Bromophenols from the red alga Rhodomela confervoides

Six new bromophenols, 3-bromo-4,5-bis(2,3-dibromo-4,5-dihydroxybenzyl)pyrocatechol (1), 2,2',3-tribromo-3',4,4',5-tetrahydroxy-6'-hydroxymethyldiphenylmethane (2), 2,2',3-tribromo-3',4,4',5-tetrahydroxy-6'-ethyloxymethyldiphenylmethane (3), (+/-)-2-methyl-3-(2,3-dibromo-4,5-dihydroxyphenyl)propylaldehyde (4), (+/-)-2-methyl-3-(2,3-dibromo-4,5-dihydroxyphenyl)propylaldehyde dimethyl acetal (5), and 3-bromo-4,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid methyl ester (6), together with eight known bromophenols, 3-bromo-4,5-dihydroxybenzaldehyde (7), 2,3-dibromo-4,5-dihydroxybenzyl alcohol (lanosol, 8), 2,3-dibromo-4,5-dihydroxybenzyl methyl ether (9), 2,3-dibromo-4,5-dihydroxybenzyl ethyl ether (10), 2,3-dibromo-4,5-dihydroxybenzylaldehyde (11), bis(2,3-dibromo-4,5-dihydroxybenzyl) ether (12), 3-bromo-4-(2,3-dibromo-4,5-dihydroxybenzyl)-5-methoxymethylpyrocatechol (13), and 2,2',3,3'-tetrabromo-4,4',5,5'-tetrahydroxydiphenyl methane (14), were isolated from the red alga Rhodomela confervoides. Their structures were elucidated by chemical and spectroscopic methods including IR, HRFABMS, and 1D and 2D NMR techniques.     

Bromophenols coupled with methyl gamma-ureidobutyrate and bromophenol sulfates from the red alga Rhodomela confervoides

Four new bromophenols C-N coupled with methyl gamma-ureidobutyrate (1-4), a phenylethanol bromophenol (5), and three phenylethanol sulfate bromophenols (6-8) have been isolated from polar fractions of an ethanolic extract of the red alga Rhodomela confervoides. On the basis of spectroscopic evidence including HRMS and 2D NMR data, the structures of the new compounds were determined as methyl N'-(2,3-dibromo-4,5-dihydroxybenzyl)-gamma-ureidobutyrate (1), methyl N,N'-bis(2,3-dibromo-4,5-dihydroxybenzyl)-gamma-ureidobutyrate (2), methyl N'-[3-bromo-2-(2,3-dibromo-4,5-dihydroxybenzyl)-4,5-dihydroxybenzyl]-gamma-ureidobutyrate (3), methyl N'-(2,3-dibromo-4,5-dihydroxybenzyl)-N'-[3-bromo-2-(2,3-dibromo-4,5-dihydroxybenzyl)-4,5-dihydroxybenzyl]-gamma-ureidobutyrate (4), 2,3-dibromo-4,5-dihydroxyphenylethanol (5), 2,3-dibromo-4,5-dihydroxyphenylethanol sulfate (6), 3-bromo-4,5-dihydroxyphenylethanol sulfate (7), and 3-bromo-2-(2,3-dibromo-4,5-dihydroxybenzyl)-4,5-dihydroxyphenylethanol sulfate (8). The cytotoxicity of all compounds was evaluated against several human cancer cell lines including human colon cancer (HCT-8), hepatoma (Bel7402), stomach cancer (BGC-823), lung adenocarcinoma (A549), and human ovarian cancer (A2780). Among them, the phenylethanol and the phenylethanol sulfate bromophenols (5-8) showed moderate cytotoxicity against all tested cell lines.     

Bromophenol derivatives from the red alga Rhodomela confervoides

Eight new bromophenol derivatives, 2,3-dibromo-4,5-dihydroxybenzyl methyl sulfoxide (1), 4-(2,3-dibromo-4,5-dihydroxyphenyl)-3-butene-2-one (2), 2-(3-bromo-5-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-3-(2,3-dibromo-4,5-dihydroxyphenyl)propionic acid (3), 2-(3-bromo-5-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-3-(2,3-dibromo-4,5-dihydroxyphenyl)propionic acid methyl ester (4), 2-phenyl-3-(2,3-dibromo-4,5-dihydroxyphenyl)propionic acid (5), 4'-methoxy-2',3',3'-tribromo-4',5',5'-trihydroxydiphenylacetic acid (6), and 3-bromo-5-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenylacetic acid (7) and its methyl ester (8), together with a known bromophenol, 3-bromo-5-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzoic acid (9), were isolated from the red alga Rhodomela confervoides. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods including IR, EIMS, FABMS, ESIMS, HRFABMS, HRESIMS, 1D and 2D NMR, and single-crystal X-ray structure analysis. Compounds 1-4, 8, and 9 were found inactive against several human cancer cell lines and microorganisms.     

