Antifungal activity of venenatine, an indole alkaloid isolated from Alstonia venenata

Synthesis and fungicidal activity of novel pyrroloindole scaffolds and their derivatives

The key scaffold of a pyrroloindole ring is a very important structure, which is isolated from plants and fungi with a variety of medical and fungicidal activities.

Synthesis and Investigation of Tetrahydro-β-carboline Derivatives as Inhibitors of Plant Pathogenic Fungi

A series of tetrahydro-ß-carbolines substituted with an alkyl or acyl side chain was synthesized and screened for its antifungal activity against plant pathogenic fungi (Bipolaris oryzae, Curvularia lunata, Fusarium semitectum, and Fusarium fujikuroi). The structure activity relationship revealed that the substituent at the piperidine nitrogen plays an important role for increasing antifungal activities. In this series, 2-octyl-2,3,4,9-tetrahydro-1H-pyrido[3,4-b]indole (3g) displayed potent antifungal activities with a minimum inhibitory concentration of 0.1 μg/mL, including good inhibitory activity to the radial growth of fungus at a concentration of 100 μg/mL compared to amphotericin B.

Antibacterial Functions and Proposed Modes of Action of Novel 1,2,3,4-Tetrahydro-β-carboline Derivatives that Possess an Attractive 1,3-Diaminopropan-2-ol Pattern against Rice Bacterial Blight, Kiwifruit Bacterial Canker, and Citrus Bacterial Canker

In recent years, naturally occurring tetrahydro-β-carboline (THC) alkaloids and their derivatives have been of biological interest. However, few studies and developments have reported the use of such structures in managing plant bacterial diseases. Herein, an array of novel THC derivatives containing an attractive 1,3-diaminopropan-2-ol pattern were prepared to evaluate the antiphytopathogen activity in vitro and in vivo and explore innovative antibacterial frameworks. Notably, target compounds exhibited excellent activities against three rebellious phytopathogens, namely, Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae (Psa), Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. citri, and Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae, at related optimal EC₅₀ values of 2.39 (II₉), 2.06 (I₂₃), and 1.69 (II₉) μg/mL, respectively. These effects were superior to those of the parent structure 1,2,3,4-THC and positive controls. In vivo assays showed that II₉ exhibited excellent control efficiencies of 51.89 and 65.45% at 200 μg/mL against rice bacterial blight and kiwifruit bacterial canker, respectively, and I₂₃ substantially relieved the citrus canker on the leaves. Antibacterial mechanisms indicated that these THC compounds could induce the increment of reactive oxygen species and subsequently endow the tested bacteria with distinct apoptotic behavior. In addition, II₉ could alleviate the hypersensitive response and pathogenicity of Psa. Overall, these simple THC derivatives can be further developed as versatile antibacterial agents.

The Biological Activity of Natural Alkaloids against Herbivores, Cancerous Cells and Pathogens

The growing incidence of microorganisms that resist antimicrobials is a constant concern for the scientific community, while the development of new antimicrobials from new chemical entities has become more and more expensive, time-consuming, and exacerbated by emerging drug-resistant strains. In this regard, many scientists are conducting research on plants aiming to discover possible antimicrobial compounds. The secondary metabolites contained in plants are a source of chemical entities having pharmacological activities and intended to be used for the treatment of different diseases. These chemical entities have the potential to be used as an effective antioxidant, antimutagenic, anticarcinogenic and antimicrobial agents. Among these pharmacologically active entities are the alkaloids which are classified into a number of classes, including pyrrolizidines, pyrrolidines, quinolizidines, indoles, tropanes, piperidines, purines, imidazoles, and isoquinolines. Alkaloids that have antioxidant properties are capable of preventing a variety of degenerative diseases through capturing free radicals, or through binding to catalysts involved indifferent oxidation processes occurring within the human body. Furthermore, these entities are capable of inhibiting the activity of bacteria, fungi, protozoan and etc. The unique properties of these secondary metabolites are the main reason for their utilization by the pharmaceutical companies for the treatment of different diseases. Generally, these alkaloids are extracted from plants, animals and fungi. Penicillin is the most famous natural drug discovery deriving from fungus. Similarly, marines have been used as a source for thousands of bioactive marine natural products. In this review, we cover the medical use of natural alkaloids isolated from a variety of plants and utilized by humans as antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal and anticancer agents. An example for such alkaloids is berberine, an isoquinoline alkaloid, found in roots and stem-bark of Berberis asculin P. Renault plant and used to kill a variety of microorganisms.

