Aristolactams and dioxoaporphines from Fissistigma balansae and Fissistigma oldhamii

Photoredox Synthesis of Silicon-Containing Isoindolin-1-ones and Deuterated Analogues Through Hydrosilylation and Deuterium-silylation

An efficient, practical, and metal-free protocol for the synthesis of silicon-containing isoindolin-1-ones and deuterated analogues via the synergistic combination of an organic photoredox and hydrogen atom transfer process is described. This strategy features mild reaction conditions, high atom economy, and excellent functional group compatibility, delivering a myriad of structurally diverse and valuable products with good to excellent yields.

Comprehensive Tools of Alkaloid/Volatile Compounds-Metabolomics and DNA Profiles: Bioassay-Role-Guided Differentiation Process of Six Annona sp. Grown in Egypt as Anticancer Therapy

Trees of the Annona species that grow in the tropics and subtropics contain compounds that are highly valuable for pharmacological research and medication development and have anticancer, antioxidant, and migratory properties. Metabolomics was used to functionally characterize natural products and to distinguish differences between varieties. Natural products are therefore bioactive-marked and highly respected in the field of drug innovation. Our study aimed to evaluate the interrelationships among six Annona species. By utilizing six Start Codon Targeted (SCoT) and six Inter Simple Sequence Repeat (ISSR) primers for DNA fingerprinting, we discovered polymorphism percentages of 45.16 and 35.29%, respectively. The comparison of the profiles of 78 distinct volatile oil compounds in six Annona species was accomplished through the utilization of GC-MS-based plant metabolomics. Additionally, the differentiation process of 74 characterized alkaloid compound metabolomics was conducted through a structural analysis using HPLC-ESI-MSn and UPLC-HESI-MS/MS, and antiproliferative activities were assessed on five in vitro cell lines. High-throughput, low-sensitivity LC/MS-based metabolomics has facilitated comprehensive examinations of alterations in secondary metabolites through the utilization of bioassay-guided differentiation processes. This has been accomplished by employing twenty-four extracts derived from six distinct Annona species, which were subjected to in vitro evaluation. The primary objective of this evaluation was to investigate the IC50 profile as well as the antioxidant and migration activities. It should be noted, however, that these investigations were exclusively conducted utilizing the most potent extracts. These extracts were thoroughly examined on both the HepG2 and Caco cell lines to elucidate their potential anticancer effects. In vitro tests on cell cultures showed a significant concentration cytotoxic effect on all cell lines (HepG2, HCT, Caco, Mcf-7, and T47D) treated with six essential oil samples at the exposure time (48 h). Therefore, they showed remarkable antioxidant activity with simultaneous cytotoxic effects. In total, 50% and 80% of the A. muricata extract, the extract with the highest migratory activity, demonstrated a dose-dependent inhibition of migration. It was strong on highly metastatic Caco cells 48 h after treatment and scraping the Caco cell sheet, with the best reduction in the migration of HepG2 cells caused by the 50% A. reticulata extract. Also, the samples showing a significant IC50 value showed a significant effect in stopping metastasis and invasion of various cancer cell lines, making them an interesting topic for further research.

Fissistigma oldhamii (Hemsl.) Merr.: Ethnomedicinal, Phytochemistry, and Pharmacological Aspects

The species Fissistigma oldhamii (Hemsl.) Merr. (Annonaceae) has long been used as a traditional herbal medicine in China to treat diverse human diseases. Decoctions from the roots of the plant (Guā Fù Mù) are used to treat body pain and inflammatory pathologies, such as rheumatic syndromes, sciatica, and osteoarthritis. The phytochemical content of the plant and the associated pharmacological activities have been analyzed. Seventy natural products were identified in the different parts of the plants, namely, the roots, stems, leaves, fruits, and seeds. The compounds comprise many tri- and tetracyclic alkaloids (aporphine-type), anthraquinones, terpenoids, flavonoids, and others. The pharmacological properties of these molecules were analyzed to point out the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticancer, and/or antimicrobial effects, together with the underlying modulated pathways and molecular targets in some cases. The panel of phytoconstituents present in F. oldhamii extracts is large, with the majority of bioactive products identified in the roots and stems. Multiple molecules can contribute to the anti-inflammatory properties of the extracts. Network pharmacology analyses of the phytoconstituents are needed to better delineate the effective components and their targets.

