Phenylacetylene-bearing 3,4-seco-cleistanthane diterpenoids from the roots of Phyllanthus glaucus.

Three new cleistanthane diterpenoids, phyllanglins A-C (1-3), a new natural product, 4-acetyl-bergenin (4), and three known compounds (5-7) were isolated from the roots of Phyllanthus glaucus. Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic data analyses and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Phyllanglins A-C were unusual cleistanthane diterpenoids with phenylacetylene moieties, and a plausible biogenetic pathway was proposed to discuss the origins of them. All of the isolates were evaluated for their anti-inflammatory activities.

Effective Acetylene/Ethylene Separation at Ambient Conditions by a Pigment-Based Covalent-Triazine Framework.

A novel covalent-triazine framework (CTF-PO71) is designed and prepared from an organic pigment molecule for high-performance gas separation. The functional sites with different electrostatic potentials on the pore surface of CTF-PO71 demonstrate a strong interaction between C2 H2 and CTF-PO71 to achieve preferential adsorption of C2 H2 over C2 H4 , thus enabling effective capture of a trace amount of C2 H2 from the gas mixture. This is the first organic porous polymer that is capable of separating C2 H2 and C2 H4 . The commercial availability and the low cost of the pigment as well as the high stability of the resultant framework endow CTF-PO71 with a significant potential for practical applications.

Polymer Soft-Landing Isolation of Acetylene on Polystyrene and Poly(vinylpyridine): A Novel Approach to Probing Hydrogen Bonding in Polymers.

Hydrogen-bonded complexes of acetylene (Ac) with the polymers polystyrene (PS), poly(4-vinylpyridine) (P4VP), and poly(2-vinylpyridine) (P2VP) have been characterized for the first time at 16 K in a "polymer soft-landing isolation" experiment which is being pioneered in our research laboratory. In particular, changes in vibrational modes of Ac provide ample evidence for hydrogen-bonded complexes between Ac and the phenyl groups of PS or the pyridyl groups of P4VP and P2VP. With PS, the proton on the top Ac molecule of the classic T-shaped Ac dimer interacts with the π cloud of the benzene (Bz) ring to form a C-H---π interaction, while the π cloud of the lower Ac forms a second C-H---π interaction with a proton on the Bz ring. An analogous (ring)1-(Ac)2 double interaction occurs between an Ac dimer and the pyridine (Pyr) rings on both P2VP and P4VP, yielding a C-H---N and C-H---π interaction. With P4VP and P2VP a second bridged (ring)2-(Ac)2 product is formed, with the Ac dimer forming nearly collinear C-H---N hydrogen bonds to adjacent Pyr rings. On P2VP this bridged product is the only one after extensive annealing. These complexes in which Ac acts as both proton donor and acceptor have not previously been observed in conventional matrix isolation experiments. This study is the second from our laboratory employing this method, which represents a slight modification of the traditional matrix isolation technique.

A phenolic derivative and two diacetylenes from Symphyotrichum subulatum.

A pytochemical study on the constituents of the roots of Symphyotrichum subulatum led to the isolation of three new compounds including two diacetylenes, asterynes A (1) and B (2), and (E)-4-(3-acetoxyprop-1-enyl)-2-methoxyphenyl (S)-2-methylbutanoate (3) along with twelve known compounds. Their structures were elucidated with spectroscopic analyses. Compound 3 showed anti-inflammatory activity on LPS-induced NO production with an EC50 value of 15.0 µM.

Synthesis of stable and soluble one-handed helical homopoly(substituted acetylene)s without the coexistence of any other chiral moieties via two-step polymer reactions in membrane state: molecular design of the starting monomer.

A soluble and stable one-handed helical poly(substituted phenylacetylene) without the coexistence of any other chiral moieties was successfully synthesized by asymmetric-induced polymerization of a chiral monomer followed by two-step polymer reactions in membrane state: (1) removing the chiral groups (desubstitution); and (2) introduction of achiral long alkyl groups at the same position as the desubstitution to enhance the solubility of the resulting one-handed helical polymer (resubstitution). The starting chiral monomer should have four characteristic substituents: (i) a chiral group bonded to an easily hydrolyzed spacer group; (ii) two hydroxyl groups; (iii) a long rigid hydrophobic spacer between the chiral group and the polymerizing group; (iv) a long achiral group near the chiral group. As spacer group a carbonate ester was selected. The two hydroxyl groups formed intramolecular hydrogen bonds stabilizing a one-handed helical structure in solution before and after the two-step polymer reactions in membrane state. The rigid long hydrophobic spacer, a phenylethynylphenyl group, enhanced the solubility of the starting polymer, and realized effective chiral induction from the chiral side groups to the main chain in the asymmetric-induced polymerization. The long alkyl group near the chiral group avoided shrinkage of the membrane and kept the reactivity of resubstitution in membrane state after removing the chiral groups. The g value (g = ([θ]/3,300)/ε) for the CD signal assigned to the main chain in the obtained final polymer was almost the same as that of the starting polymer in spite of the absence of any other chiral moieties. Moreover, since the one-handed helical structure was maintained by the intramolecular hydrogen bonds in a solution, direct observation of the one-handed helicity of the final homopolymer has been realized in CD for the solution for the first time.

