Sesquiterpene phenylpropanoids from Ferula fukanensis and their nitric oxide production inhibitory effects

Five new sesquiterpene phenylpropanoid derivatives, fukanedone A (1), fukanedone B (2), fukanedone C (3), fukanedone D (4), and fukanedone E (5), and a novel phenyl-oxo-acetate ester, fukaneketoester A (6), were isolated from a 80% aqueous methanol extract of the roots of Ferula fukanensis. The structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscorpic evidence, especially heteronuclear multiple-bond connectivity (HMBC) and high-resolution MS. The sesquiterpene phenylpropanoid derivatives inhibited nitric oxide (NO) production and inducible NO synthase (iNOS) gene expression by a murine macrophage-like cell line (RAW 264.7), which was activated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and recombinant mouse interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma).     

Sesquiterpene chromones from Ferula fukanensis and their nitric oxide production inhibitory effects

Five new sesquiterpene chromone derivatives, fukanefurochromones A-E (1-5), were isolated from a 80% aqueous methanol extract of the roots of Ferula fukanensis. The structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic evidence, especially heteronuclear multiple-bond connectivity (HMBC) and high-resolution MS. The sesquiterpene chromone derivatives inhibited nitric oxide (NO) production and inducible NO synthase (iNOS) gene expression by a murine macrophage-like cell line (RAW 264.7), which was activated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and recombinant mouse interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma).     

Sesquiterpene coumarins from Ferula gumosa

A new sesquiterpene coumarin, gumosin (1), two new sesquiterpene coumarin glycosides, gumosides A (2) and B (3), and 10 known compounds, namely, cauferoside (4), feselol (5), conferoside, ferilin, ferocaulidin, ligupersin A, conferol, and daucosterol, and the phenolic compounds acantrifoside E and 4-hydroxybenzoic acid 4-(6-O-sulfo)glucopyranoside, were isolated from a methanolic extract of Ferula gumosa roots. The structures of 1-3 were elucidated by spectroscopic data interpretation. The cytotoxic activity of the sesquiterpene coumarin derivatives was evaluated against a small panel of cancer cell lines.     

Kopetdaghins A-E, sesquiterpene derivatives from the aerial parts and the roots of Dorema kopetdaghense

Three new sesquiterpene derivatives, kopetdaghins A-C (1-3), one known prenylated coumarin (7), and two known steroid glucosides, sitosterol 3-O-glucoside and stigmasterol 3-O-glucoside, were isolated from the aerial parts of Dorema kopetdaghense. In addition, two new sesquiterpene derivatives, kopetdaghin D (4) and kopetdaghin E (5), together with kopetdaghins A-C and one known sesquiterpene coumarin (6), were isolated from the roots of the plant. The structures of these compounds were elucidated by various 1D and 2D NMR techniques as well as high-resolution positive-ion ESIMS.     

Maleimide and maleic anhydride derivatives from the mycelia of Antrodia cinnamomea and their nitric oxide inhibitory activities in macrophages

On cultivation of the fungus Antrodia cinnamomea (BCRC 36799) on a medium, the mycelium was extracted and evaluated for nitric oxide (NO) inhibitory activity. Bioactivity-directed fractionation led to the isolation of two new maleimide derivatives, antrocinnamomins A (1) and B (2), and two new maleic anhydride derivatives, antrocinnamomins C (3) and D (4), along with three known compounds, 3-isobutyl-4-[4-(3-methyl-2-butenyloxy)phenyl]furan-2,5-dione (5), 3-isobutyl-4-[4-(3-methyl-2-butenyloxy)phenyl]-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione (6), and 3-isobutyl-4-[4-(3-methyl-2-butenyloxy)phenyl]-1H-pyrrol-1-ol-2,5-dione (7). Structural elucidation of compounds 1-4 was carried out by spectroscopic data. Compound 1 displayed significant inhibitory effect on nitric oxide (NO) production.     