Rapid Identification of Alkaloids and Flavonoids in Fissistigma oldhamii var. longistipitatum by Ultra High-Performance Liquid Chromatography and Quadrupole Time-of-Flight Tandem Mass Spectrometry

The herb Fissistigma oldhamii var. longistipitatum has been used for a long time in Asian folk medicine in the treatment of several diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory conditions. Researchers in China and elsewhere have analyzed and characterized its chemical content. In this study, a UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS method, run in both positive and negative modes, was used to identify the main chemical compounds in dichloromethane extracts of this F. oldhamii variant. A total of 64 compounds, including 44 alkaloids and 20 flavonoids, were rapidly identified or tentatively characterized by comparing the molecular ion peaks and MS2 mass spectrometry fragment ions, combined with the mass spectrometry information of reference substances, appropriate fragmentation ions and related literatures. For the first time, the developed UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS analysis method allows for the determination of 64 compounds from extracts of the F. oldhamii variant. The method presented here produced results that will be useful in further studies of this herb.

Regeneration of Pancreatic β-Cells for Diabetes Therapeutics by Natural DYRK1A Inhibitors

The pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus is characterized by insulin resistance and islet β-cell dysfunction. Up to now, the focus of diabetes treatment has been to control blood glucose to prevent diabetic complications. There is an urgent need to develop a therapeutic approach to restore the mass and function of β-cells. Although exogenous islet cell transplantation has been used to help patients control blood glucose, it is costly and has very narrow application scenario. So far, small molecules have been reported to stimulate β-cell proliferation and expand β-cell mass, increasing insulin secretion. Dual-specificity tyrosine-regulated kinase 1A (DYRK1A) inhibitors can induce human β-cell proliferation in vitro and in vivo, and show great potential in the field of diabetes therapeutics. From this perspective, we elaborated on the mechanism by which DYRK1A inhibitors regulate the proliferation of pancreatic β-cells, and summarized several effective natural DYRK1A inhibitors, hoping to provide clues for subsequent structural optimization and drug development in the future.

Chemical constituents and antibacterial activity from the stems and leaves of Piper wallichii

A phytochemical investigation of the stems and leaves of Piper wallichii led to the isolation of two new compounds, an aryl alkanone, piwalkanone (1) and a dioxoaporphine alkaloid, piwallidione (2), together with nine known compounds, a dioxoaporphine alkaloid, cepharadione A (3); two aristolactams, piperolactam A (4) and stigmalactam (5); a piperidine, piperine (6); four isobutylamides, piperlonguminine (7), pellitorine (8), N-isobutyl-2E,4E-octadecadienamide (9), and guineensine (10); and a tyramine, N-trans-feruloyltyramine (11). Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic evidence (IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR and 2 D NMR) and MS. Compounds 2 and 3 showed inhibitory activities against pathogenic bacteria, Bacillus cereus, Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus.

Transition metal-free advanced synthetic approaches for isoindolinones and their fused analogues

The transition metal-free synthetic protocols of isoindolinone and its fused analogues are highlighted in this review since 2007 to 2021.

Fissisternoids A and B, two 2′,5′-quinodihydrochalcone-based meroterpenoid enantiomers with unusual carbon skeletons from Fissistigma bracteolatum

Compound 1 represents an unprecedented meroterpenoid featuring a unique tricyclo [3,3,1,01′,5′] decane central framework and 2 possesses a rare 6/6/5/4 tetracyclic carbon skeleton were isolated from Fissistigma bracteolatum.

Aristolactam BIII, a naturally derived DYRK1A inhibitor, rescues Down syndrome-related phenotypes

BACKGROUND

Dual-specificity tyrosine phosphorylation-regulated kinase 1A (DYRK1A) is a significant pathogenic factor in Down syndrome (DS), wherein DYRK1A is overexpressed by 1.5-fold because of trisomy of human chromosome 21. Thus, DYRK1A inhibition is considered a therapeutic strategy to modify the disease.

PURPOSE

This study aims to identify a novel DYRK1A inhibitor and validate its therapeutic potential in DS-related pathological conditions.

STUDY DESIGN

In order to identify a novel DYRK1A inhibitor, we carried out two-step screening: a structure-based virtual screening of > 300,000 chemical library (first step) and cell-based nuclear factor of activated T-cells (NFAT)-response element (RE) promoter assay (second step). Primary hits were evaluated for their DYRK1A inhibitory activity using in vitro kinase assay and Tau phosphorylation in mammalian cells. Confirmed hit was further evaluated in pathological conditions including DYRK1A-overexpressing fibroblasts, flies, and mice.

