New indole alkaloids from Sarcocephalus latifolius

Phytochemical investigation of the root extract of Sarcocephalus latifolius has led to the isolation of the new indole alkaloids 21-O-methylstrictosamide aglycone and 21-O-ethylstrictosamide aglycone, together with strictosamide, angustine, nauclefine, angustidine, angustoline, 19-O-ethylangustoline, naucleidinal, 19-epi-naucleidinal, quinovic acid-3 beta-O-beta-D-fucopyranoside, quinovic acid-3 beta-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranoside, scopoletin, and beta-sitosterol. Strictosamide displayed moderate antiplasmodial activity against Plasmodium falciparum.     

Two ellagic acid glycosides from Gleditsia sinensis Lam. with antifungal activity on Magnaporthe grisea

Two ellagic acid glycosides were isolated by bioassay-guided fractionation from the antimicrobial ethyl acetate fraction of the ethanol extract from Gleditsia sinensis spines, and identified as 3-O-methylellagic acid-4'-(5'-acetyl)-alpha-L-arabinofuranoside (1) and 3-O-methylellagic acid-4'-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranoside (2). Both compounds were isolated from this plant species for the first time, and 1 is a new compound. The two compounds showed significant antifungal activity against the spore germination of rice blast fungus Magnaporthe grisea, with an IC(50) value of 13.56 microg mL(-1) for 1 and 16.14 microg mL(-1) for 2.     

Two triterpenoid saponins from Neonauclea sessilifolia

From the dried roots of Neonauclea sessilifolia (Rubiaceae), two new triterpenoid saponins, 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->2)-beta-D-quinovopyranosyl quinovic acid (1) and 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->4)-beta-D-quinovopyranosyl pyrocincholic acid 28-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->6)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl ester (2), were isolated, together with five known saponins. The structures of the new saponins were determined by spectroscopic and chemical means.     

New triterpenoid saponins from Stelmatocrypton khasianum

Four new triterpenoid saponins, designated as stelmatotriterpenosides E-H (1-4), together with three known compounds, asterbatanoside B (5), 2alpha,3beta,19alpha,23-tetrahydroxy-olean-12-en-28-oic acid-3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-28-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl ester (6) and 2alpha,3beta,19alpha,23-tetrahydroxy-urs-12-en-28-oic acid-3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-28-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl ester (7), were isolated from the stems of Stelmatocrypton khasianum. On the basis of chemical and spectral evidence, the structures of 1-4 were established as 2alpha,3beta,23-trihydroxy-olean-12-en-28-oic acid-3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-28-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->6)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl ester (1), 2alpha,3beta,23-trihydroxy-urs-12-en-28-oic acid-3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-28-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->6)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl ester (2), 2alpha,3beta,19alpha-trihydroxy-urs-12-en-28-oic acid-3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-28-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->2)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl ester (3), and 2beta,3beta,19alpha-trihydroxy-urs-12-en-24,28-dioic acid-24-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-28-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl diester (4).     

Antibacterial phenolic compounds from the spines of Gleditsia sinensis Lam

This study was to isolate antibacterial compounds from Gleditsia sinensis Lam. spines through bioassay-guided fractionation (against a Gram-positive bacterium Xanthomonas vesicatoria and a Gram-negative bacterium Bacillus subtilis). The crude ethanol extract of G. sinensis spines was partitioned sequentially with solvents of increasing polarity. The ethyl acetate fraction, which exhibited the most significant antibacterial activities among all the solvent fractions, was further separated by column chromatograph, yielding seven phenolic compounds including ethyl gallate (1) and caffeic acid (7), and five flavonoids, dihydrokaempferol (2), eriodictyol (3), quercetin (4), 3,3',5',5,7-pentahydroflavanone (5) and (-)-epicatechin (6). Compounds 4, 5 and 7 showed moderate inhibitory activities against both bacterial species, with compound 7 having the lowest minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 0.125 mg mL(-1), while compounds 1 and 2 showed a weak inhibitory activity only against B. subtilis (MIC 1.00 mg mL(-1)), and compounds 3 and 6 showed insignificant activity against the two bacteria.     

