Cytotoxic Guanidine Alkaloids from a French Polynesian Monanchora n. sp. Sponge.

Four bicyclic and three pentacyclic guanidine alkaloids (1-7) were isolated from a French Polynesian Monanchora n. sp. sponge, along with the known alkaloids monalidine A (8), enantiomers 9-11 of known natural product crambescins, and the known crambescidins 12-15. Structures were assigned by spectroscopic data interpretation. The relative and absolute configurations of the alkaloids were established by analysis of (1)H NMR and NOESY spectra and by circular dichroism analysis. The new norcrambescidic acid (7) corresponds to interesting biosynthetic variation within the pentacyclic core. All compounds exhibited antiproliferative and cytotoxic efficacy against KB, HCT116, HL60, MRC5, and B16F10 cancer cells, with IC50 values ranging from 4 nM to 10 µM.

Netamines O-S, Five New Tricyclic Guanidine Alkaloids from the Madagascar Sponge Biemna laboutei, and Their Antimalarial Activities.

In our continuing program to isolate new compounds from the Madagascar sponge Biemna laboutei, five new tricyclic guanidine alkaloids, netamines O - S (1-5, resp.), have been identified together with the known compounds netamine E (6) and mirabilin J (7). The structures of all new netamines were assigned on the basis of spectroscopic analyses. Their relative configurations were established by analysis of ROESY data and comparison with literature data. Netamines O, P, and Q, which were isolated in sufficient quantities, were tested for their cytotoxic activities against KB cells and their activities against the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. Netamines O and Q were found to be moderately cytotoxic. Netamines O, P, and Q exhibited antiplasmodial activities with IC50 values of 16.99 ± 4.12, 32.62 ± 3.44, and 8.37 ± 1.35 µM, respectively.

Netamines H-N, tricyclic alkaloids from the marine sponge Biemna laboutei and their antimalarial activity.

Chemical examination of the CH2Cl2-MeOH (1:1) extract of the Madagascar sponge Biemna laboutei resulted in the isolation of seven new tricyclic alkaloids, netamines H-N (1-7), along with the known netamine G and mirabilins A, C, and F. Their structures were elucidated by interpretation of 1D and 2D NMR spectra and HRESIMS data. All compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxicity against KB cells and their antiplasmodial activity. Netamine M (6) was found to be cytotoxic, with an IC50 value in the micromolar range, and netamine K (4) exhibited activity against Plasmodium falciparum with an IC50 value of 2.4 µM.

Unprecedented biomimetic homodimerization of oroidin and clathrodin marine metabolites in the presence of HMPA or phosphonate salt tweezers.

The first biomimetic homodimerization of oroidin and clathrodin was effected in the presence HMPA and diphosphonate salts, strong guanidinium and amide chelating agents. The intermolecular associations probably interfere with the entropically and kinetically favored intramolecular cyclizations. Use of oroidin·(1)/2HCl salt or clathrodin·(1)/2HCl was indicative in the presence of the ambident nucleophilic and electrophilic tautomers of the 2-aminoimidazolic oroidin and clathrodin precursors. Surprisingly, the homodimerization of oroidin led to the nagelamide D skeleton, while the homodimerization of clathrodin gave the benzene para-symmetrical structure 19. The common process was rationalized from tautomeric precursors I and III.

Isolation and characterization of unusual hydrazides from Streptomyces sp. impact of the cultivation support and extraction procedure.

Three novel hydrazides, geralcins C-E (1-3), were isolated from Streptomyces sp. LMA-545, together with MH-031 and geralcins A and B. This unusual family of compounds was isolated from liquid-state and agar-supported fermentation using Amberlite XAD-16 solid-phase extraction during the cultivation step. The use of such neutral resin during the cultivation step allowed the specific adsorption of microbial secondary metabolites, avoiding any contamination of the crude extracts by the constituents of the culture medium. The trapped compounds were eluted from the resin with methanol, and their structures elucidated using (1)H, (13)C, and (15)N NMR spectroscopic analysis and high-resolution mass spectrometry. Molecular modeling calculations were applied in order to support structural attributions. No antimicrobial, cytotoxic, or DnaG-inhibition activities were detected for geralcins D and E. Geralcin C has no antimicrobial activity but exhibited an IC(50) of 0.8 µM against KB and HCT116 cancer cell lines. Furthermore, geralcin C inhibited the E. coli DnaG primase, a Gram-negative antimicrobial target, with an IC(50) of 0.7 mM.