RESULTS

We identified aristolactam BIII, a natural product derived from herbal plants, as a novel DYRK1A inhibitor. It potently inhibited the kinase activity of DYRK1A in vitro (IC₅₀ = 9.67 nM) and effectively suppressed DYRK1A-mediated hyperphosphorylation of Tau in mammalian cells. Aristolactam BIII rescued the proliferative defects of DYRK1A transgenic (TG) mouse-derived fibroblasts and neurological and phenotypic defects of DS-like Drosophila models. Oral administration of aristolactam BIII acutely suppressed Tau hyperphosphorylation in the brain of DYRK1A TG mice. In the open field test, aristolactam BIII significantly ameliorated the exploratory behavioral deficit of DYRK1A TG mice.

CONCLUSION

Our work revealed that aristolactam BIII as a novel DYRK1A inhibitor rescues DS phenotypes in cells and in vivo and suggested its therapeutic potential for the treatment of DYRK1A-related diseases.

Copper-mediated oxidative C-H/N-H activations with alkynes by removable hydrazides

The efficient copper-mediated oxidative C-H alkynylation of benzhydrazides was accomplished with terminal alkynes. Thus, a heteroaromatic removable N-2-pyridylhydrazide allowed for domino C-H/N-H functionalization. The approach featured remarkable functional group compatibility and ample substrate scope. Thereby, highly functionalized aromatic and heteroaromatic isoindolin-1-ones were accessed with high efficacy with rate-limiting C-H cleavage.

New compounds from the stems of Fissistigma oldhamii var. longistipitatum and their cytotoxic activities

Two new aporphine alkaloids, (R)-1,2-methylenedioxy-3,9-dimethoxy-11-hydroxy-N- carbamoyl-noraporphine (1) and 3,10,11-trimethoxy-1,2-methylenedioxy-7-oxoaporphine(2), and one new dihydrochalcone, 4',5'-dimethoxy-2'-hydroxy-3',6'-quinodihydrochalcone (3), along with five known alkaloids were isolated from the ethanol extracts of the stems of Fissistigma oldhamii var. longistipitatum. The compounds were obtained by various classical column chromatographic methods, and the structure elucidation was completed primarily on the basis of spectroscopic analysis, such as UV, NMR and HR-ESI-MS. The isolated compounds were subjected to evaluate cytotoxic activities in vitro, compound 1 had activity against HL-60 and HELA (IC₅₀ value of 8.4 μM and 5.2 μM, respectively), compound 2 against MCF-7 (IC₅₀ value of 3.7 μM), compound 3 against HEPG2 (IC₅₀ value of 10.8 μM), respectively.

Comparative Research of Chemical Profiling in Different Parts of Fissistigma oldhamii by Ultra-High-Performance Liquid Chromatography Coupled with Hybrid Quadrupole-Orbitrap Mass Spectrometry

The roots of Fissistigma oldhamii (FO) are widely used as medicine with the effect of dispelling wind and dampness, promoting blood circulation and relieving pains, and its fruits are considered delicious. However, Hakka people always utilize its above-ground parts as a famous folk medicine, Xiangteng, with significant differences from literatures. Studies of chemical composition showed there were multiple aristolactams that possessed high nephrotoxicity, pending evaluation research about their distribution in FO. In this study, a sensitive, selective, rapid and reliable method was established to comparatively perform qualitative and semi-quantitative analysis of the constituents in roots, stems, leaves, fruits and insect galls, using an Ultra-High-Performance Liquid Chromatography coupled with Hybrid Quadrupole Orbitrap Mass Spectrometry (UPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap MS, or Q-Exactive for short). To make more accurate identification and comparison of FO chemicals, all MS data were aligned and screened by XCMS, then their structures were elucidated according to MSn ion fragments between the detected and standards, published ones or these generated by MS fragmenter. A total of 79 compounds were identified, including 33 alkaloids, 29 flavonoids, 11 phenylpropanoids, etc. There were 54 common components in all five parts, while another 25 components were just detected in some parts. Six toxic aristolactams were detected in this experiment, including aristolactam AII, AIIIa, BII, BIII, FI and FII, of which the relative contents in above-ground stems were much higher than roots. Meanwhile, multivariate statistical analysis was performed and showed significant differences both in type and content of the ingredients within all FO parts. The results implied that above-ground FO parts should be carefully valued for oral administration and eating fruits. This study demonstrated that the high-resolution mass spectrometry coupled with multivariate statistical methods was a powerful tool in compound analysis of complicated herbal extracts, and the results provide the basis for its further application, scientific development of quality standard and utilization.