An acetylenic alkaloid from the calcareous sponge Leucetta sp.

A new acetylenic alkaloid was isolated from the sponge Leucetta sp. The structure was established by analyzing spectroscopic data. The alkaloid showed cytotoxicity IC50 2.5 µg/mL against NBT-T2 cells.

Acetylene compound isolated from Atractylodes japonica stimulates the contractility of rat distal colon via inhibiting the nitrergic-purinergic relaxation.

AIM OF THE STUDY: Our previous research has showed that rhizome of Atractylodes japonica Koidz (Compositae) exhibits an increase in the spontaneous contractility of distal colon in rats. The aims of this study are to identify the phytochemical(s), which stimulate(s) the colonic contractility, contained in Atractylodes japonica and to evaluate the pharmacological mechanism responsible for the colonic muscle contraction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Based on the stimulatory activity-guided fractionation on the isometric contraction of rat distal colonic strips, atractylodiol (ATD) and diacetyl-atractylodiol (DATD) were isolated from the CHCl(3) fractions of Atractylodes japonica. RESULTS: ATD and DATD dose-dependently increased both tension and amplitude of distal colon longitudinal muscle (DCLM), but they stimulated only amplitude in the distal colon circular muscle. The ED(50) values of ATD and DATD to stimulate the amplitude of DCLM were revealed as 9.1×10(-9)M and 1.8×10(-8)M, respectively. l-NAME (0.1mM) significantly increased the ADT (1µM)-induced contraction of DCLM, whereas SNAP (0.1mM) markedly reduced the stimulatory effects of ATD on DCLM contractility. The combined effects of SNAP and atropine (0.5µM) on the ATD-induced contraction of DCLM were similar to the inhibitory effects of SNAP alone. Suramin (0.1mM) significantly enhanced the increase of ATD-induced DCLM contraction, whereas ADPßS (0.1mM) markedly abolished the stimulatory effects of ATD on the spontaneous contractility of DCLM. CONCLUSIONS: The present results demonstrate that acetylene compounds, ATD and DATD, are the effective phytochemical of Atractylodes japonica to stimulate the motility of distal colon in rats, and ATD possibly enhances the spontaneous contractility of distal colon through inhibiting the mechanism of nitrergic-purinergic relaxation.

Polyacetylene diols with antiproliferative and driving Th1 polarization effects from the marine sponge Callyspongia sp.

A screening of 30 crude extracts of marine sponges against human promyelocytic leukemia cells (HL-60) yielded an EtOAc extract of the sponge Callyspongia sp. (Callyspongiidae) with significant activity. Further bioassay-guided fractionation of the EtOAc extract led to the isolation of three polyacetylene metabolites: a new polyacetylene diol, callyspongidiol (1), along with two known compounds, siphonodiol (2) and 14,15-dihydrosiphonodiol (3). Their structures were determined by a combination of spectroscopic analyses. Compounds 1-3 exhibited antiproliferative activity against HL-60 with IC(50) values of 6.5, 2.8, and 6.5 microg/ml, respectively. These metabolites induce apoptosis in HL-60 cells. Dendritic cells (DC) differentiated with 1-3 enhance the differentiation of naïve T cells towards the Th1 type.

Acetylenic fatty acids, triglyceride and triterpenes from the leaves of Hymenodictyon excelsum.

Two new acetylenic fatty acids (1, 2), a new triglyceride (3), along with eleven known compounds including 3-oxo-11alpha,12alpha-epoxyurs-13beta,28-olide (4) previously reported as a synthetic compound, have been isolated from the leaves of Hymenodictyon excelsum. The structural identification was established from spectroscopic data.

Differential regulation of DC function by Siphonodiol.

