In vitro activities of crude extracts and triterpenoid constituents of Dichapetalum crassifolium Chodat against clinical isolates of Schistosoma haematobium.

Dichapetalum crassifolium Chodat (Dichapetalaceae) is widely distributed in Africa, Tropical Asia and Latin America. As part of our quest for potential bioactive lead compounds for various neglected tropical diseases, we report the anti-schistosomal potential of the crude extracts and chemical constituents of the stems and roots of Dichapetalum crassifolium. Column chromatography of extracts of the stems and roots led to the isolation and identification of three oleanane-type triterpenoids, friedelan-3ß-ol (1), friedelan-3-one (2), and maslinic acid (3); the ursane-type tritepenoid, pomolic acid (4) and the dammarane-type tetracyclic triterpenoids, dichapetalin A (5) and dichapetalin M (6). Dichapetalin A was isolated from only the roots. Isolated compounds were identified by comparison of their physico-chemical and spectral data with published data. The highest in vitro anti-schistosomal activity (IC50) of the crude extracts against clinical isolates of Schistosoma haematobium (Bilharz 1852) was 248.6 µg/ml for the ethyl acetate extract of the root while dichapetalin A gave the highest activity at 151.1 µg/ml among the compounds compared with the 15.5 µg/ml for the standard drug, praziquantel. The rest of the compounds showed activities in the order 177.9, 191.0, and 378.1 µg/ml respectively for mixture of ß-sitosterol/stigmasterol, dichapetalin M and friedelan-3-one. The least active extract was the methanol extract of the stem (893.7 µg/ml). The constituents of D. crassifolium showed activity against the S. haematobium that are below praziquantel. It is envisaged that the presence of multiple layers and the minute sizes of pores in the egg shells, may preclude penetration of eggs by the compounds.

Constituents of the Roots of Dichapetalum pallidum and Their Anti-Proliferative Activity.

As part of our search for bioactive compounds from the Dichapetalaceae, repeated chromatographic purification of the roots of a hitherto unexamined species, Dichapetalum pallidum, led to the isolation of the newly occurring 7-hydroxydichapetalin P (1) and the known dichapetalins A (2) and X (3). Also isolated were the known compounds friedelin-2,3-lactone (4), friedelan-3-one (6), friedelan-3ß-ol (7) and pomolic (8), as well as the dipeptide aurantiamide acetate (5). The compounds were characterized by direct interpretation of their IR, 1D NMR and 2D NMR spectral data and by comparison of their physico-chemical data, including their chromatographic profiles, with the literature and authentic samples in our compound library for the genus Dichapetalum. The compounds were assayed for their anti-proliferative activities against the human T-lymphocytic leukemia (Jurkat), acute promyelocytic leukemia (HL-60) and T-lymphoblast-like leukemia (CEM) cell lines. Overall, dichapetalin X showed the strongest (3.14 µM) and broadest cytotoxic activities against all the leukemic cell lines tested, exhibiting even stronger activities than the standard compound, curcumin.

Identification of the oleic acid ethanolamide (OEA) isomer cis-vaccenic acid ethanolamide (VEA) as a highly abundant 18:1 fatty acid ethanolamide in blood plasma from rats and humans.

The endocannabinoid system is important in various physiological pathways, especially the regulation of food intake. It consists of endocannabinoids like 2-arachidonoyl-glycerol (2-AG) or the fatty acid ethanolamide archachidonoyl-ethanolamide (AEA) with binding affinity to cannabinoid receptors. Further, fatty acid ethanolamides (FAEAs) influence the endocannabinoid system without affecting cannabinoid receptors by using independent physiological pathways. Among FAEAs, oleic acid ethanolamide (OEA) gained importance because of its promising ability to reduce food intake. By ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-ESI-MS/MS), we detected a chromatographically separated molecule in plasma samples from rats and humans with identical mass and fragmentation patterns as those of OEA. Via synthesis and extensive analysis of ethanolamides of different cis/trans- and position isomers of oleic acid (cis9-18:1), we could identify the unknown molecule as vaccenic acid (cis11-18:1) ethanolamide (VEA). In this study we identified VEA as the most abundant 18:1 FAEA in rat plasma and the second most abundant 18:1 FAEA in human plasma.

