In vivo transformations of artemisinic acid in Artemisia annua plants

Artemisinic acid labeled with both ¹³C and ²H at the 15-position has been fed to intact plants of Artemisia annua via the cut stem, and its in vivo transformations studied by 1D- and 2D-NMR spectroscopy. Seven labeled metabolites have been isolated, all of which are known as natural products from this species. The transformations of artemisinic acid—as observed both for a group of plants, which was kept alive by hydroponic administration of water and for a group, which was allowed to die by desiccation—closely paralleled those, which have been recently described for its 11,13-dihydro analog, dihydroartemisinic acid. It seems likely therefore that similar mechanisms, involving spontaneous autoxidation of the Δ^4,5 double bond in both artemisinic acid and dihydroartemisinic acid and subsequent rearrangements of the resultant allylic hydroperoxides, may be involved in the biological transformations, which are undergone by both compounds. All of the sesquiterpene metabolites, which were obtained from in vivo transformations of artemisinic acid retained their unsaturation at the 11,13-position, and there was no evidence for conversion into any 11,13-dihydro metabolite, including artemisinin, the antimalarial drug, which is produced by A. annua. This observation led to the proposal of a unified biosynthetic scheme, which accounts for the biogenesis of many of the amorphane and cadinane sesquiterpenes that have been isolated as natural products from A. annua. In this scheme, there is a bifurcation in the biosynthetic pathway starting from amorpha-4,11-diene leading to either artemisinic acid or dihydroartemisinic acid; these two committed precursors are then, respectively, the parents for the two large families of highly oxygenated 11,13-dehydro and 11,13-dihydro sesquiterpene metabolites, which are known from this species.     

In vivo transformations of dihydroartemisinic acid in Artemisia annua plants

[15-¹³C²H₃]-dihydroartemisinic acid (2a) and [15-C²H₃]-dihydroartemisinic acid (2b) have been fed via the root to intact Artemisia annua plants and their transformations studied in vivo by one-dimensional ²H NMR spectroscopy and two-dimensional ¹³C-²H correlation NMR spectroscopy (¹³C-²H COSY). Labelled dihydroartemisinic acid was transformed into 16 12-carboxy-amorphane and cadinane sesquiterpenes within a few days in the aerial parts of A. annua, although transformations in the root were much slower and more limited. Fifteen of these 16 metabolites have been reported previously as natural products from A. annua. Evidence is presented that the first step in the transformation of dihydroartemisinic acid in vivo is the formation of allylic hydroperoxides by the reaction of molecular oxygen with the Δ^4,5-double bond in this compound. The origin of all 16 secondary metabolites might then be explained by the known further reactions of such hydroperoxides. The qualitative pattern for the transformations of dihydroartemisinic acid in vivo was essentially unaltered when a comparison was made between plants, which had been kept alive and plants which were allowed to die after feeding of the labelled precursor. This, coupled with the observation that the pattern of transformations of 2 in vivo demonstrated very close parallels with the spontaneous autoxidation chemistry for 2, which we have recently demonstrated in vitro, has lead us to conclude that the main ‘metabolic route’ for dihydroartemisinic acid in A. annua involves its spontaneous autoxidation and the subsequent spontaneous reactions of allylic hydroperoxides which are derived from 2. There may be no need to invoke the participation of enzymes in any of the later biogenetic steps leading to all 16 of the labelled 11,13-dihydro-amorphane sesquiterpenes which are found in A. annua as natural products.     

Pelseneeriol-1 and -2: new furanosesquiterpene alcohols from porostome nudibranch Doriopsilla pelseneeri

The paper reports the first chemical study of the porostome nudibranch Doriopsilla pelseneeri collected off the Portuguese coast (Atlantic Ocean). Two new furanosesquiterpene alcohols, pelseneeriol-1 (1) and pelseneeriol-2 (2), have been isolated together with known compounds, 15-acetoxy-ent-pallescensin-A (5), and dendocarbin-A (6), from the mantle of the nudibranch, whereas euryfuran (3) and drimane ester mixture 4 were identified in the extract of the internal glands. The structures of 1 and 2 have been determined by extensive spectroscopic studies as well as by comparison with literature model compounds. In order to assess the relative stereochemistry of 1 and 2, full NMR assignment of related sponge metabolite microcionin-2 (8) and of co-occurring sesquiterpenes 9-11, that have been re-isolated from the Mediterranean sponge Fasciospongia cavernosa, has been also conducted. In particular, the relative stereochemistry of tricyclic sesquiterpene microcionin-1 (9) has now been rigorously assigned by detailed analysis of NOE difference experiments.     

Synthesis of labelled dihydroartemisinic acid

[15-¹³C²H₃]-Dihydroartemisinic acid (2a), [15-C²H₃]-dihydroartemisinic acid (2b) and [15-¹³CH₃]-dihydroartemisinic acid (2c) have been obtained in good yield and high isotopic enrichment by a reconstructive synthesis from artemisinin. These labelled compounds were designed to be used in biosynthetic experiments to determine the origins of artemisinin and other sesquiterpene natural products from Artemisia annua.     