Nitric oxide inhibitory substances from the rhizomes of Dioscorea membranacea

Thai medicinal plants locally known as Hua-Khao-Yen were examined for their inhibitory activities against lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced nitric oxide (NO) production in RAW 264.7 cell lines. Among the plant species studied, an ethanolic extract of Dioscorea membranacea exhibited the most potent inhibitory activity, with an IC(50) value of 23.6 microg/ml. From this extract, eight compounds [two naphthofuranoxepins (1, 2), one phenanthraquinone (3), three steroids (4-6) and two steroidal saponins (7, 8)] were isolated and further investigated for their inhibitory properties of NO production. It was found that diosgenin-3-O-alpha-L-rhamnosyl (1-->2)-beta-D-glucopyranoside (7) possessed the highest activity (IC(50)=3.5 microM), followed by dioscoreanone (3, IC(50)=9.8 microM) and dioscorealide B (2, IC(50)=24.9 microM). Regarding structural requirements of diosgenin derivatives for NO production inhibitory activity, compound 7 which has a rhamnoglucosyl moiety at C-3 exhibited much higher activity than compounds that have either a diglucosyl substitution (8) or its aglycone (9); whereas, hydroxyl substitution at position 8 of naphthofuranoxepin derivatives conferred higher activity than the methoxyl group. It is concluded that diosgenin-3-O-alpha-L-rhamnosyl (1-->2)-beta-D-glucopyranoside (7), dioscoreanone (3) and dioscorealide B (2) are active principles for NO inhibitory activity of Dioscorea membranacea. Compounds 1-3 were also tested for the inhibitory effect on LPS-induced TNF-alpha release in RAW 264.7 cells. The result revealed that 3 possessed potent activity against TNF-alpha release with an IC(50) value of 17.6 microM, whereas, 1 and 2 exhibited mild activity. The present study may support the use of Dioscorea membranacea by Thai traditional doctors for treatment of the inflammatory diseases.     

Constituents of Nepeta caesarea

The acetone extract of Nepeta caesarea yielded four new nepetalic acid derivatives, 3'alpha-[beta-sitosteryl-3beta-oxy]dihydronepetalactone (1), 3'beta-[5alpha-stigmast-7-ene-3beta-oxy]dihydronepetalact one (2), 3'alpha-[olean-12-ene-28-oyl-3beta-oxy]dihydronepetalactone (3), and 3'alpha-[lup-20(29)-ene-28-ol-3beta-oxy]dihydronepetalactone (4). The structures were elucidated by NMR and MS techniques.     

Bromophenols coupled with nucleoside bases and brominated tetrahydroisoquinolines from the red alga Rhodomela confervoides

Three new bromophenols C-N coupled with nucleoside base derivatives (1-3) and three new brominated 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolines (5-7), together with a new brominated tyrosine derivative (4), have been isolated from polar fractions of an ethanolic extract of the red alga Rhodomela confervoides. By spectroscopic and chemical methods including HRMS and 2D NMR data, their structures were determined as 7-[3-bromo-2-(2,3-dibromo-4,5-dihydroxybenzyl)-4,5-dihydroxybenzyl]-3,7-dihydro-1H-purine-2,6-dione (1), 7-(2,3-dibromo-4,5-dihydroxybenzyl)-3,7-dihydro-1H-purine-2,6-dione (2), 9-[3-bromo-2-(2,3-dibromo-4,5-dihydroxybenzyl)-4,5-dihydroxybenzyl]adenine (3), (-)-8S-(3-bromo-5-hydroxy-4-methoxy)phenylalanine (4), (-)-3S-8-bromo-6-hydroxy-7-methoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid (5), methyl (-)-3S-8-bromo-6-hydroxy-7-methoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-3-carboxylate (6), and methyl (-)-3S-6-bromo-8-hydroxy-7-methoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-3-carboxylate (7). Compounds 5-7 were semisynthesized by using 4 as the starting material.     

The gastric cytoprotective effect of several sesquiterpene lactones

The aerial part of Artemisia douglasiana, used in folk medicine as a cytoprotective agent against the development of peptic ulcer, was studied, its active principle dehydroleucodine [1] isolated, and its pharmacological properties analyzed. In order to establish whether or not the reported activity is particular to sesquiterpene lactones, the study of the cytoprotective activity of several related guaianolides and pseudoguaianolides from plants was undertaken. Ludartin [3], 8-angeloyloxy-3-hydroxyguaia-3(15),10(14),11(13)-trien-6,12- olide [4], hymenin [5], mexicanin I [6], helenanin [7], and 9-O-desacetylsparthulin-2-O-angelate [8] were found to exhibit protection. Desacetoxymatricarin [2] did not show cytoprotective activity. The results obtained from the different sesquiterpene lactones studied suggest that the presence of the alpha-methylene-gamma-lactone moiety is, in principle, a requirement for the observed antiulcerogenic activity.     

