Grandisines C-G, indolizidine alkaloids from the Australian rainforest tree Elaeocarpus grandis

Five new indolizidine alkaloids, grandisines C, D, E, F, and G (4-8), and one known indolizidine alkaloid, (-)-isoelaeocarpiline (3), were isolated from the leaves of Elaeocarpus grandis and their structures determined by 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy. Grandisine C (4) is isomeric with the known compound rudrakine (1). The absolute configuration of grandisine D (5) was deduced by its conversion to (-)-isoelaeocarpiline. Grandisine E (6) contains a novel tetracyclic ring system. Grandisine F (7) is the 14-amino analogue of grandisine C. Grandisine G (8) contains the novel combination of a piperidine attached to an indolizidine. Grandisines C, D, F, and G and (-)-isoelaeocarpiline showed receptor binding affinity for the human delta-opioid receptor with IC(50) values of 14.6, 1.65, 1.55, 75.4, and 9.9 microM, respectively.     

Indolizidine alkaloids with delta-opioid receptor binding affinity from the leaves of Elaeocarpus fuscoides

In the first chemical investigation of the Papua New Guinean plant Elaeocarpus fuscoides, one new indolizidine alkaloid, elaeocarpenine (1), and three known alkaloids, isoelaeocarpicine (2), isoelaeocarpine (3), and elaeocarpine (4), were isolated from the leaves. Their structures were determined by 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy. Since treatment of elaeocarpenine (1) with ammonia produced a 1:1 mixture of the diastereomers 3 and 4, we propose that elaeocarpenine (1) is the biogenetic precursor of isoelaeocarpine (3) and elaeocarpine (4). Compounds 1-4 demonstrated binding affinity for the human delta-opioid receptor with IC50 values of 2.7, 35.1, 13.6, and 86.4 microM, respectively.     

Habbemines A and B, pyrrolidine alkaloids with human delta-opioid receptor binding affinity from the leaves of Elaeocarpus habbemensis

The first phytochemical investigation of the Papua New Guinean plant Elaeocarpus habbemensis resulted in the isolation of two new pyrrolidine alkaloids, habbemines A (2) and B (3), as a 1:1 mixture of inseparable diastereomers. The structures of these compounds and their relative configurations were determined by spectroscopic means. An equimolar mixture of habbemines A and B showed human delta-opioid receptor binding affinity with an IC50 of 32.1 microM.     

Sanguinones A and B, blue pyrroloquinoline alkaloids from the fruiting bodies of the mushroom Mycena sanguinolenta

Two previously unknown blue alkaloid pigments, sanguinone A (1) and sanguinone B (2), and one new red indoloquinone alkaloid, sanguinolentaquinone (3), have been isolated from Mycena sanguinolenta fruiting bodies. In addition, decarboxydehydrosanguinone A (4) was identified as an oxidative decarboxylation artifact of 1. The structures of these alkaloids have been established by 2D NMR and ESIMS methods. The absolute configurations of 1 and 2 were determined by comparison of their CD spectra with the CD spectrum of mycenarubin A (5), which we isolated recently from fruiting bodies of the mushroom Mycena rosea. The sanguinones are structurally related not only to the mycenarubins A (5) and B but also to a large number of marine alkaloids such as the discorhabdins.     

The alkaloids of Artabotrys uncinatus

A novel type of alpha,beta-butenolide alkaloid, uncinine (1), two novel oxoaporphines, artabonatine C (2) and artabonatine D (3), a new oxazoloaporphine, artabonatine E (4), and a new 7,7'-bisdehydroaporphine, artabonatine F (5), along with 25 known alkaloids, were isolated from Artabotrys uncinatus. The structures of 1-5 were determined using NMR and mass spectral data. Atherospermidine and squamolone exhibited cytotoxicity against hepatocarcinoma cancer cell lines (Hep G(2) and 2,2,15), and the activity of some of the alkaloids in an antithrombin assay is also discussed.     

Novel tetramic acids and pyridone alkaloids,militarinones B,C, and D,from the insect pathogenic fungus Paecilomyces militaris

Three yellow pigments were isolated from a mycelial extract of the entomopathogenic fungus Paecilomyces militaris. With the aid of spectroscopic means, one compound was identified as a new pyridone alkaloid, militarinone D (1). The two other metabolites were characterized as two novel 3-acyl tetramic acids, militarinones B (2) and C (3). In contrast to the structurally related pyridone militarinone A (4), compounds 1-3 showed only negliable neuritogenic activity in PC-12 cells, whereas militarinone D (1) exhibited cytotoxicity. On the basis of a co-occurrence of 3-acyl tetramic acids and biogenetically related pyridone alkaloids in P. militaris, a revised biosynthetic pathway for pyridone alkaloids is proposed.     

