Nauclofficines A and B, two novel monoterpenoid indole alkaloids from the Li folk herb Nauclea officinalis with anti-allergic inflammatory effects on RBL-2H3 cells

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Nauclea officinalis Pierre ex Pitard, a traditional medicinal plant cherished by the Li ethnic group, is renowned for its potent anti-allergic properties in the clinic, especially in alleviating respiratory inflammations. This plant is now extensively cultivated to harness its valuable extracts for the production of traditional cough syrup.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To identify the active components responsible for its anti-allergic inflammatory properties and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of action.

METHOD

The structures of the compounds were meticulously elucidated using comprehensive spectroscopic analyses, including IR, UV, NMR, and MS, along with crystallography and ECD calculations. In vitro studies utilized IgE-induced RBL-2H3 cells to assess cell degranulation and the release of inflammatory mediators such as histamine, leukotrienes (LTs), and prostaglandins (PGs). Techniques such as the CCK-8 assay, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and Western blot (WB) were employed. Additionally, molecular docking methods were used to simulate and analyze the binding interactions of small molecules with their targets.

RESULT

Two novel monoterpene indole alkaloids were isolated: nauclofficine A, characterized by a unique 6/5/5/6/5 fused ring system, and nauclofficine B, which features an additional benzene-substituted dioxane moiety. Their structures were meticulously elucidated, and their biosynthetic pathways were hypothesized. Nauclofficine B exhibited significant inhibitory effects on cell degranulation and the release of inflammatory mediators such as histamine, leukotrienes (LTs), and prostaglandins (PGs) in IgE-induced RBL-2H3 cells. Further analysis using Western blot revealed that it significantly modulated the expression of key proteins in the IgE-mediated inflammatory signaling pathway. Molecular docking experiments suggested that its potential multi-target proteins include Lyn, FcεR, Syk, and p-Gab2, which were subsequently verified.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggested that the wood of N. officinalis contains structurally novel alkaloids with anti-allergic inflammatory activity. The absolute configuration of the compound was accurately and reliably deduced, and the biosynthetic pathway was reasonably inferred. Their primary mechanism of action involves targeting multiple key proteins in the IgE-mediated inflammatory signaling pathway, including Lyn, FcεR, Syk, and p-Gab2.

Stefano Marcaccini: a pioneer in isocyanide chemistry

Stefano Marcaccini was one of the pioneers in the use of isocyanide-based multicomponent reactions in organic synthesis. Throughout his career at the University of Florence he explored many different faces of isocyanide chemistry, especially those geared towards the synthesis of biologically relevant heterocycles. His work inspired many researchers who contributed to other important developments in the field of multicomponent reactions and created a school of synthetic chemists that continues today. In this manuscript we intend to review the articles on isocyanide multicomponent reactions published by Dr. Marcaccini and analyse their influence on the following works by other researchers. With this, we hope to highlight the immense contribution of Stefano Marcaccini to the development of isocyanide chemistry and modern organic synthesis as well as the influence of his research on future generations. We believe that this review will not only be a well-deserved tribute to the figure of Stefano Marcaccini, but will also serve as a useful inspiration for chemists working in this field.

Formation of nitrogen-containing six-membered heterocycles on steroidal ring system: A review

Steroidal heterocyclic compounds constitute interesting and promising scaffolds for drug discovery as they have displayed diverse chemical reactivity and several types of biological activities. This study is a concise report on the most recent advancements in the chemistry of the steroid skeleton, including reactions at the A, B, and D ring systems. The modern synthetic methods for the steroidal nitrogen-containing six-membered heterocyclic derivatives from 3-keto-, 6-keto-, 17-keto-, and 20-keto-steroids, as well as 2-Aldo-, 4-Aldo-, 6-Aldo-, and 16-Aldo-steroids, are discussed. However, some other methods for the synthesis of steroidal N-containing 6-membered heterocyclic derivatives are also included. These compounds have shown therapeutic potential as cytotoxic agents against various cell lines and have also shown antiproliferative, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activities. Therefore, they could be used as prospective candidates for the development of various medications. This paper not only describes synthetic details involved in creating N-containing 6-membered heterocyclic steroid derivatives, but also provides a brief overview of the medicinal applications of these compounds. This information will be highly useful for the medicinal chemists conducting research in this field.