Discovery and Characterization of Biased Allosteric Agonists of the Chemokine Receptor CXCR3.

In this work we report a design, synthesis, and detailed functional characterization of unique strongly biased allosteric agonists of CXCR3 that contain tetrahydroisoquinoline carboxamide cores. Compound 11 (FAUC1036) is the first strongly biased allosteric agonist of CXCR3 that selectively induces weak chemotaxis and leads to receptor internalization and the ß-arrestin 2 recruitment with potency comparable to that of the chemokine CXCL11 without any activation of G proteins. A subtle structural change (addition of a methoxy group, 14 (FAUC1104)) led to a contrasting biased allosteric partial agonist that activated solely G proteins, induced chemotaxis, but failed to induce receptor internalization or ß-arrestin 2 recruitment. Concomitant structure-activity relationship studies indicated very steep structure-activity relationships, which steer the ligand bias between the ß-arrestin 2 and G protein pathway. Overall, the information presented provides a powerful platform for further development and rational design of strongly biased allosteric agonists of CXCR3.

Isolation, characterization, and anthelminthic activities of a novel dichapetalin and other constituents of Dichapetalum filicaule.

CONTEXT: Dichapetalum filicaule Breteler (Dichapetalaceae) is a rare species occurring only in Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana. Although research on several species of the genus has produced interesting bioactive compounds, particularly the Dichapetalins, a novel class of triterpenoids with antineoplastic properties, there is virtually no information on the ethnobotanical uses and chemical constituents of D. filicaule. OBJECTIVE: The phytochemical and anthelminthic activities of the constituents of D. filicaule were investigated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Chemical constituents of the petroleum ether, chloroform-acetone, and methanol root extracts of D. filicaule were isolated by column chromatography and characterized by their physico-chemical properties, 1-D and 2-D NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. In vitro anthelminthic activity of the extracts and compounds against the human hookworm, Necator americanus, Stiles 1902 (Nematoda: Ancylostomatidae) was determined within a concentration range of 2500-250 µg/ml using the Egg Hatch Inhibition (EHI) Assay. The hookworm species were identified using a published polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. RESULTS: A new dichapetalin, dichapetalin X (1), together with the known dichapetalin A (2), pomolic acid (3), glycerol monostearate (4), D:A-friedooleanan-3ß-ol (5), and D:A-friedooleanan-3-one (6) were isolated. Compounds 1, 2, and 4 exhibited EHI with IC50 values of 523.2, 162.4, and 306.0 µg/ml, respectively, against the hookworm. The positive control albendazole gave an IC50 value of 93.27 µg/ml. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: This is the first report of the phytochemical investigation of D. filicaule. The study has yielded a new dichapetalin and also demonstrated the potential anthelminthic properties of the constituents.

Qualitative Profiling of Polyglucose Degradation Products in Peritoneal Dialysis Fluids.

Heat sterilization of peritoneal dialysis (PD) fluids leads to partial degradation of the osmotic agent to form reactive carbonyl structures, which significantly reduce the biocompatibility of PD fluids and impair long-term PD therapy. Hence, it is important to know the exact composition of the degradation products to improve biocompatibility of PD fluids. Our study conducted targeted screening for degradation products in polyglucose (icodextrin)-containing PD fluids (pGDPs) by applying o-phenylenediamine (OPD) to form stable derivatives, which were analyzed by ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography with hyphenated diode array tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-DAD-MS/MS). For the first time, specific degradation products of polyglucose, namely, 4-deoxyglucosone (4-DG) and 3,4-dideoxypentosone (3,4-DDPS), could be identified in PD fluids. Further, a reaction product of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF) and OPD could be characterized to be (5-(1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)furan-2-yl)methanol. Additionally, 3-deoxyglucosone (3-DG) and 3-deoxygalactosone (3-DGal), both known to be present in glucose-based PD fluids, were also detected in polyglucose-containing fluids. Trapping a hitherto unknown degradation product with OPD yielded 1,4-bis(1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)-3,4-dihydroxybutan-1-one, which was present in heat- as well as filter-sterilized PD fluids.