Dibenzyl bromophenols with diverse dimerization patterns from the brown alga Leathesia nana

Six novel dibenzyl bromophenols (1-6) with different dimerization patterns and two propyl bromophenol derivatives (7 and 8), together with 11 known bromophenol derivatives, were isolated from the ethanolic extract of the brown alga Leathesia nana. On the basis of spectroscopic methods the structures of the new compounds were determined as 5,6'-diethyloxymethyl-3,4,2'-tribromo-2,3',4'-trihydroxydiphenyl ether (1), 2-(2,3-dibromo-4,5-dihydroxybenzyl)-3,5-dihydroxy-4-methoxybenzyl alcohol (2), 6-(2,3-dibromo-4,5-dihydroxybenzyl)-2,3-dibromo-4,5-dihydroxy benzyl methyl ether (3), 9,10-dihydro-9,10-dimethoxy-3,4,7,8-tetrabromo-1,2,5,6-tetrahydroxyanthracene (4), (+)-3-(2,3-dibromo-4,5-dihydroxyphenyl)-4-bromo-5,6-dihydroxy-1,3-dihydroisobenzofuran (5), rel-(4aS,10aR)-(+/-)-6,7-dibromo-4a-hydroxy-3,8-dihydroxymethyl-10a-methoxy-1,4,4a,10a-tetrahydrodibenzo[b,e][1,4]dioxin-1-one (6), (E)-2-methyl-3-(2,3-dibromo-4,5-dihydroxyphenyl)propenal (7), and 2-methyl-3-(2,3-dibromo-4,5-dihydroxyphenyl)-1-propanol (8). Some compounds including 3 showed in vitro selective cytotoxicity against several human cancer cell lines. This is the first brown alga to be reported containing bromophenols.     

Bromophenols coupled with derivatives of amino acids and nucleosides from the red alga Rhodomela confervoides

Three new bromophenols coupled with pyroglutamic acid derivatives and one bromophenol coupled with deoxyguanosine were obtained from the red alga Rhodomela confervoides. By spectroscopic methods including 2D NMR and single-crystal X-ray structure analysis their structures were elucidated as N-(2,3-dibromo-4,5-dihydroxybenzyl)methyl pyroglutamate (1), N-(2,3-dibromo-4,5-dihydroxybenzyl)pyroglutamic acid (2), N-[3-bromo-2-(2,3-dibromo-4,5-dihydroxybenzyl)-4,5-dihydroxybenzyl]methyl pyroglutamate (3), and 2-N-(2,3-dibromo-4,5-dihydroxybenzylamino)deoxyguanosine (4), respectively. Compounds 1-4 were evaluated against several microorganisms and human cancer cell lines, but found inactive. To our knowledge this is the first report of bromophenols coupled with amino acid or nucleoside derivatives through the C-N bond.     

Chemical constituents from Drypetes littoralis.

Chemical investigation of Drypetes littoralis yielded three new tricyclic diterpenes, drypetenones A, B, and C (1--3), and one new xanthone (4). Spectral analyses and chemical correlations established the structures as 10S-12-hydroxy-11-methoxy-13-methylpodocarpa-1,5,8,11,13-pentaene-3,7-dione, (1), 10S-12-hydroxy-11-methoxy-13-methylpodocarpa-5,8,11,13-tetraene-3,7-dione (2), 10S-12-hydroxy-6,11-dimethoxy-13-methylpodocarpa-1,5,8,11,13-pentaene-3,7-dione (3), and 1-hydroxy-7-hydroxymethyl-6-methoxyxanthone (4). Complete (13)C NMR assignment of boehmenan D (5) is also made.     