An efficient high-speed counter-current chromatography method for the preparative separation of potential antioxidants from Paeonia lactiflora Pall. combination of in vitro evaluation and molecular docking

Paeonia lactiflora Pall., one of the most famous classical herbal medicine, has been used to treat diseases for over 1200 years. In this research, the functional ingredients were purified by online-switch two-dimensional high-speed counter-current chromatography combined with inner-recycling and continuous injection mode. The antioxidant activity was evaluated by investigating the 2,2′-azobis (2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride-induced oxidant damage in vitro and confirmed through molecular docking. n-Butanol/ethyl acetate/water (2:3:5, v/v) solvent system was used for the first-dimensional separation and optimized the sample loading. Two pure compounds and a polyphenol-enriched fraction were separated. The polyphenol-enriched fraction was separated with a solvent system n-hexane/ethyl acetate/methanol/water (2:8:4:6, v/v) with continuous injection mode. Five compounds were successfully separated, including gallic acid ( 1 ), methyl gallate ( 2 ), albiflorin ( 3 ), paeoniflorin ( 4 ), and ethyl gallate ( 5 ). Their structures were identified by mass spectrometry and NMR spectroscopy. The results from the antioxidant effect showed that albiflorin had stronger antioxidant activity. Molecular docking results indicated that the affinity energy of the identified compounds ranged from -3.79 to -8.22 kcal/mol and albiflorin showed the lowest affinity energy. Overall, all those findings suggested that the strong antioxidant capacity of albiflorin can be potentially used for the treatment of diseases caused by oxidation.     

Two New Disulfated Triterpenoids from Zygophyllum fabago

From the aerial parts of Zygophyllum fabago, two new monosodium salts of sulfated derivatives of ursolic acid, along with two known quinovic acid glycosides were isolated. The structures of the new compounds were determined as (3β,4α)‐3,23,30‐trihydroxyurs‐20‐en‐28‐al 3,23‐di(sulfate) sodium salt (1 : 1) ( 1 ) and of (3β,4α)‐3,23,28‐trihydroxyurs‐20‐en‐30‐yl β‐D ‐glucopyranoside 3,23‐di(sulfate) sodium salt (1 : 1) ( 2 ) with the molecular formula C₃₀H₄₇NaO₁₀S₂ and C₃₆H₅₉NaO₁₅S₂, respectively. The structures of the known compounds were 3‐O‐(2‐O‐sulfo‐β‐D ‐quinovopyranosyl)quinovic acid 28‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl ester ( 3 ) and 3‐O‐(β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl)quinovic acid 28‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl ester ( 4 ) (quinovic acid=(3β)‐3‐hydroxyurs‐12‐ene‐27,28‐dioic acid). The structures of all these compounds were determined by using 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR spectroscopic techniques.     

Application of preparative high-speed counter-current chromatography for separation of methyl gallate from Acer truncatum Bunge

Preparative separation of methyl gallate in leaves extract of Acer truncatum Bunge was conducted using high-speed counter-current chromatography (HSCCC) with a solvent system composed of ethyl acetate-ethanol-water at volume ratios of 5:1:5 (v/v/v). In a single operation, 57.5 mg of methyl gallate was obtained from 120 mg of the extract. HPLC analyses of the counter-current chromatography (CCC) fraction revealed that the methyl gallate was having over 97% purity. Its structure was identified by 1H NMR and 13C NMR.     

In vitro evaluation of antiproliferative effect of ethyl gallate against human oral squamous carcinoma cell line KB

Although some polyphenols are known to possess anticancer activity against different cancer cell lines through induction of apoptosis, the mode of antiproliferative effect of ethyl gallate against human oral squamous carcinoma cell line KB was not studied until now. Therefore, the antiproliferative effect of ethyl gallate was evaluated by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay in comparison with the reference drug paclitaxel. Generation of reactive oxygen species, mitochondrial membrane potential loss, DNA damage and apoptosis were determined using 2,7-diacetyldichlorofluorescein fluorescence, uptake of rhodamine-123 by mitochondria, comet assay and acridine orange/ethidium bromide dual-dye staining method. Both ethyl gallate and paclitaxel exhibited cytotoxicity in a dose-dependent manner. The 50% inhibitory concentration for ethyl gallate was 30 and 20 μg/mL for paclitaxel. A volume of 50 μg/mL of ethyl gallate was found to be significantly effective (P < 0.05) in controlling the cancer cell proliferation leading to acute apoptosis.     

Ellagic acid glycosides from Turpinia ternata

Bioassay-guided fractionation of the methanolic extract of Turpinia ternata stems, has led to the isolation of the new ellagic acid derivative 3,4'-di-O-methylellagic acid-4-O-alpha-L-arabinofuranoside (1), and the known compounds ellagic acid (2), 3-O-methyl ellagic acid (3), 3-O-methylellagic acid-3'-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranoside (4), and 3,3'-di-O-methylellagic acid-4'-O-alpha-D-glucopyranoside (5). Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic methods. Compounds 1, 3, and 4 showed moderate antioxidant activity against DPPH free radical, whereas compound 1 was found to be moderately cytotoxic against Artemia salina larvae.     

