Bioactive rearranged and halogenated semisynthetic derivatives of the marine natural product sarcophine

Cembranoids are natural diterpenes with 14-membered macrocyclic rings. The simplest natural cembranoid, (+)-cembrene, was isolated from pine oleoresin. Sarcophytols A and B are known cembranoids that inhibit tumor promotion. Sarcophine is a related cembranoid isolated from the Red Sea soft coral Sarcophyton glaucum. Sarcophine and its bioconversion products and semisynthetic derivatives are reported to possess cancer chemopreventive activity. Oxymercuration-demercuration of sarcophine using Hg(OAc)2 and NaBH4 afforded four new rearranged and hydroxylated products. Bromination of sarcophine with N-bromosuccinimide (NBS) furnished two new brominated and rearranged products. Reaction with iodine gave the known iso-sarcophinone and (+)-sarcophytoxin B. Structure elucidation was based on a combination of transition state modeling, molecular dynamics, mechanistic considerations, and 2D NMR data. The antiproliferative activity of the new products is also reported.     

Quinazolin-4-one derivatives from Streptomyces isolates

From the ethyl acetate extract of the strain Streptomyces sp. isolate GW23/1540, besides 16 known products, several 1H-quinazolin-4-one derivatives were isolated. (SR)-2-(1-Hydroxyethyl)-2-methyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-quinazolin-4-one (4) and (RR)-2-(1-hydroxyethyl)-2-methyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-quinazolin-4-one (5) are new natural products. 2-Methyl-3H-quinazolin-4-one (2) and 1H-quinazoline-2,4-dione (3) are known from other bacteria and plants, respectively. From another Streptomyces sp., GW2/577, 5-methyl-1H-quinazoline-2,4-dione (6) was isolated and the structure proven by comparison with the isomeric 7. The new natural products showed no activity against the microalgae Chlorella vulgaris, Chlorella sorokiniana, and Scenedesmus subspicatus, the fungus Mucor miehei, the yeast Candida albicans, and the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, and Streptomyces viridochromogenes.     

Botryane metabolites from the fungus Geniculosporium sp. isolated from the marine red alga Polysiphonia

Eleven new botryane metabolites (1-11) were isolated together with four known cytochalasins (12-15) from the mitosporic fungus Geniculosporium sp., which is associated with the red alga Polysiphonia sp. The structures of 1-11 differ from known botryanes in substitution pattern, degree of saturation, and altered sites of oxidation, alkylation, unsaturation, etc. They were determined by spectroscopic methods (mainly extensive 1D and 2D NMR experiments and mass spectral measurements) and X-ray single-crystal analysis. The herbicidal, antifungal, and antibacterial activities of these new natural products were evaluated.     

Bacterial biofilm inhibitors from Diospyros dendo

One new (1) and four known (2-5) ursene triterpenes with potent inhibition of the formation of the bacterial biofilm Pseudomonas aeruginosa PA01 were obtained from Diospyros dendo using a high-throughput natural products chemistry procedure. These compounds were isolated as mass-limited samples. The miniaturization of the structure elucidation and dereplication was performed primarily utilizing a capillary-scale NMR probe.     

Eudesmane-Type Sesquiterpenoid and Guaianolides from Kandelia candel in a Screening Program for Compounds to Overcome TRAIL Resistance

In a screening program for natural products that can overcome TRAIL resistance, a new eudesmane-type sesquiterpenoid (1), three new guaianolides, mehirugins A-C (2-4), and two known guaianolides (5 and 6) were isolated from a MeOH extract of Kandelia candel leaves. Compounds 1 and 3-6 in combination with TRAIL showed cytotoxic activity in sensitizing TRAIL-resistant human gastric adenocarcinoma cells.     

Actinopolysporins A-C and tubercidin as a Pdcd4 stabilizer from the halophilic actinomycete Actinopolyspora erythraea YIM 90600

Our current natural product program utilizes new actinomycetes originating from unexplored and underexplored ecological niches, employing cytotoxicity against a selected panel of cancer cell lines as the preliminary screen to identify hit strains for natural product dereplication, followed by mechanism-based assays of the purified natural products to discover potential anticancer drug leads. Three new linear polyketides, actinopolysporins A (1), B (2), and C (3), along with the known antineoplastic antibiotic tubercidin (4), were isolated from the halophilic actinomycete Actinopolyspora erythraea YIM 90600, and the structures of the new compounds were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic data interpretation. All four compounds were assayed for their ability to stabilize the tumor suppressor programmed cell death protein 4 (Pdcd4), which is known to antagonize critical events in oncogenic pathways. Only 4 significantly inhibited proteasomal degradation of a model Pdcd4-luciferase fusion protein, with an IC50 of 0.88±0.09 μM, unveiling a novel biological activity for this well-studied natural product.     