Highly brominated mono- and bis-phenols from the marine red alga Symphyocladia latiuscula with radical-scavenging activity

Four new highly brominated and fully substituted mono- and bis-phenols, 1-(2,3,6-tribromo-4,5-dihydroxybenzyl)pyrrolidin-2-one (1), 1,2-bis(2,3,6-tribromo-4,5-dihydroxyphenyl)ethane (2), 6-(2,3,6-tribromo-4,5-dihydroxybenzyl)-2,5-dibromo-3,4-dihydroxybenzyl methyl ether (3), and 2,3,6-tribromo-4,5-dihydroxybenzyl methyl sulfone (4), were characterized from the marine red alga Symphyocladia latiuscula. In addition, five known bromophenols, bis(2,3,6-tribromo-4,5-dihydroxyphenyl)methane (5), bis(2,3,6-tribromo-4,5-dihydroxybenzyl) ether (6), 2,3,6-tribromo-4,5-dihydroxybenzyl methyl ether (7), 2,3,6-tribromo-4,5-dihydroxymethylbenzene (8), and 2,3,6-tribromo-4,5-dihydroxybenzaldehyde (9), were also isolated and identified. The structures of these compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic methods including 1D and 2D NMR as well as by low- and high-resolution mass spectrometric analysis. Structurally, all of these compounds are highly brominated and fully substituted, and contain one or two 2,3,6-tribromo-4,5-dihydroxyphenyl unit(s) in each of the molecules. In addition, compound 4 possesses a unique sulfone structural feature. Each of the isolated compounds was evaluated for alpha,alpha-diphenyl-beta-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical-scavenging activity and all were found to be potent, with IC50 values ranging from 8.1 to 24.7 microM, compared to the known positive control butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), with an IC50 of 81.8 microM.     

肉豆蔻中新的新木脂素类化合物

目的:研究肉豆蔻Myristica fragrans种仁的化学成分。方法:采用硅胶柱色谱方法进行分离、纯化,NMR和MS等方法进行结构鉴定。结果:从肉豆蔻种仁氯仿提取物中得到15个化合物,分别鉴定为肉豆蔻醚(1)、甲基丁香油酚(2)、黄樟醚(3)、2,3-二氢-7-甲氧基-2-(3,4-亚甲二氧基苯基)-3-甲基-5-(E)-丙烯基-苯骈呋喃(4)、去氢二异丁香油酚(5)、2,3-二氢-7-甲氧基-2-(3-甲氧基-4,5-亚甲二氧基苯基)-3-甲基-5-(E)-丙烯基-苯骈呋喃(6)、赤式-2-(4-烯丙基-2,6-二甲氧基苯氧基)-1-(3,4-二甲氧基苯基)-丙烷(7)、赤式-2-(4-烯丙基-2,6-二甲氧基苯氧基)-1-(3,4,5-三甲氧基苯基)-丙烷(8)、赤式-2-(4-烯丙基-2,6-二甲氧基苯氧基)-1-(3,4-二甲氧基苯基)-丙烷-1-醇乙酯(9)、赤式-2-(4-烯丙基-2,6-二甲氧基苯氧基)-1-(3,4-二甲氧基苯基)-丙烷-1-醇(10)、赤式-2-(4-烯丙基-2,6-二甲氧基苯氧基)-1-(3,4,5-三甲氧基苯基)-丙烷-1-醇(11)、5-甲氧基去氢二异丁香油酚(12)、赤式-2-(4-烯丙基-2,6-二甲氧基苯氧基)-1-(4-羟基-3-甲氧基苯基)-丙烷-1-醇(13)、愈创木素(14)、苏式-2-(4-烯丙基-2,6-二甲氧基苯氧基)-1-(3-甲氧基-5-羟基-苯基)-丙烷-1-醇(15)。结论:化合物15为新化合物,命名为肉豆蔻异木脂素(myr-isisolignan);化合物7为首次从肉豆蔻属植物中分离得到。     

褐藻小粘膜藻中的溴酚化合物

目的 :对褐藻小粘膜藻进行化学成分研究。方法 :利用正相硅胶柱色谱 ,SephadexLH 2 0柱色谱、反相HPLC及重结晶等分离手段和IR ,MS及NMR等结构鉴定方法。结果 :从小粘膜藻中分离鉴定了 6个溴酚类化合物 ,分别为 2 ,2′ ,3,3′ 四溴 4 ,4′,5 ,5′ 四羟基二苯甲烷 (1) ,2 ,2′,3 三溴 3′ ,4 ,4′ ,5 四羟基 6′ 乙氧甲基二苯甲烷 (2 ) ,2 ,3 二溴 4 ,5 二羟基苯甲醇 (3) ,2 ,3 二溴 4 ,5 二羟基苯甲基甲醚 (4) ,3 溴 4 羟基苯甲酸 (5 )及 2 溴 4 ,5 二羟基苯甲醛 (6 )。结论 :这些化合物均为首次从该属海藻中发现。     