Siphonodiol is a polyacetylene diol isolated from marine sponges Callyspongia sp. We demonstrate that the effect of Siphonodiol on the phenotypic and functional maturation of human monocyte derived DC in vitro. Human monocytes were exposed to Siphonodiol alone, or in combination with LPS and thereafter co-cultured with naïve T cells. The expression levels of CD1a, CD80, CD83, CD86 and HLA-DR on LPS-primed DC were partially enhanced by Siphonodiol. Siphonodiol augmented the T cell stimulatory capacity in an allo MLR to LPS-primed DC. Siphonodiol dose-dependently enhanced the production of IL-12p70 by LPS-primed DC and this cytokine production was inhibited by anti-TLR4 mAb. IFN-gamma secretion from naive T cells co-cultured with DC differentiated with LPS was augmented by Siphonodiol. These results suggest that the enhancement of Th1 cells polarization to LPS-primed DC induced by Siphonodiol depends on TLR4 and via the activation of IL-12p70.

Nematicidal activities of acetylene compounds from Coreopsis lanceolata L.

1-Phenylhepta-1,3,5-triyne (1), 5-phenyl-2-(1'-propynyl)-thiophene (2), and 2-(3'-acetoxy-1'-propynyl)-5-phenylthiophene (3) were isolated from Coreopsis lanceolata L., and their structures identified by spectroscopic methods. Compounds 1 and 2 showed effective nematicidal activities against Bursaphelenchus xylophilus and Caenorhabditis elegans, but had hardly any effect against Pratylenchus penetrans. Compound 3 did not show any effective nematicidal activity.

Fast CE for combinatorial catalysis.

Two solvent-modified MEKC methods were developed for the quantitative analysis of heterocyclic amines synthesised using intramolecular ring closure via catalysed hydroamination. The first method was capable of resolving six of the amines (precursors and products) with a sample-to-sample injection time of 2 min employing a 20 mM borate buffer, pH 9.2 with 20 mM SDS and 5% v/v n-butanol (n-BuOH). A second low-pH method using 20 mM phosphate buffer, 100 mm SDS, 5% v/v n-BuOH and 20% v/v iso-propanol (i-PrOH) was able to resolve an additional pair of compounds with a sample-to-sample time of 3.5 min. Application of the first method to the analysis of a sample containing catalyst as well as amines placed directly in a 96-well plate showed excellent performance, with migration time and peak height and area reproducibility being less than 0.9 and 9.6%, respectively. The quantity of conversion by catalyst was calculated to be 68 +/- 7%, which was in excellent agreement with the 67 +/- 5% obtained by more conventional (1)H NMR experiments, with the added advantage that this method is also cheaper, quicker and more amendable to high-throughput screening of combinatorial libraries.

New acetylenic glucosides from Carthamus tinctorius.

Two new acetylenic glucosides, 4',6'-acetonide-8Z-decaene-4,6-diyne-1-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside named carthamoside A(1) (1) and 4,6-decadiyne-1-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside named carthamoside A(2) (2), along with one known acetylenic glucoside, 8Z-decaene-4,6-diyne-1-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (3), have been isolated from the air-dried flower of Carthamus tinctorius, these structures have been identified on the basis of spectroscopic methods.

Structure-activity relationship of acetylenes from galls of Hedera rhombea as plant growth inhibitors.

The structure-activity relationship of 12 isolated acetylenes from galls of Hedera rhombea (Araliaceae) induced by Asphondylia sp. (Cecidomyiidae) and their derivatives has been studied for the inhibition of the shoot and root growth of rice, perennial ryegrass, cockscomb, lettuce, and cress. Almost all acetylenes generally showed growth inhibitory activity. The diacetylenes exhibited higher activity than the monoacetylenes, suggesting that a conjugated diyne segment is essential for the activity. On the other hand, the acetylenes with a nonoxidated methylene group at C-8 showed stronger activity comparing with those possessing hydroxy and acetoxy groups at C-8. Furthermore, it has been demonstrated that the acetylenes bearing a terminal olefinic group at C-16, C-17 enhanced the activity. It is thus clarified that important sites for the activity of the acetylenes from galls of H. rhombea are a conjugated diyne and a terminal olefinic group connecting to the aliphatic chain and that less oxidated compounds show more activity.

Isolation and structure elucidation of cytotoxic polyacetylenes and polyenes from Echinacea pallida.

