[Diversity and in vitro antitumnor activity of endophytic fungi from mangrove plants Xylocarpus].

A total of 24 biologically pure entophytic fungal strains were isolated from stems, leaves, and seed coats of Xylocarpus plants by repeated purification, and identified with Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) rDNA molecular method, which belonging to 14 genera, 11 families, 9 orders and 3 classes. There were differences in genus and species levels among three plant materials from different habitats and species, and it was found that the strains of Phomopsis and Colletotrichum existed in all three plant materials. In vitro assay of antitumor activity by MTT method revealed that the EtOAc extracts of 15 strains exhibited potent antitumor activity. These results suggest that it is of value for further investigation on the above fungal strains.

New diterpenes from a Godavari mangrove, Ceriops decandra.

Eleven new diterpenes, named decandrins A-K (1-11), including nine abietanes (1-9) and two podocarpanes (10-11), were isolated from the barks of an Indian mangrove, Ceriops decandra, collected in the mangrove swamp of Godavari estuary, Andhra Pradesh, together with four known abietanes. The structures of these compounds were established on the basis of spectroscopic data (new compounds) or comparison with data in the literature (known compounds). This is the first report of abietane and podocarpane diterpenoids from C. decandra.

Chemical constituents and some biological activities of plants from the genus Ceriops.

In this review, the literature data on phytochemical and biological investigations of the genus Ceriops are compiled. The Ceriops species are mangrove plants widely distributed along the sea coasts of Africa, Madagascar, South Asia, and South Pacific islands. To date, 43 diterpenes and 29 triterpenes have been reported from the embryos, fruits, hypocotyls, roots, stems, and twigs of C. tagal and C. decandra. Diterpenoids and triterpenoids are the main constituents of this genus. The isolated terpenes showed an enormous structural diversity and exhibited various biological properties, such as antitumor, antibacterial, and larvicidal activities.

Dolabranes from the Chinese Mangrove, Ceriops tagal.

Six new dolabranes, named tagalsins P-U (1-6), were isolated from stems and twigs of a Chinese mangrove, Ceriops tagal, along with seven known dolabranes, an abietane, and a pimarane. The structures of these compounds were established on the basis of spectroscopic data or comparison with data in the literature. The relative configurations of tagalsins P and Q (1, 2), two new 15,16-dinor-dolabranes, were confirmed by means of single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. This is the first report of 16-nordolabranes and 15,16-dinordolabranes from plants of the Ceriops genus. Tagalsins Q (2), R (3), and U (6) showed moderate antifeedant activity against the third-instar larvae of Brontispa longissima at a concentration of 1 mg/mL. However, none of the new dolabranes exhibited significant activity against human cancer cell lines.

Limonoids from the Seeds of a Hainan Mangrove, Xylocarpus granatum.

Ten new limonoids, hainangranatumins A-J (1-10), and 25 known compounds were isolated from seeds of a Chinese mangrove, Xylocarpus granatum, collected on Hainan Island. Hainangranatumins A-E (1-5) and I and J (9 and 10) are 9,10-seco-mexicanolides, whereas hainangranatumin F (6) is a limonoid possessing an 8α,30α-epoxy ring and a C1-C29 oxygen bridge. Hainangranatumin G (7) is a limonoid with a central pyridine ring, and hainangranatumin H (8) is a phragmalin 1,8,9-ortho ester. The relative configurations of hainangranatumins A and B were established by means of single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis, and their absolute configurations were assigned on the basis of the specific rotation of the free acids obtained from alkaline hydrolysis. This is the first report of X-ray crystallographic structures of 9,10-seco-mexicanolides with a flexible C2-C30-C8 linkage. Hainangranatumins I and J (9 and 10), unusual 9,10-seco-mexicanolides with a C9-C30 linkage, are proposed to be artifacts derived from hainangranatumin C and xylomexicanin A, respectively.

Natural products from semi-mangrove flora: source, chemistry and bioactivities.

This review covers the source, chemistry and bioactivities of natural products from semi-mangrove species worldwide. The chemotaxonomy of semi-mangrove plants and total synthesis of heritol analogues, which are potential biocompatible pesticides, are discussed.1 Introduction, 2 Acanthaceae, 2.1 Acanthus, 2.1.1 Aliphatic glycosides, 2.1.2 Alkaloids, 2.1.3 Flavonoids, 2.1.4 Lignan glycosides, 2.1.5 Megastigmane and phenolic glycosides, 2.1.6 Phenylethanol glycosides, 2.1.7 Triterpenoids, 2.1.8 Miscellaneous, 2.1.9 Bioactivities, 3 Euphorbiaceae, 3.1 Excoecaria, 3.1.1 Diterpenoids, 3.1.2 Miscellaneous, 3.1.3 Bioactivities, 4 Lythraceae, 4.1 Pemphis acidula, 5 Sterculiaceae, 5.1 Heritiera littoralis, 5.1.1 Flavones, 5.1.2 Triterpenoids, 5.1.3 Benzene derivatives, 5.1.4 Sesquiterpenes, 5.1.5 Steroids, 6 Total syntheses of heritol and its analogues, 7 Chemotaxonomy and concluding remarks, 8 Acknowledgements 9 References.

Natural products from true mangrove flora: source, chemistry and bioactivities.

The mangrove flora is a diverse group of salt-tolerant plants growing in tropical and subtropical intertidal estuarine zones. This review summarizes the source, chemistry and bioactivities of natural products from true mangrove species worldwide. It includes 349 metabolites and 150 references. The molecular phylogeny and chemotaxonomy of true mangrove plants is discussed.