Diprenylated Indole Alkaloids from Fruits of Hexalobus monopetalus.

New hexalobine type alkaloid, 5-(2″,3″-epoxy-3″-methylbutyl)-3-(3'-hydroxy-3'-methyl-1'-acetyloxy-but-2'-yl)indole (1) alongside the known hexalobines 3-(2',3'-dihydroxy-3'-methylbutyl)-5-(3″-methylcrotonoyl) indole (2), 3,5-hexalobine C (3) and 3,5-hexalobine D (4) were isolated from fruits of Hexalobus monopetalus. Compounds 3 and 4 exhibited antifungal activity against Candida albicans.

Antifungal Enantiomeric Styrylpyrones from Sanrafaelia ruffonammari and Ophrypetalum odoratum.

Phytochemical investigation of Sanrafaelia ruffonammari Verd and Ophrypetalum odoratum Diels that belongs to the rare genera confined to East African coastal forests led to the isolation of enantiomeric styrylpyrone dimer, (±)-5-methoxy-7-phenyl-[4-methoxy-2-pyronyl]-1-(E)-styryl-2-oxabicyclo-[4.2.0]-octa-4-en-3-one (1) alongside (+)-6-styryl-7,8-epoxy-4-methoxypyran-2-one (2) and the enantiomeric (+)- (3) and (-)-6-styryl-7,8-dihydroxy-4-methoxypyran-2-ones (4). Their structures were established by means of spectroscopic methods. In this paper we reveal for the first time the occurrence of styrylpyrones in East African biodiversity. (+)-6-Styryl-7,8-epoxy-4-methoxypyran-2-one (2) and the dihydroxystyrylpyrone enantiomer (3) showed in vitro antifungal activity against Candida albicans at a concentration of 24.4 and 26.2 µM with zones of inhibition of 17 and 9 mm, respectively. Compound 2 exhibited strong activity in the brine shrimp test with LC50 = 1.7 µg/mL. Their high cytotoxic and antifungal activities render them candidates for further scientific attention for drug development programs against cancer and microbial infections.

Biotransformation of 21-O-acetyl-deoxycorticosterone by cell suspension cultures of Digitalis lanata (strain W.1.4).

Cell cultures of Digitalis species are known to accept exogenous substrates for biotransformation reactions. We here report the biotransformation of 21-O-acetyl-deoxycorticosterone (1) by cell suspension cultures of Digitalis lanata strain W.1.4. Nine derivatives of 1 were obtained and their chemical structures determined by spectroscopic methods. 2ß-Hydroxylation and C-21-glucosylation of the steroidal nucleus were described for the first time in suspension-cultured plant cells. Steroid 5α- and 5ß-reduction products were also observed. Among the compounds isolated and structures elucidated were 2ß,3ß,21-trihydroxy-4-pregnen-20-one, 2ß,3α,21-trihydroxy-4-pregnen-20-one and 3ß,21-dihydroxy-5α-pregnan-20-one-3ß-O-ß-glucoside.

A highly efficient type I ß-turn mimetic simulating an Asx-Pro-turn-like structure.

Asx-Pro-turns have been identified with high frequency in protein structures nucleating type I ß-turns. By bridging the amino acid side chain in position i with a nitrogen substituent in position i+2 by ring-closing olefin metathesis (RCM), peptide mimetics of type 1 could be developed. NMR based conformational investigations indicated a stable intramolecular H-bond constraining a U-turn conformation that was predicted to simulate a type I ß-turn.

A simple chemical method for synthesizing malonyl hemiesters of 21-hydroxypregnanes, potential intermediates in cardenolide biosynthesis.

