Antioxidant and α-Amylase Inhibitory Compounds from Aerial Parts ofVarthemia iphionoidesBoiss

Various extracts of aerial parts of Varthemia (Varthemia iphionoides Boiss) were investigated for radical-scavenging activity, antioxidative activity, and porcine pancreas alpha-amylase inhibitory activity. The ethanol and water extracts showed a pronounced 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical-scavenging activity, with inhibition of about 90% at a concentration of 100 microg/ml, and alpha-amylase inhibitory activity of about 70% at a concentration of 200 microg/ml by the 2-chloro-4-nitrophenyl alpha-maltotrioside (CNP-G3) degradation method. The ethanol extract was purified by column chromatography to give seven 3-methoxyflavones (1-7) and eudesmane sesquiterpene, selina-4,11(13)-dien-3-on-12-oic acid (8). The structures of these compounds were established by NMR, MS, and UV spectroscopy. Of 3-methoxyflavones, 5,7,4'-trihydroxy-3,6-dimethoxyflavone (1), 5,7,4'-trihydroxy-3,3'-dimethoxyflavone (2), and 5,4'-dihydroxy-3,7,3'-trimethoxyflavone (3,7,3'-tri-O-methyl-quercetin) (7) exhibited pronounced radical-scavenging activity. The antioxidative activity in the linoleic acid system was considerable in compounds 1, 2, and 5,4'-dihydroxy-3,6,7-trimethoxyflavone (4). Compounds 1, 2, 4, 5 (5,7,4'-trihydroxy-3-methoxyflavone), and 6 (5,4'-dihydroxy-3,7-dimethoxyflavone) showed markedly high inhibitory activity against porcine pancreas alpha-amylase. Eudesmane sesquiterpene did not show any activity.

Complete 1H NMR assignments of pyrrolizidine alkaloids and a new eudesmanoid from Senecio polypodioides

Chemical investigation of the aerial parts of Senecio polypodioides lead to the isolation of the new eudesmanoid 1β-angeloyloxyeudesm-7-ene-4β,9α-diol (1) and the known dirhamnosyl flavonoid lespidin (3), while from roots, the known 7β-angeloyloxy-1-methylene-8α-pyrrolizidine (5) and sarracine N-oxide (6), as well as the new neosarracine N-oxide (8), were obtained. The structure of 1 and 8 was elucidated by spectral means. Complete assignments of the (1)H NMR data for 5, 6, sarracine (7), and 8 were made using one-dimensional and two-dimensional NMR experiments and by application of the iterative full spin analysis of the PERCH NMR software.

A new eudesmane sesquiterpene from Dichrocephala integrifolia

A new sesquiterpene, eudesm-11-ene-4alpha,7beta,9beta-triol, was isolated from the EtOH extract of aerial parts of Dichrocephala integrifolia. Its structure was determined on the basis of spectral analysis of 1D and 2D NMR data.

New eudesmane-type sesquiterpenoids from the processed rhizomes of Atractylodes macrocephala

Two new eudesmane-type sesquiterpenoids, eudesma-4(15),7(11)-dien-8α,12-ether (atractylenother, 1) and 8α-hydroxyeudesma-4(15),7(11)-dien-8β,12-olide (8-epiatractylenolide III, 2), and one new natural product named 4(R),15-epoxy-8β-hydroxyatractylenolide II (3), together with four known eudesmane-type sesquiterpenoid lactones, atractylenolides I, II, III, and IV, were isolated from the rhizome of Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz. processed with wheat bran. Their chemical structures were determined by the combination of 1D and 2D NMR analysis as well as mass spectrometry.

Laggeric acid, a novel seco-eudesmane sesquiterpenoid from Laggera crispata

Laggeric acid (1), a novel 4,5-seco-eudesmane sesquiterpene acid, along with 19 known compounds, was isolated from the MeOH extract of the whole plant of Laggera crispata. The structure of 1 was elucidated to be (4S,5S*,7R*,10R*)-4,5-seco-4,5-dihydroxy-11(13)-eudesmen-12-oic acid on the basis of spectroscopic analysis and a convenient Mosher's method.

