New phenylalkanoids from Zingiber officinale

Two new phenylalkanoids, 3-hydroxy-1-(4'-hydroxy-3'-methoxy-phenyl)-hexan-5-one (1) and 3-hydroxy-1-(3',5'-dimethoxy-4'-hydroxyphenyl)-hexan-5-one (2) were isolated from the rhizomes of Chinese ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe (Zingiberaceae)). The structures of two new phenylalkanoids were elucidated by chemical and physical evidence.     

A new phenylalkanoid from the rhizomes of Zingiber officinale

A new phenylalkanoid, (E)-3-hydroxy-1-(4'-dihydroxy-3',5'-dimethoxy-phenyl)-dodecan-6-en-5-one (1) was isolated from the rhizomes of Chinese ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe (Zingiberaceae)). The structure of this new phenylalkanoid was elucidated by chemical and physical evidences.     

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.     

A new coumarin and triterpenes from Malaysian Micromelum minutum

A new coumarin, 8,4'-dihydroxy-3',4'-dihydrocapnolactone-2',3'-diol (1) and two known triterpenes, 5(6)-gluten-3-one (2) and 5(6)-gluten-3alpha-ol (3) were isolated from the leaves of Micromelum minutum (Rutaceae) collected from Sepilok, Sabah, Malaysia and their structures were characterized by spectroscopic methods.     

A new type of stilbene-related secondary metabolite, idenburgene, from Cryptocarya idenburgensis

A new type of natural product, idenburgene (1), was isolated from Crytocarya idenburgensis, and its unique structure was elucidated. Four known compounds, 3-hydroxy-5-methoxystilbene (2), 2',6'-dihydroxy-4'-methoxydihydrochalcone (3), stigmast-4-ene-3-one, and beta-sitosterol were also isolated and identified.     

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.     

Allergy-preventive flavonoids from Xanthorrhoea hastilis

Allergy-preventive activity was demonstrated for an extract of resins from Xanthorrhoea hastilis R. BR. in a search for allergy-preventive substances from natural sources. By bioassay-directed fractionation of this plant extract, a new flavanone, 3',5'-dihydroxy-7,4'-dimethoxyflavanone (1), and two new chalcones, 3,5,2'-trihydroxy-4,4'-dimethoxychalcone (2) and 5,2'-dihydroxy-3,4,4'-trimethoxychalcone (3), were isolated together with five known compounds, 5'-hydroxy-7,3',4'-trimethoxyflavanone (4), 3'-hydroxy-7,4'-dimethoxyflavanone (5), liquiritigenin 7-methyl ether (6), 4,2'-dihydroxy-4'-methoxychalcone (7) and sakuranetin (8). The structures of 1, 2 and 3 were elucidated by spectroscopic methods. All of these compounds showed allergy-preventive effects.     

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.     

Flavonoids and other compounds from Ouratea ferruginea (Ochnaceae) as anticancer and chemopreventive agents

The chemical study of the extracts from leaves and stems of Ouratea ferruginea allowed the identification of a new isoflavone, 5-hydroxy-7,3'4'5'-tetramethoxyisoflavone, and twenty two known compounds, including friedelin, 3β-friedelinol, lupeone, a mixture of sitosterol, stigmasterol and campesterol, sitosteryl- and stigmasteryl-3-O-b-D-glucopyranosides, 5,4'-dihydroxy-7,5',3'-trimethoxyisoflavone, 5,4'-dihydroxy-7,3'-di-methoxyisoflavone (7,3'-di-O-methylorobol), 5,7,4'-trihydroxy-3',5'-dimethoxyisoflavone (piscigenin), 2R,3R-epicatechin, syringic acid, 2,6-dimethoxybenzoquinone, 2,6-dimethoxyhydroquinone, syringic and ferulic aldehyde, a mixture of vanillic acid, 1-hydroxy-2-methoxy-4-(1E-3-hydroxy-1-propenyl)-benzene and 3,5-dimethoxy-4-hydroxy-dihydrocinamaldehyde, besides amenthoflavone and 7-O-methylamenthoflavone (sequoiaflavone) which are considered as chemotaxonomic markers of Ouratea. The structures were identified by IR, (1)H- and (13)C-NMR and GC-MS, HPLC-MS, besides comparison with literature data. The inhibitory effects of 5,4'-dihydroxy-7,5',3'-trimethoxyisoflavone, 7,3'-di-O-methylorobol, piscigenin and 7-O-methylamenthoflavone on cytochrome P450-dependent 7-ethoxycoumarin O-deethylase (ECOD) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) were evaluated in vitro. The 5,4'-dihydroxy-7,5',3'-trimethoxy-isoflavone was the best inhibitor, inhibiting almost 75% of GST activity. Sequoiaflavone was the most potent inhibitor, inhibiting ECOD assay in 75%. These activities allow us to consider both these flavonoids as potential anticancer and chemopreventive agents.     