Four new bromotryptamine derivatives from the marine bryozoan Flustra foliacea

Ten brominated alkaloids, 6-bromo-2-(1,1-dimethyl-2-propenyl)-1H-indole-3-carbaldehyde (1), N-(2-[6-bromo-2-(1,1-dimethyl-2-propenyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]ethyl)-N-methylmethanesulfonamide (2), deformylflustrabromine (3), flustrabromine (4), (3aR,8aS)-6-bromo-3a-[(2E)-3,7-dimethyl-2,6-octadienyl]-1,2,3,3a,8,8a-hexahydropyrrolo[2,3-b]-indol-7-ol (5), flustramine C (6), dihydroflustramine C (7), flustramine A (8), flustramine D (9), and flustraminol A (10), and the diterpene 4,6-bis(4-methylpent-3-en-1-yl)-6-methylcyclohexa-1,3-diene-carbaldehyde (11) were isolated from the dichloromethane extract of the North Sea bryozoan Flustra foliacea. Of the 10, four (1, 2, 3, and 5) represent new natural products. The structures of all isolates were elucidated by interpretation of their spectroscopic data (NMR, MS, UV, and IR). For compound 4 complete (13)C NMR data are reported for the first time. Compounds 3 and 6-8 were tested on voltage-activated potassium and sodium channels. Flustramine A (8) shows an unspecific blocking activity on Kv1.4 potassium-mediated currents.     

Chemical constituents from the mangrove plant, Aegiceras corniculatum

From the stems and twigs of the mangrove plant, Aegiceras corniculatum, seven new compounds, namely, 2-methoxy-3-nonylresorcinol (1), 5-O-ethylembelin (2), 2-O-acetyl-5-O-methylembelin (3), 3,7-dihydroxy-2,5-diundecylnaphthoquinone (4), 2,7-dihydroxy-8-methoxy-3,6-diundecyldibenzofuran-1,4-dione (5), 2,8-dihydroxy-7-methoxy-3,9-diundecyldibenzofuran-1,4-dione (6), and 10-hydroxy-4-O-methyl-2,11-diundecylgomphilactone (7), were isolated together with three known compounds, 5-O-methylembelin (8), 3-undecylresorcinol, and 2-dehydroxy-5-O-methylembelin. The structures of 1-7 were determined by spectroscopic methods. Compound 2 and 5-O-methylembelin showed in vitro cytotoxicity against the HL-60, Bel(7402), U937, and Hela cell lines.     

Brominated labdane-type diterpenoids from an Okinawan Laurencia sp

From an unidentified species of Laurencia collected from Okinawan waters two novel brominated metabolites, 1 and 2, along with known halogenated compounds, 2,10-dibromo-3-chloro-alpha-chamigrene (3) and microcladallene A (4), were isolated and identified. The structures of these new compounds were established as ent-labdane-type bromoditerpenes, (1S,3R,5S,6S,8S,9S,10R,13R)-1-acetoxy-3-bromo-6-hydroxy-8,13-epoxy-labd-14-ene (1) and (3R,5S,6S,8S,9S,10R,13R)-3-bromo-6-hydroxy-8,13-epoxylabd-14-en-1-one (2), by interpretation of their spectroscopic data as well as by X-ray crystallographic analysis.     

Triterpenoids and aromatics from Derris laxiflora

Seven new compounds, O-trans-cinnamoylglutinol (1), 22β-hydroxy-12-oleanen-3-one (2), 15α,16α-epoxy-12-oleanen-3-one (3), 29-hydroxy-12-oleanene-3,22-dione (4), 22β,29-dihyroxy-12-oleanen-3-one (5), 2,3-(methylenedioxy)-4-methoxy-5-methylphenol (8), and 2,3,6-trimethoxy-5-methylphenol (9), as well as two first isolated from natural sources, 25-cycloartene-3,24-dione (6) and 24ξ-hydroxy-25-cycloarten-3-one (7), were characterized from Derris laxiflora. The structures of these compounds were determined by analysis of their spectroscopic data.     

