromopyrrole alkaloids, nagelamides M (1) and N (2), have been isolated from an Okinawan marine sponge Agelas species, and the structures and stereochemistry were elucidated from the spectroscopic data. Nagelamide M (1) is a novel bromopyrrole alkaloid possessing a 2-amino-octahydropyrrolo[2,3-d]imidazole ring with a taurine unit, while nagelamide N (2) is a new bromopyrrole alkaloid possessing a 2-amino-tetrahydroimidazole-4-one ring with a taurine unit and 3-(dibromopyrrole-2-carboxamido)propanoic acid moiety. Nagelamides M (1) and N (2) exhibited antimicrobial activity.     

Daphcalycinosidines A and B, new iridoid-alkaloids from Daphniphyllum calycinum

Three new alkaloids, daphcalycinosidines A (1) and B (2) and daphcalycic acid (3) have been isolated from the seeds of Daphniphyllum calycinum. The structures and relative stereochemistries were determined on the basis of spectral studies including 2D NMR, mass spectrometry and chemical transformations. Structures 1 and 2 are characterized by an iridoid glucoside moiety linked to new Daphniphyllum alkaloid moieties.     

Novel quinolinone alkaloids bearing a lignoid moiety and related constituents in the leaves of Melicope denhamii

Six novel quinolinone alkaloids bearing a phenylpropanoid or a coumarin moiety, named melicodenines C–H (1–6), two new cinnamyl alcohol derivatives, named melicodins A (7) and B (8), and a new coumarinolignan, named melicodin C (9), were isolated from the leaves of Melicope denhamii (Seem.) T. G. Hartley. Their structures were established by spectroscopic analyses including extensive 2D-NMR experiments. Compounds 1–5 and 9 possess a cyclobutane ring and are hypothetically produced by a [2+2] cycloaddition, whereas compound 6 is presumed to form through a Diels–Alder cycloaddition followed by the elimination of an acetone molecule. Ten quinolinone alkaloids (1–6, 10–13) and a coumarinolignan (9) were tested for anti-proliferative activity against DLD-1 human colon cancer cells. Melicodenine G (5) showed the most potent inhibitory activity, causing the induction of apoptosis with an IC₅₀ value of 9.4±0.3 μM.     

Njaoamines A-F, new cytotoxic polycyclic alkaloids from the haplosclerid sponge Reniera sp.

Six new cytotoxic polycyclic alkaloids containing an 8-hydroxyquinoline moiety, njaoamines A-F (1-6), have been isolated from the 2-propanol extract of the sponge Reniera sp. collected in Tanzania. Their structures were determined by extensive analysis of their spectroscopic features, particularly 1D and 2D NMR spectra recorded in Py-d₅. Cytotoxicity of the compounds isolated was evaluated against a panel of three human tumor cell lines.     

Zyzzyanone A, a novel pyrrolo[3,2-f]indole alkaloid from the Australian marine sponge Zyzzya fuliginosa

A new dipyrroloquinone, zyzzyanone A 1, having a pyrrolo[3,2-f]indole-4,8(1H,7H)-dione skeleton, was isolated from the Australian marine sponge Zyzzya fuliginosa, along with the known pyrroloquinoline alkaloids, makaluvamines C, E, G, H, and L, and damirones A and B. The structure of 1 was determined by spectroscopic data. Zyzzyanone A 1 shows moderate cytotoxic activity against mouse Ehrlich carcinoma cells (IC₅₀ 25 μg/mL), inhibits the cell division of fertilized sea urchin eggs at a concentration of 25 μg/mL, and exhibits UV-A and UV-B absorbing activity.     