Eudesmane-type sesquiterpene derivatives from Laggera alata

Ten eudesmane-type sesquiterpene derivatives (1-10), including six cuauhtemone derivatives (1-6), one di-norsesquiterpene (3-oxo-di-nor-eudesma-4-en-11-oic acid, 7), and three eudesmane glycosides (alatoside F-H, 8-10) were isolated from the whole plants of Laggera alata together with 12 known compounds. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis, acid hydrolysis, and compounds 1 and 7 were studied by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The absolute configuration of 1 was determined by the application of the modified Mosher's method. All of the isolated eudesmane-type sesquiterpenes were evaluated for their cytotoxic activities on six human cancer cell lines, but all of the compounds were inactive on the tested cell lines in the concentration of 100 μg/mL.

Bioactive eudesmane and germacrane derivatives from Inula wissmanniana Hand.-Mazz

Phytochemical investigation of Inula wissmanniana Hand.-Mazz. afforded 21 eudesmane and germacrane derivatives, including rare 4,5-secoeudesman-12,5-olide, eudesman-12,5-olide, 3,4-secoeudesman-12-oic acid, and germacra-4-en-12,6-olides. Their structures were elucidated by combinative analyses of MS, NMR, electronic circular dichroism, and X-ray crystallography data. Moreover, most of the isolates exhibited inhibition against lipopolysaccharide-induced nitric oxide production in RAW264.7 macrophages and cytotoxicity in HepG2, PC-3, and MGC-803 tumor cells.

Two novel tyrosinase inhibitory sesquiterpenes induced by CuCl2 from a marine-derived fungus Pestalotiopsis sp. Z233

Two new sesquiterpenes, 1β,5α,6α,14-tetraacetoxy-9α-benzoyloxy-7β H-eudesman-2β,11-diol (1) and 4α,5α-diacetoxy-9α-benzoyloxy-7βH-eudesman-1β,2β,11, 14-tetraol (2), were produced as stress metabolites in the cultured mycelia of Pestalotiopsis sp. Z233 isolated from the algae Sargassum horneri in response to abiotic stress elicitation by CuCl2. Their structures were established by spectroscopic means. New compounds 1 and 2 showed tyrosinase inhibitory activities with IC50 value of 14.8 µM and 22.3 µM.

Two new tri-nor-eudesmanolides from Inula racemosa

Two new tri-nor-eudesmane-type sesquiterpenoids were isolated from the roots of Inula racemosa, and their structures were elucidated as 8-oxo-tri-nor-eudesm-6-en-5α-ol (1) and tri-nor-eudesm-5-en-7β,8β-diol (2). The cytotoxic activity of compound 1 against five human cancer cell lines had been tested, but exhibited no cytotoxic activity.

Arundinols A-C and arundinones A and B from the plant endophytic fungus Microsphaeropsis arundinis

Three new ent-eudesmane sesquiterpenoids, arundinols A-C (1-3), one isochroman-1-one, arundinone A (4), and a polyoxygenated benzofuran-3(2H)-one dimer, arundinone B (5), were isolated from the extract of a plant endophytic fungus, Microsphaeropsis arundinis. Their structures were elucidated primarily by NMR experiments, and 1 was confirmed by X-ray crystallography. The absolute configuration of 1 was assigned by X-ray crystallography using Cu Kα radiation, whereas those of the C-11 tertiary alcohols in 2 and 3 were deduced via the circular dichroism data of the in situ formed [Rh(2)(OCOCF(3))(4)] complexes. Arundinone B (5) represents the first dimeric benzofuran-3(2H)-one, showing cytotoxicity against T24 and A549 cells. The co-isolated known compound 6 showed a modest inhibitory effect against Staphylococcus aureus.

New sesquiterpenes and phenolic compound from Ficus foveolata

Two new eudesmane-type sesquiterpenes, named foveolide A (1) and foveoeudesmenone (2), one new sesquiterpenoid dimer, foveolide B (3) and a new phenolic compound, foveospirolide (4), were isolated along with six known compounds, including 4(15)-eudesmene-1β, 6α-diol (5), 4(15)-eudesmene-1β, 5α-diol (6), friedelin, taraxerol, betulin and ethyl rosmarinate, from the stems of Ficus foveolata. The structures of these new compounds were characterized by spectroscopic methods (IR, MS and NMR). Compound 1 exhibited moderate cytotoxicity against SW620, HepG2, BT474 and KATO-III cancer cell lines, whereas compound 3 was specifically cytotoxic toward SW620 cell line.