New tri- and tetracyclic diterpenes from Euphorbia villosa

Three new tetracyclic diterpenes were isolated from the chloroform-soluble extract of Euphorbia villosa, together with one new and one known lathyrane diterpene. The structures were elucidated by means of various spectroscopic methods, including HREI-MS, HRFAB-MS, UV, and 1D and 2D NMR techniques. Spectral analyses revealed that two of the tetracyclic compounds contain the rare 5-6-6-4 fused ring system, while the third has a 5-6-7-3 fused diterpene core. Such diterpene skeletons have previously been found only in euphoractines A-E isolated from Euphorbia micractina. As a new structural feature, the diterpene framework described here has a C-2 epimer configuration. The new lathyrane diterpene is a diester of a hitherto unknown polyfunctional parent alcohol.     

Arjunolic Acid in Molecular Recognition: First Synthesis and Cation Binding Studies of a novel Arjuna-18-crown-6

Arjunolic acid, a functionally rich chiral triterpenoid with a rigid pentacyclic backbone, has the potential to be used as a structural framework for the design of molecular receptors and supramolecular architectures. The design and synthesis of the first arjunolic acid-derived 18-crown-6 and its binding studies with metal and tert-butylammonium ions are reported.     

Asymmetric synthesis of the tricyclic core of cyathin diterpenoids via intramolecular Heck reaction

The enantioselective synthesis of the ketones 3 which displays the carbon core of NGF-inducing cyathane diterpenes is described. The key tricyclic trienone 22 was assembled in 13 steps from Michael adduct (R)-8a via intramolecular Heck cyclization of the chiral triflate 21. The trienone 22 was further elaborated into ketone 3 through trimethylaluminum-promoted expansion of the C-ring with trimethylsilyldiazomethane.     

Austrodoral and austrodoric acid: nor-sesquiterpenes with a new carbon skeleton from the Antarctic nudibranch Austrodoris kerguelenensis

Two unprecedented nor-sesquiterpenes, austrodoral (4) and its oxidised derivative austrodoric acid (5), have been isolated from the skin of the marine dorid Austrodoris kerguelenensis, collected in Antarctica. The structures and the relative stereochemistry were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic data. A role of stress-metabolites could be suggested for these compounds.     

Regiospecific substitution of the carbon-boron bond of tris(4-trimethylsilylfuran-3-yl)boroxine and tris(4-methylfuran-3-yl)boroxine. Model approaches towards sesquiterpenoid furanoeudesmanes

Furan-containing compounds occur abundantly in nature. Among them, the sesquiterpenoid furanoeudesmanes are particularly interesting due to their allergenic, plant-growth inhibiting, antibacterial as well as antitumor properties. Recently an organoboron protocol has been developed in our laboratory for the preparation of regiospecific-substituted furans. By utilizing such methodology, two common intermediates 1 and 2 that may lead to the synthesis of naturally occurring tubipofuran (3) furanoeudesm-4-ene (4) and furanoeudesma-1,4-dien-6-one (5) were obtained.     

Chemomicrobial synthesis of (R)- and (S)-lavandulol

(R)- and (S)-Lavandulol are important compounds in the cosmetics industry and in pheromone research. We have developed syntheses of (R)- and (S)-lavandulol from (S)- and (R)-limonene, respectively, by microbial Baeyer-Villiger oxidation of the intermediate unsaturated hydroxy ketone. It has been found that the same strain of Acremonium roseum can be successfully used in the key step of the synthesis of both enantiomers of lavandulol.     

Further chemical studies on the Antarctic nudibranch Austrodoris kerguelenensis: new terpenoid acylglycerols and revision of the previous stereochemistry

The diterpenoid acylglycerol fraction from an extract of the mantle of a new collection of the Antarctic dorid gastropod mollusc Austrodoris kerguelenensis has been chemically analysed. Two novel 2-monoacylglycerols 9 and 12, along with known 1,2-diacyl glyceryl esters 5 and 6, now reassigned as 7 and 8, have been isolated. The linkage of a diterpenoid moiety at C-2 of glycerol characterizes all the compounds. Because the R absolute stereochemistry at C-2 of glycerol has been established for the corresponding 1,3-glyceryl esters 1 and 2, derived from 7 and 8 by acyl-migration of the terpenoid moiety from C-2 to C-3, our finding implies that 1,2-derivatives from Antarctic nudibranchs have the same S stereochemistry as all 1,2-sn-diacylglycerols from the other dorids.     

1H and 13C NMR signal assignment of synthetic (-)-methyl thyrsiflorin B acetate, (-)-thyrsiflorin C and several scopadulane derivatives

The (1)H and (13)C NMR signal assignment of the data of 13 scopadulane-type diterpenes is reported. It was based on one- and two- dimensional NMR techniques which included (1)H, (13)C, DEPT, HMQC and 1D NOE difference spectroscopy.     