Crystal structures of 6a,6b,7,11a-tetra-hydro-6H,9H-spiro-[chromeno[3',4':3,4]pyrrolo-[1,2-c]thia-zole-11,3'-indoline]-2',6-dione and 5'-methyl-6a,6b,7,11a-tetra-hydro-6H,9H-spiro-[chromeno[3',4':3,4]pyrrolo-[1,2-c]thia-zole-11,3'-indoline]-2',6-dione

The title compounds, (I) and (II), differ by the presence of a methyl group in position 5 on the 1H-indole-2-one ring of compound (II). There is also a significant difference in the conformation of the five-membered thia­zolidine ring in the two compounds.

The title compounds, C₂₀H₁₆N₂O₃S, (I), and C₂₁H₁₈N₂O₃S, (II), differ by the presence of a methyl group in position 5 on the 1H-indole-2-one ring of compound (II). The two compounds have a structural overlap r.m.s. deviation of 0.48 Å. There is a significant difference in the conformation of the thia­zolidine ring: it has a twisted conformation on the fused N—C bond in (I), but an envelope conformation in compound (II) with the S atom as the flap. The planar pyrrolidine ring of the indole ring system is normal to the mean plane of the five-membered pyrrolidine ring of the pyrrolo­thia­zole unit in both compounds, with dihedral angles of 88.71 (9) and 84.59 (8)°. The pyran rings in both structures have envelope conformations with the methyl­ene C atom adjacent to the C=O group as the flap. In both compounds, there is a short intra­molecular C—H⋯O contact present. In the crystal of (I), mol­ecules are linked by C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds forming chains propagating along the b-axis direction. The chains are linked by N—H⋯π inter­actions, forming layers parallel to (10). In the crystal of (II), mol­ecules are linked by pairs of N—H⋯O hydrogen bonds, forming inversion dimers which are linked by C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds to form a three-dimensional structure.

Antagonistic activity of Diplodia pinea against phytopathogenic fungi

The ability of Diplodia pinea to inhibit Armillaria sp., Bjerkandera adusta, Botrytis cinerea, and Rhizoctonia sp. mycelium growth was analyzed using the double-culture method. Wild-type fungal strains were incubated in a biochemical oxygen demand incubator using potato agar dextrose medium at 24 ± 2 °C for 35 days in darkness. D. pinea significantly inhibited the growth of all fungi species tested (30.75 to 98.37% inhibition) and showed moderate antagonistic activity (antagonistic index, 14.5). Chemical analysis of D. pinea culture broth extracts revealed steroids, triterpenes, and phenolic compounds. Alkaloids were qualitatively detected in the mycelium crude extract. The presence of these compounds may be related to the antagonistic activity observed. The inhibition ability of D. pinea is due to competition with the tested fungi for substrate and space.

Crystal structures of 1-benzene-sulfon-yl-2-methyl-3-(4-nitro-benzoyl)-2,3-di-hydro-1H-indole and 1-benzene-sulfon-yl-2-methyl-3-[(thio-phen-2-yl)carbon-yl]-2,3-di-hydro-1H-indole

In the title indole derivatives, C22H16N2O5S, (I) and C20H15NO3S2, (II), the sulfonyl-bound phenyl rings are almost orthogonal to the indole ring system, subtending dihedral angles of 88.33 (10) and 87.58 (16)°, respectively. In both compounds, the sulfonyl S atom has a distorted tetra-hedral geometry [O-S-O = 119.98 (9) and N-S-C = 104.01 (8)° for compound (I) and O-S-O = 120.08 (18) and N-S-C = 104.91 (14)° for compound (II)] and the sum of the bond angles at N indicates sp2 hybridization. The mol-ecules of both (I) and (II) feature intra-molecular C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds that generate S(6) ring motifs with the sulfone O atom. In the crystals, mol-ecules of (I) are linked by C-H-O hydrogen bonds, forming R44(18) ring motifs while mol-ecules of (II) are linked by C-H-O and C-H-S hydrogen bonds, forming R22(12) ring motifs. Compound (II) was refined as an inversion twin.

Natural Products: An Alternative to Conventional Therapy for Dermatophytosis?