Applications of the intramolecular diels-alder reactions of heterodienes to the syntheses of indole alkaloids

A novel intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction involving the addition of an α,β-unsaturated aldehyde to an electron-deficient, dienophilic partner has been exploited as the key step in the development of a general entry to the heteroyohimboid and corynantheioid alkaloids. Thus, the thermal cyclization of the nitrogen-linked triene 11, which is readily available in eight steps from propargyl alcohol, proceeded smoothly to afford the cis-cycloadduct 20 in 73% yield. The cis-lactam 20 serves the dual role of being the pivotal intermediate for the preparation of the secondary amine 24 (13 steps and 18% overall yield from propargyl alcohol), a known precursor of tetrahydroalstonine (4) and other heteroyohimboid bases, as well as for the syntheses of the α,β-unsaturated 2-piperidones 27 and 29, model compounds that have been designed to test the feasibility of a new strategy for the synthesis of the corynantheioid alkaloids bearing an (E)-ethylidene moiety at C(20).     

Sinulasulfoxide and sinulasulfone, sulfur-containing alkaloids from the Indonesian soft coral Sinularia sp.

Chemical analysis of the Indonesian soft coral Sinularia sp. (order Alcyonacea, family Alcyoniidae) afforded two new alkaloids, named sinulasulfoxide (1) and sinulasulfone (2), characterized by an amide linkage between a phytanic acid moiety and an uncommon sulfur-containing unit. Their complete stereostructures were elucidated by interpretation of MS and NMR data along with CD analysis and chemical modifications. Sinulasulfoxide (1) proved to moderately inhibit LPS-induced NO release.     

Lyconadins C and F, new Lycopodium alkaloids from Lycopodium complanatum

New Lycopodium alkaloids, lyconadins C (1) and F (2), were isolated from the club moss Lycopodium complanatum. Lyconadin C (1) is a new C₁₆N₂-type Lycopodium alkaloid possessing unique fused-tetracyclic ring system consisting of a cycloheptene ring fused to a decahydroquinoline and pyridone rings. Lyconadin F (2) possesses a primary amide moiety in its molecular, which is the first example of Lycopodium alkaloids. Biogenetically, lyconadins C (1) and F (2) might be related to lyconadins A (4) and B (5). The structures and relative stereochemistry of 1 and 2 were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic data. The absolute stereochemistry of 2 was elucidated by chemical correlations with lyconadin B (5) through hemiaminal form of lyconadin F (3).     

Four novel gelsedine-type oxindole alkaloids from Gelsemium elegans

Four new gelsedine-type oxindole alkaloids (1-4) were isolated from the leaves and branches of Gelsemium elegans, together with 10 known alkaloids. The structures of the new alkaloids were determined by spectroscopic analyses and partial synthesis from known compounds. Gelsecrotonidine (1), 14-hydroxygelsecrotonidine (2), and 11-methoxygelsecrotonidine (3) possess an additional C₂ unit with an acetic acid residue compared to gelsenicine-related monoterpenoid indole alkaloids. 14-Hydroxygelsedilam (4) is an 18,19-nor-type monoterpenoid indole alkaloid.     

Ecionines A and B, two new cytotoxic pyridoacridine alkaloids from the Australian marine sponge, Ecionemia geodides

Chemical investigations of the Australian marine sponge Ecionemia geodides resulted in the isolation of two new pyridoacridine alkaloids, ecionines A (1) and B (2), along with the previously isolated marine natural products, biemnadin (3) and meridine (4). Compounds 1 and 2 both contain an imine moiety, which is rare for the pyridoacridine structure class. The chemical structures of 1 and 2 were determined by extensive 1D and 2D NMR and MS data analyses. All compounds were tested against a panel of human bladder cancer cell lines, the increasingly metastatic TSU-Pr1 series (TSU-Pr1, TSU-Pr1-B1 and TSU-Pr1-B2) and the superficial bladder cancer cell line 5637. Ecionine A (1) displayed cytotoxicity against all cell lines, with IC₅₀ values ranging from 3 to 7 μM. This is the first report of chemistry from the sponge genus Ecionemia.     

