New steroidal alkaloids from Sarcococca saligna

Two new steroidal alkaloids, salonine-A [(20S)-20-(N,N-dimethylamino)-3beta-(tigloylamino)-5alpha-pregn-14-en-2beta,4beta-diol] (1), and salonine-B [(20S)-20-(N,N-dimethylamino)-3beta-methoxy-pregn-5,16-diene] (2), were isolated from the MeOH extract of Sarcococca saligna, along with a known base, alkaloid-C (3). Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic methods. All three compounds were found to be cholinesterase inhibitors.     

Two new aurones from marine brown alga Spatoglossum variabile

Two new aurones, 4'-chloro-2-hydroxyaurone (1) and 4'-chloroaurone (2) were isolated from Spatoglossum variabile. The structures of these compounds were elucidated by modern spectroscopic techniques.     

The structure of a new crystalline cevane alkaloid: its identity with persicanidine B and harepermine

The structure of a new crystalline base (melting point (mp) 167-169 degrees C) obtained from Fritillaria imperialis was elucidated as (20R, 25R)-5alpha,17beta-cevanine-3beta,6beta-diol, X-ray diffraction analysis of the mono-hydrate. The base was found to be identical with persicanidine B and also with harepermine.     

Cholinesterase inhibiting withanolides from Withania somnifera

A total of two new (1, 2) and four known (3-6) withanolides were isolated from the whole plant of Withania somnifera. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic techniques and were characterized as 6alpha,7alpha-epoxy-3beta,5alpha,20beta-trihydroxy-1-oxowitha-24-enolide (1), 5beta,6beta-epoxy-4beta,17alpha,27-trihydroxy-1-oxowitha-2,24-dienolide (2), withaferin-A (3), 2,3-dihydrowithaferin-A (4), 6alpha,7alpha-epoxy-5alpha,20beta-dihydroxy-1-oxowitha-2,24-dienolide (5), and 5beta,6beta-epoxy-4beta-hydroxy-1-oxowitha-2,14,24-trienolide (6), respectively. Compounds 2, 3, 5, and 6 displayed inhibitory potential against butyrylcholinesterase, but only compounds 3, 4, and 6 were found to be active against acetylcholinesterase.     

Tyrosinase inhibition studies of diterpenoid alkaloids and their derivatives: structure-activity relationships

In the present article, tyrosinase inhibition studies on fifteen diterpenoid alkaloids, with lycoctonine skeleton, and their semisynthetic derivatives 1-15 and six napelline-type compounds 16-21 are discussed. Their structure-activity relationship for tyrosinase inhibition is also discussed. These activities were compared with two referenced tyrosinase inhibitors, kojic acid and L-mimosine. The study showed that lappaconitine HBr (1) is the most potent member of the series (IC50 = 13.30 microM).     

Two new rearranged taxoids from Taxus wallichiana ZUCC

Two new rearranged taxane diterpenoids, 5alpha,7beta,10beta,13alpha-tetrahydroxy-2alpha,9alpha,15-triacetoxy-11(15-->1)-abeo-taxa-4(20), 11-diene (1) and 5alpha,9alpha,10beta,13alpha-tetraacetoxy-15-hydroxy-11(15-->1)-abeo-taxa-4(20), 11-diene (2) have been isolated from the barks of Taxus wallichiana. The structures of these compounds have been confirmed by modern spectroscopic techniques.     

Alkaloidal constituents of Tinospora crispa

Phytochemical investigations of the stems of Tinospora crispa led to the isolation of one new aporphine alkaloid, N-formylasimilobine 2-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (1), along with six known alkaloids, N-formylasimilobine 2-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 --> 2)-beta-D-glucopyranoside (2) (tinoscorside A), N-formylanonaine (3), N-formyldehydroanonaine (4), N-formylnomuciferine (5), N-demethyl-N-formyldehydronornuciferine (6), magnoflorine (7), paprazine (8), N-trans-feruloyltyramine (9), and cytidine (10). The structure of new compound 1 was deduced on the basis of spectroscopic data.     

New adduct of abietane-type diterpene from Salvia leriifolia Benth.

A new adduct of abietane-type diterpene, salvialeriicone (1), was isolated from Salvia leriifolia Benth., along with a new chemical entity nor-abietane diterpene, 2-isopropyl-8,8-dimethyl-7,8-dihydrophenanthrene-1,4,5(6H)-trione (2). Their structures were determined using mass spectrometry, and 1D- and 2D-NMR spectroscopy.     

Phenyl polypropanoids from Lindelofia stylosa

A phytochemical investigation on the aerial parts of Lindelofia stylosa has resulted in the isolation of seven phenyl propanoids. This includes three analogs of lithospermic acid, along with rosmarinic acid and its ester derivatives. Compound 1 was identified as a new natural product. These compounds were studied for their antioxidant properties.