Discovery of Natural Potent HMG-CoA Reductase Degraders for Lowering Cholesterol.

Exploitation of key protected wild plant resources makes great sense, but their limited populations become the major barrier. A particular strategy for breaking this barrier was inspired by the exploration of a resource-saving fungal endophyte Penicillium sp. DG23, which inhabits the key protected wild plant Schisandra macrocarpa. Chemical studies on the cultures of this strain afforded eight novel indole diterpenoids, schipenindolenes A-H (1-8), belonging to six diverse skeleton types. Importantly, semisyntheses suggested some key nonenzymatic reactions constructing these molecules and provided targeted compounds, in particular schipenindolene A (Spid A, 1) with low natural abundance. Remarkably, Spid A was the most potent HMG-CoA reductase (HMGCR) degrader among the indole diterpenoid family. It degraded statin-induced accumulation of HMGCR protein, decreased cholesterol levels and acted synergistically with statin to further lower cholesterol. Mechanistically, transcriptomic and proteomic profiling suggested that Spid A potentially activated the endoplasmic reticulum-associated degradation (ERAD) pathway to enhance the degradation of HMGCR, while simultaneously inhibiting the statin-activated expression of many key enzymes in the cholesterol and fatty acid synthesis pathways, thereby strengthening the efficacy of statins and potentially reducing the side effects of statins. Collectively, this study suggests the potential of Spid A for treating cardiovascular disease.

Structurally diverse spirocyclic polycyclic polyprenylated acylphloroglucinols from Hypericum ascyron Linn. and their anti-tumor activity.

Ten spirocyclic polycyclic polyprenylated acylphloroglucinols (PPAP), hunascynols A-J (1-10), and 12 known analogs were isolated from the aerial parts of Hypericum ascyron Linn. Compounds 1 and 2, which share a 1,2-seco-spirocyclic PPAP skeleton, could be derived from spirocyclic PPAP, with a common octahydrospiro[cyclohexan-1,5'-indene]-2,4,6-trione core, through a cascade of Retro-Claisen, keto-enol tautomerism, and esterification reactions. Aldolization of normal spirocyclic PPAP yielded 3, which has a caged framework with a 6/5/6/5/6 ring system. The structures of these compounds were determined using spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. The inhibitory activities of all isolates were tested in three human cancer cell lines and a zebrafish model. Compounds 1 and 2 displayed moderate cytotoxicity against HCT116 cells (IC50 6.87 and 9.86 µM, respectively). The mechanisms of these compounds were evaluated using Western blot assays. Compounds 3 and 5 inhibited the growth of sub-intestinal vessels in zebrafish embryos. Further, the target genes were screened using real-time PCR.

Cyclobutane-Containing Meroditerpenoids, (+)-Isoscopariusins B and C: Structure Elucidation and Biomimetic Synthesis.

(+)-Isoscopariusins B (1) and C (2), two meroditerpenoids containing a 6/6/4 tricyclic carbon skeleton and seven continuous stereocenters, were identified from Isodon scoparius. The structures were determined by nuclear magnetic resonance analysis and concise biomimetic syntheses from readily available alkene 5 in seven and six steps, respectively. An intermolecular [2+2] photocycloaddition with cooperative catalysis of a Lewis acid and an Ir photocatalyst was used to construct a cyclobutane core with four stereogenic centers.

Carascynol A, a hybrid of caryophyllane-type terpenoid and a C6 unit degraded by polyprenylated acylphloroglucinols from Hypericum ascyron.

Carascynol A, an unprecedented 4/9/8 ring system hybrid with a peroxide bridge, was characterized from Hypericum ascyron. The architecture contains a caryophyllane-type moiety and a C6 unit derived from polyprenylated acylphloroglucinols. Its structure and absolute configuration were determined by comprehensive spectroscopic and X-ray diffraction data. Biologically, compound 1 inhibited cell proliferation in LoVo, SW480, and HCT116 cell lines (IC50 = 12.30-24.57 µM).

Isolation and Bioinspired Total Synthesis of Rugosiformisin A, A Skeleton-Rearranged Abietane-Type Diterpenoid from Isodon rugosiformis.

Rugosiformisin A, a skeleton-rearranged abietane-type diterpenoid with a spiro[4.5]decane motif, was isolated from Isodon rugosiformis. Its structure was unambiguously established via NMR spectroscopic analysis and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. A bioinspired asymmetric synthesis of rugosiformisin A was achieved in 15 steps with 2.7% overall yield. The synthesis features an iridium-catalyzed asymmetric polyene cyclization and a semipinacol rearrangement.