The increased incidence of fungal infections, associated with the widespread use of antifungal drugs, has resulted in the development of resistance, making it necessary to discover new therapeutic alternatives. Among fungal infections, dermatophytoses constitute a serious public health problem, affecting 20-25 % of the world population. Medicinal plants represent an endless source of bioactive molecules, and their volatile and non-volatile extracts are clearly recognized for being the historical basis of therapeutic health care. Because of this, the research on natural products with antifungal activity against dermatophytes has considerably increased in recent years. However, despite the recognized anti-dermatophytic potential of natural products, often advantageous face to commercial drugs, there is still a long way to go until their use in therapeutics. This review attempts to summarize the current status of anti-dermatophytic natural products, focusing on their mechanism of action, the developed pharmaceutical formulations and their effectiveness in human and animal models of infection.

5-Benzoyl-2-(5-bromo-1H-indol-3-yl)-4-(4-methoxyphenyl)-1H-pyrrole-3-carbonitrile

In the title compound, C27H18BrN3O, the indole and central pyrrole ring systems are inclined to one another by 13.15 (15)°. The carbonitrile group is almost coplanar with its attached pyrrole ring, the C[triple-bond]N bond making a dihedral angle of 1.9 (2)° with the ring plane. The 4-methoxybenzene ring and the benzoyl ring are inclined to the central pyrrole ring by 55.1 (2) and 51.5 (2)°, respectively. The dihedral angle between these two benzene rings is 37.68 (17)°. In the crystal, molecules are linked by pairs of N—H...N hydrogen bonds, forming inversion dimers with anR22(16) ring motif. The dimers are linked by offset π–π interactions [intercentroid distance = 3.614 (2) Å], which leads to the formation of chains propagating in the [010] direction.

5-Benzoyl-2-(1H-indol-3-yl)-4-(naphthalen-2-yl)-1H-pyrrole-3-carbonitrile

In the title compound, C30H19N3O, the indole and the naphthalene ring systems are inclined to the central pyrrole ring (r.m.s. deviation = 0.012 Å) by 29.09 (9) and 49.92 (9)°, respectively. The naphthalene ring system and the indole ring are inclined to one another by 73.57 (6) and by 42.58 (10) and 74.12 (10)°, respectively, to the benzoyl ring. In the crystal, molecules are linked by pairs of Np—H...O (p = pyrrole) hydrogen bonds, forming inversion dimers withR22(10) loops. These dimers are linkedviapairs of Ni—H...Nc(i = indole and c = carbonitrile) hydrogen bonds, enclosingR22(16) loops, which leads to the formation of chains propagating in [101]. The chains are linked by C—H...π interactions, forming slabs lying parallel to (10-1).

Identification of new p300 histone acetyltransferase inhibitors from natural products by a customized virtual screening method

The natural compounds NP-2, NP-3, NP-9, and NP-15 were found to be potent p300 HAT inhibitors by a customized structure-based virtual screening method.

Crystal structure of 3'-(1H-indole-3-carbon-yl)-1'-methyl-2-oxo-4'-(4-oxo-4H-chromen-3-yl)spiro-[indoline-3,2'-pyrrolidine]-3'-carbo-nitrile

In the title compound, C₃₁H₂₂N₄O₄, the pyrrolidine ring adopts a twist conformation on the N—CH₂ bond. The indolin-2-one and the 1H-indole rings are nearly planar (r.m.s. deviations = 0.06 and 0.011 Å, respectively) and are inclined to one another by 34.19 (9)°. The chromene ring system is also nearly planar (r.m.s. deviation = 0.029 Å). It is almost normal to the 1H-indole ring system, with a dihedral angle of 88.71 (8)°, and is inclined to the indolin-2-one ring system by 72.76 (8)°. In the crystal, mol­ecules are linked via N—H⋯O hydrogen bonds, forming slabs parallel to (10-1). The slabs are linked by C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds, forming a three-dimensional structure.

Crystal structure of 5-(5-chloro-2-hydroxy-benzo-yl)-2-(2-methyl-1H-indol-3-yl)nicotino-nitrile

In the title compound, C₂₂H₁₄ClN₃O₂, the indole unit is essentially coplanar, with a maximum deviation of 0.035 Å for the C atom bearing the methyl group. The central pyridine ring is inclined to the indole ring system by 43.7 (1)°. The dihedral angle between the phenyl ring and the indole ring system is 15.7 (2)°, while that between the phenyl ring and the central pyridine ring is 46.3 (1)°. The mol­ecular structure is stabilized by an intra­molecular O—H⋯O hydrogen bonding, forming an S(6) ring motif. In the crystal, mol­ecules are linked via pairs of N—H⋯N hydrogen bonds, forming inversion dimers with an R₂²(16) ring motif. The crystal structure also features C—H⋯π and π–π inter­actions [centroid–centroid separation = 3.688 (1) Å].