Bioassay-guided fractionation of n-hexane extracts of Echinacea pallida (Asteraceae) roots led to the isolation and structure elucidation of two polyacetylenes (1, 3) and three polyenes (2, 4, 5). Two are known hydroxylated compounds, namely 8-hydroxy-pentadeca-(9E)-ene-11,13-diyn-2-one (1) and 8-hydroxy-pentadeca-(9E,13Z)-dien-11-yn-2-one (2). Two dicarbonylic constituents, namely pentadeca-(9E)-ene-11,13-diyne-2,8-dione (3) and pentadeca-(9E,13Z)-dien-11-yne-2,8-dione (4), were isolated and characterized for the first time. Furthermore, the structure elucidation of pentadeca-(8Z,13Z)-dien-11-yn-2-one (5) is described. The structure of the compounds isolated was determined on the basis of UV, IR, NMR (including 1D and 2D NMR experiments, such as 1H-1H gCOSY, gHSQC-DEPT, gHMBC, gNOESY) and MS spectroscopic data. The cytotoxic activity of the isolated constituents against MIA PaCa-2 human pancreatic adenocarcinoma cells was evaluated in the concentration range 1-100 microg/ml. Results show that the hydroxylated compounds (1, 2) have low cytotoxicity, while the more hydrophobic polyacetylenes (3) and polyenes (4, 5) displayed moderate activity.

Bioactive polyacetylenes in food plants of the Apiaceae family: occurrence, bioactivity and analysis.

Many bioactive compounds with known effects on human physiology and disease have been identified through studies of plants used in traditional medicine. Some of these substances occur also in common food plants, and hence could play a significant role in relation to human health. Food plants of the Apiaceae plant family such as carrots, celery and parsley, contain a group of bioactive aliphatic C17-polyacetylenes. These polyacetylenes have shown to be highly toxic towards fungi, bacteria, and mammalian cells, and to display neurotoxic, anti-inflammatory and anti-platelet-aggregatory effects and to be responsible for allergic skin reactions. The effect of these polyacetylenes towards human cancer cells, their human bioavailability and their ability to reduce tumour formation in a mammalian in vivo model indicates that they may also provide benefits for health. The present state of knowledge on the occurrence of polyacetylenes in Apiaceae food plants, their biochemistry and bioactivity is presented in this review as well as relatively new methods for the isolation and quantification of these compounds from plants, plant products and biological fluids.

Acetylenic strongylodiols from a Petrosia (Strongylophora) Okinawan marine sponge.

Seven new long-chain acetylenic alcohols, strongylodiols D-J, were isolated from an Okinawan marine sponge of the genus Petrosia (Strongylophora). The structures of these compounds were elucidated on the basis of the results of spectroscopic analysis and chemical reaction. Analysis of the MNA esters of the acetylenic alcohols disclosed that these compounds were each an enantiomeric mixture in a different ratio.

Polyacetylenic compounds, ACAT inhibitors from the roots of Panax ginseng.

Acyl-CoA: cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT), which plays a role in the absorption, storage, and production of cholesterol, has been explored as a potential target for pharmacological intervention of hyperlipidemia and atherosclerotic disease. In our search for ACAT inhibitors from natural sources, the petroleum ether extract of Panax ginseng showed moderate inhibition of ACAT enzyme from rat liver microsomes. Bioactivity-guided fractionations led to the isolation of one new polyacetylenic compound, (9R,10S)-epoxy-16-heptadecene-4, 6-diyne-3-one (1), in addition to the previously reported polyacetylenic compounds 2 and 3. Their chemical structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic evidence (UV, IR, NMR, and MS). The compounds 1, 2, and 3 showed significant ACAT inhibition with IC(50) values of 35, 47, and 21 microM, respectively.

A new acetylenic ketone from the bark of Litsea rotundifolia var. oblongifolia.

A new acetylenic ketone isolated from the bark of Litsea rotundifolia var. oblongifolia has been characterized as 13-tetradecyn-2-one on the basis of detailed spectroscopic analysis and comparison with related model compounds. Four known related lipids have also been isolated from this plant.

A new ene-triyne antibiotic from the fungus Baeospora myosura.

The isolation and structure elucidation of 1 from the Basidomycete fungus Baeospora myosura is described. This new ene-triyne antibiotic was most potent against Gram-positive bacteria, while it was less active against Gram-negative bacteria and a yeast. MICs against several strains of Staphylococcus aureus were as low as 0.001 microg/mL. Analogues of 1 that did not contain the ene-triyne moiety were inactive against all microorganisms tested. The isolation of this new natural product was complicated by the highly reactive nature of the conjugated terminal polyacetylene.