Scopariusicides D-M, ent-clerodane-based isomeric meroditerpenoids with a cyclobutane-fused γ/δ-lactone core from Isodon scoparius.

Scopariusicides D-M (1-10), ten new ent-clerodane-based meroditerpenoids with a cyclobutane-fused γ/δ-lactone core, were isolated from Isodon scoparius. Their structures were determined by comprehensive analysis of spectroscopic data, single-crystal X-ray diffraction, chemical transformation, and TDDFT ECD calculation. A plausible biosynthetic pathway of 1-10 was proposed in which the asymmetrical cyclobutane ring was formed via a crossed "head-to-tail" intermolecular [2 + 2] cycloaddition in anti/syn facial approaches between an ent-clerodane lactone and a cis-4-hydroxycinnamic acid. Bioactivity evaluation manifested that 5 exhibited significant neuroprotective effect against corticosterone-induced injury in PC12 cells, while 6 and 7 exhibited moderate immunosuppressive activity against human T cell proliferation stimulated by anti-CD3/anti-CD28 mAb.

Spiro ent-Clerodane Dimers: Discovery and Green Approaches for a Scalable Biomimetic Synthesis.

Scospirosins A (1) and B (2), two unprecedented spiro ent-clerodane dimers with 6/6/10/6 and 6/6/6/6/6 ring systems, respectively, were isolated from Isodon scoparius. Their structures were unambiguously established by spectroscopic, X-ray crystallographic, and chemical approaches. A bioinspired protecting-group-free strategy for their synthesis was achieved on a gram scale and featured the application of green methods, including neat reaction, sensitized photooxygenation, and electrochemical oxidation. 2 exhibited selective immunosuppressive activity against the proliferation of T lymphocytes (IC50 = 1.42 µM).

ent-Kaurane-Based Diterpenoids, Dimers, and Meroditerpenoids from Isodon xerophilus.

Eight new diterpenoids (1-8) with varied structures were isolated from the aerial parts of Isodon xerophilus. Among them, xerophilsin A (1) was found to be an unusual meroditerpenoid representing a hybrid of an ent-kauranoid and a long-chain aliphatic ester, xerophilsins B-D (2-4) are dimeric ent-kauranoids, while xerophilsins E-H (5-8) are new ent-kauranoids. The structures of 1-8 were elucidated mainly through the analyses of their spectroscopic data. The absolute configurations of 2, 6, and 8 were confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, and the configuration of C-16 in 7 was established through quantum chemical calculation of NMR chemical shifts, as well as modeling of key interproton distances. Bioactivity evaluation of all isolated compounds revealed that 2, 3, and 5 inhibited NO production in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells.

Structural determination of eleven new preschisanartane-type schinortriterpenoids from two Schisandra species and structural revision of preschisanartanin J using NMR computation method.

Nineteen preschisanartane-type schinortriterpenoids (SNTs), among which eleven ones were previously undescribed, were isolated from two Schisandra species, S. sphaerandra and S. rubriflora. Their structures were determined using 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic analyses, NMR data comparison, quantum chemical calculation of NMR parameters, electronic circular dichroism (ECD), X-ray single crystal diffraction, and chemical derivation. Furthermore, structural re-examination of a few previously reported preschisanartane-type SNTs led to the structural revision of preschisanartanin J. Besides, it is suggested that the reported structures of arisanlactone D and schilancidilactone W should be re-checked. Finally, a few isolated SNTs were found to possess neurite outgrowth-promoting activities, and protective activities against neural injuries.

Isoscoparins R and S, two new ent-clerodane diterpenoids from Isodon scoparius.

Two new ent-clerodane diterpenoids, named isoscoparins R and S (1 and 2), were isolated from the aerial parts of Isodon scoparius. Their structures were characterized mainly by analyzing the NMR and HRESIMS data, and the relative configuration of compound 1 was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Compound 2 showed weak activity as an autophagic inhibitor.

Secondary Metabolites from the Endophytic Fungus Xylaria sp. hg1009.

A detailed chemical investigation of the secondary metabolites produced by the endophytic fungus Xylaria sp. isolated from the stems of Isodon sculponeatus afforded six new compounds, xylariahgins A-F (1-6), two new natural products (7 and 8), along with two known compounds (9 and 10) (Fig. 1). The structures of all compounds were unambiguously established by analyzing their spectroscopic data or referring to pertinent literature. Compounds 1-8 were tested for their cytotoxic activity against five human tumor cell lines.

Five new schinortriterpenoids from Schisandra propinqua var. propinqua.

