Biotransformation of gambogenic acid by Chaetomium globosum CICC 2445.

Microbial transformation of gambogenic acid (1), a caged polyprenylated xanthone isolated from the resin of Garcinia hanburyi, was carried out with Chaetomium globosum CICC 2445, after screening forty-six strains of filamentous fungi. A new caged polyprenylated xanthone, 16,17-dihydroxygambogenic acid (2), was specifically obtained, as a result of hydroxylation at C-16, and C-17. Its structure was elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic methods. The cytotoxicity of compounds 1 and 2 against HeLa tumor cell line was evaluated, with both of them being modestly active.

Simultaneous determination of four sesquiterpenoids in Atractylodes Macrocephala Rhizoma by GC-FID: optimisation of an ultrasound-assisted extraction by central composite design.

INTRODUCTION: Atractylodes Macrocephala Rhizoma (AMR) is a traditional Chinese medicine containing several sesquiterpenoids with a series of effects. These bioactive compounds may be used as chemical markers for the quality control of AMR. It is necessary to optimise the extraction method and conditions in order to improve extraction productivity. OBJECTIVE: To develop a simple and effective method for the extraction of sesquiterpenoids from AMR and then to simultaneously determine four sesquiterpenoids, selina-4 (14), 7(11)-dien-8-one (SA), atractylenolide II (AII), atractylenolide III (AIII) and atractylenolide VII (AVII), in AMR. METHODOLOGY: Ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) was optimised by central composite design (CCD) to obtain the maximum efficiency. The gas chromatography method was validated and applied for the quantification of four sesquiterpenoids. RESULTS: The optimum values of factors were: particle size (120 mesh), extraction time (26 min), extraction temperature (39°C) and 31 mL of chloroform. The selectivity, linear range, limits of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ), accuracy, precision and repeatability of the method developed indicated its validity. The application of the method showed that the contents of four sesquiterpenoids in AMR were rather variable. CONCLUSION: The results indicated that the described GC method could be used for the quality control of AMR and its related preparations. Meanwhile, this research revealed that UAE under optimum conditions could be considered as a powerful tool for the extraction of phytochemicals from plants.

Biotransformation of bufadienolides by cell suspension cultures of Saussurea involucrata.

The biotransformation of three bioactive bufadienolides, namely, bufotalin (1), telocinobufagin (2), and gamabufotalin (3) by cell suspension cultures of Saussurea involucrata yielded 11 products. Bufotalin yielded 3-epi-bufotalin (1a), 3-epi-desacetylbufotalin (1b), 3-epi-bufotalin 3-O-ß-D-glucoside (1c), 1ß-hydroxybufotalin (1d), and 5ß-hydroxybufotalin (1e); telocinobufagin yielded 3-dehydroscillarenin (2a), 3-dehydrobufalin (2b), and 3-epi-telocinobufagin (2c); and gamabufotalin yielded 3-epi-gamabufotalin (3a), 3-dehydrogamabufotalin (3b), and 3-dehydro-Δ¹-gamabufotalin (3c), respectively. Among these 11 products, 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 3a and 3c are previously unreported. The structures of these metabolites were elucidated based on NMR spectroscopic analyses and mass spectrometry. Most metabolites showed significant cytotoxic activities against human hepatoma (HepG2) and breast cancer (MCF-7) cell lines. In addition, the time course for the biotransformation of 3 was investigated.

Synthesis, antiviral activity, cytotoxicity and cellular pharmacology of l-3'-azido-2',3'-dideoxypurine nucleosides.

Microwave-assisted optimized transglycosylation reactions were used to prepare eleven modified l-3'-azido-2',3'-dideoxypurine nucleosides. These l-nucleoside analogs were evaluated against HIV and hepatitis B virus. The l-3'-azido-2',3'-dideoxypurines nucleosides were metabolized to nucleoside 5'-triphosphates in primary human lymphocytes, but exhibited weak or no antiviral activity against HIV-1. The nucleosides were also inactive against HBV in HepG2 cells. Pre-steady state kinetic experiments demonstrated that the l-3'-azido-2',3'-dideoxypurine triphosphates could be incorporated by purified HIV-1 reverse transcriptase, although their catalytic efficiency (k(pol)/K(d)) of incorporation was low. Interestingly, a phosphoramidate prodrug of l-3'-azido-2',3'-dideoxyadenosine exhibited anti-HIV-1 activity without significant toxicity.

Cytotoxic triterpenoids from Ganoderma lucidum.

A systematic study of the metabolites in Ganoderma lucidum led to isolation of 43 triterpenoids, six of them (1-6) are hitherto unknown. The structures of the latter were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic studies and comparison with the known related compounds. All of the compounds were assayed for their inhibitory activities against human HeLa cervical cancer cell lines. Some compounds exhibit significant cytotoxicity, and their structure-activity relationships are discussed.

Benzyl-beta-resorcylates from Cassia obtusifolia.

The seed of Cassia obtusifolia Linn have yielded three new compounds, 2-benzyl-4,6-dihydroxy benzoic acid (1), 2-benzyl-4,6-dihydroxy benzoic acid-6-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (2) and 2-benzyl-4,6-dihydroxy benzoic acid-4-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (3). Their structures were determined by spectroscopic methods, including (1)D- and (2)D NMR spectroscopy, HR-ESI-MS, as well as by comparison of their spectral data with those of related compounds.

Simultaneous quantification of eight major bioactive phenolic compounds in Chinese propolis by high-performance liquid chromatography.

A simple, sensitive and specific high-performance liquid chromatography-UV (HPLC-UV) method has been developed to simultaneously quantify the eight major bioactive phenolic compounds in Chinese propolis, namely caffeic acid, isoferulic acid, 3,4-dimethoxycinnamic acid, pinobanksin 5-methyl ether, pinocembrin, benzyl caffeate, chrysin and galangin. This HPLC assay was performed on an Agilent Zorbax Extend-C18 (250 x 4.6 mm, 5 microm) column with a gradient of methanol and 0.2% aqueous acetic acid (v/v) in 50 min, at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min, and detected at 290 nm. All calibration curves showed good linearity (r2 > 0.999) within the test ranges. The intra- and inter-day assay precision (RSD) of eight phenolic compounds were in the range of 0.07-4.92%. The recoveries were between 98.3% and 104.8%. This assay was applied to the evaluation of nineteen samples from different origins in China. The results indicated that the developed assay could be readily utilized for the quality control of propolis.

Cytotoxic polyprenylated xanthones from the resin of Garcinia hanburyi.

Twelve new xanthones (1-12), a pair of new natural products (13 and 14), and 18 known related compounds were isolated from the resin of Garcinia hanburyi. The structures of 1-14 were elucidated by detailed spectroscopic analyses. A cytotoxic assay of the isolated compounds revealed that, with the exception of 2, these compounds were active against the HeLa tumor cell line.