A Serendipitous One-Pot Cyanation/Hydrolysis/Enamide Formation: Direct Access to 3-Methyleneisoindolin-1-ones

A direct, one-pot conversion of 2'-haloacetophenones to 3-methyleneisoindolin-1-one scaffolds using CuCN as the sole reagent without the need for moisture-free or anaerobic conditions is reported. This serendipitously discovered transformation with a broad substrate scope provides a significantly different route towards these important scaffolds. The scope of the method has also been further extended towards the synthesis of three special scaffolds, which are analogous to various bio-active drugs.

The sunlight-promoted aerobic selective cyclization of olefinic amides and diselenides

A novel sunlight-promoted approach for the selective synthesis of selenated iminoisobenzofurans or isoindolinones via the aerobic O-cyclization or N-cyclization of olefinic amides with diselenides has been developed.

Room-Temperature Synthesis of Isoindolone Spirosuccinimides: Merger of Visible-Light Photocatalysis and Cobalt-Catalyzed C-H Activation

A room-temperature C-H bond functionalization of benzamides has been developed by merging a photocatalyst with a cobalt catalyst for the synthesis of isoindolone spirosuccinimides. The reaction proceeds in aerobic conditions and does not require any sacrificial external oxidants such as Ag(I) or Mn(III) salts. Visible light activates the photocatalyst, and it acts as an electron-transfer reagent and helps in the fundamental organometallic steps by modulating the oxidation state of the cobalt complex. This C-H bond functionalization and spirocyclization showed wide substrate scope and good functional group tolerance. A possible reaction mechanism was proposed from the experimental outcome, showing that C-H bond activation is irreversible and not the rate-determining step.

Identification of Aristolactam Derivatives That Act as Inhibitors of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Infection and Replication by Targeting Tat-Mediated Viral Transcription

Despite the success of antiretroviral therapy (ART), efforts to develop new classes of antiviral agents have been hampered by the emergence of drug resistance. Dibenzo-indole-bearing aristolactams are compounds that have been isolated from various plants species and which show several clinically relevant effects, including anti-inflammatory, antiplatelet, and anti-mycobacterial actions. However, the effect of these compounds on human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection has not yet been studied. In this study, we discovered an aristolactam derivative bearing dibenzo[cd,f]indol-4(5H)-one that had a potent anti-HIV-1 effect. A structure-activity relationship (SAR) study using nine synthetic derivatives of aristolactam identified the differing effects of residue substitutions on the inhibition of HIV-1 infection and cell viability. Among the compounds tested, 1,2,8,9-tetramethoxy-5-(2-(piperidin-1-yl)ethyl)-dibenzo[cd,f]indol-4(5H)-one (Compound 2) exhibited the most potent activity by inhibiting HIV-1 infection with a half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) of 1.03 μmol/L and a half-maximal cytotoxic concentration (CC₅₀) of 16.91 μmol/L (selectivity index, 16.45). The inhibitory effect of the compounds on HIV-1 infection was linked to inhibition of the viral replication cycle. Mode-of-action studies showed that the aristolactam derivatives did not affect reverse transcription or integration; instead, they specifically inhibited Tat-mediated viral transcription. Taken together, these findings show that several aristolactam derivatives impaired HIV-1 infection by inhibiting the activity of Tat-mediated viral transcription, and suggest that these derivatives could be antiviral drug candidates.

Synthesis of 3-Alkylideneisoindolin-1-ones via Sonogashira Cyclocarbonylative Reactions of 2-Ethynylbenzamides

Cyclocarbonylative Sonogashira reactions of ortho-ethynylbenzamides have been investigated. The process is carried out under CO pressure, in the presence of a very small amount of PdCl₂(PPh₃)₂ (0.4 mol %) as a catalytic precursor and without the need for a Cu salt as the co-catalyst. 2-Ethynylbenzamide reacted successfully with iodoarenes bearing electron-withdrawing and electron-donating groups, giving rise to different classes of compounds depending on the solvent used. On the contrary, N-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-ethynylbenzamide afforded exclusively polyfunctionalized isoindolinones with high stereoselectivity toward (E) isomers.

