Isolation and structure elucidation of pyridine alkaloids from the aerial parts of the Mongolian medicinal plant Caryopteris mongolica Bunge.

The seven pyridine alkaloids 1-7, the flavonoid acacetin (8), and L-proline anhydride (9) have been isolated from the aerial parts of the Mongolian medicinal plant Caryopteris mongolica Bunge. The structures of the natural products 1-9 have been assigned by MS, as well as IR, 1D NMR (1H, 13C, DEPT), and 2D NMR (COSY, HSQC, HMBC, NOESY) spectroscopic methods. The compounds 2 and 4-7 represent new chemical structures. Acacetin (8) and L-proline anhydride (9) have been obtained from C. mongolica for the first time.

Enantioselective Total Synthesis of 3ß-Hydroxy-7ß-kemp-8(9)-en-6-one, a Diterpene Isolated from Higher Termites.

The first total synthesis of the title diterpene was accomplished starting from the Wieland-Miescher ketone. A diastereoselective sulfa-Michael addition enabled the generation of the delicate ß,γ-unsaturated ketone moiety, while the tetracyclic kempane skeleton was readily constructed through domino metathesis.

Isolation and structure elucidation of natural products of three soft corals and a sponge from the coast of Madagascar.

We investigated the three soft corals Sarcophyton stellatum, Capnella fungiformis and Lobophytum crassum and the sponge Pseudoceratina arabica, which have been collected at the coast of Madagascar. In addition to previously known marine natural products, S. stellatum provided the new (+)-enantiomer of the cembranoid (1E,3E,11E)-7,8-epoxycembra-1,3,11,15-tetraene (2). Capnella fungiformis afforded three new natural products, ethyl 5-[(1E,5Z)-2,6-dimethylocta-1,5,7-trienyl]furan-3-carboxylate (6), ethyl 5-[(1E,5E)-2,6-dimethylocta-1,5,7-trienyl]furan-3-carboxylate (7) and the diepoxyguaiane sesquiterpene oxyfungiformin (9a). The extracts of all three soft corals exhibited moderate activities against the malarial parasite Plasmodium falciparum. Extracts of the sponge Pseudoceratina arabica proved to be very active against a series of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.

Chemical constituents isolated from Zygophyllum melongena Bunge growing in Mongolia.

We report the first investigation of the chemical constituents of Zygophyllum melongena Bunge, a species growing in Mongolia. The quinovic acid glycosides 3-O-(ß-D-glucopyranosyl)quinovic acid and 3-O-(ß-D-glucopyranosyl)quinovic acid (28→1)-(ß-D-glucopyranosyl) ester were identified in the chloroform fraction along with the flavonoid glycoside astragalin. The n-butanol fraction contained (+)-D-pinitol as the major component, a cyclitol with anti-diabetic properties. The structures of the isolated natural products were confirmed using ESI-MS and NMR spectroscopy ((1)H, (13)C, COSY, HSQC, HMBC, NOESY and ROESY). This is the first report of the isolation of (+)-D-pinitol from the genus Zygophyllum.

Chemical constituents of the soft corals Sinularia vanderlandi and Sinularia gravis from the coast of Madagascar.

The crude extracts of the Madagascan soft corals Sinularia vanderlandi and Sinularia gravis (Alcyoniidae) showed activity against Plasmodium falciparum which led us to study their chemical constituents. The new cadinane-type sesquiterpenoid vanderlandin (1) has been obtained from S. vanderlandi along with 24-methylenecholesterol (2). Four new compounds, the spatane-type diterpenoid gravilin (3), the monoalkylmonoacylglycerol 4, the dihomoditerpenoid ketone 5, and isodecaryiol (9), along with the three known compounds (+)-(S)-geranyllinalool (6), (-)-(R)-nephthenol (7), and 11,12-epoxysarcophytol A (8) have been isolated from the methanol extract of S. gravis. The structures were elucidated based on extensive spectroscopic methods, in particular various 2D NMR techniques. The structure of isodecaryiol (9) including its absolute configuration could be confirmed by X-ray diffraction.

Brown Algae (Phaeophyceae) from the Coast of Madagascar: preliminary Bioactivity Studies and Isolation of Natural Products.