Phytochemical investigation of Aglaia rubiginosa

The phytochemical investigation of a methanolic leaf extract of Aglaia rubiginosa furnished 15 isoprenoid constituents, eight of which represented new natural entities. Two androstane derivatives (1 and 2), previously synthesized, and also obtained by microbiological transformations; an extraordinary 17-octanor-cycloartane-ring-A-seco acid (3); four cycloartane-type triterpenes (4-7); and three unusual cholesterol derivatives (8-10) were isolated, along with two known dammaranes (11 and 12), a stigmastandiol (13), and beta-sitosterol and its beta-D-glucoside. Spectroscopic structure elucidation of the new natural products (1-3, 6, 7, 8-10) is described.     

Alkaloids from the Chinese vine Gnetum montanum

During a high-throughput screening campaign of a prefractionated natural product library, fractions from the Chinese vine Gnetum montanum showed in vitro activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa wild-type strain, PAO1. UV-directed isolation of the organic extract from the vine leaves resulted in the purification of the new natural products N-methyllaudanosolinium trifluoroacetate (1), 3'-hydroxy-N,N-dimethylcoclaurinium trifluoroacetate (2), 1,9,10-trihydroxy-2-methoxy-6-methylaporphinium trifluoroacetate (3), and 6a,7-didehydro-1,9,10-trihydroxy-2-methoxy-6-methylaporphinium trifluoroacetate (4). Compound 4 is described here for the first time, and this is the first report of compounds 1-3 as natural products. Compounds 1-3 were found to racemize over time. Starting from commercially available (+)-boldine, through a series of semisynthetic reactions, a mechanism for the racemization of the isolated compounds is proposed. The known natural products (-)-latifolian A (5) and magnocurarine (6) were also isolated during these studies. The antibacterial activity was explained by the presence of 5, which displayed an IC50 value of 9.8 μM (MIC = 35 μM).     

Cycloartane triterpenes isolated from Combretum quadrangulare in a screening program for death-receptor expression enhancing activity

In our screening program for natural products that increase DR5 (death-receptor 5) expression, nine new cycloartane triterpenes, combretanones A-G (1-7), combretic acid A (8), and combretic acid B (9), were isolated from a MeOH extract of Combretum quadrangulare leaves. The known oleanane triterpenes (10, 11) and six known flavonols (12-17) were also isolated. The structures of 1-9 were elucidated by spectroscopic studies. Compounds 7, 9, 12, 16, and 17 enhanced DR5 expression, and 16 showed TRAIL-resistance abrogating activity.     

Antiinsectan decaturin and oxalicine analogues from Penicillium thiersii

Three new oxalicine and decaturin analogues (6-8) have been isolated from organic extracts of Penicillium thiersii, along with the known compounds oxalicines A and B. These compounds (4-8) are members of a group of unique natural products containing terpenoid and pyridine moieties. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by analysis of NMR and MS data. Most of these metabolites exhibit potent antiinsectan activity against the fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda).     

Ambigol C and 2,4-dichlorobenzoic acid, natural products produced by the terrestrial cyanobacterium Fischerella ambigua

The new natural products 3,5-bis(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)-2,6-dichlorophenol (ambigol C, 1), a highly chlorinated aromatic compound, and 2,4-dichlorobenzoic acid (2) were isolated from the terrestrial cyanobacterium Fischerella ambigua together with the known compounds ambigol A (3) and tjipanazole D (4). All structures were secured by extensive spectroscopic analysis (1D and 2D NMR, MS, UV, IR). Ambigol C has moderate activity against Trypanosoma rhodesiense.     

Antimicrobial prenylated anthracene derivatives from the leaves of Harungana madagascariensis

Three new prenylated anthranoids, harunmadagascarins C (1) and D (2) and kenganthranol D (3), together with three known compounds (4-6) were isolated from the leaves of Harungana madagascariensis. Their structures were assigned by spectroscopic methods and by comparison with literature data. In the three new natural products 1-3, one or two prenyl groups are incorporated in furan, pyran, or cyclohexane rings in four different modes of annulation. Compounds 2, 4, and 6 were strongly active against the Gram-positive Bacillus megaterium.     

Diterpenoids from the aerial parts of Plectranthus ornatus

Phytochemical investigation of a hexane extract of the aerial parts of Plectranthus ornatus yielded three new neoclerodane diterpenoids (1-3), two labdane diterpenes (4 and 5) obtained for the first time as natural products, and several previously known substances. The structures and relative stereochemistry of 1-5 were established mainly on the basis of NMR spectroscopic studies and by comparison with related compounds.     

