Chromones from the endophytic fungus Bipolaris eleusines.

Eight previously undescribed chromones eleusineketones A-H (1-8), as well as eight known compounds (9-16), were isolated from the endophytic fungus Bipolaris eleusines. These planar structures were created using an in-depth analysis of their spectral data, which included 1D, 2D, and HRESIMS data. Furthermore, the absolute configurations of compounds 1, 2, and 6 were determined by spectroscopic analysis and quantum chemical computational approaches, and compound 5 was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The cytotoxic activity assay revealed that compounds 1 and 5 both inhibited MDA-MB-231 cells with IC50 values of 14.48 µM and 17.99 µM, respectively.

The antifungal properties of terpenoids from the endophytic fungus Bipolaris eleusines.

A series of terpenoids (1-17), comprising six new compounds designated bipolariterpenes A-F (1-6) and eleven recognized compounds (7-17), were isolated from the wheat culture of the potato endophytic fungus Bipolaris eleusines. Their structures and stereochemistry were clarified by HRESIMS, NMR, DP4 + probability analyses, and computations for electronic circular dichroism (ECD). All compounds are made up of six meroterpenoids, four sesterterpenes and seven sesquiterpenes. Among them, four sesterterpenes (4, 5, 10, 11) were investigated for their antifungal, antibacterial and cytotoxic properties, and six meroterpenoids (1-3, 7-9) were evaluated for their antifungal properties. The compounds 7, 9, and 10 had substantial antifungal activity against Epidermophyton floccosum at a concentration of 100 µM. No antibacterial and cytotoxic activities were observed.

Boerelasins A-D, Four Unprecedented Cytochalasins from the Endophytic Fungus Boeremia Exigua.

Four undescribed cytochalasins (1-4) were isolated from the endophytic fungus Boeremia exigua. Structurally, boerelasin A (1) represents the first example of a cytochalasin with a rare 5/5 bicyclic carbon core. Boerelasin B (2) possesses an unprecedented 5/6/5/6/8 pentacyclic ring system. Boerelasin C (3), a derivative from the common biosynthetic intermediate to 1, is a macrocyclic ring-opening cytochalasin, and boerelasin D (4) contains an uncommon six-carbon alkyl acid side chain. The structures were elucidated based on spectroscopic methods, electronic circular dichroism, spin-spin coupling constants, and calculated nuclear magnetic resonance with DP4+ analysis. These compounds exhibited significant cytotoxicity against the tumor cells.

Anti-inflammatory maistemonine-class alkaloids of Stemona japonica.

Three hitherto undescribed Stemona alkaloids, named stemajapines A-C (1-3), along with six known alkaloids (4-9), were isolated and identified from the roots of Stemona japonica (Blume) Miq. (Stemonaceae). Their structures were established by the analysis of the mass data, NMR spectra, and computational chemistry. Stemjapines A and B were degraded maistemonines without spiro-lactone ring and skeletal methyl from maistemonine. Concurrence of alkaloids 1 and 2 revealed an undescribed way to form diverse Stemona alkaloids. Bioassay results disclosed the anti-inflammatory natural constituents stemjapines A and C with IC50 values of 19.7 and 13.8 µM, respectively, compared to positive control dexamethasone with 11.7 µM. The findings may point out a new direction of Stemona alkaloids inaddition to its traditional antitussive and insecticide activities.

Three new oxygenated yohimbane-type alkaloids from Ophiorrhiza japonica.

A series of oxygenated yohimbane alkaloids, including three new compounds, ophiorrhines H-J (1-3), and seven known compounds, were isolated from the aerial parts of Ophiorrhiza japonica. The structures with absolute configurations were elucidated by extensive MS and NMR spectroscopic methods, as well as the single crystal X-ray diffraction and ECD calculations. Ophiorrhines H (1) and I (2) represent key oxygenated intermediates in the formation of aromatic ring E in the demethoxycarbonyl-3,14-dihydrogambirtannine (10). Ophiorrhine J (3) is a highly oxidized yohimbane derivative with the planar superconjugated system. The cytotoxic activities of all alkaloids against five human cancer cell lines were evaluated.

New cytochalasans from an endophytic Xylaria species associated with Costa Rican Palicourea elata (Rubiaceae).

Four new leucine-derived cytochalasans, possessing a 5,6,5,8-ring (1) and a 5,6,11-ring core (2-4), were isolated from a cultivated endophytic fungus Xylaria sp. strain WH2D4 (Xylariaceae). This fungus was isolated from leaves of the neotropical tree species Palicourea elata (Sw.) Borhidi (Rubiaceae) collected in Costa Rica. The chemical structures were determined by employing IR, MS as well as 1D- and 2D-NMR experiments. The stereochemistry at C-15 of compound 4 was determined by quantum calculations. The isolated compounds did not affect germination and growth of Trichoderma reesei and the opportunistic human fungal pathogen T. longibrachiatum.

Nematocidal alkaloids from the roots of Stemona mairei (H.Lév.)K.Krause and identification of their pharmacophoric moiety.