Isolation and characterization of α,ß-unsaturated γ-lactono-hydrazides from Streptomyces sp.

Two novel α,ß-unsaturated γ-lactono-hydrazides, geralcin A (2) and geralcin B (3), were isolated from Streptomyces sp. LMA-545. This unusual scaffold consists of the condensation of alkyl-hydrazide with an α,ß-unsaturated γ-lactone, 3-(5-oxo-2H-furan-4-yl)propanoic acid (1), which was isolated from the same broth culture. Amberlite XAD-16 solid-phase extraction was used during the cultivation step, and the trapped compounds (1-3) were eluted from the resin with methanol. The structures were elucidated using (1)H, (13)C, and (15)N NMR spectroscopic analysis and high-resolution mass spectrometry. Geralcin B (3) was cytotoxic against MDA231 breast cancer cells with an IC(50) of 5 µM.

Pipestelides A-C: cyclodepsipeptides from the Pacific marine sponge Pipestela candelabra.

Pipestelides A-C (2-4) are three new NRPS-PKS hybrid macrolides containing uncommon moieties, isolated from the Pacific marine sponge Pipestela candelabra. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic data. These cyclodepsipeptides appear to be biosynthetically related to jaspamide (aka jasplakinolide) (1) by chemical modification of the building blocks of the polyketide or peptide chains. Pipestelides A-C (2-4) contain a bromotyrosine [3-amino-3-(bromo-4-hydroxyphenyl)propanoic acid] unit, a polypropionate with a Z double bond, and a 2-hydroxyquinolinone, respectively. Revised chemical shift assignments are provided for the co-isolated known jasplakinolide C(a) (5). In addition, compounds 2 and 3 exhibited cytotoxic activities in the micromolar range.

Biotransformation of natural compounds. Oxido-reduction of Sch-642305 by Aspergillus ochraceus ATCC 1009.

Sch-642305 is the major compound produced by the endophytic fungi Phomopsis sp. CMU-LMA. Incubation of Sch-642305 with Aspergillus ochraceus ATCC 1009 resting cells leads to three new derivatives through an oxido-reduction of the six-membered ring of the molecule. Reduction of the double bound leads to compound (1), which subsequently undergoes carbonyl reduction to (2) and ring hydroxylation to (3). According to the previously solved crystal structure of Sch-642305 coupled with (1)H NMR NOE correlation and the crystal structure of compound 1, the absolute configurations of the new derivatives were established. In contrast to the parent compound Sch-642305, compound (1) exhibits antimicrobial activity against gram-negative bacteria. Furthermore, while all derivatives exhibit cytotoxic activity against various cancer cell lines, compound (2) achieved an IC(50) of 4 nM against human myelogenous leukemia K 562, compared to 20 nM for the parent Sch-642305.

Elaboration of vinblastine hybrids using a reactive in situ generated N-carboxyanhydride.

Hybrids of vinblastine and phomopsin, designed by a molecular modelling study, were elaborated in order to target tubulin. The key step of the synthesis (fragmentation and insertion of vindoline) was mediated by an internal N-carboxyanhydride (or O-acylcarbamate). This reaction was diastereospecific and addition of silver salts could reverse the diastereoselectivity. Even if the synthesized compounds are inactive, this synthesis represents an original example of a C-N fragmentation mediated by a N-carboxyanhydride.

4-Phenylcoumarins from Mesua elegans with acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity.

A significant acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activity was observed for the hexane extract from the bark of Mesua elegans (Clusiaceae). Thus, the hexane extract was subjected to chemical investigation, which led to the isolation of nine 4-phenylcoumarins, in which three are new; mesuagenin A (1), mesuagenin C (3), mesuagenin D (4) and one new natural product; mesuagenin B (2). The structures of the isolated compounds were characterized by spectroscopic data interpretation, especially 1D and 2D NMR. Four compounds showed significant AChE inhibitory activity, with mesuagenin B (2) being the most potent (IC(50)=0.7µM).

