A new isoflavone from the fruits of Ficus auriculata and its antibacterial activity.

A new isoflavone (Z)-5,7,4'-trihydroxy-3'-[3-hydroxy-3-methyl-1-butenyl] isoflavone (1) together with seven known isoflavones (2-8) were isolated from the fruits of the Ficus auriculata. Their structures were established on the basis of 1 D, 2 D-NMR spectroscopic data and HR-ESI-MS analysis. All compounds were evaluated for their antibacterial activities against five pathogenic bacteria in vitro. Compounds 3 and 4 exhibited significant antibacterial activities against five pathogenic bacteria with the MIC values ranging from 1.25 to 20 µg/mL.[Formula: see text].

Phenolic glycosides from the stems of Homalium stenophyllum.

The phytochemical investigation of the stems of Homalium stenophyllum afforded seven new phenolic glycosides (1-5 and 8-9) and two known compounds (6 and 7). Their structures were elucidated by comprehensive analyses of NMR spectroscopic, mass spectrometric data and chemical hydrolysis. Additionally, their anti-inflammatory activities against the NO production in LPS-induced macrophages were evaluated.

Three new methylated Δ8-pregnene steroids from the Polyalthia laui-derived fungus Stemphylium sp. AZGP4-2.

Three new methylated Δ8-pregnene steroids, stemphylisteroids A-C (1-3) were isolated from the medicinal plant Polyalthia laui-derived fungus Stemphylium sp. AZGP4-2. Their structures were elucidated by the detailed analysis of comprehensive spectroscopic data. The absolute configuration of 1 was determined by X-ray crystallographic analysis. Compound 1 show antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli with the MIC value of 6.25 µg/mL, and 2 exhibited a broad spectrum of antibacterial activities against six pathogenic bacteria with the MIC values ranging from 12.5 to 50 µg/mL. The discovery of three methylated Δ8-pregnene steroids 1-3 are a further addition to diverse and complex array of methylated steroids.

Bioactive aporphine alkaloids from the stems of Dasymaschalon rostratum.

Three undescribed aporphine alkaloids dasymaroine A (1), 3-methoxyoxoputerine N-oxide (2), and dasymaroine B (3), along with nine known analogues (4-12) were isolated from the stems of Dasymaschalon rostratum Merr. The structures were elucidated using spectroscopic methods and by comparison with published NMR spectroscopic data. Compound 1 is a rarely reported nitro aporphine alkaloid and its absolute configuration was defined based on negative specific rotation and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Compound 2 represents the first example of oxoaporphine alkaloid N-oxide. All compounds were evaluated for their activities of six pathogenic bacteria, 1 exhibited significant inhibition against Escherichia coli and Saphylococcus aureus with MIC values of 1.2 and 2.5 µM, respectively. As well as compounds 1-5, 7, 10, 12 were evaluated for their anti-HIV activities with EC50 ranged from 1.93 to 9.70 µM.

One new Lignan derivative from the fruiting bodies of Ganoderma lipsiense.

One new lignan derivative 2,3-dimethyl-4-(4'-hydroxy-3',5'-dimethoxyphenyl)-6-hydroxy-7-methoxy-naphthalene (1), together with four known analogues (2-5), were isolated from acetone extract of the fruiting bodies of Ganoderma lipsiense collected in the Hainan Province, China. Their structures were elucidated by the detailed analysis of comprehensive spectroscopic data. Compound 1 showed insecticidal activity against newly hatched karvae of Helicoverpa armigera Hubner. Compounds 1-5 showed moderate antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus with the same MIC value of 1.25 µg/mL.

Furofuran lignans and alkaloids from Clinacanthus nutans.

One new furofuran lignan 2-methoxy-9ß-hydroxydiasesamin (1), and four analogues (2-5), together with eight alkaloids (6-13), were isolated from the ethanol extract of the aerial part of Clinacanthus nutans. Their structures were elucidated by the detailed analysis of comprehensive spectroscopic data. All the compounds were isolated from the genus of Clinacanthus for the first time. In addition, lignans isolated from C. nutans was reported for the first time. Compound 1 exhibited modest activity against three human tumor cell lines Hela, MCF-7, and A549, with IC50 values of 68.55, 60.00, and 59.17 µM, respectively.

A new norisoprenoid from the leaves of Ficus pumila.

One new norisoprenoid 3,9-dihydroxy dihydro actinidiolide (1), together with eleven known compounds (2-12), were isolated from ethanol extract of the leaves of Ficus pumila collected in Hainan Province, China. Their structures were elucidated by the detailed analysis of comprehensive spectroscopic data. Compounds 1, 2, 4, 5, 8 and 10-12 were isolated from the F. pumila for the first time. All compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxic activity. Compounds 3 and 9 showed weak cytotoxic activity against Hela, MCF-7 and A549 cell lines.

