Plagiochianins A and B, Two ent-2,3- seco-Aromadendrane Derivatives from the Liverwort Plagiochila duthiana

Three rare anti-inflammatory sesquiterpene lactones from Magnolia grandiflora

Four new sesquiterpene lactones (SLs) (1-4), along with a biosynthetically related SL (5), have been isolated from the leaves of Magnolia grandiflora. Magrandate A (1) is notable as the first C18 homogemarane type SL, featuring a unique 1,7-dioxaspiro[4.4]nonan-6-one core. Compounds 2 and 3, representing the first instances of chlorine-substituted gemarane-type SL analogs in natural products, were also identified. The structures of these isolates were elucidated through a combination of spectroscopic data analysis, electronic circular dichroism calculations, and X-ray single-crystal diffraction analysis. All isolates demonstrated anti-inflammatory activity in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. Notably, 3-5 showed a significant inhibitory effect on nitric oxide production, with IC50 values ranging from 0.79 to 4.73 μmol·L-1. Additionally, 4 and 5 exhibited moderate cytotoxic activities against three cancer cell lines, with IC50 values between 3.09 and 11.23 μmol·L-1.

Sacculatane Diterpenoids from the Liverwort Plagiochila nitens Collected in China

Seven new terpenoids, including six sacculatane diterpenoids plagiochilarins A-F (1-6), and one ent-2,3-seco-aromandrane sesquiterpenoid plagiochilarin H (8) with a 6/7/3/5 tetracyclic scaffold, alongside three known compounds, were obtained from the Chinese liverwort Plagiochila nitens Inoue. Plagiochilarin B (2) was unpredictably converted to the more stable artifact 7 under acid catalysis through cyclic ether formation. The reaction mechanism was reasonably deduced and experimentally verified. The structures of these terpenoids were determined by analysis of MS and NMR spectroscopic data and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The inhibitory effect of all of the isolates was evaluated on the growth of two C. albicans strains, wild strain SC5314 and efflux pump-deficient strain DSY654. However, only plagiochilarin H (8) showed a MIC value of 16 μg/mL against C. albicans DSY654.

Discovery and Anticancer Activity of the Plagiochilins from the Liverwort Genus Plagiochila

The present analysis retraces the discovery of plagiochilins A-to-W, a series of seco-aromadendrane-type sesquiterpenes isolated from diverse leafy liverworts of the genus Plagiochila. Between 1978, with the first isolation of the leader product plagiochilin A from P. yokogurensis, and 2005, with the characterization of plagiochilin X from P. asplenioides, a set of 24 plagiochilins and several derivatives (plagiochilide, plagiochilal A-B) has been isolated and characterized. Analogue compounds recently described are also evoked, such as the plagiochianins and plagicosins. All these compounds have been little studied from a pharmacological viewpoint. However, plagiochilins A and C have revealed marked antiproliferative activities against cultured cancer cells. Plagiochilin A functions as an inhibitor of the termination phase of cytokinesis: the membrane abscission stage. This unique, innovative mechanism of action, coupled with its marked anticancer action, notably against prostate cancer cells, make plagiochilin A an interesting lead molecule for the development of novel anticancer agents. There are known options to increase its potency, as deduced from structure–activity relationships. The analysis shed light on this family of bryophyte species and the little-known group of bioactive terpenoid plagiochilins. Plagiochilin A and derivatives shall be further exploited for the design of novel anticancer targeting the cytokinesis pathway.

Unprecedented 4, 9-seco-oplopanane and seven drimane sesquiterpenoids from the Chinese Liverwort Lejeunea flava (Sw.) Nees

An unprecedented 4, 9- seco -oplopanane ( 1 ), two undescribed drimane epimers ( 2 and 3 ), and five known drimane sesquiterpenoids ( 4 - 8 ) were isolated from the Chinese liverwort Lejeunea flava (Sw.) Nees. The structures of the new sesquiterpenoids were determined using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, electronic circular dichroism calculations, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction measurements. The inhibitory capacity of the new compounds against nitric oxide production in lipopolysaccharide-induced RAW 264.7 murine macrophages, along with the cytotoxicity of the new compounds against A549 and HepG-2 human cancer cell lines, were discussed.

