Geranyl Phenyl Ethers from the New Zealand Liverwort Trichocolea hatcheri

Phytochemistry of the Genus Trichocolea

The genus Trichocolea (Fam. Trichocoleaceae) comprise 31 species of liverworts, most of which are endemic in a wide geographical area of the southern Pacific Ocean including New Zealand, Tasmania, and South Australia. Although few reports have been reported on the phytochemistry and pharmacognosy of these briophytes, data reported so far show a great pharmacological potential for their secondary metabolites. Phytochemicals isolated from Trichocolea spp. include benzoate esters, flavonoids, and diterpenes. The reported biological activities of these natural compounds refer to cancer cells growth inhibitory, antibacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-oxidant effects. The aim of this short review is to examine in detail from a phytochemical and pharmacological point of view what is reported in the current literature about the properties of phytopreparations or individual chemicals obtained from liverworts belonging to the Trichocolea genus.

Volatile Components from Selected Tahitian Liverworts

Six Tahitian liverworts, Trichocolea pluma, Chandonanthus hirtellus, Mastigophora diclados, Jungermannia sp., Plagiochila sp. and Cyathodium foetidissimum were chemically investigated. All of these liverworts produce their own characteristic compounds. Vanillic acid methyl ester was isolated for the first time from T. pluma. Skatol is responsible for the very intense unpleasant odor of C. foetidissimum. Herbertane-type sesquiterpenoids are peculiar components of M. diclados, and fusicoccane-type diterpenoids were identified in Pagiochila sp. Cembranes and ent-verticillanes were isolated from C. hirtellus and also detected in Jungermannia species. C. hirtellus also biosynthesizes algal components and such results may suggest that some liverworts originate from algae.

Three new furoquinoline alkaloids from the leaves of Boninia glabra

Three novel furoquinoline alkaloid oxogeranyl ethers (1-3) and one known furoquinoline alkaloid (4) were isolated from the leaves of Boninia glabra, an endemic plant of the Bonin Islands. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analysis.

Chemosystematics of the hepaticae

Most liverworts (Hepaticae) contain oil bodies which are composed of lipophilic terpenoids and aromatic compounds. The chemosystematics of 36 families of the Jungermannidae and seven families of the Marchantiidae of the Hepaticae are discussed using terpenoid and aromatic components.

ent-Isopimarane-type diterpenoids from the New Zealand liverwort Trichocolea mollissima

Two ent-isopimarane-type diterpenoids were isolated from the New Zealand liverwort Trichocolea mollissima (Hook. f. and Tayl.) Gott., together with a known 1alpha-hydroxy-ent-sandaracopimara-8(14),15-diene. Their absolute structures have been established by modified Mosher's method, X-ray crystallography and by analyses of their CD spectra.

Synthesis and cytotoxic effects of deoxy-tomentellin

Cannabigerol (1, CBG), methyl 4-[(2E)-3,7-dimethyl-2,6-octadienyl)oxy]-3-methoxybenzoate (2, DTM), 5-fluorouracil (3, FU) as a reference, and cannabidiol (4, CBD) were tested for their growth inhibitory effects against KB(ATCC NO, OCL 17) cell lines using two different assays, the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazoliumbromide (MTT) assay and the sulforhod-amine B protein (SRB) assay. These compounds showed inhibitory activity in vitro in the micromolar range against KB cell lines. In general, the antitumor activities of these compounds (1, 2, 3 and 4) were dose-dependent over the micromolar concentration range of 1 to 100 M. The comparison of IC50 values of these compounds in tumor cell lines showed that their susceptibility to these compounds decreases in the following order: DTM > CBD > 5-FU > CBG by MTT assay and DTM = CBD > 5-FU > CBG by SRB assay. CBG 1, DTM 2, 5-FU 3, and CBD 4 were tested for their cytotoxic effects on NIH 3T3 fibroblasts using two different assays, the MTT assay and SRB assay. These compounds exhibited potent cytotoxic activities in vitro in the micromolar range against NIH 3T3 fibroblasts. In general, the cytotoxic activities of these compounds (1, 2, 3 and 4) were dose-dependent over the micromolar concentration range of 1 to 100 M. The comparison of CD50 values of these compounds in NIH 3T3 fibroblasts shows that their susceptibility to these compounds in decreases the following order(:) CBD > 5-FU > DTM > CBG by MTT assay, CBD > 5-FU > CBG > DTM by SRB assay. These results suggest that DTM 2 has the most growth-inhibitory activity against KB cell lines.