Eudesmanolides and Other Constituents from the Flowers of Wedelia trilobata.

Two eudesmane sesquiterpene lactones, wedetrilides B (1) and C (2), along with five known analogues (3 - 8), an ent-kaurane diterpenoid (9), a steroid (10), as well as cinnamic acid derivatives (11 - 13), were isolated from the flowers of Wedelia trilobata. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analyses and by comparison of their NMR data with those of related compounds. Furthermore, the structures of 1 and 3 - 5 were confirmed by X-ray single-crystal diffraction analyses. Compounds 4 and 5 exhibited weak cytotoxic activities against the MCF-7, HeLa, and A549 cell lines. Compounds 3 - 5 were also evaluated for their inhibitory effects against HIV lytic replication.

[Sesquiterpenes from Artabotrys hongkongensis].

The chemical consituents from Artabotrys hongkongensis were separated and purified by column chromatographies with silica gel, Sephadex LH-20, ODS and RP-HPLC. The structures of the isolated compounds were identified on the basis of physicochemical properties and spectroscopic analysis, as well as comparisons with the data reported in the literature. As a result, 16 sesquiterpenes were isolated and elucidated as blumenol A (1), 4, 5-dihydroblumenol A (2), (6R, 9S)-3-oxo-a-ionol (3), 3-hydroxy-ß-ionone (4), dehydrovomifoliol (5), (3R, 6R, 7E) -3-hydroxy-4, 7-megastigmadien-9-one (6), sarmentol F (7), 10-oxo-isodauc-3-en-15-oic acid (8), fukinone (9), petasitolone (10), ß-eudesmol (11), trans-3ß-(1-hydroxy-1-methylethyl)- 8aß-methyl-5-methylenedecalin-2-one (12), 10-hydroxyaristolan-9-one (13), aristol-8-en-1-one (14), aristolan-9-en-1-one (15), and aristolan-1, 9-diene (16). This is the first study on the chemical consituents of A. hongkongensis, and all compounds were isolated from the genus Artabotrys for the first time.

New phenylpropanoid and 6H-dibenzo[b,d]pyran-6-one derivatives from the stems of Dasymaschalon rostratum.

Three new phenylpropanoid derivatives, dasymaroacid A (1), dasymaroesters B and C (2 and 3), and one new polyoxygenated 6H-dibenzo[b,d]pyran-6-one derivative dasymarolactone D (4), together with seven known compounds (5-11), were isolated from the stems of Dasymaschalon rostratum Merr. Compounds 1 and 2 are unusual phenylpropanoid derivatives with a polymethyl substituted cyclopentene conjugated diketone as a substituent, and 3 is a unique cinnamic acid detective with a polymethyl substituted cyclohexene conjugated triketone as a substituent. Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic methods and chemical method, and 4 was further confirmed by the single crystal X-ray diffraction method. Compounds 1-4 and 7 showed weak anti-HIV-1 activities with EC50 values ranged from 16.44 to 25.91µM.

One new lignan derivative from the Combretum alfredii Hance.

One new lignan derivative 2,3-dimethyl-4-(4-methoxyphenyl)-6,7-dihydroxynaphthalene (1), together with five known compounds (2-6), were isolated from ethanol extract of the branches and leaves of Combretum alfredii Hance collected in Hainan Province, China. Their structures were elucidated by the detailed analysis of comprehensive spectroscopic data. Compounds 1, 2, 5 and 6 were isolated from the genus of Combretum for the first time. All compounds were evaluated for their antibacterial activities. Compounds 1 and 2 showed significant antibacterial activities against six pathogenic bacteria.

One new berberine from the branches and leaves of Polyalthia obliqua Hook.f. & Thomson.

One new alkaloid consanguine B (1), together with 10 known alkaloids (2-11), were isolated from ethanol extract of the branches and leaves of Polyalthia obliqua Hook.f. & Thomson collected in the Hainan Province, China. Their structures were elucidated by the detailed analysis of comprehensive spectroscopic data. All compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxic activities. Compound 1 showed weak cytotoxic activities against Hela and MCF-7 human cancer cell lines.

New clerodane diterpenoids from the roots of Polyalthia laui.

Five new clerodane diterpenoids, polylauiester A (1), (4→2)-abeo-2,13-diformyl-cleroda-2,12E-dien-14-oic acid (2) and polylauiamides B-D (3-5), together with 11 known clerodane diterpenoids (6-16), were isolated from the roots of Polyalthia laui. Among them, polylauiester A (1) represents the first example of a novel norclerodane diterpenoid only containing 17 carbon atoms on the carbon skeleton, and polylauiamide B (3) is an unusual diterpenoid with a p-substituted benzene ring as a substituent. Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic methods, and the relative configuration of polylauiamide B (3) was further confirmed by the single crystal X-ray diffraction method. Biological evaluation of new compounds against human Hela, MCF-7 and A549 human cancer cell lines showed that all compounds displayed weak cytotoxicities against various human cancer cell lines in the range of IC50 at 25.01-39.31µM.