Phytochemical investigation of Turnera diffusa

A phytochemical investigation of Turnera diffusa afforded 35 compounds, comprised of flavonoids, terpenoids, saccharides, phenolics, and cyanogenic derivatives, including five new compounds (1-5) and a new natural product (6). These compounds were characterized as luteolin 8-C-E-propenoic acid (1), luteolin 8-C-beta-[6-deoxy-2-O-(alpha-l-rhamnopyranosyl)-xylo-hexopyranos-3-uloside] (2), apigenin 7-O-(6' '-O-p-Z-coumaroyl-beta-d-glucopyranoside) (3), apigenin 7-O-(4' '-O-p-Z-coumaroylglucoside) (4), syringetin 3-O-[beta-d-glucopyranosyl-(1-->6)-beta-d-glucopyranoside] (5), and laricitin 3-O-[beta-d-glucopyranosyl-(1-->6)-beta-d-glucopyranoside] (6). Their structures were determined by spectroscopic and chemical methods.     

小黄皮茎的化学成分及生物活性研究

目的研究小黄皮Clausenaemarginata茎的化学成分及其保肝活性。方法采用硅藻土、硅胶等多种柱色谱、中压制备液相色谱(MPLC)及制备型HPLC等方法对小黄皮茎的化学成分进行分离纯化,根据化合物理化性质结合现代波谱学方法鉴定化合物结构;并测试其对DL-半乳糖胺诱导肝细胞损伤的保护活性及其对脂多糖(LPS)诱导小鼠小胶质BV2细胞产生一氧化氮(NO)的抑制活性。结果从小黄皮茎的95%乙醇提取物的氯仿部位分离得到11个化合物,分别鉴定为nordentatin(1)、oxanordentatin(2)、5′-羟基葡萄内酯(3)、7-[(E)-7′-羟基-3′,7′-二甲基-2′,5′-二烯]-香豆素(4)、7-羟基香豆素(5)、claulamine A(6)、γ-崖椒碱(7)、开环异落叶松脂素(8)、2-{4-[(1E)-3-hydroxyprop-1-en-1-yl]-2,6-dimethoxyphenoxy}propane-1,3-diol(9)、2-[4-(3-hydroxy-1-propenyl)-2-methoxyphenoxy]-1,3-propanediol(10)、甲基-2-O-β-D-吡喃葡萄糖基苯甲酸(11)。其中,化合物1~5为香豆素类化合物,6为咔唑生物碱,7为呋喃喹啉类生物碱,8为木脂素类化合物,9、10为苯丙素类化合物,11为酚酸类化合物。结论化合物2~4、7~11为首次从该植物中分离得到,化合物5和7对DL-半乳糖胺诱导的肝细胞损伤具有一定的保护活性,化合物11对LPS诱导BV2细胞产生NO具有一定的抑制作用。     

Immunosuppressive sesquiterpene alkaloids from Tripterygium wilfordii

Nine new sesquiterpene pyridine alkaloids [wilfornines A (1), B (2), C (3), D (4), E (5), F (8), and G (9); wilfordinines I (6) and J (7)] and six known compounds (10-15) were isolated from a clinically used extract (T(II)) of Tripterygium wilfordii. The structures of 1-9 were elucidated by spectroscopic and chemical methods. The inhibitory effects on cytokine production of 1-3 and several related compounds were evaluated. Compounds 10 and 14 showed significant inhibitory effects on cytokine production.     

Sesquiterpene coumarins and related derivatives from Ferula pallida

Six new compounds-two sesquiterpene coumarins, pallidones A and B (1, 2), and four related derivatives, pallidones C-F (3-6), as well as two known sesquiterpene coumarins, feselol (7) and conferol (8), have been isolated from the EtOAc extracts of the roots of Ferula pallida. All structures of these compounds were determined on the basis of spectral evidence, especially 2D NMR ((1)H-(1)H COSY, HSQC, HMBC, and NOESY) and HRMS. The possible biosynthetic pathway of pallidones C-F (3-6) is discussed.     