Pinguisane Sesquiterpenoids from the Chinese Liverwort Trocholejeunea sandvicensis and Their Anti-Inflammatory Activity

Nine new pinguisane sesquiterpenoid compounds, 1-9, including a highly oxygenated compound (1) and two amides (7 and 8), along with three known compounds (10, 11, and 12), were isolated from the Chinese liverwort Trocholejeunea sandvicensis Mizut (Lejeuneaceae). The structures of these compounds were determined by analysis of IR, UV, HRESIMS, NMR spectroscopic data, electronic circular dichroism calculations, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Inhibitory effects against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced NO production in RAW 264.7 murine macrophages indicated that the maximum inhibition rates of NO production of compounds 1, 9, and 10 were 83.15%, 83.54%, and 96.28% under the nontoxic tested concentration, respectively. Compound 9 also displayed moderate anti-inflammatory activity in vivo in a CuSO₄-induced transgenic zebrafish model.

Structurally Diverse Sesquiterpenoid Glycoside Esters from Pittosporum qinlingense with Anti-neuroinflammatory Activity

Thirteen new sesquiterpenoid glycoside esters, including 11 aromadendrane-type compounds, pitqinlingosides A-K (1-11), one cadinane-type compound, pitqinlingoside L (12), and one eudesmane-type compound, pitqinlingoside M (13), together with seven known analogues (14-20) were isolated from the twigs, fruits, and leaves of Pittosporum qinlingense. Structures were elucidated by analysis of spectroscopic data, gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and chemical methods. The absolute configuration was confirmed by single-crystal X-ray crystallography analysis or electronic circular dichroism spectra. Unusual glycoside esters are characterized by the presence of polyacylated β-d-fucopyranosyl, β-d-glucopyranosyl, and β-d-xylopyranosyl units. Pitqinlingosides A (1), B (2), D (4), and F (6), pittosporanoside A₁ acetate (14), and pittosporanoside A₁ (16) showed significant nitric oxide production inhibition in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced BV-2 microglial cells with IC₅₀ values ranging from 0.95 to 24.12 μM. Structure-activity relationships of the isolated compounds are discussed.

Total Synthesis of ent-Plagiochianin B

An enantioselective total synthesis of plagiochianin B is described that employs (+)-3-carene as its point of departure and delivers the enantiomer of the natural product. Key features of the synthesis include a palladium-mediated regioselective oxidative cleavage of an olefin residing on a pyridine derived from a 6π-azatriene electrocyclization.

Bryo-Activities: A Review on How Bryophytes Are Contributing to the Arsenal of Natural Bioactive Compounds against Fungi

Usually regarded as less evolved than their more recently diverged vascular sisters, which currently dominate vegetation landscape, bryophytes seem having nothing to envy to the defensive arsenal of other plants, since they had acquired a suite of chemical traits that allowed them to adapt and persist on land. In fact, these closest modern relatives of the ancestors to the earliest terrestrial plants proved to be marvelous chemists, as they traditionally were a popular remedy among tribal people all over the world, that exploit their pharmacological properties to cure the most different diseases. The phytochemistry of bryophytes exhibits a stunning assortment of biologically active compounds such as lipids, proteins, steroids, organic acids, alcohols, aliphatic and aromatic compounds, polyphenols, terpenoids, acetogenins and phenylquinones, thus it is not surprising that substances obtained from various species belonging to such ancestral plants are widely employed as antitumor, antipyretic, insecticidal and antimicrobial. This review explores in particular the antifungal potential of the three Bryophyta divisions-mosses (Musci), hornworts (Anthocerotae) and liverworts (Hepaticae)-to be used as a sources of interesting bioactive constituents for both pharmaceutical and agricultural areas, providing an updated overview of the latest relevant insights.

Survey of natural products reported by Asian research groups in 2018

The new natural products reported in 2018 in peer-reviewed articles in journals with good reputations were reviewed and analyzed. The advances made by Asian research groups in the field of natural products chemistry in 2018 were summarized. Compounds with unique structural features and/or promising bioactivities originating from Asian natural sources were discussed based on their structural classification.

Hot off the press

A personal selection of 32 recent papers is presented covering various aspects of current developments in bioorganic chemistry and novel natural products such as kadsuraol A from Kadsura longipedunculata.