Eight species of brown algae (Phaeophyceae) from the coast of Madagascar have been investigated for their chemical constituents. Fucosterol (3) was obtained as the most abundant compound. The brown alga Sargassum ilicifolium was the source for the first isolation of the terpenoid C27-alcohol 1,1',2-trinorsqualenol (1) from marine sources. From S. incisifolium we isolated the highly unsaturated glycolipid 1-O-palmitoyl-2-O-stearidonoyl-3-O-ß-D-galactopyranosylglycerol (4) and we report the first full assignment of its (1)H and (13)C NMR data. Apo-9'-fucoxanthinone (8) along with 24-ketocholesterol (5), (22E)-3ß-hydroxycholesta-5,22-dien-24-one (6), and saringosterol (7) were obtained from Turbinaria ornata. The crude extracts of all eight species of brown algae exhibited a pronounced antimicrobial activity against the Gram-positive bacteria Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, and Streptococcus pneumoniae.

Red Algae (Rhodophyta) from the Coast of Madagascar: Preliminary Bioactivity Studies and Isolation of Natural Products.

Several species of red algae (Rhodophyta) from the coastal regions of Madagascar have been investigated for their natural products. The most abundant compound was cholesterol (5) in combination with a series of oxidized congeners. The brominated indoles 1-3 along with the sesquiterpene debilone (4) have been isolated from Laurencia complanata. For the first time, debilone (4) has been obtained from a marine plant. From the methanol extract of Calloseris sp., we have achieved the second isolation of the unusual A-ring contracted steroids (-)-2-ethoxycarbonyl-2ß-hydroxy-A-nor-cholest-5-en-4-one (9) and phorbasterone B (10). The crude extracts of Laurencia complanata exhibited antimicrobial activity against Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Candida albicans.

The first example of a one-step synthesis of 2'-O-acetyl aryl-D-glucopyranosides.

A selective acidic system for partial deacetylation of phenolic d-glucopyranosides per-acetates has been developed that allows synthesis of the corresponding 2'-O-acetyl-D-glucosides. Many disadvantages of generally used methods for preparing such mono-acyl derivatives involving multistep procedures or the use of enzymes are avoided. The ion at m/z 289 in mass spectra of their TMS derivatives indicates a particular and characteristic fragmentation pattern of these 2'-O-acetyl derivatives of d-glucopyranosides. Quantum-chemical calculations applying B3LYP/TZVP level of theory revealed the stability of 2'-O-acetyl glucopyranoside if compare with 3'-, 4'- and 6'- O-acetyl glucopyanosides.

A wax ester promotes collective host finding in the nematode Pristionchus pacificus.

Survival of nematode species depends on how successfully they disperse in the habitat and find a new host. As a new strategy for collective host finding in the nematode Pristionchus pacificus, dauer larvae synthesize an extremely long-chain polyunsaturated wax ester (nematoil) that covers the surface of the animal. The oily coat promotes congregation of up to one thousand individuals into stable 'dauer towers' that can reach a beetle host more easily.

Floral markers of cornflower (Centaurea cyanus) honey and its peroxide antibacterial activity for an alternative treatment of digital dermatitis.

Cornflower (Centaurea cyanus) honey can be characterized by a greenish yellow color and an intense flavor with a bitter aftertaste. Because cornflower honey contains only a limited amount of pollen for the verification of its floral origin, one objective was the characterization of its polyphenol and norisoprenoid contents to assign floral markers. Here, lumichrome (18.8-43.5 mg/kg), 7-carboxylumichrome, (Z/E)-3-oxo-retro-α-ionol, and 3-oxo-α-ionol appeared to be quite suitable for distinguishing cornflower honey from other unifloral honeys. Additionally, due to its comparably high hydrogen peroxide content (0.5-0.9 mM/h) and the associated antibacterial activity, cornflower honey was used as an alternative treatment of digital dermatitis on an organic dairy farm. Cows affected by this hoof disease often show severe lameness and a subsequent decline in milk yield and loss of body condition. The cows' hooves treated with cornflower honey showed significantly faster healing than the control group without any treatment.