A convenient approach to heterocyclic building blocks: synthesis of novel ring systems containing a [5,6]Pyrano[2,3-c]pyrazol-4(1H)-one moiety

Starting from commercially available educts, a straightforward synthetic route to new heterocyclic building blocks is exemplified with the one- or two-step synthesis of tri-, tetra-, or pentacyclic ring systems. Representatives of the following novel ring systems are prepared from 3-methyl-1-phenyl-2-pyrazolin-5-one and the corresponding o-halo-arenecarbonyl chloride using calcium hydroxide in refluxing 1,4-dioxane: pyrimidino[4',5':5,6]pyrano[2,3-c]pyrazol-4(1H)-one, thieno[3',2':5,6]pyrano[2,3c]pyrazol- 4-(1H)-one, thieno[3',4':5,6]pyrano[2,3-c]pyrazol-4(1H)-one, thieno[3',2':4',5']thieno[2',3':5,6]-pyrano[2,3-c]pyrazol-4(1H)-one, [1,3]dioxolo[5',6'][1]benzothieno[2',3':5,6]pyrano-[2,3-c]- pyrazol-4(1H)-one, pyridazino[4',3':5,6]pyrano[2,3-c]pyrazol-4(1H)-one and pyrazolo-[4',3':5',6']pyrido[3',4':5,6]pyrano[2,3-c]pyrazol-4(1H)-one. While the latter two ring systems are directly obtained due to a spontaneous intramolecular substitution reaction, in the other reactions uncyclised 4-aroylpyrazol-5-ols are produced, which are cyclised into the target heterocycles in a subsequent synthetic step (i.e. treatment with NaH in DMF). Detailed NMR spectroscopic investigations ((1)H-, (13)C-, (15)N-) with the obtained compounds were undertaken to unambiguously prove the new structures.     

Cholinesterase inhibitory constituents from Onosma hispida

Hispidone, a new flavanone, has been isolated from Onosma hispida and assigned the structure (2S)-5,2'-dihydroxy-7,4',5'-trimethoxyflavanone (1) by spectroscopic methods. In addition, (2S)-5,2'-dihydroxy-7,5'-dimethoxyflavanone (2), benzoic acid (3), and 4-hydroxy benzoic acid (4) are also reported for the first time from this species.     

New diarylheptanoids from Alpinia pinnanensis

Three new diarylheptanoids, called alpinnanins A-C (1-3), together with two known chalcones, 2',4'-dihydroxy-6'-methoxychalcone and 4',6'-dimethylchalconaringenin, two known flavanones, alpinetin and naringenin 5-O-methyl ether, a known diarylheptanoid, (3S,5S)-trans-3,5-dihydroxy-1,7-diphenyl-1-heptene, stigmasterol and beta-sitosterol as a mixture, and beta-sitosterol 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside were isolated from the rhizomes of Alpinia pinnanensis T. L. WU et SENJEN (Zingiberaceae). Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analyses.     

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.     

Biotransformation of a C-glycosylflavone, abrusin 2''-O-beta-D-apioside, by human intestinal bacteria

After anaerobic incubation of abrusin 2'-O-beta-D-apioside (1) with a human fecal suspension, five metabolites were isolated and identified as abrusin (2), 1-(2',6'-dihydroxy-3',4'-dimethoxyphenyl)-3-(4'-hydroxyphenyl)propan-1- one (5), 5,6-dimethoxybenzene-1,3-diol (6), 3-(4'-hydroxyphenyl)propionic acid (7) and 3-phenylpropionic acid (8). However, methyl ether derivatives of abrusin (4'-O-methylabrusin and 4'-O-, 5-O-dimethylabrusin) resisted degradation under the same conditions.     