Fifteen undescribed Stemona alkaloids, named as stemarines A-O (1-15), along with 25 known alkaloids (16-40), were isolated and identified from the roots of Stemona mairei (H.Lév.)K.Krause (Stemonaceae). Their structures were elucidated through the analysis of the NMR spectra, mass data, and computational chemistry. All the hitherto undescribed compounds possess a pyrrolo[1,2-α]azepine core structure but differ in important structural features, which reflects their nematocidal activities. Alkaloids 3-6 featured a carboxylic side chain and exhibited significant nematocidal activity against the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. Transections of fresh roots combined with application of the Dragendorff' reagent on the tissue indicated accumulation of alkaloids mainly in the epidermis and the pith. These results suggest the key pharmacophore of these alkaloids lies in the aliphatic side chain of these compounds and its spatial distribution in the roots indicate protective effects against underground herbivores.

Phytochemistry Meets Geochemistry­Blumenol C Sulfate: A New Megastigmane Sulfate from Palicourea luxurians (Rubiaceae: Palicoureeae)

There is a previously neglected influence of geochemical conditions on plant phytochemistry. In particular, high concentrations of dissolved salts can affect their biosynthesis of natural products. Detoxification is most likely an important aspect for the plant, but additional natural products can also give it an expanded range of bioactivities. During the phytochemical analysis a Palicourea luxurians plant collected in a sulfate-rich environment (near the Río Sucio, Costa Rica) showed an interesting natural product in this regard. The structure of this compound was determined using spectroscopic and computational methods (NMR, MS, UV, IR, CD, optical rotation, quantum chemical calculations) and resulted in a megastigmane sulfate ester possessing a ß-ionone core structure, namely blumenol C sulfate (1, C13H22O5S). The levels of sulfur and sulfate ions in the leaves of the plant were determined using elemental analysis and compared to the corresponding levels in comparable plant leaves from a less sulfate-rich environments. The analyses show the leaves from which we isolated blumenol C sulfate (1) to contain 35% more sulfur and 80% more sulfate than the other samples. Antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of compound 1 were tested against Escherichia coli, E. coli ampR and Bacillus subtilis as well as measured using complementary in vitro FRAP and ATBS assays, respectively. These bioactivities are comparable to those determined for structurally related megastigmanes. The sulfur and sulfate content of the plant leaves from the sulfate-rich environment was significantly higher than that of the other plants. Against this background of salt stress, we discuss a possible biosynthesis of blumenol C sulfate (1). Furthermore, there appears to be no benefit for the plant in terms of extended bioactivities. Hence, the formation of blumenol C sulfate (1) probably primarily serves the plant detoxification process.

Paecilins F-P, new dimeric chromanones isolated from the endophytic fungus Xylaria curta E10, and structural revision of paecilin A.

A total of eleven new dimeric chromanones, paecilins F-P (2-12), were isolated from the endophytic fungus Xylaria curta E10, along with four known analogs (1, 13-15). Their structures and absolute configurations were determined by extensive experimental spectroscopic methods, single-crystal X-ray diffraction, and equivalent circulating density (ECD) calculations. In addition, the structure of paecilin A, which was reported to be a symmetric C8-C8' dimeric pattern, was revised by analysis of the nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) data, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Compound 1 showed antifungal activity against the human pathogenic fungus Candida albicans with a minimum inhibitory concentration of 16 µg/mL, and Compounds 8 and 10 showed antibacterial activity against the gram-negative bacterium Escherichia coli with the same minimum inhibitory concentration of 16 µg/mL.

α-Glucosidase inhibitory phenylpropanoid-dihydrochalcone hybrids from the leaves of medicinal plant Malus hupehensis (Pamp.) Rehder.

Eight undescribed phenylpropanoid-dihydrochalcone hybrids, namely (+)- and (-)-malahupin A, (+)- and (-)-malahupin B, (±)-malahupin C, malahupinosides A and B, 7‴-epi-malahupinoside B, together with two known compounds, phloretin and phlorizin, were isolated from the leaves of the folk medicinal plant Malus hupehensis. Their structures were elucidated by extensive NMR and MS spectroscopic methods, chiral-phase analysis, and ECD calculations. Compounds (+)-malahupin B and malahupinoside B showed weak inhibition activities against the nitric oxide production in liposaccharide-induced murine RAW264.7 macrophages with IC50 values of 36.7 and 27.0 µM, respectively. Compounds (+)- and (-)-malahupin A, (+)- and (-)-malahupin B exhibited significant α-glucosidase inhibitory activity, with IC50 values of 22.5, 19.1, 19.2, and 17.4 µM, respectively. The postulated biosynthetic pathways to these hybrid compounds were proposed. This work represents the first report of the natural phenylpropanoid-dihydrochalcone hybrid compound, and lays foundation for the study on the bioactive principles of the ethnic hypoglycemic medicinal plant.

Enantiomeric Cephalotaxus alkaloids from seeds of Cephalotaxus oliveri.