Copper and palladium-catalyzed sequential reactions: one-pot synthesis of isoindolo[2,1-b]isoquinolin-7(5H)-ones

A highly efficient protocol has been developed for the synthesis of diversely substituted isoindolo[2,1-b]isoquinolin-7(5H)-ones through sequential Cu(ii)-catalyzed Sonogashira coupling, intramolecular hydroamidation followed by palladium-catalyzed ligand-free Heck reaction. Good to excellent yields (41-94%) were observed with excellent substrate scope and functional group tolerance. The developed method represents a practical strategy for the construction of bioactive isoindolo[2,1-b]isoquinolin-7(5H)-ones.

1 H and 13 C NMR data, occurrence, biosynthesis, and biological activity of Piper amides

Alkamides are the major and characteristic chemical compounds of the plants belonging to the Piper genus. These compounds are responsible for the flavor of pepper spices and for its broad use in cuisine across many regions of the world. Humans are in contact every day with these substances, which additionally show a broad variety of pharmacological activities, making them an important research target. A large amount of NMR data for these natural products is dispersed throughout literature. Its organization will help those research groups interested in their identification and structural elucidation. This review summarizes the ¹ H and ¹³ C NMR data of 268 Piper amides in a systematic and orderly way, with a discussion on their biological activities, biosynthetic aspects, and NMR analysis of typical and relevant aspects of this information.

Dasymaschalolactams A-E, Aristolactams from a Twig Extract of Dasymaschalon dasymaschalum

Five new aristolactam alkaloids (1-5), dasymaschalolactams A-E, and the first isolation of dasymaschalolactone (17) as a natural product, together with 19 known compounds (6-16 and 18-25) were isolated from the twig extract of Dasymaschalon dasymaschalum. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods as well as comparisons made from the literature. Compounds 20 and 21 showed α-glucosidase inhibitory activities with IC₅₀ values of 4.5 and 24.7 μM, respectively.

Crystal structure of 3-((1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)amino)-2-(1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)isoindolin-1-one, C22H16N6O

C22H16N6O, monoclinic, P21/c (no. 14), a = 13.2081(5) Å, b = 23.3620(11) Å, c = 12.2769(5) Å, β = 102.345(4)°, V = 3700.7(3) Å3, Z = 8, R gt(F) = 0.0648, wR ref(F 2) = 0.1730, T = 293(2) K.

Alkaloids and styryllactones from Goniothalamus cheliensis

Eight previously undescribed compounds, including four alkaloids and five styryllactones together with 36 known compounds were isolated from the twig and leaf extracts of Goniothalamus cheliensis. Their structures were elucidated by extensive analysis of their spectroscopic data. The absolute configuration of (-)-(4S,5S,6R,7S,8S)-goniochelienlactone and (-)-(4S,5S,6R,7S,8S)-7-acetylgoniochelienlactone were established from single crystal X-ray analysis using Cu Kα radiation. The absolute configurations of the other related compounds were identified by comparisons of their ECD spectra with those of related known compounds. Most of the isolated compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxicities against human colorectal cancer cells (HCT-116). Griffithazanone A was the most potent with an IC₅₀ value of 2.39 μM.

A New Oxoaporphine Alkaloid from the Root of Dasymaschalon glaucum

The first phytochemical investigation of the root of Dasymaschalon glaucum led to the isolation of a new oxoaporphine alkaloid 1 together with seven known compounds, duguevalline (2), stigmalactam (3), enterocarpam III (4), desmosdumotin B (5), spiraeamide (6), kaempferol-3- O-glucopyranoside (7) and β-sitosterol (8). The chemical structures of all isolated compounds were established on the basis of their spectroscopic data. The cytotoxic and anti-HIV 1-RT activities of isolated compounds were also evaluated.

Natural Inhibitors of the RhoA-p115 Complex from the Bark of Meiogyne baillonii

In an effort to find potent natural inhibitors of RhoA and p115 signaling G-proteins, a systematic in vitro evaluation using enzymatic and plasmonic resonance assays was undertaken on 11 317 plant extracts. The screening procedure led to the selection of the New Caledonian endemic species Meiogyne baillonii for a chemical investigation. Using a bioguided isolation procedure, three enediyne-γ-butyrolactones (1-3) and two enediyne-γ-butenolides (4 and 5), named sapranthins H-L, respectively, two enediyne carboxylic acid (6 and 7), two depsidones, stictic acid (8) and baillonic acid (9), aristolactams AIa and AIIa (10 and 11), and two aporphines, dehydroroemerine (12) and noraristolodione (13), were isolated from the ethyl acetate extract of the bark. The structures of the new compounds (1-6, 9, and 11) and their relative configurations were established by NMR spectroscopic analysis and by X-ray diffraction analysis for compound 9. Only stictic acid (8) exhibited a significant inhibiting activity of the RhoA-p115 complex, with an EC₅₀ value of 0.19 ± 0.05 mM. This is the first time that a natural inhibitor of the complex RhoA-p115's activity was discovered from an HTS performed over a collection of higher plant extracts. Thus, stictic acid (8) could be used as the first reference compound inhibiting the interaction between RhoA and p115.