Four new isoflavonoids from the stem bark of Erythrina variegata

Bioassay-directed fractionation of the stem bark extract of Erythrina variegata L. has resulted in the isolation of three new isoflavones: 5,4'-dihydroxy-8-(3,3-dimethylallyl)-2'-methoxyisopropylfurano[4,5:6,7]isoflavone (1), 5,7,4'-trihydroxy-6-(3,3-dimethylallyloxiranylmethyl)isoflavone (2), 5,4'-dihydroxy-8-(3,3-dimethylallyl)-2'-hydroxymethyl-2'-methylpyrano[5,6:6,7]isoflavone (3) and a new isoflavanone, 5,4'-dihydroxy-2'-methoxy-8-(3,3-dimethylallyl)-2',2'-dimethylpyrano[5,6:6,7]isoflavanone (4) together with seven known compounds, euchrenone b10 (5), isoerysenegalensein E (6), wighteone (7), laburnetin (8), lupiwighteone (9), erythrodiol (10), and oleanolic acid (11). The structures were determined on the basis of spectroscopic analyses and chemical evidence. The effect of these compounds on the proliferation of rat osteogenic sarcoma (UMR106) is also reported.     

Two new compounds from Dendrobium candidum

Two new compounds were isolated from the stems of Dendrobium candidum: (R)-3,4-dihydroxy-5,4',alpha-trimethoxybibenzyl (1), named dendrocandin A; and 4-[2-[(2S,3S)-3-(4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-2-hydroxymethyl-8-methoxy-2,3-dihydrobenzo[1,4]dioxin-6-yl]ethyl]-1-methoxyl benzene (2), dendrocandin B. Five previously known bibenzyls were also identified: 4,4'-dihydroxy-3,5-dimethoxybibenzyl (3), 3,4-dihydroxy-5,4'-dimethoxybibenzyl (4), 3-O-methylgigantol (5), dendrophenol (6), and gigantol (7).     

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 diarylheptanoids from Amomum muricarpum ELMER

Two new diarylheptanoids, designated muricarpones A and B, together with three known diarylheptanoids, 1,7-di-(3',4'-dihydroxyphenyl)-4-hepten-3-one, 1-(3',4'-dihydroxyphenyl)-7-(4'-hydroxyphenyl)-4-hepten-3-one, and 1,7-bis(p-hydroxyphenyl)-4-hepten-3-one, were isolated from the rhizomes of Amomum muricarpum ELMER (Zingiberaceae). Their structures were determined using spectroscopic analyses.     

天然产物Combretastatin A-1和Combretastatin B-1的合成

基于Perkin反应策略合成了具有强效抗肿瘤、抗血管活性的天然产物Combretastatin A-1(CA1)和Combretastatin B-1(CB1).以2,3,4-三羟基苯甲醛(1)为起始物, 经单甲基化反应得到2,3-二羟基-4-甲氧基苯甲醛(2), 再经酚羟基保护得到2,3-二异丙基-4-甲氧基苯甲醛(3), 该化合物与3,4,5-三甲氧基苯乙酸(4)发生Perkin反应分离得到E-2-(3,4,5-三甲氧基苯基)-3-(2',3'-二异丙氧基-4'-甲氧基)丙烯酸(E-5), 经脱羧反应得到Z-3,4,4',5-四甲氧基-2',3'-二异丙氧基二苯乙烯(6), 最后经脱保护反应得到CA1.另外, 将E-2-(3,4,5-三甲氧基苯基)-3-(2',3'-二异丙氧基-4'-甲氧基)丙烯酸(E-5)脱去保护基得到E-2-(3,4,5-三甲氧基苯基)-3-(2',3'-二羟基-4'-甲氧基)丙烯酸(7), 该化合物经脱羧-异构化反应得到E-3,4,4',5-四甲氧基-2',3'-二羟基二苯乙烯(E-CA1), 最后经催化氢化得到CB1.