Phytochemical profile and apoptotic activity of Onopordum cynarocephalum

A phytochemical investigation of acetone and chloroform extracts of the aerial parts of Onopordum cynarocephalum Boiss. et Blanche was carried out. It led to the isolation of two new sesquiterpenes, the elemane aldehyde (2) and the eudesmane (11), together with 15 known compounds: two lignans (1 and 15) and 13 sesquiterpenes (3-10, 12-14, 16, 17). The structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analyses, especially 1D and 2D NMR spectra. The anti-growth effect against three human melanoma cell lines, M14, A375, and A2058, of the different extracts and compounds of O. cynarocephalum was also investigated. Among them, the chloroform extract exhibited the strongest biological activity, while the most active compounds were the lignan arctigenin (1), and the sesquiterpenes, compounds 3, 5, and 6 belonging to the elemane type, and 7 belonging to the eudesmane type. Our data also demonstrate that acetone and chloroform extracts induce, in the A375 cell line, apoptotic cell death that could be related to an overall action of the compounds present, but in particular to the lignans arctigenin (1) and the sesquiterpenes compounds 3-8 and 16. In fact, these molecules were able to induce a high DNA fragmentation, correlated to a significant increase of the caspase-3 enzyme activity. Furthermore, apoptosis appears to be mediated, at least in part, via PTEN activity and the inhibition of Hsp70 expression.

Eudesmane-type sesquiterpenoid and guaianolides from Kandelia candel in a screening program for compounds to overcome TRAIL resistance

In a screening program for natural products that can overcome TRAIL resistance, a new eudesmane-type sesquiterpenoid (1), three new guaianolides, mehirugins A-C (2-4), and two known guaianolides (5 and 6) were isolated from a MeOH extract of Kandelia candel leaves. Compounds 1 and 3-6 in combination with TRAIL showed cytotoxic activity in sensitizing TRAIL-resistant human gastric adenocarcinoma cells.

Effects of an Atractylodes lancea rhizome extract and a volatile component β-eudesmol on gastrointestinal motility in mice

AIM OF THE STUDY

The rhizomes of Atractylodes lancea DC (Compositae) are used clinically to treat gastrointestinal symptoms, including functional dyspepsia and gastroparesis, in China and Japan, but their influence and mechanism on gastrointestinal motility are not yet proven in detail.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study examined the effects of an Atractylodes lancea extract, and isolated β-eudesmol, on gastric emptying and small intestinal motility in atropine-, dopamine-, and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)-treated mice.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

The extract (500 or 1000mg/kg) and β-eudesmol (50 or 100mg/kg), as well as itopride hydrochloride (a dopamine D(2) receptor antagonist, 10 or 50mg/kg), stimulated small intestinal motility in normal mice. They inhibited reductions in gastric emptying and gastrointestinal motility induced by dopamine (1mg/kg, intraperitoneal injection, ip). The extract (1000mg/kg) and β-eudesmol (100mg/kg) inhibited the atropine-induced decrease in small intestinal motility, but not gastric emptying. Furthermore, the extract (500 or 1000mg/kg) and β-eudesmol (25, 50, or 100mg/kg) inhibited reductions in gastric emptying and small intestinal motility caused by 5-HT (4mg/kg, ip) or the 5-HT(3) receptor agonist 1-(3-chlorophenyl) biguanide (0.5mg/kg, ip), but not a 5-HT(2C) receptor agonist. These findings suggest that the extract of Atractylodes lancea and β-eudesmol may stimulate gastric emptying or small intestinal motility by inhibiting the dopamine D(2) receptor and 5-HT(3) receptor.

Inhibition effects of isolated compounds from Artemisia rubripes Nakai of the classical pathway on the complement system

The study evaluated the anticomplement activity from isolated compounds from Artemisia rubripes Nakai from South Korea on the classical pathway. In the previous works, Artemisia rubripes chloroform extracts showed inhibitory activity against complement system. The chromatographic separation of a chloroform chloride extract of Artemisia rubripes led to the isolation of three compounds. Their structures were characterized to be scopoletin (1), 11,(13)-triene-6,12-olide (2), and 1β,6α-dihydroxy-4(15)-eudesmene (3) by spectroscopic data. This is the first report of anticomplement activity of isolated compounds from Artemisia rubripes.

