Terpenoids from the barks of Magnolia maudiae (Dunn) Figlar

A new germacrenolide (1) and fourteen known terpenoids (2–15) were isolated from the barks of Magnolia maudiae (Dunn) Figlar (Magnoliaceae). The structure of (7αH,11βH)-2α,8α-dihydroxy-4α,5β-epoxy-germacr-1(10)-en-6α,12-olide (1) was elucidated by physical and spectroscopic data analysis, including 1D, 2D NMR and HR-ESI-MS. Lyratol F (9) was isolated from Magnolia for the first time. The structures of known compounds were established by comparing their spectroscopic data with those in literatures.     

A facile stereoselective synthesis of difunctionalized 1,3-dienes containing tin and halogen via hydrozirconation of (Z)-3-(tributylstannyl)alk-3-en-1-ynes

Sonogashira coupling of (E)-α-iodovinylstannanes 1 with (trimethylsilyl)acetylene gave (Z)-1-(trimethylsilyl)-3-(tributylstannyl)alk-3-en-1-ynes 2, which underwent a desilylation reaction to afford (Z)-3-(tributylstannyl)alk-3-en-1-ynes 3 in high yields. (1E,3Z)-1-Halo-3-(tributylstannyl)-substituted 1,3-dienes 5 could be synthesized stereoselectively via hydrozirconation of (Z)-3-(tributylstannyl)alk-3-en-1-ynes 3, followed by trapping with iodine or NBS.     

α-Keggin tungstogermanate-supported transition metal complexes: hydrothermal synthesis,characterization, and magnetism of Cu2(phen)4(GeW12O40) and [Ni2(bpy)4(H2O)2(GeW12O40)]⋅2H2O

Two new α-Keggin polyoxometalates, [Cu₂(phen)₄(GeW₁₂O₄₀)] (1) and [Ni₂(bpy)₄(H₂O)₂(GeW₁₂O₄₀)]·2H₂O (2) (phen?=?1,10-phenanthroline, bpy?=?2,2′-bipyridine), have been hydrothermally synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, TG, single-crystal X-ray diffraction, and magnetic properties. Compound 1 crystallizes in the monoclinic system, space group P2(1)/c, and 1 is assembled into two-dimensional (2-D) layers parallel to (1?0?1) based on the adjacent phen π···π stacking interactions (3.788(8)?Å). Variable temperature magnetic measurements show ferromagnetic behavior from 300 to 2?K. Compound 2 crystallizes in the triclinic system, space group P-1, and 2 is assembled into 2-D layers parallel to (1?0?1) based on the adjacent bpy π···π stacking interactions (3.07?Å). Variable temperature magnetic measurements show a weak ferromagnetic behavior from 300 to 26?K followed by antiferromagnetic behavior below 26?K.     

Exhaled breath condensate: Determination of non-volatile compounds and their potential for clinical diagnosis and monitoring. A review

Exhaled breath condensate is a promising, non-invasive, diagnostic sample obtained by condensation of exhaled breath. Starting from a historical perspective of early attempts of breath testing towards the contemporary state-of-the-art breath analysis, this review article focuses mainly on the progress in determination of non-volatile compounds in exhaled breath condensate. The mechanisms by which the aerosols/droplets of non-volatile compounds are formed in the airways are discussed with methodological consequences for sampling. Dilution of respiratory droplets is a major problem for correct clinical interpretation of the measured data and there is an urgent need for standardization of EBC. This applies also for collection instrumentation and therefore various commercial and in-house built devices are described and compared with regard to their design, function and collection parameters. The analytical techniques and methods for determination of non-volatile compounds as potential markers of oxidative stress and lung inflammation are scrutinized with an emphasis on method suitability, sensitivity and appropriateness. The relevance of clinical findings for each group of possible non-volatile markers of selected pulmonary diseases and methodological recommendations with emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration that is essential for future development into a fully validated clinical diagnostic tool are given.     

Dehalogenation of o-dihalogen substituted arenes and α,α′-dihalogen substituted o-xylenes with lanthanum metal

It was found that lanthanum metal caused the dehalogenation of o-dihalogen substituted arenes and α,α′-dihalogen substituted o-xylenes to generate the corresponding benzynes and o-quinodimethanes. When o-dihalogen substituted arenes were allowed to react with lanthanum metal in the presence of dienes, the Diels-Alder products between benzyne and dienes were formed in moderate to good yields. Similarly, the Diels-Alder adducts of o-quinodimethane with dienophiles were obtained, in the reaction of α,α′-dibromo-o-xylenes with lanthanum metal in the presence of dienophiles.     