Alkaloids from Daphniphyllum longeracemosum

Four new Daphniphyllum alkaloids, daphnilongeranins A-D (1-4), along with four known ones, daphniphylline, longistylumphylline A, deoxyisocalyciphylline B, and daphnicyclidin D, were isolated from the leaves and stems of Daphniphyllum longeracemosum. Daphnilongeranin A (1) is the first seco-10,17-longistylumphylline A type Daphniphyllum alkaloid, and daphnilongeranin B (2) is a new C-22 nor-Daphniphyllum alkaloid based on a new C21 skeleton. Their structures and stereochemistry were determined using spectroscopic data and chemical methods.     

Lophocladines, bioactive alkaloids from the red alga Lophocladia sp

Lophocladines A (1) and B (2), two 2,7-naphthyridine alkaloids, were isolated from the marine red alga Lophocladiasp. collected in the Fijian Islands. Their structures were deduced on the basis of high-resolution mass spectra and one- and two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy. Lophocladine A (1) displayed affinity for NMDA receptors and was found to be a delta-opioid receptor antagonist, whereas lophocladine B (2) exhibited cytotoxicity to NCI-H460 human lung tumor and MDA-MB-435 breast cancer cell lines. Immunofluorescence studies indicated that the cytotoxicity of lophocladine B (2) was correlated with microtubule inhibition. This is the first reported occurrence of alkaloids based on a 2,7-naphthyridine skeleton from red algae.     

Hyrtiazepine, an azepino-indole-type alkaloid from the Red Sea marine sponge Hyrtios erectus

Biological and chemical investigations of the methanolic crude extract of the Red Sea marine sponge Hyrtios erectus led to the isolation of a novel azepino-indole-type alkaloid named hyrtiazepine (2) and 5-hydroxy-1H-indole-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester (3), together with the known metabolites hyrtiosulawesine (1), 5-hydroxyindole-3-carbaldehyde (4), hyrtiosin A (5), and hyrtiosin B (6). Their structures were elucidated on the basis of mass spectrometry and detailed 2D NMR spectroscopic data. Hyrtiosulawesine (1) displayed a significant antiphospholipase A2 activity with an IC50 value of 14 microM in a fluorometric assay using Crotalus adamanteus venom phospholipase A2.     

The leupyrrins: a structurally unique family of secondary metabolites from the myxobacterium Sorangium cellulosum

The structurally unique leupyrrins A1 (1), A2 (2), B1 (3), B2 (4), C (5), and D (6) were isolated as one of three groups of secondary metabolites from Sorangium cellulosum strains So ce705 and So ce690. An unusually substituted gamma-butyrolactone ring and pyrrole and oxazoline rings are embedded in a nonsymmetric macrodiolide core structure, giving rise to compounds 1-6 as members of a novel class of secondary metabolites. Leupyrrin A1 (1) shows good biological activity against various fungi and eukaryotic cells.     

New polyhydroxylated pyrrolidine,piperidine, and pyrrolizidine alkaloids from Scilla sibirica

Chromatographic separation of an extract of the bulbs of Scilla sibirica resulted in the isolation of five pyrrolidines, two pyrrolidine glycosides, six piperidines, one piperidine glycoside, and eight pyrrolizidines. 2,5-Dideoxy-2,5-imino-glycero-d-manno-heptitol (homoDMDP, 1) is a common alkaloid in all plants of the Hyacinthaceae examined to date and was also found in S. sibirica. The structures of the new alkaloids were elucidated by spectroscopic methods as 7-deoxy-homoDMDP (4), 2,5-dideoxy-2,5-imino-glycero-d-galacto-heptitol (5), the 4-O-beta-d-mannoside (6) and the 4-O-beta-d-mannobioside (7) of 6-deoxy-homoDMDP (2), 7-deoxyhomonojirimycin (12), 7-deoxyhomomannojirimycin (13), and polyhydroxypyrrolizidines, hyacinthacines A(4) (15), A(5) (16), A(6) (17), A(7) (18), B(4) (20), B(5) (21), and B(6) (22). HomoDMDP (1) is a potent inhibitor of beta-glucosidase and beta-galactosidase, while 6-deoxy-homoDMDP (2) showed significantly less inhibition. However, 7-deoxygenation of 1, leading to 4, showed no effect on the inhibitory activity toward both enzymes. Although 2 is not an inhibitor of alpha-l-fucosidase, the monomannoside of 2 shows inhibitory activity toward alpha-l-fucosidase. Elongation of the beta-mannopyranosyl chain of 6 to give 7 enhanced the inhibitory activity.     

Jusbetonin, the first indolo[3,2-b]quinoline alkaloid glycoside, from Justicia betonica

A new indolo[3,2-b]quinoline alkaloid glycoside, jusbetonin (1), and three known alkaloids, namely, 10H-quindoline (2), 6H-quinindoline (3), and 5H,6H-quinindolin-11-one (4), have been isolated from the leaves of Justicia betonica. The structure of 1 was established on the basis of 1D and 2D NMR ((1)H-(1)H COSY, HMQC, and HMBC) and HRFABMS data. Compound 1 is the first example of a glycosylated indolo[3,2-b]quinoline alkaloid, while compound 4 was isolated for the first time from a natural source.     

Dimeric aporphine alkaloids of Phoenicanthus obliqua from Sri Lanka.