Bioactive Components of Fissistigma cupreonitens

Phytochemical investigation of Fissistigma cupreonitens (Annonaceae) led to the isolation of 34 compounds. The chemical structures of all compounds were determined by spectroscopic methods. Among the isolates, compounds 20–27 and 31–34 were reported from this genus for the first time. From the results of the cytotoxicity assay against three human cancer cell lines (NCI-H226, NPC-TW01, and Jurkat E6–1), oxoaporphine compounds oxoxylopine (1), oxocrebanine (3), kuafumine (4) and lysicamine (5), and the flavonoid adunctin E (26) displayed significant cytotoxicity against NCI-H226 cell line, with IC50 values of 8.45, 8.10, 8.54, 12.83 and 12.00 μM, respectively, in comparison with the standard drug, cisplatin with IC50 of 13.37 μM.

A new morphinandienone alkaloid from the stems of Fissistigma tungfangense

A new morphinandienone alkaloid, fissistigmine A (1), together with three known alkaloids (2-4), were isolated and identified from the stems of Fissistigma tungfangense. Among them, fissistigmine A (1) represents the first example of a novel naturally occurring morphinandienone alkaloid with a unique cleavage of the C-9-N-17 bond. All isolated compounds were evaluated for their anti-rheumatoid arthritis activities via examining their anti-proliferative effects on synoviocytes in vitro. Compound 1 exhibited inhibitory effect on the proliferation of synoviocytes with an IC₅₀ value of 114.6 ± 2.2 μM.

Anti-HIV Activity of Alkaloids from Dasymaschalon echinatum

Bioassay-guided fractionation of the aerial parts of Dasymaschalon echinatum led to the isolation of five known aristolactams; aristolactam AII (1), aristolactam BII (2), piperolactam A (3), piperolactam C (4), and goniopedaline (5), together with two aphorphine alkaloids; duguevalline (6) and noraristolodione (7) and two amide derivatives; asperphenamate (8), and N -benzoyl-L-phenylalaninol (9). Alkaloids 2 and 7 were isolated for the first time from the Dasymaschalon genus. The anti-HIV 1 reverse transcriptase (RT) activity of all isolated compounds was determined. Except for aristolactam BII (2), this is the first report of the anti-HIV 1-RT activity of compounds 1 and 3-9. Compounds 1, 3, 5, 6 and 8 showed weak anti-HIV 1-RT inhibitory activity with IC50 ranging from 112.74 to 225.55μM.

(+)- and (-)-Ecarlottones, Uncommon Chalconoids from Fissistigma latifolium with Pro-Apoptotic Activity

Four new compounds, (+)- and (-)-ecarlottone (1), (±)-fislatifolione (5), (±)-isofislatifolione (6), and (±)-fislatifolic acid (7), and the known desmethoxyyangonin (2), didymocarpin-A (3), and dehydrodidymocarpin-A (4) were isolated from the stem bark of Fissistigma latifolium, by means of bioassay-guided purification using an in vitro affinity displacement assay based on the modulation of Bcl-xL/Bak and Mcl-1/Bid interactions. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by NMR spectroscopic data analysis, and the absolute configurations of compounds (+)-1 and (-)-1 were assigned by comparison of experimental and computed ECD spectra. (-)-Ecarlottone 1 exhibited a potent antagonistic activity on both protein-protein associations with K_i values of 4.8 μM for Bcl-xL/Bak and 2.4 μM for Mcl-1/Bid.

Heteroannulation enabled by a bimetallic Rh(iii)/Ag(i) relay catalysis: application in the total synthesis of aristolactam BII

A Rh(iii)/Ag(i) relay catalysis allowed the construction of 3-alkylidene isoindolinones and 3-alkylidene isobenzofuranones. The synthetic application in the total synthesis was accomplished.