A simple and versatile method for the chemical synthesis of 21-hydroxypregnane 21-O-malonyl hemiesters which may be important intermediates of cardenolide biosynthesis is described. Starting from commercial beta-methyldigitoxin, acid hydrolysis followed by 3beta-O-acetylation and ozonolysis with reductive cleavage of the ozonides afforded 3beta-acetoxy-5beta-pregnane-14beta,21-diol-20-one which was finally converted into the target compound by treatment with malonyl chloride. The malonylation protocol was optimized using deoxycorticosterone (DOC) as the pregnane educt.

Molecular building kit of fused-proline-derived peptide mimetics allowing specific adjustment of the dihedral Psi angle.

Proline-derived peptide mimetics have become an area of paramount importance in peptide and protein chemistry. Since protein crystal structures frequently display Psi angles of 140-170 degrees for prolyl moieties, our intention was to design a completely novel series of 2,3-fused-proline-derived lactams covering this particular conformational space. Extending our recently described toolset of spirocyclic reverse-turn mimetics, we synthesized pyrrolidinyl-fused seven-, eight-, and nine-membered unsaturated lactam model peptides taking advantage of Grubbs' ring-closing metathesis. Investigating the seven-membered lactam 3a by means of IR and NMR spectroscopy and semiempirical molecular dynamics simulations, we could not observe a U-turn conformation; however, increasing the ring size to give eight- and nine-membered congeners revealed moderate and high type IotaIota beta-turn inducing properties. Interestingly, the conformational properties of our model systems depend on both the ring size of the fused dehydro-Freidinger lactam and the position of the endocyclic double bond. Superior reverse-turn inducing properties could be observed for the fused azacyclononenone 3e. According to diagnostic transanular NOEs, a discrete folding principle of the lactam ring strongly deviating from the regioisomeric lactams 3c,f explains the conformational behavior. Hence, we were able to establish a molecular building kit that allows adjustments of a wide range of naturally occurring proline Psi angles and thus can be exploited to probe molecular recognition and functional properties of biological systems.

SCRF-DFT and NMR comparison of tetracycline and 5a,6-anhydrotetracycline in solution.

A combination of structures, energies, and spectral data calculated using density functional theory (DFT) with experimental NMR data has been used to assign conformational equilibria for tetracycline and 5a,6-anhydrotetracycline in water at pH 1, 7, and 10 and in chloroform (5a,6-anhydrotetracycline) and methanol (tetracycline). The results suggest that tetracycline always prefers the extended conformation but that 5a,6-anhydrotetracycline exists in water as a mixture of the two conformers and in chloroform exclusively in the twisted conformation. The conformational equilibria are also shown to be pH dependent.

C18 tetraynoic fatty acids and essential oil composition of Mkilua fragrans.

The fatty acids 17,18-dihydroxyoctadeca-9,11,13,15-tetraynoic acid (mkiluaynoic acid A) and 18-hydroxyoctadeca-9,11,13,15-tetraynoic acid (mkiluaynoic acid B), 5,7,3',4'-tetrahydroxyflavanol, 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid and a mixture of stearic and oleic acids were isolated from fruits and stem barks of Mkilua fragrans (Annonaceae). Mkiluaynoic acid A exhibited antifungal activity against Candida albicans comparable with that of the standard antifungal agent Ketoconazole. Structural determination was achieved by analysis of spectroscopic data. The flower stalks yielded essential oils that mainly consisted of sesquiterpenoids as revealed by GC-MS analysis, whereby 14 sesquiterpenes and four other compounds were identified.

Cyclohexanoid protoflavanones from the stem-bark and roots of Ongokea gore.

Phytochemical investigation of root and stem-bark of the West African medicinal plant Ongokea gore resulted in the isolation of four novel flavonoids with an unusual cyclohexyl substituent instead of the common aromatic ring B. The structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, mainly 1D and 2D NMR, and subsequently, the structures were corroborated by chemical conversion to (-)-(S)-sakuranetin. The absolute configurations, and preferred conformations were determined by NOE experiments and CD measurements.