First total synthesis of the biscarbazole alkaloid oxydimurrayafoline.

We report the first total synthesis of oxydimurrayafoline via nucleophilic substitution at the benzylic position at C-3 of the carbazole framework.

Classification and characterization of manuka honeys based on phenolic compounds and methylglyoxal.

Manuka honey from New Zealand is often considered to be a medicinal product of special value due to its high level of antimicrobial activity. Therefore, the distinct authentication of its botanical origin is of great importance. Aside from the common pollen analysis, it is in this respect particularly the analysis of the phenolic acids, flavonoids, and norisoprenoids that is described as useful. In the present study, numerous manuka honeys were analyzed by UPLC-PDA-MS/MS after solid-phase extraction and compared to other kinds of honey to define marker substances characteristic for manuka honeys. The PDA profiles obtained differed markedly from each other so that the individual honey samples could be assigned to three groups. For the honeys of group 1 the comparably high concentrations of 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, dehydrovomifoliol, and benzoic acid proved to be typical, whereas the profiles of group 2 showed high kojic acid and 2-methoxybenzoic acid intensities. The manuka honeys of group 3, on the other hand, yielded high amounts of syringic acid, 4-methoxyphenyllactic acid, and methyl syringate. Furthermore, the comprehensive comparison of manuka honeys to other unifloral honeys revealed that especially kojic acid, 5-methyl-3-furancarboxylic acid, leptosin, unedone, 2-methoxybenzoic acid, 4-methoxyphenyllactic acid, 3-hydroxy-1-(2-methoxyphenyl)penta-1,4-dione, and methyl syringate were useful for distinguishing manuka honeys from the other kinds of investigated honeys. Moreover, kojic acid, unedone, 5-methyl-3-furancarboxylic acid, 3-hydroxy-1-(2-methoxyphenyl)penta-1,4-dione, and lumichrome were identified in manuka honey for the first time.

Total synthesis of pamamycin-649B.

The first total synthesis of the macrodiolide antibiotic pamamycin-649B (1) was achieved by using sultone methodology. The diethyl substituted larger hydroxy acid fragment was constructed in a concise fashion through domino elimination/alkoxide-directed 1,6-additions of ethyllithium to sultones derived from intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction of furan-containing vinylsulfonates. Intermolecular Yamaguchi esterification of the two hydroxy acid building blocks and subsequent Yamaguchi cyclization eventually provided the target macrocycle 1. Since the final lactonization with formation of the ester linkage between C1' and the C8 oxygen proceeded with complete C2' epimerization, the more readily available C2' epimeric smaller fragment could be used to streamline the synthetic sequence.

Synthesis and photophysical properties of colloids fabricated by the layer-by-layer polyelectrolyte assembly onto Eu(III) complex as a core.

The luminescent colloids have been synthesized through the layer-by-layer assembly of poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonate) (PSS) and polyethyleneimine (PEI) onto the luminescent core. The latter has been obtained by the reprecipitation of complex Eu[(TTA)(3)1] (where TTA(-) and 1 are thenoyltrifluoroacetonate and 2-(5-chlorophenyl-2-hydroxy)-2-phenylethenyl-bis-(2-methoxyphenyl)phosphine oxide, respectively) from organic solvent to aqueous solution. The variation of Eu(III) complexes indicates the role of the complex core in the development of such core-shell colloids. Complex Eu[(TTA)(3)1] is most convenient precursor of Eu-doped luminescent nanocomposites. The fluorometric measurements at each step of the layer-by-layer polyelectrolyte assembly onto Eu[(TTA)(3)1] core, at various pHs and additives reveal the quenching of Eu-centered luminescence as a result of the interfacial interaction of the core and the dye. The AFM images and electrochemical behavior of PSS-(PEI-PSS)(n)-Eu[(TTA)(3)1] colloids deposited on the surface indicate the stability of the polyelectrolyte multilayer in the dried state.

Structural design, solid-phase synthesis and activity of membrane-anchored ß-secretase inhibitors on Aß generation from wild-type and Swedish-mutant APP.

