Biological activities of Indian celery, Seseli diffusum (Roxb. ex Sm.) Sant. & Wagh.

In continuation of our work on Indian celery (Seseli diffusum (Roxb. ex Sm.) Santapau & Wagh; Umbelliferae), the fractionation of the 80% MeOH-H(2) O extract of the seeds was performed to identify the principles responsible for its folk use as an antispasmodic and diuretic. Several compounds were isolated as active components: seselin (1) and anthriscinol methyl ether (4) showed a selective cytotoxicity to some yeast strains. Compound 1 also showed spasmolytic activity. On the other hand, isopimpinellin (3) and isorutarin (5) exhibited a spasmogenic effect on the smooth muscle preparations. Compound 5 was also found to have antioxidant activity. Among them, compound 4 was isolated for the first time from this plant.

Botanical origin of Indian celery seed (fruit).

In the course of our study on the traditional medicines and foodstuffs used in Pakistan, we investigated the origin of Indian celery by using the analysis of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequence of nuclear rDNA and a phytochemical approach. We found that the source plant of the Indian celery containing coumarin derivatives such as seselin (1), bergapten (2) and isopimpinellin (3) was not common celery, Apium graveolens. Our results suggest the source plant is Seseli diffusum even though Indian workers reported that A. graveolens seeds contain the aforementioned compounds. In addition, a market survey of the Indian celery in Pakistan and related countries revealed that the Indian celery seeds in Pakistani markets are mainly composed of three species which have been confused in rural markets.

New diterpene isopimara-7,15-dien-19-oic acid and its prolyl endopeptidase inhibitory activity.

The ethanolic extract of the bulbs of Fritillaria imperialis was subjected to fractionation by solvent-solvent extraction. The nonpolar fraction showed inhibitory activity against prolyl endopeptidase (PEP) (EC.3.4.21.26), a large intracellular enzyme that preferentially hydrolyze proline-containing oligopeptidase at the carboxylic side of a prolyl residue. We have isolated a diterpenoid isopimara-7,15-dien-19-oic acid (1) from the nonpolar fraction of F. imperialis, and on methylation of compound 1, a methylester 2 was obtained which is a known compound previously isolated from Fritillaria thunbergii. The present article describes the isolation and structural elucidation of isopimara-7,15-dien-19-oic acid (1) by single-crystal X-ray diffraction techniques along with its prolyl endopeptidase inhibitory activity.

The structure of a new crystalline cevane alkaloid: its identity with persicanidine B and harepermine.

The structure of a new crystalline base (melting point (mp) 167-169 degrees C) obtained from Fritillaria imperialis was elucidated as (20R, 25R)-5alpha,17beta-cevanine-3beta,6beta-diol, X-ray diffraction analysis of the mono-hydrate. The base was found to be identical with persicanidine B and also with harepermine.

Synthesis of glycosylcurcuminoids.

Condensation of glycosylated arylaldehyde with acetylacetone-B(2)O(3) complex gave a corresponding diglycosylcurcuminoid, and a similar reaction using a mixture of arylaldehyde and glycosylarylaldehyde gave an unsymmetrical monoglycosylcurcuminoid, both as boron-complexes. The boron was removed from the complexes by heating in methanol, thus achieving the synthesis of di- and mono-glycosylcurcuminoids.

Dioxopyrrolines. LXII. Diels-Alder reaction of 1-Aryl-4- and 5-methoxycarbonyl-1H-pyrrole-2,3-diones with various 1,3-dienes.

Two new dioxopyrrolines (1-aryl-4-methoxycarbonyl-1H-pyrrole-2,3-dione 6 and the 5-methoxycarbonyl isomer 8) behaved as good dienophiles to some kind of 1,3-dienes examined. In most cases, the products were explained by the reaction where the largest lobe of HOMO of dienes reacted to the larger LUMO of dienophiles in an expected cis-endo manner. However, in the reactions of 8 with alkylbutadienes, piperylene and isoprene, abnormality in the reaction was observed, which was well explained by taking account of steric factors.

New class of steroidal alkaloids from Fritillaria imperialis.

Two members of a new class of C-nor-D-homo steroidal alkaloids, impranine (1). and dihydroimpranine (2). along with a new pyridyl-pregnane-type steroidal alkaloid, fetisinine (3). and a known base, korsevine (4). were isolated from the bulbs of Fritillaria imperialis. The structures of the compounds were established on the basis of spectroscopic techniques and some chemical transformations. Compounds 1 and 2 form a new class of steroidal alkaloids, named as "impranane."

A new diepoxy-ent-kauranoid, rugosinin, from Isodon rugosus.

A new diterpenoid, rugosinin (1), isolated from Isodon rugosus, with absolute configuration was proved by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis, to be the member of a rare class of C-20/C-7 and C-20/C-14 diepoxy- ent-kauranoids. Effusanin A (2), effusanin B (3), effusanin E (4), lasiokaurin (5) and oridonin (6) were found as known constituents of the genus Isodon with C-20/C-7 epoxy function. These compounds have exhibited DNA-damaging activity in assay which employed DNA-repair deficient (RAD 52Y) and repair proficient (RAD +) yeast strains.

New steroidal alkaloids from Fritillaria imperialis and their cholinesterase inhibiting activities.

Two new cevanine steroidal alkaloids, impericine (1) and forticine (2) along with known bases delavine (3), persicanidine A (4), and imperialine (5) were isolated from the bulbs of Fritillaria imperialis. The structures of impericine (1) [(20R,22S,25S)-5alpha-cevanin-23-ene-3beta,6beta,16beta-triol] and forticine (2) [(20S,22S,25S)-5alpha-cevanine-3beta,6beta-diol] were determined with the help of spectroscopic studies. These steroidal bases showed anti-acetylcholinesterase and anti-butyrylcholinesterase inhibitory activity.