ent-Eudesmane-Type Sesquiterpenoids from the Chinese Liverwort Chiloscyphus polyanthus var. rivularis

Eudesmane-type sesquiterpenoids: Structural diversity and biological activity

Sesquiterpenoids are integral constituents of terpenoid-bearing plants, comprising a diverse and abundant class of natural compounds, among which eudesmane-type sesquiterpenoids have bicyclic structures that feature the fusion of two six-membered carbon rings, thereby attracting considerable attention. They are widespread in nature, with multifaceted biological activities such as anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antimicrobial, antimalarial, and insecticidal activities, thus gaining focus in life science research. The discovery and identification of these active compounds have laid a foundation for unraveling their potential medicinal value. In this review, we comprehensively explore the natural eudesmane-type sesquiterpenoids isolated (totaling 391 compounds) between 2016 and 2022, elucidating their chemical structures, plant distribution patterns, and pertinent biological properties. Accordingly, the study serves not only as a framework for researchers to thoroughly comprehend these compounds but also as a robust reference for future endeavors aimed at exploring the pharmaceutical potential and prospective applications of these molecules.

Ent-eudesmane sesquiterpenoids from the Chinese liverwort Chiloscyphus polyanthus

- Seven previously undescribed ent-eudesmane sesquiterpenoids (1-7), as well as seven known analogs (8-14), were isolated from the Chinese liverwort Chiloscyphus polyanthus var. rivularis. Their structures were established based on comprehensive spectroscopy analysis, electronic circular dichroism calculations, as well as biosynthetic considerations. The cytotoxicity against HepG2 (Human hepatocellular carcinomas) cancer cell line, and antifungal activity against Candida albicans SC5314 of all isolated ent-eudesmane sesquiterpenoids were preliminarily tested, results showed that the tested compounds did not display obvious cytotoxicity and antifungal activities under the tested concentration.

Unified Approach to ent-Eudesmane-Type Terpenoid Synthesis: Total Synthesis of Sinupol and Eutyscoparin A

ent-Eudesmane-type terpenoids constitute a large class of natural products derived from plants, animals, and bacteria. We describe a synthetic approach to two ent-eudesmane-type terpenoids, sinupol and eutyscoparin A, that relies on a key π-facial- and endo/exo-selective intramolecular Diels–Alder reaction to set the C-5–C-10 stereotriads. Further key transformations of trans-fused decalin include conversion to methyl ketone via a versatile thioester intermediate and appropriate functionalization toward target compounds.

Cytotoxic Activities of 9,10-seco-Cycloartane-Type Triterpenoids from the Chinese Liverwort Lepidozia reptans

Ten new triterpenoids, including nine 9,10-seco-cycloartanes (1-9) and one 9,19-cyclolanostane (10), as well as one sesquiterpenoid (11) and four known compounds (12-15), were extracted and purified from the whole plant of the Chinese liverwort Lepidozia reptans. Multiple techniques (NMR, HRESIMS, IR, and X-ray crystallographic analysis) were applied to determine the structures of the isolated compounds. Bioassay determinations showed that compound 7, which contains an α,β-unsaturated carbonyl moiety in its structure, inhibited the growth of a panel of cancer cell lines with IC₅₀ values ranging from 4.2 ± 0.2 to 5.7 ± 0.5 μM. Further investigation revealed that compound 7 induces PC-3 cell death via mitochondrial-related apoptosis.

Two natural molecules preferentially inhibit azole-resistant Candida albicans with MDR1 hyperactivation

Antifungal drug resistance is a significant clinical problem, and antifungal agents that can evade resistance are urgently needed. In infective niches, resistant organisms often co-existed with sensitive ones, or a subpopulation of antibiotic-susceptible organisms may evolve into resistant ones during antibiotic treatment and eventually dominate the whole population. In this study, we established a co-culture assay in which an azole-resistant Candida albicans strain was mixed with a susceptible strain labeled with green fluorescent protein to mimic in vivo conditions and screen for antifungal drugs. Fluconazole was used as a positive control to verify the validity of this co-culture assay. Five natural molecules exhibited antifungal activity against both susceptible and resistant C. albicans. Two of these compounds, retigeric acid B (RAB) and riccardin D (RD), preferentially inhibited C. albicans strains in which the efflux pump MDR1 was activated. This selectivity was attributed to greater intracellular accumulation of the drugs in the resistant strains. Changes in sterol and lipid compositions were observed in the resistant strains compared to the susceptible strain, and might increase cell permeability to RAB and RD. In addition, RAB and RD interfered with the sterol pathway, further aggregating the decrease in ergosterol in the sterol synthesis pathway in the MDR1-activated strains. Our findings here provide an alternative for combating resistant pathogenic fungi.

Cyperane and eudesmane-type sesquiterpenoids from Chinese liverwort and their anti-diabetic nephropathy potential

Six new sesquiterpenoids, including cyperane (1 and 2) and eudesmane (3-6) types, and one known eudesmane derivative (7), were isolated from the Chinese liverwort Chiloscyphus polyanthus var. rivularis (Schrad.) Nees. The structures of 1-7 were determined based on a combination of their spectroscopic data (NMR, HRESIMS and IR), single-crystal X-ray diffraction, and electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculations. Preliminary anti-diabetic nephropathy activity testing showed that the cyperane-type sesquiterpenoids could inhibit cell proliferation and extracellular matrix accumulation in high glucose cultured mesangial cells in a dose-dependent manner.

Purification, characterization, crystal structure and NO production inhibitory activity of three new sesquiterpenoids from homalomena occulta

Two new isodaucane-type sesquiterpenoids, namely (1R,4S,5S,6R,7S,10R)-isodauc-6,7,10-triol, C₁₅H₂₈O₃, (1), and (1R,4S,5S,6S,7S,10R)-isodauc-6,7,10-triol, (2), and a new eudesmane-type sesquiterpenoid, 1β,4β,5α-trihydroxyeudesmane, (3), were obtained from the rhizomes of homalomena occulta with the aid of column chromatography. Their structures were elucidated based on extensive spectroscopic analyses, including 1D NMR, 2D NMR and HRESIMS. The structure of (1) was confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and the absolute configuration was assigned with respect to that of the precursor. The single-crystal structure reveals that adjacent molecules of (1) embrace through two groups of intermolecular O-H...O hydrogen bonds to generate a two-dimensional sheet with a 6³-net topology. The three compounds were evaluated for their activity against lipopolysaccharide-induced production of nitrogen oxide (NO) in RAW 264.7 cells, and (1) showed an inhibitory effect on NO production, with IC₅₀ values of 5.7±0.22 µM.