Crystal structures of three indole derivatives: 3-ethnyl-2-methyl-1-phenyl-sulfonyl-1H-indole, 4-phenyl-sulfonyl-3H,4H-cyclo-penta-[b]indol-1(2H)-one and 1-{2-[(E)-2-(5-chloro-2-nitro-phen-yl)ethen-yl]-1-phenyl-sulfonyl-1H-indol-3-yl}ethan-1-one chloro-form monosolvate

The title compounds, (I), (II) and (III), are indole derivatives. Compounds (I) and (II) present two independent moieties in the asymmetric unit, and their packing is led by C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds and C—H⋯π inter­actions. In compound (III), the C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds form (22) inversion dimers.

The title compounds, C₁₇H₁₃NO₂S, (I), C₁₇H₁₃NO₃S, (II), and C₂₄H₁₇ClN₂O₅S·CHCl₃, (III), are indole derivatives. Compounds (I) and (II) crystalize with two independent mol­ecules in the asymmetric unit. The indole ring systems in all three structures deviate only slightly from planarity, with dihedral angles between the planes of the pyrrole and benzene rings spanning the tight range 0.20 (9)–1.65 (9)°. These indole ring systems, in turn, are almost orthogonal to the phenyl­sulfonyl rings [range of dihedral angles between mean planes = 77.21 (8)–89.26 (8)°]. In the three compounds, the mol­ecular structure is stabilized by intra­molecular C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds, generating S(6) ring motifs with the sulfone O atom. In compounds (I) and (II), the two independent mol­ecules are linked by C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds and C—H⋯π inter­actions, while in compound (III), the mol­ecules are linked by C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds, generating R₂²(22) inversion dimers.

Crystal structure of ethyl 1',5-dimethyl-2'',3-dioxo-3H-di-spiro-[benzo[b]thiophene-2,3'-pyrrolidine-2',3''-indoline]-4'-carboxyl-ate

The title compound, C₂₃H₂₂N₂O₄S, crystallized with two independent mol­ecules (A and B) in the asymmetric unit. They have very similar conformations with the pyrrolidine ring having a twisted conformation, on the C_spiro—C_spiro bond, in both mol­ecules. In mol­ecule A, the mean planes of the benzo­thio­phene and indoline ring systems are inclined to the mean plane of the pyrrolidine ring by 87.59 (10) and 84.51 (11)°, respectively, and to one another by 72.69 (7)°. The corresponding angles in mol­ecule B are 87.15 (10), 84.58 (10) and 72.07 (7)°, respectively. In the crystal, the A and B mol­ecules are linked to one another by two N—H⋯O hydrogen bonds, forming a dimer. These dimers are linked via C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds, forming a three-dimensional structure.

Crystal structure of (2-bromo-methyl-1-phenyl-sulfonyl-1H-indol-3-yl)(phen-yl)methanone

In the title compound, C₂₂H₁₆BrNO₃S, the phenyl rings make dihedral angles of 84.81 (16) and 61.67 (17)° with the indole ring system (r.m.s. deviation = 0.012 Å), while the phenyl rings are inclined to one another by 69.5 (2)°. The mol­ecular structure is stabilized by weak intra­molecular C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds. The sulfonyl S atom has a distorted tetra­hedral configuration. In the crystal, there are no significant inter­molecular inter­actions present.

Methyl (2Z)-2-[(2-formyl-3-methyl-1H-indol-1-yl)meth-yl]-3-(4-meth-oxy-phen-yl)prop-2-enoate

In the title indole derivative, C₂₂H₂₁NO₄, the dihedral angle between the benzene and pyrrole rings of indole moiety is 1.8 (1)°. The plane of the 4-meth­oxy­phenyl ring is oriented with a dihedral angle of 60.7 (1)° with respect to the plane of the indole moiety. The mol­ecular packing is stabilized by C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds which form a V-shaped chain arrangement along the bc plane of the unit cell. In addition to this, C—H⋯π and π–π inter­actions [centroid–centroid distances = 3.8102 (11) and 3.8803(12) Å], which run along the b-axis direction, stabilize the mol­ecular packing.