Sesquiterpenoids from Hedyosmum orientale

Five new guaiane-type sesquiterpenoids, hedyosumins A-E (1-5), together with five known ones (6-10), were isolated from the aerial parts of Hedyosmum orientale. Two known sesquiterpenoids, 10alpha-hydroxy-1,5alpha H-guaia-3,7(11)-dien-8alpha,12-olide and 9alpha-hydroxyasterolide, were obtained as natural products for the first time. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic methods. 9alpha-Hydroxyasterolide (7) showed moderate activities against A-549 and HL-60 tumor cell lines with the IC 50 values of 3.1 and 8.8 microM, respectively.     

Spirocaracolitone triterpenoids from the bark of Ruptiliocarpon caracolito

Six new triterpenoids named spirocarcolitones (G-L), which belong to a novel class of CD-spiro triterpenoids, were isolated from the dichloromethane-soluble fraction of the bark of Ruptiliocarpon caracolito. The structures of these natural products were established using mainly 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy. One known CD-spiro triterpenoid and canophyllol were also isolated from the same source.     

Cytotoxic isomalabaricane triterpenes from the marine sponge Rhabdastrella globostellata

Fourteen isomalabaricane triterpenes were isolated from the marine sponge Rhabdastrella globostellata. In addition to the known compounds globostellatic acids A (1) and D (4) and stelliferin riboside (13), 11 of the compounds were new natural products, which included globostelletin (3), eight new globostellatic acid congeners, F to M (2, 5-11), and two new stelliferin ribosides (12 and 14). The isolated compounds were tested against three different cancer cell lines, L5178Y (mouse lymphoma), HeLa (human cervix carcinoma), and PC-12 (rat pheochromocytoma). The isomalabaricane derivatives were found to be selectively active toward the mouse lymphoma cell line L5178Y. The structures were determined by 1D and 2D NMR data and by comparison with spectroscopic data of known related compounds.     

ent-kaurane diterpenoids from Annona glabra

Three new kaurane diterpenoids, annoglabasin C (16alpha-acetoxy-ent-kauran-19-oic acid-17-methyl ester) (1), annoglabasin D (16alpha-acetoxy-ent-kauran-19-al-17-methyl ester) (2), and annoglabasin E (16alpha-hydro-19-ol-ent-kauran-17-oic acid) (3), and a new norkaurane diterpenoid, annoglabasin F (16alpha-acetoxy-19-nor-ent-kauran-4alpha-ol-17-methyl ester) (4), along with 13 known kaurane derivatives were isolated from the stems of Annona glabra. 16alpha-Methoxy-ent-kauran-19-oic acid (5) and 16alpha-hydro-ent-kauran-17,19-dimethyl ester (6) were obtained for the first time as natural products. The structures of compounds 1-6 were characterized by spectral analysis.     

Brandisianins A-F, isoflavonoids isolated from Millettia brandisiana in a screening program for death-receptor expression enhancement activity

In a screening study for natural products with tumor-selective apoptosis-inducing properties, six new isoflavonoids (1- 6), named brandisianins A-F, respectively, have been isolated from a MeOH extract of the dried leaves of Millettia brandisiana, together with five known compounds. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic data interpretation. Among these compounds, brandisianin D (4) exhibited death-receptor 5 expression enhancement activity in a luciferase assay based in DLD-1/ SacI cells. The results suggest that brandisianin D (4) might overcome TRAIL-resistance by an increase in DR5 expression.     

Quinoline alkaloids and other constituents of Melicope semecarpifolia with antiplatelet aggregation activity

Three new quinoline alkaloids, 2-acetylevolitrine (1), 2-acetylpteleine (2), and semecarpifoline (3), along with 26 known compounds were isolated from the root bark of Melicope semecarpifolia. The structures of 1-3 were elucidated by means of spectral analysis. In addition, (2S)-(--)-7,8-dimethoxyplatydesmine (4), cis-(+)-7,8-dimethoxymyrtopsine (5), and (3R)-(--)-8,9-dimethoxygeibalansine (6) were isolated as new natural products. Several of these isolates were determined as exhibiting significant antiplatelet aggregation activities in vitro.     

Terphenylquinone inhibitors of the src protein tyrosine kinase from Stilbella sp

Three new secondary metabolites, 2,5-dihydroxy-3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-6-phenyl-1,4-benzoquinone (3), 2,5-dihydroxy-3-phenyl-6-(3,4,5-trihydroxyphenyl)-1,4-benzoquinone (4), and 2,7,8-trihydroxy-3-phenyl-1,4-dibenzofurandione (5), as well as two known natural products were isolated from the fungus Stilbella sp. strain 1586. The structures of these compounds were established by spectroscopic and chemical methods. The terphenylquinones 3-5 exhibited significant activity against human src protein tyrosine kinase.