Malayanines A and B, two novel limonoids from Chisocheton erythrocarpus Hiern

Two structurally interesting novel limonoids, malayanine A and malayanine B, were isolated from the bark of Chisocheton erythrocarpus Hiern. The structures were fully characterized through spectroscopic methods.     

In vivo study of triazine herbicides in plants by SPME

The use of SPME for in vivo monitoring of herbicide levels in plant tissues is evaluated. Fibers are exposed to the plant tissue with the aid of buffer located at the fiber/tissue interface region. Following this extraction period the extracted amount is estimated by solvent desorption and LC-MS-MS.     

Chiral organochlorosilanes derived from terpenes: diastereoselective hydrosilylation of methylene bicyclo[2.2.1]heptanes with HSiMenCln − 2 (n=0-2)

The H₂PtCl₆ catalysed hydrosilylation of the terpenes (+)-α-fenchene (XI), (−)-2-methylene bornane (XII), (+)-camphene (XIII) and (−)-3-methylene fenchane (XIV) using HSiMe₂Cl or HSiMeCl₂ proceeds with high regioselectively and in some cases, with high diastereoselectivity. KF-assisted oxidation of the hydrosilylation products gives predominately endo-terpene alcohols. The alcohols have inverted endo/exo ratios to those formed by oxidative hydroboration. Reaction of XIV with HSiMe₂Cl or HSiMeCl₂ is accompanied by a clean rearrangement of the isocamphane skeleton into (+)-2-methylene bornane (XII) prior to hydrosilylation.     

Itampolins A and B, new brominated tyrosine derivatives from the sponge Iotrochota purpurea

Two new compounds, designated as itampolins A (1) and B (2) were isolated from the sponge Iotrochota purpurea collected at Itampolo, southwest of Tuléar, Madagascar. The structures of the compounds were elucidated mainly on the basis of 1D and 2D NMR and mass spectroscopic data and, in the case of 1, also by chemical degradation.     

NMR-Spectroscopic, computational and mass-spectrometric investigations on the cis/trans analogues of 2,3,4-trihydronaphthalene-1-one

NMR-Spectroscopic, computational and mass-spectrometric studies of the cis/trans isomers of N-[8-(acetylamino)-4-(2,2-dimethyl-1,1-diphenyl-silapropoxy)-6-fluoro-5-methyl-1-one-2,3,4-trihydronaphthyl]acetamide (1a and 1b), obtained as intermediates in the synthesis of an important class of alkaloid molecules, are reported. ¹H and ¹³C NMR analyses show an unusual axial preference of the TBDPSi- (tert-butyldiphenylsilyl) group in position 4 in both the isomers. Mass spectrometric evidence demonstrates that trans isomer has a higher affinity for ammonium ions than the cis isomer and that only the ammonium adduct [1b+NH₄]⁺ and the protonated molecule [1b+H]⁺ show the fragmentation in which loss of benzene is observed. Moreover, molecular mechanics and semi-empirical calculations indicate that a group of trans conformers tend to place one of the phenyl rings of the TBDPSiO- group in a offset π-stacked geometry with the compound's aromatic ring. The combination and the detailed analyses of these experimental and theoretical results could support the π-π interaction obtained as a conformational preference in the trans isomer.     

Janoxepin and brevicompanine B: antiplasmodial metabolites from the fungus Aspergillus janus

Two compounds janoxepin (1) and brevicompanine B (2) were isolated from the fungus Aspergillus janus and the structures elucidated by one- and two-dimensional NMR spectroscopic methods and mass spectrometry. Janoxepin is a novel oxepin derivative with a rare d-leucine incorporated. Brevicompanine B has previously only been isolated from Penicillium brevicompactum. Both compounds were tested in antimicrobial assays and found to be active against the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum 3D7 (IC₅₀-values of 28 and 35 mg/ml, respectively). However, no activity was observed in antifungal or antibacterial assays.     

Structures and absolute stereochemistry of nipponallene and neonipponallene, new brominated allenes from the red alga Laurencia nipponica

Two new natural brominated allenes named as nipponallene 1 and neonipponallene 2 were isolated from the red alga Laurencia nipponica, collected near the Russian shore of the Sea of Japan (Troitsa Bay). The structures and absolute stereochemistry of 1 and 2 were elucidated using NMR spectroscopy, chemical transformations, modified Mosher’s method and on the basis of biogenetic understanding.     

The absolute configuration determination of naturally occurring diacetylenic spiroacetal enol ethers from Artemisia lactiflora

Six new naturally occurring diacetylenic spiroacetal enol ethers, Lactiflodiynes A-F (1-6), together with five known congeners (7-11), were isolated from the whole plant of Artemisia lactiflora (Compositae). The structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic methods, X-ray crystallography, chemical transformations, and CD. The absolute configuration of Lactiflodiyne A (1) was determined to be 2R, 5S, 6S, and 7R by an X-ray crystallographic diffraction experiment using Mo Kα radiation with the absolute parameter of 0.01(8). In combination with CD, the absolute configurations of compounds 2-11 were confirmed by chemical transformations using 1 as the starting material.