Sesquiterpenoids from Tithonia diversifolia with potential cancer chemopreventive activity

Activity-guided fractionation of an ethyl acetate extract of the aerial parts of Tithonia diversifolia, using an antiproliferation bioassay performed with human colon cancer (Col2) cells, led to the isolation of three new sesquiterpenoids, 2alpha-hydroxytirotundin (1), tithofolinolide (2), and 3alpha-acetoxydiversifolol (3), along with eight known sesquiterpene lactones, 3beta-acetoxy-8beta-isobutyryloxyreynosin (4), tagitinin C (5), 1beta,2alpha-epoxytagitinin C (6), 4alpha,10alpha-dihydroxy-3-oxo-8beta-isobutyryloxyguaia-11(13)-en-12,6alpha-olide (7), 3alpha-acetoxy-4alpha-hydroxy-11(13)-eudesmen-12-oic acid methyl ester, 17,20-dihydroxygeranylnerol, tagitinin A, and tirotundin. These isolates were evaluated for their potential as cancer chemopreventive agents, by measuring antiproliferative activity in Col2 cells and induction of cellular differentiation in human promyelocytic leukemia (HL-60) cells. Selected compounds were then investigated for their ability to inhibit 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene-induced preneoplastic lesions in a mouse mammary organ culture assay. Among these isolates, 5 and 6 showed significant antiproliferative activity, 2, 4, and 7 induced HL-60 cellular differentiation, and 4 significantly inhibited (63.0% at 10 microg/mL) lesion formation in the mouse mammary organ culture assay. The chemical structures of 1-3 were elucidated by spectroscopic analysis. The absolute configurations of 1 and 2 were determined by Mosher ester methodology.     

Phelligridins C-F: cytotoxic pyrano[4,3-c][2]benzopyran-1,6-dione and furo[3,2-c]pyran-4-one derivatives from the fungus Phellinus igniarius

Three unique pyrano[4,3-c][2]benzopyran-1,6-dione derivatives and a new furo[3,2-c]pyran-4-one, named phelligridins C-F (2-5), together with hispolon (8), (E)-4-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)but-3-en-2-one (9), 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde, protocatechualdehyde, syringic acid, protocatechuic acid, caffeic acid, isoergosterone, and octadecyl ferulate were isolated and identified from the ethanolic extract of Phellinus igniarius. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic methods including IR, MS, and 1D and 2D NMR experiments. The structures of the new compounds were characterized as 3-(4-hydroxystyryl)-8,9-dihydroxypyrano[4,3-c]isochromene-4-one (2), 3-(3,4-hydroxystyryl)-8,9-dihydroxypyrano[4,3-c]isochromene-4-one (3), 8,9-dihydroxy-3-[5',6'-dihydroxy-5' '-methyl-3' '-oxo-spiro[fural-2' '(3' 'H),1'-indene]-2'-yl]-1H,6H-pyrano[4,3-c][2]benzopyran-1,6-dione (4), and (3Z)-3-(3,4-dihydroxybenzylidene)-6-(3,4-dihydroxystyryl)-2,3-dihydro-2-methoxy-2-(2-oxo-propyl)furo[3,2-c]pyran-4-one (5), respectively. Some compounds including 2 and 3 showed in vitro selective cytotoxicity against a human lung cancer cell line (A549) and a liver cancer cell line (Bel7402). Possible biogenetic sequences to the formation of 1-9 are postulated.     

Eremophilane-type sesquiterpene derivatives from the roots of Ligularia lapathifolia

Six new highly oxygenated eremophilane-type sesquiterpene derivatives (1-6), including a norbisesquiterpene, were isolated from an extract of the roots of Ligularia lapathifolia, and their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods. The structure of 1 was confirmed by single-crystal X-ray crystallography. In addition, the cytotoxicity of compounds 1, 2, 3, 5, and 6 was evaluated against selected cancer cell lines, including human stomach carcinoma (MGC-803), human hepatoma (HEP-G2), and murine sarcoma (S-180) cell lines.     