Alkaloids from the roots of Stemona tuberosa and their anti-tobacco mosaic virus activities

Stemtuberlines A (1) and B (2), two new alkaloids with a unique tricyclic pyrrolo [3,2,1-jk]benzazepine-12-one nucleus, three new croomine-type alkaloids, stemtuberlines C-E (3–5), together with seven known ones were isolated from the roots of Stemona tuberosa. The structures of the new alkaloids were elucidated based on a comprehensive spectroscopic data analysis. The absolute configurations of 1 and 2 were determined by quantum ECD calculations. The anti-tobacco mosaic virus activity of the Stemona alkaloids was firstly evaluated and compound 11 exhibited significant anti-tobacco mosaic virus activity with the curative inhibition rate of 84.6% at concentration of 50?μg/mL.     

Leucomidines A–C,novel alkaloids from Leuconotis griffithii

Two novel indole alkaloids and new quinazoline alkaloids, namely leucomidines A–C (1–3), were isolated from the barks of Leuconotis griffithii. The structures including the absolute configuration were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic data, chemical means, and CD calculations. The quinazoline alkaloid, 3, is proposed to be derived from the same biogenetic precursor as the indole alkaloids 1 and 2.     

Alsmaphorazines C–E,indole alkaloids from Alstonia pneumatophora

Three novel indole alkaloids, alsmaphorazines C (1)–E (3), were isolated from the leaves of Alstonia pneumatophora (Apocynaceae) and their structures were determined on the basis of the 2D NMR and MS spectral analyses. The absolute configurations of 1 and 3 were elucidated by applying a modified Mosher’s method and CD spectral analysis. These alkaloids possessed novel ring skeletons containing an octahydropyrrolo[2,3-b]pyrrole unit.     

Novel pyrroloquinoline ribosides from the South African latrunculid sponge Strongylodesma aliwaliensis

Two novel pyrroloquinoline ribosides, N-1-β-D-ribofuranosyldamirone C (1), and N-1-β-D-ribofuranosylmakaluvamine I (2) were isolated from a new species of South African latrunculid sponge, Strongylodesma aliwaliensis. Standard spectroscopic techniques were used to determine the structures of 1 and 2. Molecular modeling studies and NOESY data of 1 and 2, in combination with chiral GC analysis of their derivatized acid hydrolysis products, established the β-D-configuration of the ribofuranose moieties.     

Isolation and absolute configuration determination of alkaloids from Pandanus amaryllifolius

Seven new alkaloids belonging to three typical classes, isolated from an ethanolic extract of Pandanus amaryllifolius, were applied to establish the models in structural elucidation. The first type [pandanusines A and B (1 and 2)] was applied to alkaloids with a diazaspirocyclic ring system. The absolute stereochemistry of aminal carbon is determined by analysis of J-based configuration analysis and circular dichroism spectroscopy, which has never been revealed before. The second type [pandalizines C–E (3–5)], the stereochemistry of unusual indolizinone with chiral hydroxyl substitutions were determined by circular dichroism spectroscopy and vibrational circular dichroism experiments. The last type [norpandamarilactonines C and D (6 and 7)], a comparing model in determination of diastereomers of pyrrolidinyl α,β-unsaturated γ-lactone alkaloids was established. Our study provides solutions for a challenging subject in stereochemistry determination for three different types of Pandanus alkaloids.     

Two unique C21-diterpenoid alkaloids from Aconitum carmichaelii

Two sulfonated diterpenoid alkaloids possessing different but related novel carbon skeletons, named aconidenusulfonine A (1) and 12,16-secoaconidenusulfonine A (2), respectively, were isolated as minor components from an aqueous extract of the lateral roots of Aconitum carmichaelii (“Fu Zi”). The structures of 1 and 2, representing the first two C₂₁-diterpenoid alkaloids from nature, were determined by analysis of various spectroscopic data and chemical transformation, of which 1 was further proved by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Especially, 1 exhibited dose-depended analgesic activity consistent with the clinical function of Fu Zi.