Five new bidesmoside triterpenoid saponins from Stauntonia chinensis

Eleven triterpenoid saponins (1-11) were isolated from Stauntonia chinensis DC. (Lardizabalaceae), including five new compounds, yemuoside YM(21-25) (1-3, 6, 7) structures of which were elucidated by chemical methods and a combination of MS, 1D- and 2D- NMR experiments including DEPT, (1)H--(1)H COSY, HSQC, HMBC, TOCSY, and NOESY as 3-O-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl-(1 --> 3)-[alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 --> 2)-]alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl-akebonicacid-28-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 --> 4)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 --> 6)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl ester (1), 3-O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1 --> 3)-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 --> 2)-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl-akebonic acid-28-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 --> 4)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 --> 6)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl ester (2), 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 --> 3)-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl-akebonic acid-28-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 --> 4)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 --> 6)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl ester (3), 3-O-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl-(1 --> 3)-[alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 --> 2)-]alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl-akebonic acid-28-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 --> 6)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl ester (6), 3-O-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl-(1 --> 3)-[alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl-(1 --> 2)-]alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl-akebonic acid-28-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 --> 6)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl ester (7).     

Five new nortropane alkaloids and six new amino acids from the fruit of Morus alba LINNE growing in Turkey

Investigation of the constituents of the fruits of Morus alba LINNE (Moraceae) afforded five new nortropane alkaloids (1-5) along with nor-psi-tropine (6) and six new amino acids, morusimic acids A-F (7-12). The structures of the new compounds were determined to be 2alpha,3beta-dihydroxynortropane (1), 2beta,3beta-dihydroxynortropane (2), 2alpha,3beta,6exo-trihydroxynortropane (3), 2alpha,3beta,4alpha-rihydroxynortropane (4), 3beta,6exo-dihydroxynortropane (5), (3R)-3-hydroxy-12-[(1S,4S)-4-[(1S)-1-hydroxyethyl]-pyrrolidin-1-yll-dodecanoic acid-3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (7), (3R)-3-hydroxy-12-[(1S,4S)-4-[(1S)-1-hydroxyethyl]-pyrrolidin-1-yll-dodecanoic acid (8), (3R)-3-hydroxy-12-1(1R,4R,5S)-4-hydroxy-5-methyl-piperidin-1-yll-dodecanoic acid-3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (9), (3R)-3-hydroxy-12-[(1R,4R,5S)-4-hydroxy-5-methyl-piperidin-1-yll-dodecanoic acid (10), (3R)-3-hydroxy-12-[(1R,4R,5S)-4-hydroxy-5-hydroxymethyl-piperidin-1-yl]-dodecanoic acid-3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (11), and (3R)-3-hydroxy-12-[(1R,4S,5S)-4-hydroxy-5-methyl-piperidin-1-yl]-dodecanoic acid (12) on the basis of spectral and chemical data.     

BICYCLO[2. 2. 1] HEPT-5-ENE-2,3-DICARBOXYLIC ANHYDRIDE CAPPED ‘PMR'''' TYPE POLYAMIDE-IMIDE

The resin solution of NA capped ‘PMR' type polyamide-imide was prepared from bicyclo [2.2.1]-hept-5-ene-2, 3-dicarboxylic acid ethyl ester,1, 2, 4-trimellitic acid-2-(or-1-) ethyl ester and 4,4'-methylenedianiline in ethanol. This resin solution is specially suitable for the preparation of compo-sites. The fiexural strength of the glass cloth reinforced plastics was 6000--7000 kg/cm~2 (RM) and4000--kg/cm~2 (260°--300℃), respectively. The result of isothermal aging for 800 hours in-dicated that this composite can be used at 26℃. The mechanism of the formation of polyamide-imide was discussed by using appropriate model compounds.     

Simultaneous determination of twelve tea catechins by high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection.

A high-performance liquid chromatographic method with electrochemical detection was developed for the determination of twelve tea catechins including four major catechins: epicatechin (EC), epigallocatechin (EGC), epicatechin gallate (ECG) and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG); four of their epimers at the C-2 position, C, GC, CG and GCG; and four methylated catechin derivatives, epigallocatechin-3-O-(3-O-methyl)gallate, gallocatechin-3-O-(3-O-methyl)gallate, epigallocatechin-3-O-(4-O-methyl)gallate and epicatechin-3-O-(3-O-methyl)gallate. These catechins were separated on an ODS C18 reversed-phase column by isocratic elution with 0.1 M NaH2PO4 buffer (pH 2.5)-acetonitrile (87:13) containing 0.1 mM EDTA.2Na. The detection limits (S/N = 3) of these catechins were approximately 10-40 pmol ml-1 at an applied voltage of 600 mV. Extracting these catechins from tea leaf powder with H2O-acetonitrile (1:1) at 30 degrees C for 40 min inhibited the epimerization at C-2 significantly from these epicatechins compared to extraction with hot water at 90 degrees C. This analytical method is sensitive to and appropriate for the simultaneous determination of various biologically active catechins in green tea.     

