Triterpenes and steroids from the leaves of Aglaia exima (Meliaceae).

A study on the leaves of Aglaia exima led to the isolation of one new and seven known compounds: six triterpenoids and two steroids. Their structures were elucidated and analyzed mainly by using spectroscopic methods; 1D and 2D NMR, mass spectrometry, UV spectrometry and X-ray. All the triterpenoids and steroids were measured in vitro for their cytotoxic activities against eight cancer cell lines; lung (A549), prostate (DU-145), skin (SK-MEL-5), pancreatic (BxPC-3), liver (Hep G2), colon (HT-29), breast (MCF-7) and (MDA-MB-231). The new cycloartane triterpenoid, 24(E)-cycloart-24-ene-26-ol-3-one 1, showed potent cytotoxic activity against colon (HT-29) cancer cell line (IC(50) 11.5µM).

Naucline, a new indole alkaloid from the bark of Nauclea officinalis.

A new indole alkaloid, naucline (1) together with four known alkaloids, angustine (2), angustidine (3), nauclefine (4) and naucletine (5), were isolated from the bark of Nauclea officinalis. The structures of all isolated compounds were elucidated with various spectroscopic methods such as 1D- and 2D- NMR, IR, UV and LCMS-IT-TOF. In addition to that of alkaloid 1, the complete 13C-NMR data of naucletine (5) were also reported. Naucline (1) showed a moderate vasorelaxant activity (90% relaxation at 1 × 10(-5) M) whereas, angustine (2), nauclefine (4), and naucletine (5) showed potent vasorelaxant activity (more than 90% relaxation at 1 × 10(-5) M) on an isolated rat aorta.

A triclinic polymorph of (E)-2-(1-hy-droxy-3-phenyl-prop-2-en-1-yl-idene)-4,5-dimeth-oxy-cyclo-pent-4-ene-1,3-dione.

The title compound, C(16)H(14)O(5), is a triclinic polymorph of a previously reported monoclinic structure [Hosseinzadeh et al. (2011 ▶). Acta Cryst. E67, o1544]. The mol-ecule is roughly planar, the r.m.s. deviation from the least-squares plane of all non-H atoms being 0.092 Å. In the crystal, adjacent mol-ecules are linked through C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds into an infinite two-dimensional network parallel to (011). The layers are further connected via C-H⋯π inter-actions, forming a three-dimensional structure. Intra-molecular O-H⋯O and C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds are also observed.

Anti-acetylcholinesterase, anti-α-glucosidase, anti-leishmanial and anti-fungal activities of chemical constituents of Beilschmiedia species.

Phytochemical investigation of Beilschmiedia alloiophylla has resulted in the isolation of one new alkaloid, 2-hydroxy-9-methoxyaporphine (1), and ten known natural products, laurotetanine (2), liriodenine (3), boldine (4), secoboldine (5), isoboldine (6), asimilobine (7), oreobeiline (8), 6-epioreobeiline (9), ß-amyrone (10), and (S)-3-methoxynordomesticine (11). Chemical studies on the bark of B. kunstleri afforded compounds 2 and 4 along with one bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloid, N-dimethylphyllocryptine (12). Structures of compounds 1-12 were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic methods. All of these isolates were evaluated for their anti-acetylcholinesterase (AChE), anti-α-glucosidase, anti-leishmanial and anti-fungal activities. Compounds 1-12 exhibited strong to moderate bioactivities in aforementioned bioassays.

Vasorelaxant effect of isoquinoline derivatives from two species of Popowia perakensis and Phaeanthus crassipetalus on rat aortic artery.

Five bisbenzyl isoquinolines (1-5), three benzyl isoquinolines (6-8), four isoquinoline alkaloids (9-12), and two unclassified compounds (13 and 14) from Popowia perakensis and Phaeanthus crassipetalus were evaluated for their vasorelaxant effect on rat aortic arteries. In aortic rings pre-contracted with phenylephrine (PE, 0.3 µM), some of the bisbenzyl isoquinoline alkaloids, benzyl isoquinoline alkaloids, and isoquinoline alkaloids showed clearly vasorelaxant effects at 30 µM. The action of (-)-limacine (4) was deduced to be mediated through the increased release of NO from endothelial cells, and that of pecrassipine A (7) and backebergine (12) partly mediated by NO release. Further, the action of pecrassipine A (7) and backebergine (12) may be attributed to their inhibition of the voltage-dependent Ca(2+) channel and receptor-operated Ca(2+) channel.

(+)-Kunstlerone, a new antioxidant neolignan from the Leaves of Beilschmiedia kunstleri gamble.

A new neolignan, 3,4-dimethoxy-3',4'-methylenedioxy-2,9-epoxy-6,7-cyclo-1,8-neolign-11-en-5(5H)-one, which has been named (+)-kunstlerone (1), together with six known alkaloids: (+)-norboldine (2), (+)-N-methylisococlaurine (3), (+)-cassythicine (4), (+)-laurotetanine (5), (+)-boldine (6) and (-)-pallidine (7), were isolated from the leaves of Beilschmiedia kunstleri. The structures were established through various spectroscopic methods notably 1D- and 2D-NMR, UV, IR and LCMS-IT-TOF. (+)- Kunstlerone (1) showed a strong antioxidant activity, with an SC(50) of 20.0 µg/mL.