F-01A, an antibiotic, inhibits lung cancer cells proliferation.

AIM: In an effort to identify novel, small molecules which can affect the proliferation of lung cancer cells, F-01A, a polyether antibiotic isolated from the fermentation broth of Streptomyces was tested. METHOD: F-01A was tested for its antitumor properties on the lung cancer cell line SPC-A-1, at six doses (0.1, 0.5, 1, 2.5, and 5 µmol·L(-1)), using various cellular assays. Cell viability was measured by the MTT assay, Hochest 33258 was used to study nuclear morphology; DNA ladder and the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential were also evaluated. RESULTS: F-01A induces apoptosis against SPC-A-1 cells in a dose-dependent manner. The IC50 is 0.65 µmol·L(-1), and the inhibition at 5 µmol·L(-1) is 87.89%. Further, JC-1 staining indicates F-01A could induce the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, and the DNA fragment is evident. CONCLUSION: Mechanistic analysis showed that F-01A induced apoptosis of cancer cells probably in the mitochondrial pathway. The antitumor actions of F-01A involve activation of the apoptotic pathway against SPC-A-1 cells, and it may be valuable for further drug development.

Three new ursane-type triterpenoids from the stems of Saprosma merrillii.

Three new ursane-type triterpenoids, 3α,6α,30-trihydroxy-ursan-28-oic acid (1), 3α,30-dihydroxy-6-oxo-ursan-28-oic acid (2) and 3α,6α,7α,30-tetrahydroxy-ursan-28-oic acid (3), together with one known triterpenoid, betulinic acid (4), one known anthraquinone, 1,7-dihydroxy-2-methylanthraquinone (5), four known phenols, 1,3,5-trimethoxybenzene (6), p-hydroxybenzoic acid (7), syringic acid (8), isovanillin (9), two steroids, sitosterol (10) and daucosterol (11), were isolated from the ethanol extract of the stems of S. merrillii. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of physical and spectral techniques, besides comparison with literature data. Compounds 1-3 showed inhibitory activities against the A549, HEPG2, and B16F10 cell lines.

Five new degraded diterpenoids from Trigonostemon xyphophylloides.

Five new degraded diterpenoids trigoxyphins J-N (1-5), among them trigoxyphins K and L have a novel carbon skeleton, together with four known analogues (6-9) have been obtained from the ethanol extract of the twigs of Trigonostemon xyphophylloides. Compounds 1-5 were evaluated for their cytotoxic activity in vitro against three human tumor cell lines by MTT assay. The results exhibited that Trigoxyphin N (5) showed moderate cytotoxicities against SPC-A-1 and SGC-7901 cancer cell lines.

A new asymmetric diamide from the seed cake of Jatropha curcas L.

A new asymmetric diamide (E)-N-(3-acetamidopropyl)-cinnamamide named curcamide (1) has been isolated from the ethanol extract of the seed cake of Jatropha curcas L. along with 7 known compounds identified as isoamericanin (2), isoprincepin (3), caffeoylaldehyde (4), isoferulaldehyde (5), glycerol monooleate (6), syringaldehyde (7), and ß-ethyl-d-glucopyranoside (8). The synthesis and antibacterial activity of the new compound have been also studied.

Anticancer activities of constituents from the stem of Polyalthia rumphii.

Nine known compounds were firstly isolated from the chloroform extract of Polyalthia rumphii stem by anticancer activity guidance, and the chemical structures were identified by using spectroscopic and physico-chemical analysis. Cytotoxic evaluation against four cancer cell lines was performed on all these compounds, which showed that K562 could be significantly inhibited by partial compounds with IC(50) values at the range from 40 to 60 µ/mL.

1-(3,4-Dimeth-oxy-phen-yl)propan-1-one.

The title compound, C(11)H(14)O(3), was isolated from the stems of Trigonostemon xyphophylloides, which belongs to Trigonostemon genus of Euphorbiaceae. The plants in this genus were used in folk medicine, such as for the treatment of diseases caused by viruses and fungi. The limited investigation of the chemistry of this plant prompted an examination of constituents of its twigs, from which the title compound was isolated. The mol-ecule is approximately planar with an r.m.s. deviation of 0.1237Å. In the crystal, inter-molecular C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds connect the mol-ecules into a two-dimensional network structure with an R(2) (2)(12) graph-set motif.