Fischelactone: a novel eremophilane dimer from Ligularia fischeri

<正>A novel eremophilane dimer,named fischelactone(1),was isolated from the roots of Ligularia fischeri.Complete structural elucidation of this compound was performed by HRESIMS,IR,1D NMR and 2D NMR(~1H-~1H COSY,HMBC,HMQC and NOESY) data.     

Two Novel 15(10→1)Abeomuurolane Sesquiterpenes from Cosmos sulphureus

Two novel 15(10→1)abeomuurolane sesquiterpenes, cosmosoic acid ( 1 ) and cosmosaldehyde ( 2 ), were isolated from the whole plant of Cosmos sulfurous. Their structures were established by a combination of 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR spectroscopic techniques. Additionally, a chemical correlation between 1 and 2 was also established.     

Identification of iridoid and sesquiterpenes from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Buddleia parviflora</Emphasis> by NMR spectra

A new compound was elucidated as 9-acetyl-6-caryophyllen-15-ol. Iridoid glucosides including catalpol, methyl catalpol, 7-deoxy-8-epiloganic acid, and aucubin, were isolated from leaves of Buddleia parviflora, while the known compounds were identified as dehydrobuddledin A and buddledin C. The structures was elucidated by extensive 1D-2D-NMR spectroscopy. Published in Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 1, pp. 29–31, January–February, 2008.     

Synthesis of melampolides and cis,cis-germacranolides as natural herbicide models

The comparative study between the theoretical molecular properties of the starting materials and the yields in the transformation of melampolides to cis,cis-germacranolides using SeO₂/t-BuOOH (TBHP) as oxidant allows to establish a feasible relationship with their values of dipolar moment. Conditions for this transformation are optimized and some mechanistic considerations are made based in this finding. Cluster analysis of the phytotoxic activity of the melampolides and cis,cis-germacranolides obtained shows that the activity is greatly influenced by the spatial shape of the backbone, prevailing upon other factors such as the presence of reactive functional groups.     

Three New Cadinene Derivatives from Xenia Puerto‐Galerae

Chromatographic investigation of an acetone extract of the octocoral Xenia puerto‐galerae afforded three new cadinene sesquiterpenes; 8‐epi‐xenitorin A ( 1 ), 10‐epi‐xenitorin C ( 2 ), and 7‐isopropenyl‐4,10‐dimethyl‐2,3,4,5‐tetrahydronaphthalene ( 3 ), in addition to four known cadinene analogs ( 4 , 11–13 ) and six xenicanes ( 5–10 ). The structures were elucidated through spectroscopic analysis, especially 2D NMR. A biogenetic pathway of 1–3 and analogs was proposed.     

The Complexity of Sesquiterpene Chemistry Dictates Its Pleiotropic Biologic Effects on Inflammation

Sesquiterpenes (SQs) are volatile compounds made by plants, insects, and marine organisms. SQ have a large range of biological properties and are potent inhibitors and modulators of inflammation, targeting specific components of the nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB) signaling pathway and nitric oxide (NO) generation. Because SQs can be isolated from over 1600 genera and 2500 species grown worldwide, they are an attractive source of phytochemical therapeutics. The chemical structure and biosynthesis of SQs is complex, and the SQ scaffold represents extraordinary structural variety consisting of both acyclic and cyclic (mono, bi, tri, and tetracyclic) compounds. These structures can be decorated with a diverse range of functional groups and substituents, generating many stereospecific configurations. In this review, the effect of SQs on inflammation will be discussed in the context of their complex chemistry. Because inflammation is a multifactorial process, we focus on specific aspects of inflammation: the inhibition of NF-kB signaling, disruption of NO production and modulation of dendritic cells, mast cells, and monocytes. Although the molecular targets of SQs are varied, we discuss how these pathways may mediate the effects of SQs on inflammation.     

Chemical Composition and Variability of the Volatile Components of Myrciaria Species Growing in the Amazon Region

Myrciaria (Myrtaceae) species have been well investigated due to their chemical and biological relevance. The present work aimed to carry out the chemotaxonomic study of essential oils of the species M. dubia, M. floribunda, and M. tenella, sampled in the Brazilian Amazon and compare them with the volatile compositions from other Myrciaria species reported to Brazil and Colombia. The leaves of six Myrciaria specimens were collected (PA, Brazil) during the dry season, and their chemical compositions were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometer (GC-MS) and gas chromatography-flame ionization detector (GC-FID). The main compounds identified in the essential oils were monoterpenes with pinane and menthane skeletons, followed by sesquiterpenes with caryophyllane and cadinane skeletons. Among the sampled Myrciaria specimens, five chemical profiles were reported for the first time: profile I (M. dubia, α-pinene, 54.0–67.2%); profile II (M. floribunda, terpinolene 23.1%, α-phellandrene 17.7%, and γ-terpinene 8.7%); profile III (M. floribunda, γ-cadinene 17.5%, and an unidentified oxygenated sesquiterpene 15.0%); profile IV (M. tenella, E-caryophyllene 43.2%, and α-humulene 5.3%); and profile V (M. tenella, E-caryophyllene 19.1%, and caryophyllene oxide 41.1%). The Myrciaria chemical profiles showed significant variability in extraction methods, collection sites, plant parts, and genetic aspects.     

Natural arylterpenes and their biological activity

Information on naturally occurring aromatic mono-, sesqui-, and diterpenes was systematized. The types of their biological activity and possible practical applications were described. Possible synthetic pathways to the most important terpenes were examined. __________ Translated from Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 1, pp. 3–13, January–February, 2006.     

Total Synthesis of Two 4, 5-Dioxo-seco-eudesmane Sesquiterpenes

A facile synthetic route to two seco-eudesmane, 4, 5-dioxo-10-epi-4, 5-seco-γ-eudesmane (1) and 4, 5-dioxo-10-epi-4, 5-seco-γ-eudesmol (2) from ( )-dihydrocarvone has been described. Avoiding expensive reagents, this highly economic method especially suits for the synthesis of 4, 5-seco-eudesman-type and ophianon-type sesquiterpenes with a double bond at position 11 and 12.     

Identification of an Asexual Reproduction Inducer of Phytopathogenic and Toxigenic Fusarium

Asexual and sexual reproduction are the most important biological events in the life cycle of phytopathogenic and toxigenic Fusarium and are responsible for disease epidemics. However, the signaling molecules which induce the asexual reproduction of Fusarium are unknown. Herein we describe the structure elucidation, including the absolute configuration, of Fusarium asexual reproduction inducer (FARI), a new sesquiterpene derivative, by spectroscopic analysis, total synthesis, and conidium‐inducing assays of synthetic isomers. We have also uncovered the universality of FARI among Fusarium species. Moreover, a mechanism‐of‐action study suggested that the Gpmk1 and LaeA signaling pathways are required for conidium formation induced by FARI; conversely, the Mgv1 of mitogen‐activated protein kinase is not involved in conidium formation. FARI exhibited conidium‐inducing activity at an extremely low dose and high stereoselectivity, which may suggest the presence of a stereospecific target.