1-(1-Hy-droxy-eth-yl)-7,8-dihydro-indolo[2,3-a]pyridine-[3,4-g]quinolizin-5(13H)-one (angustoline) monohydrate from Nauclea subdita (Rubiaceae).

THE TITLE COMPOUND (TRIVIAL NAME: angustoline monohydrate), C(20)H(17)N(3)O(2)·H(2)O, features a fused-ring system formed by one five- and four six-membered rings. The nearly planar benzimidazole portion (r.m.s. deviation = 0.008 Å) and the nearly planar 2,7-naphthyridin-1-one portion (r.m.s. deviation = 0.022 Å) of the fused-ring system are slightly twisted, with a dihedral angle of 9.47 (8)°, owing to the tetra-hedral nature of the two methyl-ene linkages in the central six-membered ring. The secondary N atom acts as a hydrogen-bond donor to the water molecule of crystallization. In the crystal, the amino and hy-droxy groups, and the water mol-ecule are engaged in hydrogen bonding, generating a three-dimensional network.

Whole-mol-ecule disordered (E)-2-(1-hy-droxy-3-phenylprop-2-en-1-yl-idene)-4,5-dimeth-oxycyclo-pent-4-ene-1,3-dione isolated from Lindera oxyphylla (Lauraceae).

In the mol-ecule of the title compound, C(16)H(14)O(5), all non-H atoms are approximately co-planar [maximum atomic deviation = 0.064 (5) Å]. The hy-droxy group is a hydrogen-bond donor to a carbonyl O atom. Weak intermolecular C-H⋯O hydrogen bonding is present in the crystal structure. The crystal structure is 'whole-mol-ecule disordered' about an axis that runs approximately along the length of the mol-ecule; the occupancy of the two disorder components was set as exactly 0.5. An intra-molecular O--H⋯O hydrogen bond exists in each component.

Lancifoliaine, a new bisbenzylisoquinoline from the bark of Litsea lancifolia.

A new bisbenzylisoquinoline, lancifoliaine (1), together with seven known alkaloids--N-allyllaurolitsine (2), reticuline (3), actinodaphnine, norboldine, pallidine, cassythicine and boldine--were isolated from the stem bark of Litsea lancifolia (Lauraceae). In addition to that of lancifoliaine, complete ¹³C-NMR data of N-allyl-laurolitsine (2) was also reported. The alkaloidal structures were elucidated by means of high field 1D- and 2D-NMR IR, UV, and LCMS-IT-TOF spectral data. N-Allyllaurolitsine (2) showed a moderate vasorelaxant activity on isolated rat aorta.

N-cyanomethylnorboldine: a new aporphine isolated from Alseodaphne perakensis (Lauraceae).

A phytochemical study of the bark of Alseodaphne perakensis has yielded three aporphine alkaloids: the new compound N-cyanomethylnorboldine (1), and the two known alkaloids N-methyllaurotetanine (2) and norboldine (3). The isolation was achieved by chromatographic techniques and the structural elucidation was performed via spectral methods, notably 1D- and 2D-NMR, UV, IR, and HRFABMS. The vasorelaxation activity of compound 1 has been studied.

Chisomicines A-C, limonoids from Chisocheton ceramicus.

Three new limonoids, chisomicines A-C (1-3), have been isolated from the bark of Chisocheton ceramicus. Their structures were determined by 2D NMR, CD spectroscopic methods, and X-ray analysis. Chisomicine A (1) exhibited NO production inhibitory activity in J774.1 cells stimulated by LPS dose-dependently at high cell viability.

Antifeedant triterpenoids from the seeds and bark of Lansium domesticum cv Kokossan (Meliaceae).

Two tetranortriterpenoids, kokosanolide A (1) and C (2) were isolated from the seeds and three onoceranoid-type triterpenoids: kokosanolide B (3), 8,14-secogammacera-7,14-diene-3,21-dione (4) and a 1.5:0.5 mixture of 8,14-secogammacera-7,14(27)-diene-3,21-dione (5) and compound 4 were isolated from the bark of kokossan (Lansium domesticum). Complete 1H- and 13C-NMR data of the triterpenoids 1-5 are reported. The triterpenoids' structures were elucidated primarily by means of high field 1D- and 2D-NMR, IR and HRMS spectral data. Triterpenoids 1-5 exhibited moderate to strong antifeedant activity against the fourth instar larvae of Epilachna vigintioctopunctata.

Neolamarckines A and B, new indole alkaloids from Neolamarckia cadamba.