A new eudesmane sesquiterpene glycosides from Liriope muscari

A new eudesmane sesquiterpene glycoside, ophiopogonoside B (1), along with five known compounds, ophiopogonoside A (2), ruscogenin-1-O-[β-D-glucopyranosyl (1 → 2)]-[β-D-xylopyranosyl (1 → 3)]-β-D-fucopyranoside (3), palmitic acid (4), palmitic acid glyceride (5), and β-sitosterol-D-glucopyranoside (6),was isolated from the tuberous roots of Liriope muscari (Decn.) Bailey (Liliaceae). Their structures were confirmed by 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy. Among them, compounds 1, 2, 4, and 5 were the first reported from the genus Liriope. Ophiopogonoside B (1) showed moderate inhibitory activity to glycogen phosphorylase a.

A new eudesmane sesquiterpene glucoside from Liriope muscari fibrous roots

The screening of several Chinese medicinal herbs for nematocidal properties showed that the ethanol extract of Liriope muscari fibrous roots possessed significant nematocidal activity against the pine wood nematode (Bursaphelenchus xylophilus). From the ethanol extract, a new constituent (1,4-epoxy-cis-eudesm-6-O-β-D-glucopyranoside) and three known glycosides [1β,6α-dihydroxy-cis-eudesm-3-ene-6-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (liriopeoside A), 1β,6β-dihydroxy-cis-eudesm-3-ene-6-O-β-D-glucopyranoside, and 1α,6β-dihydroxy-5,10-bis-epi-eudesm-4(15)-ene-6-O-β D-glucopyranoside] were isolated by bioassay-guided fractionation. The structures were elucidated by 1D and 2D NMR and MS techniques. 1,4-Epoxy-cis-eudesm-6-O-β-D-glucopyranoside possessed moderate nemato-cidal activity against B. xylophilus with a LC(50 )value of 339.76 μg/mL, while liriopeoside A (LC(50) = 82.84 μg/mL) and 1β,6β-dihydroxy-cis-eudesm-3-ene-6-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (LC(50) = 153.39 μg/mL) also exhibited nematocidal activity against B. xylophilus. The crude extract of L. muscari fibrous roots exhibited nematocidal activity against the pine wood nematode with a LC(50) value of 182.56 μg/mL.

Actions of Artemisia vulgaris extracts and isolated sesquiterpene lactones against receptors mediating contraction of guinea pig ileum and trachea

AIM OF THE STUDY

The present study evaluates the Philippine medicinal plant Artemisia vulgaris for antagonistic activity at selected biogenic amine receptors on smooth muscle of the airways and gastrointestinal tract in order to explain its traditional use in asthma and hyperactive gut.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The antagonistic activity of chloroform crude extract (AV-CHCl(3)) and methanol crude extract (AV-MeOH) of Artemisia vulgaris was studied against concentration-response curves for contractions of the guinea pig ileum and trachea to 5-hydroxytrptamine (5-HT(2) receptors), methacholine (M(3) muscarinic receptors), histamine (H(1) receptors) and β-phenylethylamine (trace amine-associated receptors, TAAR1).

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The Artemisia vulgaris chloroform (AV-CHCl(3)) and methanol (AV-MeOH) extract showed histamine H1 antagonism in the ileum and trachea. Further analysis of AV-CHCl(3) isolated two major components, yomogin and 1,2,3,4-diepoxy-11(13)-eudesmen-12,8-olide. Yomogin, a sesquiterpene lactone, exhibited a novel histamine H1 receptor antagonism in the ileum.

CONCLUSION

The presence of a specific, competitive histamine receptor antagonist and smooth muscle relaxant activity in Artemisia vulgaris extracts on the smooth muscle in ileum and trachea explains its traditional use in the treatment of asthma and hyperactive gut.

ent-Eudesmane sesquiterpenoids, galloyl esters of the oak lactone precursor, and a 3-O-methylellagic acid glycoside from the wood of Platycarya strobilacea

ent-Eudesmane sesquiterpenoids, 8,11-dihydroxy-2,4-cycloeudesmane, 11-hydroxy-2,4-cycloeudesman-8-one and 2,4-cyclo-7(11)-eudesmen-8-one, were isolated from the wood of Platycarya strobilacea, which has been used as an aromatic tree since at least the 18th century. On charring the wood, 2,4-cyclo-7(11)-eudesmen-8-one was detected in the smoke. In the charred wood, the concentrations of ellagitannins, such as galloyl pedunculagin, dramatically decreased, whereas concentrations of pentagalloyl glucose, and other gallotannins were relatively stable. In addition, two other compounds, the 6'-O-m- and p-digalloyl oak lactone precursor and the 3-O-methylellagic acid 4'-O-(4″-O-galloyl)-xylopyranoside, were isolated from the charred wood along with m- and p-digallic acid.