Enantioselective Synthesis of Functionalized Tetrahydropyridines through Iridium-Catalyzed Formal [5+1] Annulation

An efficient iridium-catalyzed asymmetric formal [5+1] annulation by in situ generation of enamines as N-nucleophiles for the synthesis of tetrahydropyridine derivatives is disclosed. The methodology offers direct access to a wide variety of chiral tetrahydropyridine derivatives in moderate to good yields and excellent enantioselectivity.

Direct access to tetrasubstituted cyclopentenyl scaffolds through a diastereoselective isocyanide-based multicomponent reaction

An efficient strategy combining the stereocontrol of organocatalysis with the diversity-generating character of multicomponent reactions is described to produce structurally unique, tetrasubstituted cyclopentenyl frameworks. An asymmetric Michael addition-hemiacetalization between α-cyanoketones and α,β-unsaturated aliphatic aldehydes was performed for constructing cyclic hemiacetals, which were next employed as chiral bifunctional substrates in a new diastereoselective intramolecular isocyanide-based multicomponent reaction. This approach furnished a diversity of structurally complex compounds - including peptidomimetics and natural product hybrids in high stereoselectivity (up to >99% ee and up to >99 : 1 dr) and in moderate to high yields.

Peptide macrocyclization by transition metal catalysis

Peptide macrocyclization has traditionally relied on lactam, lactone and disulfide bond-forming reactions that aim at introducing conformational constraints into small peptide sequences. With the advent of ruthenium-catalyzed ring-closing metathesis and copper-catalyzed alkyne-azide cycloaddition, peptide chemists embraced transition metal catalysis as a powerful macrocyclization tool with relevant applications in chemical biological and peptide drug discovery. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the reactivity and methodological diversification of metal-catalyzed peptide macrocyclization as a special class of late-stage peptide derivatization method. We report the evolution from classic palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling approaches to more modern oxidative versions based on C-H activation, heteroatom alkylation/arylation and annulation processes, in which aspects such as chemoselectivity and diversity generation at the ring-closing moiety became dominant over the last years. The transit from early cycloadditions and alkyne couplings as ring-closing steps to very recent 3d metal-catalyzed macrocyclization methods is highlighted. Similarly, the new trends in decarboxylative radical macrocyclizations and the interplay between photoredox and transition metal catalysis are included. This review charts future perspectives in the field hoping to encourage further progress and applications, while bringing attention to the countless possibilities available by diversifying not only the metal, but also the reactivity modes and tactics to bring peptide functional groups together and produce structurally diverse macrocycles.

Green Approach for Visible-Light-Induced Direct Functionalization of 2-Methylquinolines

A transition metal- and oxidant-free visible light-photoinduced protocol for direct functionalization of 2-methylquinolines has been developed. This protocol enabled the C-H functionalization of substituted 2-methylquinolines with diacetyl or ethyl pyruvate, under environmentally friendly conditions. A mechanistic investigation based on density functional theory (DFT) calculations provided details about the origins of reactivity and selectivity.

Direct Access to Bridged Tetrahydroquinolines and Chromanes via an InCl3-Catalyzed Sequential Three-Component Cascade

A sequential three-component cascade process was developed for the synthesis of bridged tetrahydroquinolines and chromanes bearing 2,6-methanobenzo[d][1,3]diazocine and 2,6-methanobenzo[g][1,3]oxazocine scaffolds, respectively, in good yields from readily available materials. The InCl₃-catalyzed reaction progressed via enamine formation, Michael addition, intramolecular cyclization, and intramolecular iminium ion cyclization steps. Notably, this high atom economic approach (-2H₂O) allowed the generation of four new bonds (1 C-C and 3 C-N or 1 C-C, 1 C-O and 2 C-N) and two heterocyclic rings in a single operation.