Five undescribed alkaloids were isolated from the seeds of Cephalotaxus oliveri along with 27 known ones. The new structures were elucidated based on spectroscopic data including 1D and 2D NMR, MS and calculated ECD spectra. Among them, (+)-acetylcephalofortine C was an enantiomeric Cephalotaxine alkaloids. The performed bioassay revealed that those alkaloids were not cytotoxic against cancer cells and had no neuroprotective properties in the HEI-OC-1 cells model.

Four New Highly Oxygenated Eremophilane Sesquiterpenes from an Endophytic Fungus Boeremia exigua Isolated from Fritillaria hupehensis.

Four new eremophilane-type sesquiterpenes, boeremialanes A-D (1-4) were obtained from solid substrate cultures of Boeremia exigua (Didymellaceae), an endophytic fungus isolated from Fritillaria hupehensis (Liliaceae). Boeremialanes A-C (1-3) are highly oxygenated eremophilanes with a benzoate unit attached at the C-13 position and are rarely found in nature. Their structures and absolute configurations were determined by extensive spectroscopic methods, electronic circular dichroism (ECD), and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) calculations with DP4+ analysis. Boeremialane D (4) potently inhibited nitric oxide production in lipopolysaccharide-treated RAW264.7 macrophages with an IC50 of 8.62 µM and was more potent than the positive control, pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate (IC50 = 23.1 µM).

Ophiorrhines F and G, Key Biogenetic Intermediates of Ophiorrhine Alkaloids from Ophiorrhiza japonica and Their Immunosuppressant Activities.

Continued interest in bioactive alkaloids led to the isolation of two undescribed alkaloids, ophiorrhines F (1) and G (2), from the aerial parts of Ophiorrhiza japonica. Their structures were elucidated based on spectroscopic methods, electronic circular dichroism, and calculated NMR with DP4+ analysis. These two alkaloids represent key biological genetic intermediates in the formation of ring C in the ophiorrhines. Compound 1 exhibited good inhibition on LPS-induced B cell proliferation with an IC50 value of 0.38 µM and showed significant selective inhibitory activity on a B cell proliferation response with a selective index of 548.42. A preliminary study indicated that 1 may have a new mechanism of immunosuppression.

Cage-Monoterpenoid Quinoline Alkaloids with Neurite Growth Promoting Effects from the Fruits of Melodinus yunnanensis.

Meloyunnanines A-C, three alkaloids with an unprecedented skeleton, were isolated from fruits of Melodinus yunnanensis. The structures featuring a caged-6/6/5/6/5/5 ring system were elucidated by the analysis of comprehensive spectroscopic and X-ray data. Biosynthetically, meloyunnanines A-C were assigned to monoterpenoid quinoline alkaloids (MQAs), derived from monoterpenoid indole alkaloids through oxidation and rearrangement. These compounds together with three known Melodinus MQAs were evaluated for their neurotrophic activity and scandine N4-oxide exhibited significant effect.

Alkaloids isolated from Tabernaemontana bufalina display xanthine oxidase inhibitory activity.

Continued interest in bioactive alkaloids led to the isolation of four undescribed alkaloids along with 74 known ones from the aerial parts of Tabernaemontana bufalina Lour. The structures of the yet undescribed alkaloids were elucidated based on NMR, IR, UV, MS and CD spectroscopic data and X-ray crystal diffraction and, according to the plant source, named as taberhaines A-D (1-4). The known compounds comprised of 66 monoterpenoid indole, three carboline and five isoquinoline alkaloids. Among them, the known apparicine inhibited significantly the activity of xanthine oxidase, which plays an important role for gout, with an IC50 value of 0.65 µM, compared to the standard drug allopurinol (IC50 = 0.60 µM).

Four Yellow Monoterpenoid Quinoline Alkaloids from the Stem of Tabernaemontana bovina.

Four unprecedented yellow alkaloids named as taberbovines A-D (1-4) were isolated from stems of Tabernaemontana bovina Lour. Their structures were elucidated by the comprehensive spectroscopic data, computational chemistry, and X-ray crystal diffraction. Alkaloids 1-4 possessed a unique 6/6/5/6/5 ring system and were assigned to monoterpenoid quinolines. Biosynthetically, the isolated alkaloids may be derived from Aspidosperma-type alkaloid by oxidation and rearrangements. Taberbovines A-D exhibited the good inhibitory activities of formation NO in LPS induced RAW264.7 macrophages.

Three New Indole Alkaloids from Tabernaemontana divaricata.

Three new monoterpene indole alkaloids, 3α-hydroxymethyl-ibogamine (1), 3α-acetatemethoxyl-ibogamine (2), 16α-hydroxyl-ibogamine (3) together with six known alkaloids were isolated from the branches and leaves of Tabernaemontana divaricata (Apocynaceae). The structures of these alkaloids were determined by spectroscopic analyses. All isolated compounds showed no significant cytotoxicity against SGC-7901 gastric cancer, HeLa, and A-549 lung cancer cell lines (IC50 > 20 µM).