Unusual compounds from exudates of Dionysia diapensifolia and D. gaubae var. megalantha (Primulaceae)

Exudates of Dionysia diapensifolia yielded (R)-(+)-3-acetoxy-3-phenyl-propiophenone as a new natural product with a basic dihydrochalcone structure, which was elucidated unequivocally by mass spectrometry and NMR spectroscopy. The sesquiterpenoidcarissone was found as the major compound in the exudate of D. gaubae var. megalantha. Sesquiterpenoids have so far not been described as exudate constituents of Primula and Dionysia. Structural identifications are discussed in detail, and the significance of the occurrence of these unusual compounds in exudates of Primulaceae is shortly addressed.

Sesquiterpenes from Blumea balsamifera

Five new guaiane sesquiterpenes, blumeaenes E1 (1), E2 (2), K (3), L (4), and M (5), and one new eudesmane sesquiterpene, samboginone (6), along with three known compounds, cryptomeridiol, 3,3',5,7-tetrahydroxy-4'-methoxyflavanone, and austroinulin, were isolated from the leaves of the Philippine medicinal herb sambong, Blumea balsamifera. The absolute configuration of the new guaiane core was determined as 1S,7S,9S,10R by employing the modified Mosher's method. In the structure of 1, the absolute configuration of the epoxyangelic acid moiety was identified as 2S,3S using (R)-PGME as a chiral anisotropic auxiliary.

A new eudesmane sesquiterpene from Pluchea arguta

A new eudesmane sesquiterpene, pluchargen A (3-beta-[3'-chloro-2'-hydroxy-2'-methyl butyroyl]-cuauhtemone), was isolated from the whole plant of Pluchea arguta, and the structure was elucidated on the basis of 1- and 2-D NMR spectroscopic studies.

Antibacterial sesquiterpene lactone glucoside from seed pods of Bauhinia retusa

From the seed pods of Bauhinia retusa, a new eudesmane sesquiterpene glucoside, 1-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-9β,15-dihydroxy-5α,6βH-eudesma-3-ene-6α,12-olide (1), has been isolated together with three known compounds, 4'-hydroxy-7-methoxy flavane (2), β-sitosterol (3), and stigmasterol (4). The structures of isolated compounds were verified with the help of 1D, 2D NMR, and HR-ESI-MS spectroscopies. Compound 1 showed moderate antibacterial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli when a disc diffusion method is used.

Isolation and characterization of minor analogues of silvestrol and other constituents from a large-scale re-collection of Aglaia foveolata

Two new minor silvestrol analogues [2'''-episilvestrol (1) and 2''',5'''-diepisilvestrol (2)], together with a new 21-norbaccharane-type triterpene (3), two new 3,4-secodammarane triterpenes (4 and 5), and a new eudesmane sesquiterpene (6), as well as nine known compounds, were isolated from a large-scale re-collection of the CHCl(3)-soluble extract of the stem bark of Aglaia foveolata obtained in Kalimantan, Indonesia. The structures of the new compounds were established by interpretation of their spectroscopic data. All of the isolates were tested for cytotoxicity against HT-29 cells. The new silvestrol analogues, 1 and 2, were considerably less active as cytotoxic agents than silvestrol (7) and episilvestrol (5'''-episilvestrol) (8) against this cell line, showing the importance of the configuration at C-2''' in mediating such activity within this compound class. Several of the compounds isolated were also evaluated in a NF-κB (p65) inhibition assay.

Two new eudesmanolides from Inula racemosa

Two new eudesmane-type sesquiterpene lactones were isolated from the roots of Inula racemosa and their structures were elucidated as 3β-hydroxy-11α,13-dihydroalantolactone (1) and 11α-hydroxy-eudesm-5-en-8β,12-olide (2). Their cytotoxic activities against five human cancer cell lines had been tested and compound 2 exhibited weak cytotoxic activity against BEL-7402 and HCT-8 cell lines. The anti-inflammatory activities were also tested, but neither of them showed any activities.