Cytotoxic 3,4-seco-Atisane Diterpenoids from Croton barorum and Croton goudotii.

In a screening program directed to the discovery of new anticancer agents from Madagascan plants, ethyl acetate extracts of Croton barorum and C. goudotii showed strong cytotoxic activity, with 100% inhibition at 10 µg/mL in a primary screen using the murine lymphocytic leukemia P388 cell line. Bioassay-guided fractionation led to the isolation of two new 3,4-seco-atisane diterpenoids, crotobarin (1) and crotogoudin (2). Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic data interpretation. Compounds 1 and 2 produced a net progression in the number of cells arrested at the G2/M growth stage in the cell cycle of the K562 human leukemia cell line at 4 µM.

Rearranged diterpenoids from the biotransformation of ent-trachyloban-18-oic acid by Rhizopus arrhizus.

In our search for inhibitors of the antiapoptotic protein Bcl-xL, investigation of Xylopia caudata afforded a new diterpenoid, ent-trachyloban-4beta-ol (2), and five known ent-trachylobane or ent-atisane compounds. Only ent-trachyloban-18-oic acid (1) exhibited weak binding activity to Bcl-xL. These compounds exhibited cytotoxicity against KB and HCT-116 cell lines with IC(50) values between 10 and 30 microM. Bioconversion of compound 1 by Rhizopus arrhizus afforded new hydroxylated metabolites (3-7) of the ent-trachylobane and ent-kaurene type and compound 8, with a rearranged pentacyclic carbon framework that was named rhizopene. Compounds 3-8 were noncytotoxic to the two cancer cell lines, and compounds 3 and 5 exhibited only weak binding affinity for Bcl-xL.

Agelastatin E, agelastatin F, and benzosceptrin C from the marine sponge Agelas dendromorpha.

The study of the n-butanol extract of the New Caledonian sponge Agelas dendromorpha led to the isolation and identification of three new pyrrole-2-aminoimidazole (P-2-AI) alkaloids, named agelastatins E (3) and F (4) and benzosceptrin C (5), together with 10 known metabolites, agelastatin A (1), agelastatin D (2), sceptrin (6), manzacidin A, tauroacidin A, taurodispacamide A, nortopsentin D, thymine, longamide, and 4,5-dibromopyrrole-2-carboxamide. Their structures were assigned by spectroscopic data interpretation. All the compounds were tested for cytotoxic activity.

Antiplasmodial, antitrypanosomal, and cytotoxic activities of prenylated flavonoids isolated from the stem bark of Artocarpus styracifolius.

In continuation of our efforts to find new antimalarial drugs, a systematic IN VITRO evaluation using a chloroquine resistant strain of PLASMODIUM FALCIPARUM (FcB1) was undertaken on extracts prepared from various parts of Vietnamese plants. The ethyl acetate extract obtained from the stem bark of ARTOCARPUS STYRACIFOLIUS (Moraceae) exhibited strong antiplasmodial activity (87 % at 10 µg/mL) whereas weak cytotoxicity was observed in a human fibroblast cell line (MRC-5). Phytochemical investigation of this extract led to isolation of two new prenylated flavonoids, styracifolins A and B ( 1 and 2), as well as the known artoheterophyllin A ( 3) and B ( 4), artonins A ( 5), B ( 6), and F ( 7), and heterophyllin ( 8). Structures of 1 and 2 were elucidated by spectroscopic methods and through comparison with data reported in the literature. Compounds 1- 8 exhibited antiplasmodial activities with IC (50) values ranging from 1.1 µM to 13.7 µM, and compounds 1, 2, 6, and 8 showed significant antitrypanosomal activities.

Cytotoxic sesquiterpenoids from Winteraceae of Caledonian rainforest.