Covalent coupling of ß-secretase inhibitors to a raftophilic lipid anchor via a suitable spacer by using solid-phase peptide synthesis leads to tripartite structures displaying substantially improved inhibition of cellular secretion of the ß-amyloid peptide (Aß). Herein, we describe a series of novel tripartite structures, their full characterization by NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry, and the analysis of their biological activity in cell-based assays. The tripartite structure concept is applicable to different pharmacophores, and the potency in terms of ß-secretase inhibition can be optimized by adjusting the spacer length to achieve an optimal distance of the inhibitor from the lipid bilayer. A tripartite structure containing a transition-state mimic inhibitor was found to be less potent on Aß generation from Swedish-mutant amyloid precursor protein (APP) than from the wild-type protein. Moreover, our observations suggest that specific variants of Aß are generated from wild-type APP but not from Swedish-mutant APP and are resistant to ß-secretase inhibition. Efficient inhibition of Aß secretion by tripartite structures in the absence of appreciable neurotoxicity was confirmed in a primary neuronal cell culture, thus further supporting the concept.

4Alpha-bromo-5alpha-cholestan-3beta-ol and nor-5alpha-cholestan-3beta-ol derivatives-stereoselective synthesis and hormonal activity in Caenorhabditis elegans.

We describe the stereoselective synthesis of 4alpha-bromo-5alpha-cholestan-3beta-ol, 21-nor-5alpha-cholestan-3beta-ol, 27-nor-5alpha-cholestan-3beta-ol and 21,27-bisnor-5alpha-cholestan-3beta-ol. In order to clarify the in vivo metabolism of cholesterol, these compounds have been used for feeding experiments in Caenorhabditis elegans. Our preliminary results provide important insights into the metabolism of cholesterol in worms.

Calcium-phosphonate interactions: solution behavior and Ca2+ binding by 2-hydroxyethylimino-bis(methylenephosphonate) studied by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy.

The tetra-acid 2-hydroxyethylimino-bis(methylenephosphonic acid) (HEIBPH, 1) and its ring condensation product, the triacid 2-hydroxy-2-oxo-4-phosphonemethyl-1,4,2-oxazaphosphorinane (2), were investigated for determination of protonation constants using (31)P, (1)H, and (13)C NMR spectroscopy in a wide pH range. As for other alpha-amino-phosphonic acids, the first protonation of 1 is straightforward and occurs at the nitrogen, while for 2 the first protonation occurs simultaneously at the exo phosphonate group, allowing estimation of the microscopic protonation constants. The complexation of Ca(2+) with 1 in a 1:1 molar ratio in aqueous solutions and in the presence of a 5-fold excess Na(+) is rationalized by the products LCaH(2), LCaH, LCaNaH, LCa, and LCa(2) (L = 1). Only the phosphonate groups are involved in Ca(2+) binding at pH > 3, while the phosphonate, hydroxyl, and amine functionalities coordinate to Ca(2+) at pH > 6-7, as soon as the proton at N is lost. Probable conformation states of ions of 1 and 2 are estimated by means of the dependence of vicinal coupling constants (3)J(HH) and (3)J(PC) from dihedral angles.

Staudinger reaction at in-bridgehead positions of phosphorus macrobicyclic compounds.

Reaction of in,in-phosphite 1 with thiophosphoryl azide 2 affords in,in-dithiophosphate 3, in,in-thiophosphate-imidophosphate 4, and in,in-phosphite-imidophosphate 5. Compounds 4 and 5 are the first examples of the modification of in-bridgehead positions in macrobicyclic compounds with groups larger than methyl. The benzaldehyde arms of the in-substituent in 4 and 5 jut out of the cage bars. In 4 they are trapped between the macrocyclic arms to give the NMR spectra of a Cs-symmetric solution-state structure. In contrast, in 5 the benzaldehyde arms can move between the gaps of the cage. This results in 1H and 13C NMR spectra which are consistent for a compound with C3v symmetry. In,out-diimidophosphate 7 is obtained in moderate yield by reaction of in,out-phosphite 6 with thiophosphoryl azide 2. Its in-benzaldehyde moieties are not fixed between the cage arms, but can freely move from one gap to the next as is indicated by NMR measurements.