Microbiological transformation of the triterpene nigranoic acid by the freshwater fungus Dictyosporium heptasporum.

The microbiological transformation of the triterpene nigranoic acid (3,4-secocycloarta-4(28),24(Z)-diene-3,26-dioic acid) (1) to 3,4-secocycloarta-4(28),17(20),24(Z)-triene-7ß-hydroxy-16ß,26-lactone-3-oic acid (2) and 3,4-secocycloarta-4(28),17(20)(Z),24(Z)-triene-7ß-hydroxy-16ß-methoxy-3,26-dioic acid (3) by the freshwater fungus Dictyosporium heptasporum YMF1.01213 has been demonstrated. The structures of the biotransformation products were determined by spectroscopic and MS analyses. Compound 2, characterized by the presence of a formed C-16/C-26 ester bridge, provided a novel nine-membered lactone ring structural skeleton for 3,4-secocycloartane triterpenoid derivatives. In addition, Compounds 1-3 exhibited weak anti-HIV activity in vitro. Compounds 2 and 3 were reported for the first time as natural product derivatives.

Novel dibenzo[b,e]oxepinones from the freshwater-derived fungus Chaetomium sp. YMF 1.02105.

Six new dibenzo[b,e]oxepinone metabolites, chaetones A-F (1-6), as well as three known compounds, 1-hydroxy-6-methyl-8-hydroxymethylxanthone (7), citreorosein (8), and emodin (9), were obtained from a freshwater-derived fungal strain Chaetomium sp. YMF 1.02105. Their structures were established on the basis of extensive spectroscopic data analysis and comparison with spectroscopic data reported. Compounds 1-6 are further additions to the small group of dibenzo[b,e]oxepinones represented by arugosins A-H. Compounds 1-7 were tested for their cytotoxic activities against A549, Raji, HepG2, MCF-7, and HL-60 cell lines. The results showed that compound 3 had significant cytotoxicity with IC50 values of 1.2, 1.8, 1.9, 2.3, and 1.6 µg/mL, respectively, against the five cancer cell lines. All compounds showed modest antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538) in standard disk assays.

Compounds from Kadsura angustifolia with anti-HIV activity.

Four new cycloartane triterpenoids, angustific acid A (1), angustific acid B (2), angustifodilactone A (3) and angustifodilactone B (4) were isolated from the branches of Kadsura angustifolia together with six known compounds, micranoic acid B (5), nigranoic acid (6), schisandrin (7), schisantherin D (8), interiotherin B (9), schisantherin B (10). Their structures were established on the basis of extensive spectroscopic data analyses and comparison with spectroscopic data reported. Compound 1, characterized by the presence of a C-16/C-17, C-20/C-21 conjugated diene and a C-1/C-7 ester bridge formed in rings A and B, provided a novel structural skeleton for 3,4-secocycloartane triterpenoid derivatives. In addition, the anti-HIV activities of these compounds were determined in infected C8166 cells, and it was found that angustific acid A (1) exhibited the most potent anti-HIV activity with an EC(50) value of 6.1 µg/mL and a therapeutic index of more than 32.8.

Three new naphthoquinone pigments isolated from the freshwater fungus, Astrosphaeriella papuana.

Three new naphthoquinones, astropaquinones A-C (1-3), were isolated from cultures of the freshwater fungus Astrosphaeriella papuana YMF 1.01181, together with the known compound, 6-hydroxy-2,4-dimethoxy-7-methylanthraquinone (4). The structures of the compounds were settled mainly by interpretation of their 1D and 2D NMR spectra. Astropaquinone B (2) and C (3) were found to possess a rare pyranonaphthoquinone skeleton containing a lactol ring. Furthermore, compounds 1-4 showed moderate antagonistic activity against nine fungi and four bacterial strains.

A 12-week, double-masked, parallel-group study of the safety and efficacy of travoprost 0.004% compared with pilocarpine 1% in Chinese patients with primary angle-closure and primary angle-closure glaucoma.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the intraocular pressure-lowering efficacy and safety of travoprost 0.004% and pilocarpine 1% in Chinese patients with primary angle-closure (PAC) and primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG) after laser iridotomy in China. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty patients with PAC or PACG after laser iridotomy were randomized into this double-masked, parallel-group study. Qualified patients had a mean intraocular pressure (IOP) between 21 and 35 mm Hg; inclusive at 9 AM at eligibility visit and previously undergone laser peripheral iridotomy at least 30 days before screening visit. Patients were treated with travoprost 0.004% once daily or pilocarpine 1% 4 times daily for 12 weeks after appropriate washout of glaucoma medications. Efficacy and safety evaluations were conducted at weeks 4, 8, and 12. IOP measurements were performed at 9 AM and 4 PM at baseline and week 12 visits, except at the weeks 4 and 8, when the IOP measurement was undertaken respectively at 9 AM or 4 PM only. The degree and distribution of peripheral anterior synechiae was evaluated by gonioscopy at baseline and week 12, respectively. RESULTS: Both the treatment groups showed statistically significant IOP reductions from baseline, except for the results of pilocarpine group at 4 PM in week 12. Travoprost demonstrated a statistically superior IOP reduction (7.6 mm Hg) compared with pilocarpine (1.9 mm Hg; P=0.04) at 4 PM over the 12-week period. There was no difference in peripheral anterior synechiae degree and distribution in week 12 from baseline for both treatment groups. No serious adverse event was found in both the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Travoprost 0.004% once daily provides effective IOP-lowering efficacy with significantly greater IOP reduction from baseline when compared with pilocarpine 1% 4 times daily at 4 PM over the 12-week period. Travoprost 0.004% once daily is safe and well tolerated in PAC or PACG patients.