Two new indole alkaloids, neolamarckines A and B (1, 2) were isolated from the leaves of Neolamarckia cadamba (Rubiaceae). Structural elucidation of 1 and 2 was performed by combination of 2D-NMR and circular dichroism (CD) spectra, and chemical correlations. Neolamarckine A (1) showed inhibition of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) dose dependently.

Oppositinines A and B: new vasorelaxant beta-carboline alkaloids from Neisosperma oppositifolia.

A phytochemical study on the bark of Neisosperma oppositifolia (Apocynaceae) yielded two new beta-carboline indole alkaloids, oppositinines A (1) and B (2), together with five known alkaloids, isoreserpiline, isocarapanaubine, vobasine, 10-methoxydihydrocorynantheol-N-oxide, and ochropposinine oxindole. Structural elucidation of 1 and 2 was performed using 2D NMR methods. Oppositinines A (1) and B (2) showed potent vasorelaxant effects on the rat aorta.

Rearranged diterpenoids from the biotransformation of ent-trachyloban-18-oic acid by Rhizopus arrhizus.

In our search for inhibitors of the antiapoptotic protein Bcl-xL, investigation of Xylopia caudata afforded a new diterpenoid, ent-trachyloban-4beta-ol (2), and five known ent-trachylobane or ent-atisane compounds. Only ent-trachyloban-18-oic acid (1) exhibited weak binding activity to Bcl-xL. These compounds exhibited cytotoxicity against KB and HCT-116 cell lines with IC(50) values between 10 and 30 microM. Bioconversion of compound 1 by Rhizopus arrhizus afforded new hydroxylated metabolites (3-7) of the ent-trachylobane and ent-kaurene type and compound 8, with a rearranged pentacyclic carbon framework that was named rhizopene. Compounds 3-8 were noncytotoxic to the two cancer cell lines, and compounds 3 and 5 exhibited only weak binding affinity for Bcl-xL.

(6,7-Dimethoxy-4-methylisoquinolinyl)-(4'-methoxyphenyl)-methanone, a new benzylisoquinoline alkaloid from Beilschmiedia brevipes.

The leaves of Beilschmiedia brevipes provided a new benzylisoquinoline alkaloid: (6,7-dimethoxy-4-methylisoquinolinyl)-(4'-methoxyphenyl)-methanone (1) and O,O-dimethylannocherin A (2), a new natural compound which has been synthesized before. Complete 1H- and 13C-NMR data of both compounds were reported. The structures were established through various spectroscopic methods notably 1D- and 2D-NMR, UV, IR and HRESIMS.

(20S)-24,25-Dihydr-oxy-20,24-ep-oxy-3,4-secodammar-4(28)-en-3-oic acid from Aglaia smithii.

The title compound, C(30)H(50)O(5), was isolated from the bark of Aglaia smithii. There are two independent mol-ecules in the asymmetric unit that differ in the orientation of the isopropenyl group attached to the cyclo-hexane ring. The cyclo-hexane rings in both mol-ecules adopt chair conformations, whereas the cyclo-pentane and tetra-hydro-furan rings adopt envelope conformations. The independent mol-ecules are linked into a layer parallel to (010) by O-H⋯O hydrogen bonds.

Meranzin hydrate from Muraya paniculata.

The coumarin ring system in the title compound, C(15)H(18)O(5) [IUPAC name: 8-(2,3-dihydr-oxy-3-methyl-butyl)-7-meth-oxy-2H-1-benzopyran-2-one], isolated from Muraya paniculata, is planar (r.m.s. deviation 0.017 Å). In the crystal, the two hydr-oxy groups are involved in O-H⋯O hydrogen bonding with adjacent mol-ecules, forming a sheet structure.

14-Hy-droxy-8,14-secogammacera-7-ene-3,21-dione from the bark of Lansium domesticum Corr.

In the title compound (kokosanolide B), C(30)H(48)O(3), the hexa-hydro- and octa-hydro-naphthalen-2-one ring systems are connected through an ethyl-ene fragment, with a C-CH(2)-CH(2)-C torsion angle of 176.2 (2)°. The cyclo-hexene ring adopts a half-chair conformation, while the other six-membered rings adopt distorted chair conformations. In the crystal, adjacent mol-ecules are linked into a zigzag chain along the b axis by O-H⋯O hydrogen bonds involving the hy-droxy and carbonyl groups.

(+)-N-(2-hydroxypropyl)lindcarpine: a new cytotoxic aporphine isolated from Actinodaphne pruinosa Nees.

Onenewalkaloid; (+)-N-(2-hydroxypropyl)lindcarpine (1),together with four known aporphine alkaloids, (+)-boldine (2) (+)-norboldine (3), (+)-lindcarpine (4) and (+)-methyllindcarpine (5) were isolated from the stem bark of Actinodaphne pruinosa Nees (Lauraceae). (+)-N-(2-Hydroxypropyl)lindcarpine (1) exhibited cytotoxic activity against P-388 murine leukemia cells with an IC(50 )value of 3.9 microg/mL. Structural elucidation of all the compounds were performed by spectral methods such as 1D- and 2D- NMR, IR, UV, and HRESIMS.