2-Bromo-1-(1-phenyl-sulfonyl-1H-indol-3-yl)propan-1-one

In the title compound, C₁₇H₁₄BrNO₃S, the phenyl ring makes a dihedral angle of 89.78 (16)° with the plane of the indole ring system. The terminal Br atom and the methyl group are disordered over two sets of sites, with site occupancies of 0.860 (2) and 0.140 (2). In the crystal, mol­ecules are linked into a chain along the b-axis direction by weak C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds. The chains are further linked by C—H⋯π inter­actions, forming layers parallel to the bc plane.

(E)-1-[2-(2-Nitro-styr-yl)-1-phenyl-sulfonyl-1H-indol-3-yl]propan-1-one

In the title compound, C₂₅H₂₀N₂O₅S, the phenyl ring makes dihedral angles of 89.88 (8) and 13.98 (8)°, respectively, with the indole ring system and the nitro­benzene ring. The dihedral angle between the indole ring system and the nitro­benzene ring is 88.48 (11)°. The mol­ecular structure is stabilized by a weak intra­molecular C—H⋯O inter­action. In the crystal, π–π inter­actions, with centroid–centroid distances of 3.6741 (18) and 3.8873 (17) Å, link the mol­ecules into layers parallel to the ab plane.

1-[6-(1H-Indol-1-yl)pyridin-2-yl]-1H-indole-3-carbaldehyde

In the title compound, C₂₂H₁₅N₃O, the dihedral angle between the two indole units is 33.72 (3)°. The mol­ecular structure features a weak intra­molecular C—H⋯N inter­action. In the crystal, weak C—H⋯O and C—H⋯π inter­actions, forming a two-dimensional network parallel to the bc plane.

(E)-2-Bromo-1-[2-(2-nitro-styr-yl)-1-phenyl-sulfonyl-1H-indol-3-yl]ethanone

In the title compound C₂₄H₁₇BrN₂O₅S, the phenyl ring makes dihedral angles of 85.4 (2) and 8.8 (2)° with the indole ring system and the nitro­benzene ring, respectively, while the indole ring system and nitrobenzene ring make a dihedral angle of 80.1 (2)°. In the crystal, weak C—H⋯O inter­actions link the mol­ecules, forming a two-dimensional network parallel to the bc plane.

Methyl 2-(5-chloro-1-methyl-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-3-ylidene)acetate

The title compound, C₁₂H₁₀ClNO₃, the indoline ring system is essentially planar, with a maximum deviation of 0.009 Å for the N atom. The indoline ring and acetate group are essentially coplanar, with a maximum deviation of 0.086 Å for the O atom. The mean plane through the methoxy­carbonyl­methyl group forms a dihedral angle of 3.68 (5)° with the plane of the indoline ring system. The mol­ecular structure is stabilized by an intra­molecular C—H⋯O hydrogen-bond inter­action. In the crystal, π–π stacking inter­actions [centroid–centroid distance = 3.7677 (8) Å] occur between benzene rings, forming a chain running along the c-axis direction.

2-Methyl-1-phenylsulfonyl-1H-indole-3-carbaldehyde

In the title compound, C₁₆H₁₃NO₃S, the sulfonyl-bound phenyl ring forms a dihedral angle of 84.17 (6)° with the indole ring system. An intra­molecular C—H⋯O hydrogen bond generates an S(6) ring motif. The crystal structure exhibits weak inter­molecular C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds and π–π inter­actions between the five- and six-membered rings of the indole group [centroid–centroid distance = 3.6871 (9) Å].

(3-Phenyl-sulfanyl-1-phenyl-sulfonyl-1H-indol-2-yl)methyl acetate

In the title compound, C(23)H(19)NO(4)S(2), the indole ring system makes dihedral angles of 89.6 (1) and 84.5 (8)° with the phenyl-sulfonyl and phenyl-sulfanyl rings, respectively. In the crystal, the mol-ecules are linked into C(10) chains running along the c axis by an inter-molecular C-H⋯O hydrogen bond. In addition, the crystal packing is stabilized by C-H⋯π inter-actions.

Ethyl 2-acetoxy-methyl-1-phenyl-sulfonyl-1H-indole-3-carboxyl-ate

In the title compound, C₂₀H₁₉NO₆S, the phenyl ring of the phenyl­sulfonyl group makes a dihedral angle of 83.35 (5)° with the indole ring system. The mol­ecular structure exhibits a number of short intramolecular C—H⋯O contacts.