A new dimeric aporphine alkaloid, phoenicanthusine (1), and six known alkaloids were isolated from the stem bark of Phoenicanthus obliqua. The structure of 1 was elucidated by 1D ((1)H, (13)C) and 2D ((1)H-(1)H COSY, HMQC, HMBC, and NOESY) NMR and HRMS studies. Phoenicanthusine represents the first example of a N-6--C-4' and C-7--C-5' linked dimeric aporphine alkaloid.     

Novel bis(monoterpenoid) indole alkaloids from Psychotria bahiensis

Two new bis(monoterpenoid) indole alkaloid glucosides, bahienoside A (1) and bahienoside B (2), together with five known compounds, 5alpha-carboxystrictosidine, angustine, strictosamide, and (E)- and (Z)-vallesiachotamine, were isolated from the aerial parts of Psychotria bahiensis collected in Trinidad, West Indies. The structures of the compounds were elucidated using 1D and 2D NMR spectral methods, viz., (1)H, (13)C, (13)C DEPT, (1)H-(1)H COSY, HSQC, HMQC, HMBC, and TOCSY aided by IR, UV, and circular dichroism measurements.     

Hydrachine A, a novel alkaloid from the roots of Hydrangea chinensis

A novel alkaloid, hydrachine A (3), has been isolated, along with 15 known compounds, from the roots of Hydrangea chinensis. The structure and stereochemistry of the new alkaloid 3 was determined using extensive 2D NMR data.     

Daphnipaxianines A-D, alkaloids from Daphniphyllum paxianum

Four new Daphniphyllum alkaloids, daphnipaxianines A-D ( 1- 4), along with six known ones, have been isolated from the leaves and fruits of Daphniphyllum paxianum. Daphnipaxianines A and B ( 1, 2), a pair of epimers differing at C-10, are the first caliciphylline A type Daphniphyllum alkaloids with a Delta (9(15))-unsaturated cyclic ketone unit, and daphnipaxianine D ( 4) is the first yuzurine-type Daphniphyllum alkaloid containing a hexacyclic ring system. The structures of these alkaloids were characterized by spectroscopic methods, especially 2D NMR techniques. A single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis was used to confirm the structure of 1.     

Chemical constituents and bioactivity of Piper sarmentosum

Eight amides, pellitorine (1), guineensine (2), brachystamide B (3), sarmentine (4), brachyamide B (5), 1-piperettyl pyrrolidine (6), 3',4',5'-trimethoxycinnamoyl pyrrolidine (7) and sarmentosine (8), two lignans, (+)-asarinin (9) and sesamin (10), and four other compounds, 1-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)-1E-tetradecene (11), methyl piperate (12) and a mixture of beta-sitosterol (13) and stigmasterol (14), were isolated from the fruits of Piper sarmentosum (Piperaceae). This is the first reported isolation of compounds 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10 and 12 from this plant species. Their structures were established from spectral data. These compounds were evaluated in antituberculosis and antiplasmodial tests. The results showed that compounds 4 and 6 exhibited both activities while compounds 1, 2, 5, 8 and 11 showed only antituberculosis activity. This is the first report of the antituberculosis and antiplasmodial activities for these compounds.     

Steroidal triglycosides, kurilensosides A, B, and C, and other polar steroids from the Far Eastern starfish Hippasteria kurilensis

Three novel steroidal triglycosides, designated as kurilensosides A, B, and C (1- 3), were isolated along with a new steroidal diglycoside, kurilensoside D (4), and two new (6, 7) and one known (5) polyhydroxysteroid from the alcoholic extract of the Far Eastern starfish Hippasteria kurilensis. Compounds 1-3 are the first triglycosides containing two carbohydrate chains found from starfish. The structures of 1-7 were elucidated by spectroscopic methods (mainly 2D NMR) and chemical derivatization. Glycosides 1-4 and steroids 6 and 7 inhibited sea urchin egg fertilization by sperm preincubated with these compounds.     

Alkaloids from the leaves of Daphniphyllum longeracemosum

Two new C-21 Daphniphyllum alkaloids, longeracinphyllins A (1) and B (2), have been isolated from the leaves of Daphniphyllum longeracemosum. Longeracinphyllin A (1) is a new daphnilongeranin B type alkaloid with a rearranged alpha,beta-unsaturated ketone group, and the structure is supported by X-ray crystal data. Longeracinphyllin B (2) is a new seco-10,17-daphnilongeranin B type alkaloid.     

Polyoxygenated bipyridine, pyrrolylpyridine, and bipyrrole alkaloids from Speranskia tuberculata

Five novel polyoxygenated alkaloids, speranculatines A-C (3-5), speranskilatine A (6), and speranberculatine A (7), have been isolated from Speranskia tuberculata. Compounds 3-5, 6, and 7, have bipyridine, pyrrolylpyridine, and bipyrrole skeletons, respectively. This is the first time that these three alkaloid structural types have been reported. The structures of 3-7 were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, including 2D NMR techniques and X-ray crystallographic analysis.