Recent advances in catalytic enantioselective multicomponent reactions

Multicomponent reactions (MCRs) undoubtedly correspond to one of the synthetic strategies that best fit the new demands of chemistry for presenting high atom economy and enabling molecular diversity. However, many challenges still exist when products possessing stereogenic centres are formed. The field of asymmetric catalytic reactions has achieved significant progress in recent decades; new applications for chiral ligands and catalysts have been demonstrated and new catalysts have been specifically designed for challenging chemical conversions. In this sense, highly efficient approaches for classic multicomponent reactions such as the Ugi reaction and a number of new asymmetric MCRs have been described. In this review we discuss the recent developments that enable catalytic enantioselective MCRs including the proposed mechanistic pathways.

Diastereodivergent aminocatalyzed spirocyclization strategies using 4-alkylideneisoxazol-5-ones and methyl vinyl ketones

Diasterodivergent aminocatalyzed approaches starting from 4-alkylideneisoxazol-5-ones and methyl vinyl ketones have been developed for the synthesis of racemic 6,10-cis-spiroisoxazol-5-ones and highly enantioenriched 6,10-trans-spiroisoxazol-5-ones.

Green synthesis and characterization of novel Mn-MOFs with catalytic and antibacterial potentials

The synthesis and characterization of novel Mn-MOF nanostructures (UoB-4) with high performance as catalysts and antibacterial agents.

Combining the Ugi-azide multicomponent reaction and rhodium(III)-catalyzed annulation for the synthesis of tetrazole-isoquinolone/pyridone hybrids

An efficient sequence based on the Ugi-azide reaction and rhodium(III)-catalyzed intermolecular annulation has been established for the preparation of tetrazole-isoquinolone/pyridone hybrids. Several N-acylaminomethyltetrazoles were reacted with arylacetylenes to form the hybrid products in moderate to very good yields. The method relies on the capacity of the rhodium catalyst to promote C(sp2)-H activation in the presence of a suitable directing group. The Ugi-azide reaction provides broad molecular diversity and enables the introduction of the tetrazole moiety, which may further assist the catalytic reaction by coordinating the metal center. The scope of the isoquinolones is very wide and may be extended to the preparation of complex compounds having heterocyclic moieties such as pyridone, furan, thiophene and pyrrole, as well as the corresponding benzo-fused derivatives. The developed procedure is simple, reproducible and does not require inert conditions.

Steroid diversification by multicomponent reactions

Reports on structural diversification of steroids by means of multicomponent reactions (MCRs) have significantly increased over the last decade. This review covers the most relevant strategies dealing with the use of steroidal substrates in MCRs, including the synthesis of steroidal heterocycles and macrocycles as well as the conjugation of steroids to amino acids, peptides and carbohydrates. We demonstrate that steroids are available with almost all types of MCR reactive functionalities, e.g., carbonyl, carboxylic acid, alkyne, amine, isocyanide, boronic acid, etc., and that steroids are suitable starting materials for relevant MCRs such as those based on imine and isocyanide. The focus is mainly posed on proving the amenability of MCRs for the diversity-oriented derivatization of naturally occurring steroids and the construction of complex steroid-based platforms for drug discovery, chemical biology and supramolecular chemistry applications.

Multicomponent Reaction Toolbox for Peptide Macrocyclization and Stapling

In the past decade, multicomponent reactions have experienced a renaissance as powerful peptide macrocyclization tools enabling the rapid creation of skeletal complexity and diversity with low synthetic cost. This review provides both a historical and modern overview of the development of the peptide multicomponent macrocyclization as a strategy capable to compete with the classic peptide cyclization methods in terms of chemical efficiency and synthetic scope. We prove that the utilization of multicomponent reactions for cyclizing peptides by either their termini or side chains provides a key advantage over those more established methods; that is, the possibility to explore the cyclic peptide chemotype space not only at the amino acid sequence but also at the ring-forming moiety. Owing to its multicomponent nature, this type of peptide cyclization process is well-suited to generate diversity at both the endo- and exo-cyclic fragments formed during the ring-closing step, which stands as a distinctive and useful characteristic for the creation and screening of cyclic peptide libraries. Examples of the novel multicomponent peptide stapling approach and heterocycle ring-forming macrocyclizations are included, along with multicomponent methods incorporating macrocyclization handles and the one-pot syntheses of macromulticyclic peptide cages. Interesting applications of this strategy in the field of drug discovery and chemical biology are provided.