Natural products--antifungal agents derived from plants

A new spectrum of human fungal infections is increasing due to increased cancer, AIDS, and immunocompromised patients. The increased use of antifungal agents also resulted in the development of resistance to the present drugs. It makes necessary to discover new classes of antifungal compounds to cure fungal infections. Plants are rich source of bioactive secondary metabolites of wide variety such as tannins, terpenoids, saponins, alkaloids, flavonoids, and other compounds, reported to have in vitro antifungal properties. Since the plant kingdom provides a useful source of lead compounds of novel structure, a wide-scale investigation of species from the tropics has been considered. Therefore, the research on natural products and compounds derived from natural products has accelerated in recent years due to their importance in drug discovery. A series of molecules with antifungal activity against different strains of fungus have been found in plants, which are of great importance to humans. These molecules may be used directly or considered as a precursor for developing better molecules. This review attempts to summarize the current status of important antifungal compounds from plants.

N-[(3-Phenylsulfanyl-1-phenylsulfonyl-1H-indol-2-yl)methyl]acetamide

In the title compound, C(23)H(20)N(2)O(3)S(2), the phenylsulfonyl ring and phenylthio ring make dihedral angles of 66.5 (7) and 81.2 (6)°, respectively, with the indole unit. In the crystal, mol-ecules are linked into centrosymmetric dimers via pairs of N-H⋯O hydrogen bonds with graph-set motif R(2) (2)(14). The crystal structure is further stabilized by weak inter-molecular C-H⋯O and very weak C-H⋯π inter-actions.

Temporal global expression data reveal known and novel salicylate-impacted processes and regulators mediating powdery mildew growth and reproduction on Arabidopsis

Salicylic acid (SA) is a critical mediator of plant innate immunity. It plays an important role in limiting the growth and reproduction of the virulent powdery mildew (PM) Golovinomyces orontii on Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). To investigate this later phase of the PM interaction and the role played by SA, we performed replicated global expression profiling for wild-type and SA biosynthetic mutant isochorismate synthase1 (ics1) Arabidopsis from 0 to 7 d after infection. We found that ICS1-impacted genes constitute 3.8% of profiled genes, with known molecular markers of Arabidopsis defense ranked very highly by the multivariate empirical Bayes statistic (T(2) statistic). Functional analyses of T(2)-selected genes identified statistically significant PM-impacted processes, including photosynthesis, cell wall modification, and alkaloid metabolism, that are ICS1 independent. ICS1-impacted processes include redox, vacuolar transport/secretion, and signaling. Our data also support a role for ICS1 (SA) in iron and calcium homeostasis and identify components of SA cross talk with other phytohormones. Through our analysis, 39 novel PM-impacted transcriptional regulators were identified. Insertion mutants in one of these regulators, PUX2 (for plant ubiquitin regulatory X domain-containing protein 2), results in significantly reduced reproduction of the PM in a cell death-independent manner. Although little is known about PUX2, PUX1 acts as a negative regulator of Arabidopsis CDC48, an essential AAA-ATPase chaperone that mediates diverse cellular activities, including homotypic fusion of endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi membranes, endoplasmic reticulum-associated protein degradation, cell cycle progression, and apoptosis. Future work will elucidate the functional role of the novel regulator PUX2 in PM resistance.

Diethyl 2-[(2-benzyl-1-phenylsulfonyl-1H-indol-3-yl)methylene]malonate

In the title compound, C₂₉H₂₇NO₆S, the sulfonyl-bound phenyl ring is almost perpendicular to the indole ring system [dihedral angle = 87.96 (6)°], while the benzyl­phenyl ring is oriented at an angle of 76.8 (7)°. An intra­molecular C—H⋯O hydrogen bond is observed. In the crystal structure, mol­ecules are linked into a zigzag C(10) chain along the b axis by inter­molecular C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds.

Antifungal Activity of Securinine against Some Plant Pathogenic Fungi

The alkaloid securinine was assessed against spore germination of some plant pathogenic and saprophytic fungi (Alternaria alternata, Alternaria brassicae, Alternaria brassicicola, Curvularia lunata, Curvularia maculans, Curvularia pallenscens, Colletotrichum musae, Colletotrichum sp., Erysiphe pisi, Helminthosporium echinoclova, Helminthosporium spiciferum, Heterosporium sp.). Spore germinations of all the tested fungi were inhibited. Alternaria brassicicola, C. lunata, C. pallenscens and H. spiciferum were highly sensitive as complete inhibition of spore germination was observed at very low concentrations (200 ppm).