Two glucosylated abscisic acid derivates from avocado seeds (Persea americana Mill. Lauraceae cv. Hass).

Phytochemical investigation of avocado seed material (Persea americana Mill., Lauraceae) resulted in the isolation of two glucosylated abscisic acid derivates. One of these was not known as a natural product and can be regarded as a potential 'missing link' in abscisic acid metabolism in plants. After fractionation by high-speed countercurrent chromatography, and multiple steps of column chromatography, structures were elucidated by 1D-, 2D-NMR, electrospray-MS to be the novel beta-d-glucoside of (1'S,6'R)-8'-hydroxyabscisic acid, and (1'R,3'R,5'R,8'S)-epi-dihydrophaseic acid beta-d-glucoside. Absolute configuration was determined by circulardichroism, optical rotation, and by NOE experiments.

Isolation of dammarane saponins from Panax notoginseng by high-speed counter-current chromatography.

The Chinese phytomedicinal formulation Sanqi Zongdai Pian, traditionally prepared from crude extracts from roots of Panax notoginseng (Araliaceae), contains highly polar dammarane saponins which were separated at a preparative scale using high-speed counter-current chromatography (HSCCC). In each operation, 283 mg methanolic extract of five tablets was separated and yielded pure 157, 17, 13 and 56 mg of ginsenoside-Rb1, notoginsenoside-R1, ginsenoside-Re and ginsenoside-Rg1, respectively, n-hexane-n-butanol-water (3:4:7, v/v/v) was used for the two-phase solvent system of the HSCCC separation. The chemical structures of three ginsenosides and one notoginsenoside were elaborated by means of electrospray ionization MS-MS and NMR analysis.

Sesquineolignans and other constituents from the seeds of Joannesia princeps.

From the methanolic extract of the seeds of the Brazilian Joannesia princeps 3,3'-bisdemethylpinoresinol and six new sesquineolignans were isolated besides the known neolignans americanol A, isoamericanol A and isoamericanin A which were found to be the major constituents. A method was developed to distinguish americanol- from isoamericanol-type compounds spectroscopically.

A general approach to dehydro-Freidinger lactams: ex-chiral pool synthesis and spectroscopic evaluation as potential reverse turn inducers.

Starting from natural alpha-amino acids, a practical synthesis of the dehydro-Freidinger lactams 9a-h based on the ring-closing olefin metathesis reaction was investigated. The presented examples comprise 6-, 7-, 8-, 9-, and 10-membered cyclic dipeptide mimics. Structural variations were demonstrated. We approached the metathesis precursors 8a-h employing an N-alkylation/peptide-coupling strategy. Subsequent ring closure was promoted by the ruthenium-based catalyst 10a or 10b. The resulting tetraresidue 11d was shown to undergo intramolecular hydrogen bonding based on NMR and FT-IR studies. Thus, the development of dehydro-Freidinger lactams as potential reverse turn inducers stabilizing an intramolecular NH(i+3)...CO(i) hydrogen-bond was demonstrated.

Reaction of folic acid with reducing sugars and sugar degradation products.

The reaction of folic acid with reducing sugars (nonenzymatic glycation) under conditions that can occur during food processing and preparation was studied by high-performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection. N-(p-Aminobenzoyl)-L-glutamic acid, a well-established oxidation product, was detected in the reaction mixtures. Furthermore, a new product was isolated and identified as N2-[1-(carboxyethyl)]folic acid (CEF). CEF was the main product that was formed by the nonenzymatic glycation of folic acid. For preparation, N2-[1-(carboxyethyl)]folic acid was obtained in high yields when folic acid and dihydroxyacetone (DHA), a sugar degradation product, were heated at 100 degrees C in phosphate buffer. Mixtures of folic acid and different sugars or DHA were heated under variation of reaction time and temperature, and CEF was quantified. Up to 50% of the vitamin was converted to CEF, with highest yields formed from maltose (49%) and lactose (43%).