Benzoic acid derivatives, acetophenones, and anti-inflammatory constituents from Melicope semecarpifolia

Two new benzoic acid derivatives, (E)-3-acetyl-6-(3,7-dimethylocta-2,6-dienyloxy)-2,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid (1) and (E)-3-acetyl-4-(3,7-dimethylocta-2,6-dienyloxy)-2,6-dihydroxybenzoic acid (2), and three new acetophenones, (E)-1-(5-(3,7-dimethylocta-2,6-dienyloxy)-7-hydroxy-2,2-dimethyl-2 H-chromen-8-yl)ethanone (3), (E)-1-(5-(3,7-dimethylocta-2,6-dienyloxy)-7-hydroxy-2-methyl-2-(4-methylpent-3-enyl)-2 H-chromen-8-yl)ethanone (4), and (R,E)-1-(5-(3,7-dimethylocta-2,6-dienyloxy)-3,7-dihydroxy-2,2-dimethylchroman-8-yl)ethanone (5), have been isolated from the fruits of Melicope semecarpifolia, together with eight known compounds. The structures were determined through in-depth NMR and mass spectrometric analyses. Among the isolated compounds, 2-(1'-geranyloxy)-4,6,beta-trihydroxyacetophenone (8), 4-(1'-geranyloxy)-2,6,beta-trihydroxyacetophenone (9), 5-hydroxy-3,7,3',4'-tetramethoxyflavone (10), 5,4'-dihydroxy-3,7,3'-trimethoxyflavone (11), and 5,4'-dihydroxy-3,7-dimethoxyflavone (12) exhibited potent inhibition (IC50<4 microg/mL) on superoxide anion generation and elastase release by human neutrophils in response to fMet-Leu-Phe/cytochalasin B.     

New naphthopyranone glycosides from Paepalanthus vellozioides and Paepalanthus latipes.

Three new compounds-3, 4-dihydro-10-hydroxy-7-methoxy-3-(R)-methyl-1H-3,4-dihydronaphtho- ]2, 3c]-pyran-1-one-9-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (1), 3, 4-dihydro-10-hydroxy-7-methoxy-3-(R)-methyl-1H-3,4-dihydronaphtho- [2, 3c]-pyran-1-one-9-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->6)-glucopyranoside (2), and 3,4-dihydro-10-dihydroxy-7-methoxy-3-(R)-methyl-1H-3, 4-dihydronaphtho-[2,3c]-pyran-1-one-9-O-beta-D-allopyranosyl (1-->6)glucopyranoside (3)-were isolated from the leaves of Paepalanthus vellozioides and Paepalanthus latipes and characterized by spectrometric methods, mainly electrospray mass spectrometry and 1D and 2D NMR experiments. These unusual glycosylated dihydronaphthopyranones may serve as taxonomic markers of the genus Paepalanthus, since these compounds were not detected in other genera belonging to the Eriocaulaceae family.     

红葱的化学成分研究

目的研究红葱Eleutherine americana的化学成分。方法采用硅胶柱色谱、Sephadex LH-20柱色谱及重结晶等方法,分离纯化红葱的化学成分,通过MS、NMR等波谱技术确定化合物结构。结果确定了7个化合物的结构,分别为9-hydroxy-8-methoxy-1-methyl-1,3-dihydronaphtho[2,3-c]furan-4-O-β-D-glucopyranoside(1)、eleutherinoside A(2)、豆甾醇-3-O-β-D-葡萄糖苷(3)、kadsuric acid(4)、豆甾醇(5)、1,2-二羟基-8-甲氧基-3-甲基蒽醌(6)、9-methoxy-1,3-dimethyl-1H-naphtho[2,3-c]pyran-5,10-dione(7)。结论化合物1为新化合物,命名为红葱新苷。化合物3～5为首次从该植物中分离得到,化合物6和7为首次获得的新天然产物。     

Highly polar spiroisoxazolines from the sponge Aplysina fulva

Two new highly polar brominated spiroisoxazolines, araplysillin N9-sulfamate (1) and an N-[5S,10R)-7,9-dibromo-10-hydroxy-8-methoxy-1-oxa-2-azaspiro[4.5]deca-2,6,8-triene-3-carboxy]-4-aminobutanoic acid (2), were isolated from a sample of Aplysina fulva collected in the Florida Keys. The absolute stereostructures of the new compounds were determined from analysis of MS, 1H and 13C NMR, and CD spectroscopy. Compound 2 provides a structural clue that may unify the biosynthesis of brominated spiroisoxazolines.     