Antifungal Activity of an Alkaloid Allosecurinine against Some Fungi

An allosecurinine alkaloid was assayed against spore germination of some saprophytic and pathogenic fungi e.g., Alternaria alternata, A. solani, A. brassicicola, A. brassicae, Curvularia lunata, C. pallescens, C. maculans, Curvularia species, Colletotrichum species, C. musae, C. gloeosporioides, Erysiphe pisi, Fusarium udum, Helminthosporium echinoclova, H. pennisetti, H. spiciferum, and Heterosporium sp. It inhibited mild spore germination of all the fungi tested. Curvularia lunata, Curvularia sp., Collectotrichum sp., C. musae and Heterosporium sp. were most sensitive as complete inhibition of spore germination was observed at very low concentrations.

Antifungal activity of 2-hydroxy 4,4'6'trimethoxy chalcone

Antifungal activity of 2-hydroxy 4,4'6'trimethoxy chalcone individually was tested against spore germination of ten fungi of different genera. Efficacy of the chemical was also tested against conidial germination and other growth parameters of Erysiphe pisi on excised pea leaves. 2-Hydroxy 4,4'6'trimethoxy chalcone inhibited spore germination at all the concentrations. Maximum inhibition was observed at 2000 ppm where more than 78 per cent inhibition of spore germination was observed in Ustilago cynodontis, Alternaria brassicicola, A. solani and Aspergillus flavus. It also reduced conidial germination of E. pisi significantly, when applied as pre-inoculation treatment.

Antifungal Activity of a Phytoterpenoid (AOS-A) Isolated from Artabotrytis odoratissimus on Spore Germination of Some Fungi

Phytoterpenoid isolated from Artabotrytis odoratissimus inhibited spore germination of some plant pathogenic as well as saprophytic fungi e.g. Alternaria alternata, A. solani, Cercospora sp., Curvularia maculans, C. pennisetti, Fusarium udum, Helminthosporium echinochlova, H. frumentacie, H. penniseti and Ustilago cynodontis. In Curvularia maculans and H. frumentacie, spore germination was completely inhibited at 2000 ppm. However, Curvularia maculans and C. pennisetti showed considerable sensitivity to this chemical even at 500 ppm.

Antifungal Activity of Narceine Methyl Ester and Narceine Isolated from Corydalis longipes Against Some Phytopathogenic Fungi

Narceine methyl ester and narceine are potent alkaloids which were isolated from Corydalis longipes were found effective in vitro at very low concentration, i.e., 100~500 ppm against spore germination of some test plant pathogenic fungi (Alternaria solani, A. tagetica, Cercospora abelmoschi, Curvularia maculans, Erysiphe cichoracearum, E. pisi, Fusarium udum, Helminthosporium oryzae, H. penniseti, Ustilago cynodontis). Among the test, phytopathogens the spores of F. udum, C. maculans and H. penniseti were highly sensitive at 200 ppm. However, spores of E. pisi, A. solani and A. tagetica were less sensitive at low concentration followed by other test fungi. Most of the fungi showed zero or nearly zero percent spore germination at 400 and 500 ppm.

Induction of Antifertility with Lupeol Acetate in Male Albino Rats

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the antifertility activity of the active principle, i.e. lupeol acetate, isolated from benzene extract of Alstonia scholaris in male albino rats. The treatment with lupeol acetate at the dose level of 10 mg/rat/day did not cause any significant change in the body weights, but significant reduction in the weight of reproductive organs, i.e. testes, epididymides, seminal vesicle and ventral prostate, was observed. Testicular sperm count, epididymal sperm count and motility were found significantly declined when compared with controls, which resulted in reduction of male fertility by 100%. Arrest of spermatogenesis was noted at various stages with production of primary spermatocytes (preleptotene and pachytene), secondary spermatocytes and step-19 spermatids were decreased by 52.36, 54.91, 55.67 and 69.65%, respectively. The seminiferous tubules appeared reduced in size by 24.62%. Cross-sectional surface area of Sertoli cells as well as their counts were found to be significantly depleted. Leydig cell nuclear area and number of mature Leydig cells were decreased by 27.65 and 35.47%. Biochemical parameters of tissues i.e. protein, sialic acid, glycogen and cholesterol content of testes and seminal vesicular fructose also showed significant reduction.