Five new schinortriterpenoids, propinqtrilactones A and B (1 and 2) with rare lancischiartane scaffold, and propindilactones V-X (3-5), were isolated from the stems and leaves of Schisandra propinqua var. propinqua. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of comprehensive spectroscopic and mass spectrometric analysis. The absolute configurations of 1-5 were determined by CD methods, X-ray diffraction analysis and theoretical calculations. 4 was tested for its cytotoxic activities against five human tumor cell lines.

7α,20-Epoxy-ent-kaurane Diterpenoids from the Aerial Parts of Isodon pharicus.

A phytochemical investigation of an ethyl acetate extract of the aerial parts of Isodon pharicus led to the isolation of 21 new 7α,20-epoxy-ent-kaurane diterpenoids, pharicins C-W (1-21), and 29 known (22-50) analogues. The structural characterization of 1-21 and assignment of their relative configurations were accomplished by spectroscopic data interpretation, while the structures of 1 and 16 were confirmed by X-ray crystallography. The absolute stereostructure of 1 was confirmed by electronic circular dichroism data analysis. Twenty-five of the diterpenoids were screened for their cytotoxic activities against a panel of tumor cell lines, including HL-60, SMMC-7721, A-549, MCF-7, and SW-480. Compounds 11, 16, 38, and 48 exhibited inhibitory activities against these tumor cell lines with IC50 values ranging from 1.01 to 9.62 µM, while 2, 15, 29, and 47 exhibited moderate cytotoxic potency.

Gypmacrophin A, a Rare Pentacyclic Sesterterpenoid, Together with Three Depsides, Functioned as New Chemical Evidence for Gypsoplaca macrophylla (Zahlbr.) Timdal Identification.

The phytochemical investigation on 1 g of materials from Gypsoplacamacrophylla (Zahlbr.) Timdal resulted in the discovery of gypmacrophin A, a rare pentacyclic sesterterpenoid; brialmontin III, a new polysubstituted depside and two known ones, brialmontins I and II. The structure and absolute configurations of gypmacrophin A were elucidated by spectroscopic analyses and computational methods. Gypmacrophin A showed weak inhibition of AchE with an IC50 value of 32.03 µM. The four compounds provided new chemical evidence for G. macrophylla identification.

Structurally Diverse Diterpenoids from Isodon scoparius and Their Bioactivity.

Fourteen new diterpenoids (1-14) based on four skeletal types and two known analogues (15 and 16) were isolated from the aerial parts of Isodon scoparius. Compound 2 is the first ent-kaurane diterpenoid featuring a 1,11-ether bridge, and the structures of these new compounds were established mainly by NMR and MS methods. The absolute configurations of 1 and 5 and the relative configuration of 3 were determined using single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The absolute configuration of 14 was determined by comparison of the experimental and calculated electronic circular dichroism spectra. Compounds 1, 4, and 15 were active against five human tumor cell lines (HL-60, SMMC-7721, A-549, MCF-7, and SW-480), and they also inhibited NO production in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells, with IC50 values of 1.0, 3.1, and 1.8 µM, respectively.

Ent-Abietanoids Isolated from Isodon serra.

Four new ent-abietane diterpenoids, along with four known ones were isolated from the aerial parts of Isodon serra, a traditional Chinese folk medicine. The new diterpenoids were named as serrin K (1), xerophilusin XVII (2), and enanderianins Q and R (3 and 4), while the known ones were identified as rubescansin J (5), (3α,14ß)-3,18-[(1-methylethane-1,1-diyl)dioxy]-ent-abieta-7,15(17)-diene-14,16-diol (6), xerophilusin XIV (7), and enanderianin P (8), respectively. Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analysis and comparison with the literature. Compound 1 showed remarkable inhibitory activity towards NO production in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells (IC50 = 1.8 µM) and weak cytotoxicity towards five human tumor cell lines (HL-60, SMMC-7721, A-549, MCF-7, SW480).

Scopariusicides, Novel Unsymmetrical Cyclobutanes: Structural Elucidation and Concise Synthesis by a Combination of Intermolecular [2 + 2] Cycloaddition and C-H Functionalization.

Scopariusicides A (1) and B (2), two novel immunosuppressive unsymmetrical cyclobutane derivatives, were isolated from the aerial parts of Isodon scoparius. Moreover, based on the results of phytochemical investigation, a concise stereocontrolled synthesis of scopariusicide A and its analogues with enhanced biological activities was efficiently achieved using the main diterpenoid (3) isolated from this plant as a readily available starting material. A crossed intermolecular [2 + 2] photocycloaddition and a Pd-catalyzed sp(3) C-H bond ß-arylation were used synergistically to access the highly congested unsymmetrical cyclobutane core with four contiguous stereocenters.