Anthelmintic polyfunctional nitrogen-containing terpenoids from marine sponges

The study of the anthelmintic terpenoid components from the Fiji sponge Axinyssa fenestratus (senior synonym of Leucophloeus fenestratus) and two Thailand sponges, Acanthella cavernosa and Topsentia sp., has yielded several new nitrogen-containing sesqui- and diterpenes of known carbon skeletons. Amorphane sesquiterpenes from A. fenestratus included (1R, 6S, 7S, 10S)-10-isothiocyanato-4-amorphene [(+)-1] and new metabolites (1R*, 4S*, 6R*, 7S*)-4-isothiocyanato-9-amorphene [2], 10-isothiocyanato-4,6-amorphadiene [3], and (4S*, 10S*)-10-isothiocyanato-5-amorphen-4-ol [4]. The amorphene (+)-1 of this study may be antipodal to (-)-1 previously isolated from a Hawaiian sponge. A similar relationship may exist at C-1, C-6, C-7 between (+)-2 of this study and (-)-11 isolated from a Palauian sponge. Another known sesquiterpene, axisonitrile 3 [5] was obtained from Topsentia sp. The diterpenes obtained from A. cavernosa included known kalihinols X [6] and Y [8] and new kalihinols J [7] and I [9]. Those terpenoids with potent antiparasite activity include 1, 2, 3-5, and 7-9.     

瑞香狼毒细胞培养物的化学成分研究

采用常压与减压硅胶柱色谱、半制备HPLC、Sephadex LH-20等方法,从瑞香狼毒Stellera chamaejasme细胞培养物85％乙醇提取物的乙酸乙酯部分分离纯化得到了17个化合物,依据理化性质和各种波谱技术分别鉴定为:丁香脂素(1),杜仲树脂酚(2),松脂素(3),(1R,2S,5R,6S) -2-(4-hydroxyphenyl) -6-( 3-methoxy-4- hydroxyphenyl)-3,7-dioxabicyclo[3,3,0]octane(4),表松脂酚(5),caruilignan D(6),3-羰基愈创木烷-4-烯-11,12-二醇(7),落叶松脂素(8),tetrahydro-2-( 4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl) -4-[ (4-hydroxyphenyl) methyl] -3-furanmethanol(9),5′-甲氧基落叶松脂醇(10),vladinol D( 11),环(L-脯氨酸-L-缬氨酸)(12),7′-羰基马台树脂醇(13),(+) -guayarol( 14),acutissimalignanB(15),异落叶松脂素(16)以及β-谷甾醇(17).其中化合物12为环二肽类化合物,7为倍半萜类化合物.除化合物7,12与17外,其余均为木脂素类化合物.17个化合物均首次从该植物组织培养物中获得.     

A meroterpenoid NF-kappaB inhibitor and drimane sesquiterpenoids from Asafetida

Investigation of an acetone extract from Asafetida afforded two drimane sesquiterpene dienones (fetidones A and B, 1a,b) and several known sesquiterpene coumarin ethers, one of which (8-acetoxy-5-hydroxyumbelliprenin, 2a) showed potent and specific NF-kappaB-inhibiting properties. This, coupled to a negligible cytotoxicity, qualifies 2a as a new anti-inflammatory chemotype, and its occurrence in asafetida might rationalize the use of this gum resin to alleviate and prevent colon inflammatory disturbances.     

Antiinflammatory activity of coumarins from Ligusticum lucidum Mill. subsp. cuneifolium (Guss.) Tammaro (Apiaceae)

Four coumarin derivatives [selidinin 1, (+)-praeruptorin A 2, visnadin 3 and (R)-(+)-7-(2',3'-epoxy-3'-methylbutoxy)-coumarin 4] were isolated from the aerial parts of Ligusticum lucidum Mill. subsp. cuneifolium (Guss.) Tammaro (Apiaceae). This is the first report on the identification of these compounds in the Ligusticum genus. Their topical antiinflammatory activity was evaluated as the inhibition of croton oil-induced ear dermatitis in mice. Each compound (0.3 μmol/cm(2) ) induced a significant oedema reduction and compound 4 exerted an effect similar to that of the equimolar dose of the reference drug indomethacin.