Catalytic, asymmetric synthesis of α,α-disubstituted amino acids

Copper(salen) complex 1 has been found to catalyse the asymmetric alkylation of enolates derived from a variety of amino acids. There is a clear relationship between the size of the side chain in the substrate and the enantioselectivity of the process, so that the enantioselectivity decreases in the order alanine>aminobutyric acid>allylglycine>leucine>phenylalanine>valine. A transition state model which accounts for the influence of the size of the side chain on the enantioselectivity of the reactions is presented.     

Polyhydroxy pregnanes from Dregea volubilis

Three new polyhydroxy pregnanes named dregealol (1), volubilogenone (2) and volubilol (3) were isolated from the flowers of Dregea volubilis, and their structures elucidated from extensive 2D NMR analysis. The structure of volubilol (3) was confirmed by X-ray crystallographic studies. The known pregnane derivatives drevogenin D, iso-drevogenin P and 17α-marsdenin were also isolated.     

A study of the thermal decarboxylation of three perfluoropolyether salts

The thermal decarboxylation of three dicarboxylic perfluoropolyether potassium salts of relatively short chain length has been investigated and the products and kinetics of the main reactions have been defined. From the rate constants and Arrhenius parameters data, the second decarboxylation appears to be quantitatively rather close to the first.     

Stevia rebaudiana targeting α-amylase: An in-vitro and in-silico mechanistic study

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is the fastest growing metabolic disorder in the world. Recently, more attention is paid to the study of natural products due to side effects of synthetic drugs. Stevia rebaudiana (Bertoni) is considered an encouraging starting point for the antidiabetic lead development. In the present study, the in vitro α-amylase inhibitory activity of the extracts of S. rebaudiana is investigated. In order to understand the molecular mechanism and future pharmacophore development, in silico study of secondary metabolites isolated from S. rebaudiana was carried out. Results indicated that water extract shows highest α-amylase inhibitory activity as compared to other extracts. Moreover, compound 20 (rebaudioside A) which has been previously reported and isolated from water extract showed the impressive binding profile with α-amylase. Therefore, our study suggests that S. rebaudiana could be used in the development of therapeutic drugs for the treatment of diabetes.     

Isolation and antiproliferative activity of triterpenoids and fatty acids from the leaves and stem of Turraea vogelii Hook. f. ex benth

Chloroform extract from the leaves of Turraea vogelii Hook f. ex Benth demonstrated cytotoxic activity against a chronic myelogenous leukemia cell, K-562 with IC₅₀ of 14.27 μg/mL, while chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanol extracts from the stem of the plant inhibited K-562 cells growth with IC₅₀ of 19.50, 24.10 and 85.40 μg/mL respectively. Bioactive chloroform extract of Turraea vogelii leaves affords two triterpenoids: oleana-12,15,20-trien-3β-ol (1), and oleana-11,13-dien-3β,16α,28-triol (2), with six fatty esters, ethyl hexaeicos-5-enoate (3), 3-hydroxy-1,2,3-propanetriyltris(tetadecanoate) (4), 1,2,3-propanetriyl(7Z,7′Z,7′′Z)tris(-7-hexadecenoate) (5), 1,2,3-propanetriyl(5Z,5′Z,5′′Z)tris(-5-hexadecenoate) (6), 1,2,3-propanetriyltris(octadecanoate) (7), and 2β-hydroxymethyl tetraeicosanoate (8). Tetradecane (9), four fatty acids: hexadecanoic acid (10), tetradecanoic acid (11), (Z)-9-eicosenoic acid (12), and ethyl tetradec-7-enoate (13) were isolated from chloroform extract of Turraea vogelii stem. 1,2,3-propanetriyltris(heptadecanoate) (14), (Z)-9-octadecenoic acid (15) and (Z)-7-tetradecenoic acid (16) were isolated from ethyl acetate extract while (Z)-5-pentadecenoic acid (17) was obtained from methanol extract of the plant stem. Compounds 1, 2, 5, 6, 11, 12, 15, 16 and 17 exhibited pronounced antiproliferative activity against K-562 cell lines.