Antifungal Activity of Nor-securinine Against Some Phytopathogenic Fungi

Crude extracts and active principles from medicinal plants have shown potential role in controlling plant diseases in glasshouses as well as in fields as one of the safest and ecofriendly methods. The effect of nor-securinine (an alkaloid) isolated from Phyllanthus amarus has been seen against spore germination of some fungi (Alternaria brassicae, A. solani, Curvularia pennisetti, Curvularia sp., Erysiphe pisi, Helminthosporium frumentacei) as well as pea powdery mildew (Erysiphe pisi) under glasshouse conditions. The sensitivity of fungi to nor-securinine varied considerably. Nor-securinine was effective against most of the fungi. H. frumentacei was more sensitive even at the lowest concentration (1,000 µg/ml). Likewise conidia of E. pisi were also inhibited in partially or completely appressorium formation. Pre-inoculation treatment showed greater efficacy than post-inoculation in inhibiting powdery mildew development on pea plants in a glasshouse. Maximum inhibition occurred at 2000 µg/ml.

Two plant alkaloids isolated from Corydalis longipes as potential antifungal agents

The alkaloids N-methylhydrasteine hydroxylactam and 1-methoxyberberine chloride were isolated from Corydalis longipes. Both alkaloids showed high efficacy individually (in concentration of 50-150 ppm) and also in a 1:1 mixture against spore germination of some fungi, viz. Alternaria alternata, A. brassicae, Curvularia maculans, Curvularia sp., Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, Colletotrichum sp., Helminthosporium speciferum, H. pennisetti, Helminthosporium sp., and Ustilago cynodontis. The antifungal effect of single compounds was dose-dependent. If the mutual ratio of the two components in the mixture was changed from 1:1 to a major content of any of the two compounds, the inhibitory effect on spore germination decreased.

Individual and combined effect of (+/-)-alpha-hydrastine and (+/-)-beta-hydrastine on spore germination of some fungi

(+/-)-alpha-Hydrastine and (+/-)-beta-hydrastine were isolated from Corydalis longipes; both exhibited considerable efficacy against spore germination of some saprophytic and phytopathogenic fungi. While (+/-)-alpha-hydrastine was effective against most of the fungi, Helminthosporium echinoclova was least affected even at the highest dose (150 ppm). (+/-)-beta-Hydrastine was equally effective against several fungi. Mixture of both compounds was more effective than each one individually. Helminthosporium species were again the most resistant toward the mixture. The effect of both alkaloids independently on germination and development of E. pisi conidia on excised pea leaves was also shown. After pre-inoculation with (+/-)-alpha-hydrastine, the effect was more pronounced than the addition post-inoculation; maximum inhibition occurred at 200 ppm. (+/-)-beta-Hydrastine also reduced germination of conidia but was less effective than (+/-)-alpha-hydrastine. The number of primary and secondary branches of conidia and number of appressoria were not affected significantly by either compound.

Effect of berberine and (+/-)-bicuculline isolated from Corydalis chaerophylla on spore germination of some fungi

Berberine and (+/-)-bicuculline were isolated from roots and leaves, respectively, of Corydalis chaerophylla. Both were effective in vitro against spore germination of some plant pathogenic fungi (Alternaria brassicicola, A. brassicae, A. cheiranthi, A. melongenae, A. solani, Colletotrichum musae, C. falcatum, Curvularia penniseti, C. lunata, C. maculans, C. pallescens, Curvularia sp., Erysiphe pisi, E. cichoracearum, Erysiphe sp., Fusarium udum, Helminthosporium spiciferum, H. penniseti, H. frumentacei, Heterosporium sp., Oidium erysiphoides and Ustilago cynodontis). Berberine and (+/-)-bicuculline significantly inhibited spore germination of all the fungi at concentrations of 100-1000 ppm. Berberine was effective against all the fungi at all concentrations; most of the fungi did not germinate at 1000 ppm. H. penniseti conidia did not germinate at any concentration of (+/-)-bicuculline. U. cynodontis was the least sensitive fungus at lower concentrations but 800 ppm dose was highly effective.

Efficacy of alkaloid (-)-corypalmine against spore germination of some fungi

Inhibition activity of the alkaloid (-)-corypalmine on spore germination of plant pathogenic and saprophytic fungi (Alternaria solani, A brassicicola, A. brassicae, A. melongenae, Curvularia pallescens, C. lunata, C. maculans, Curvularisa sp., Colletotrichum sp., Helminthosporium speciferum, H. frumentacei, H. pennisetti, Heterosporium sp., Penicillum sp., Ustilago cynodontis) was determined. Spore germination of all the tested fungi was inhibited, Heterosporium sp. and Ustilago cynodontis being the most sensitive (complete inhibition of spore germination was observed at the very low concentration of 200 ppm). Curvularia palliscens, C. maculans and Curvularia sp. were less sensitive; complete inhibition of spore germination occurred at 400 ppm.