A new benzofuranic acid from the leaves of Rhus alata

From leaves of Rhus alata, one new benzofuranic acid named [(2E)-3-(4-hydroxy-5,7-dimethyl- benzo[3,4-b] furan-6-yloxy)-prop-2-enoic acid has been isolated together with eight known compounds: dimethyl ester of terephthalic acid, beta-amyrin, friedelin, lupeol, beta-sitosterol, oleanolic acid, taraxerone and ethyl gallate. Structural elucidations were done on the basis of chemical and physical data (IR, UV, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR and MS spectra).     

Glycosides from the leaves of Ilex hylonoma

Two new triterpenoid saponins, hylonosides I-II (1,2) have been isolated along with one known flavonoid glycoside (3) from the methanol extract of leaves of Ilex hylonoma. The structures were elucidated by ID and 2D NMR experiments, including 1H-1H COSY, TOCSY, NOESY, HMQC, and HMBC methods. Two new compounds were characterized as 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 --> 4)-beta-D-glucuronopyranosyl pomolic acid-28-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (1), 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 --> 4)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 --> 2)-beta-D-glucuronopyranosyl pomolic acid-28-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (2).     

A novel alkenoic acid ester and a new benzophenone from Ranunculus ternatus

A novel alkenoic acid ester,(E)-4-hydroxy-dodec-2-enedioic acid-12-O-methyl ester and a new benzophenone,ethyl (S)-3-[2- (3,4-dihydroxybenzoyl)-4,5-dihydroxyphenyl]-2-hydroxypropanoate,together with a known compound,(E)-4-hydroxy-dodec-2- enedioic acids were isolated from the roots of Ranunculus ternatus.Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods.     

A new pentacyclic triterpenoid glucoside from Prunus serrulata var. spontanea

A new triterpenoid, 2alpha,3alpha,24-trihydroxyurs-12-en-28-oic acid-28-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl ester (4) along with four known triterpenoids, ursolic acid (1), 2alpha-hydroxyursolic acid (2), 2alpha,3alpha,24-trihydroxyurs-12-en-28-oic acid (3), and 2alpha,3alpha,19alpha,24-tetrahydroxyurs-12-en-28-oic acid-28-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl ester (5), were isolated from the leaves of Prunus serrulata var. spontanea (Rosaceae). Compounds 3-5 showed ONOO(-) scavenging activity, whereas compounds 1 and 2 were virtually inactive.     

Synthesis and total 1H- and 13C-NMR assignment of cephem derivatives for use in ADEPT approaches

We report the synthesis and total NMR characterization of 5-thia-1-azabicyclo-[4.2.0]oct-2-ene-2-carboxylic acid-3-[[[(4'-nitrophenoxy)carbonyl]oxy]-methyl]-8-oxo-7-[(2-thienyloxoacetyl)amino]-diphenylmethyl ester-5-dioxide (5), a new cephalosporin derivative. This compound can be used as the carrier of a wide range of drugs containing an amino group. The preparation of the intermediate product, 5-thia-1-azabicyclo[4.2.0]oct-2-ene-2-carboxylic acid-3-[methyl 4-(6-methoxyquinolin-8-ylamino)pentylcarbamate]-8-oxo-7-[(2-thienyloxoacetyl)amino]-diphenylmethyl ester-5-dioxide (6), as well as the synthesis of the antimalarial primaquine prodrug 5-thia-1-azabicyclo[4.2.0]oct-2-ene-2-carboxylic acid-3-[methyl 4-(6-methoxyquinolin-8-ylamino)pentylcarbamate]-8-oxo-7-[(2-thienyloxoacetyl)amino]- 5-dioxide (7) are also described, together with their total (1)H- and (13)C-NMR assignments.     

Chemical constituents isolated from Zygophyllum melongena Bunge growing in Mongolia

We report the first investigation of the chemical constituents of Zygophyllum melongena Bunge, a species growing in Mongolia. The quinovic acid glycosides 3-O-(β-D-glucopyranosyl)quinovic acid and 3-O-(β-D-glucopyranosyl)quinovic acid (28→1)-(β-D-glucopyranosyl) ester were identified in the chloroform fraction along with the flavonoid glycoside astragalin. The n-butanol fraction contained (+)-D-pinitol as the major component, a cyclitol with anti-diabetic properties. The structures of the isolated natural products were confirmed using ESI-MS and NMR spectroscopy (¹H, ¹³C, COSY, HSQC, HMBC, NOESY and ROESY). This is the first report of the isolation of (+)-D-pinitol from the genus Zygophyllum.