One secobutanolide, two butanolides and six drimane sesquiterpenoids were isolated from the bark and leaves of Zygogynum pancheri and Zygogynum acsmithii (Winteraceae) along with six known drimanes, isodrimanial, 1beta-O-p-methoxy-E-cinnamoyl-bemadienolide, 7-ketoisodrimenin, drimenin, polygodial and 1beta-E-cinnamoyl-6alpha-hydroxypolygodial. Their structures were elucidated through analysis of spectroscopic data. Drimane sesquiterpenoids with a dialdehyde function exhibited significant inhibitory activities in the in vitro cytotoxic assays against KB, HL60 and HCT116 cancer cell lines.

N-Terminal 2,3-diaminopropionic acid (Dap) peptides as efficient methylglyoxal scavengers to inhibit advanced glycation endproduct (AGE) formation.

2,3-Diaminopropionic acid (Dap) and N-terminal Dap peptides have been found to inhibit in vitro protein-modifications by methylglyoxal (MG), one of the highly reactive alpha-dicarbonyl compounds. MG scavenging potency of the newly synthesized N-terminal Dap peptides is demonstrated by RP-HPLC, SDS-PAGE and non-denaturing PAGE analysis, assays for enzymatic activity and cell viability study and was compared with that of known AGE inhibitors, such as aminoguanidine, pyridoxamine, metformin and carnosine. Two addition products of MG and L-Dap-L-Leu are separated by HPLC and their chemical structures are characterized by (1)H and (13)C NMR spectroscopy to indicate that both of them are pyrazines derived from 2 molecules of MG and 1 molecule of L-Dap-L-Leu. Mutagenic activities of L-Dap-L-Leu and L-Dap-L-Val and their metabolites according to the Ames assay are found to be negative.

Axiphenylalaninium and axityrosinium, modified amino acids from the Mediterranean marine sponge Axinella polypoides.

Two new modified amino acids, axiphenylalaninium (1) and axityrosinium (2), along with four known metabolites, C2-alpha-D-mannosylpyranosyl-L-tryptophan (3), N3,5'-cycloxanthosine (4), palythine (5), and taurine, were isolated from the marine sponge Axinella polypoides collected in the Mediterranean Sea. The structures were determined by spectroscopic studies and confirmed by X-ray analysis and chemical modifications.

A Dimeric sesquiterpenoid from a Malaysian Meiogyne as a new inhibitor of Bcl-xL/BakBH3 domain peptide interaction.

In an effort to find potent inhibitors of the antiapoptotic protein Bcl-xL, a systematic in vitro evaluation was undertaken on 1470 Malaysian plant extracts. The ethyl acetate extract obtained from the bark of Meiogyne cylindrocarpa was selected for its interaction with the Bcl-xL/Bak association. Bioassay-guided purification of this species led to the isolation of two new dimeric sesquiterpenoids (1 and 2) possessing an unprecedented substituted cis-decalin carbon skeleton. Meiogynin A (1) showed the strongest activity with a K(i) of 10.8 +/- 3.1 microM.

Ugandenial A, a new drimane-type sesquiterpenoid from Warburgia ugandensis.

One new drimane-type sesquiterpenoid, named ugandenial A (1), was isolated from the ethyl acetate extract of the bark of Warburgia ugandensis (Canellaceae) together with eight known drimane-type sesquiterpenoids: 11alpha-hydroxycinnamosmolide (2), warburganal (3), polygodial (4), mukaadial (5), dendocarbin A (6), 9alpha-hydroxycinnamolide (7), dendocarbin L (8) and dendocarbin M (9). Their structures were established by detailed spectroscopic analysis. In addition a keto-enol equilibrium was demonstrated for compound 1 through a detailed NMR analysis run in CD(2)Cl(2) at 190 K. Cytotoxicity of the isolated compounds against KB cells was evaluated.

Debromodispacamides B and D: isolation from the marine sponge Agelas mauritiana and stereoselective synthesis using a biomimetic proline route.

New debromopyrrole-2-aminoimidazolones, debromodispacamide B (1) and debromodispacamide D (2) were isolated from the sponge Agelas mauritiana, collected in the Solomon Islands. A biomimetic one-step reaction from pseudopeptides 5 and 13 in presence of air oxygen and guanidine gave the chiral form of the natural product stereoselectively.