Cacalolides from Senecio madagascariensis

14-Isovaleryloxy-O-methyl-1,2-dehydrocacalol (1) and cycloart-23-ene-3,25-diol, beta-sitosterol, and stigmasterol, along with five new cacalolides, 1-hydroxy-2-methoxy-1,2,3,4-dehydro-6-dehydroxycacalone (2), 1-hydroxy-2-methoxy-1,2,3,4-dehydrocacalone (3), 1,2-dimethoxy-1,2,3,4-dehydro-6-dehydroxycacalone (4), 1,2-dimethoxy-1,2,3,4-dehydrocacalone (5), and 2-methoxy-O-methyl-1-oxo-2,3-dehydrocacalol (6), were isolated from Senecio madagascariensis collected from Colombia. The structures of the new compounds were determined using one- and two-dimensional NMR techniques. In addition, the structure of 2 was corroborated by derivatizations and single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies.     

Prostaglandin inhibitory and antioxidant components of Cistus laurifolius, a Turkish medicinal plant

As Cistus laurifolius has been used traditionally to treat inflammatory and rheumatic disorders, its leaves were tested for prostaglandin (PG) inhibitory and antioxidant activities. The leaf extract showed both activities, i.e., inhibitory effect at 300 microg/ml on PGE1- and E2-induced contractions in guinea pig ileum and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging effect. The separation guided by the activities shown by these dual assays provided sixteen compounds, 1-16. Known compounds 1-12 and 15 were identified as 3-O-methyl quercetin (1), 3,7-O-dimethyl quercetin (2), genkwanin (3), 3,7-O-dimethyl kaempferol (4), 3,4'-O-dimethyl quercetin (5), apigenin (6), 3,4'-O-dimethyl kaempferol (7), ellagic acid (8), beta-sitosterol-3-O-beta-glucoside (9), quercetin 3-O-alpha-rhamnoside (10), 5-O-p-coumaroyl quinic acid methyl ester (11), 1-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-2-[4-(3-alpha-l-rhamnopyranoxypropyl)-2-methoxyphenoxy]-1,3-propanediol (12) and 2,3-dihydro-2-(4'-alpha-l-rhamnopyranosyloxy-3'-methoxyphenyl)-3-hydroxymethyl-7-methoxy-5-benzofuranpropanol (15). New lignan glycosides 13 and 14 were determined to be olivil 9-O-beta-D-xyloside and berchemol 9-O-rhamnoside, respectively. Compound 16 was isolated as a 2:1 mixture of two diastereomers, the major one of which was determined to be (7S,8R)-dihydrodehydrodiconiferyl alcohol 9'-O-alpha-L-rhamnoside. The structures were determined by detailed 2D NMR analysis together with NOEDF and CD. PG inhibitory effect was observed in 1, 5, 10, 12 and 16 at 30 microg/ml and antioxidant activity, in 1, 2, 8, 10, 12-14 and 16.     

Discovery of natural products from Curcuma longa that protect cells from beta-amyloid insult: a drug discovery effort against Alzheimer's disease

From Curcuma longa, two novel compounds, 4' '-(3' "-methoxy-4' "-hydroxyphenyl)-2' '-oxo-3' '-enebutanyl 3-(3'-methoxy-4'hydroxyphenyl)propenoate (calebin-A, 1) and 1,7-bis(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-1,4,6-heptatrien-3-one (2), and seven known compounds, 1,7-bis(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-1,6-heptadiene-3,5-dione (curcumin, 3), 1-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-7-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-1,6-heptadiene-3,5-dione (demethoxycurcumin, 4), 1,7-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-1,6-heptadiene-3,5-dione (bisdemethoxycurcumin, 5), 1-hydroxy-1,7-bis(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-6-heptene-3,5-dione (6), 1,7-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-1-heptene-3,5-dione (7), 1,7-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-1,4,6-heptatrien-3-one (8), and 1,5-bis(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-1,4-pentadien-3-one (9), were isolated following a bioassay-guided fractionation scheme utilizing an assay to detect protection of PC12 cells from beta-amyloid insult. Compounds 1, 3-5, and 7 were found to more effectively protect PC12 cells from betaA insult (ED(50) = 0.5-10 microg/mL) than Congo red (10) (ED(50) = 37-39 microg/mL).