Ardisiphenols A-C, novel antioxidants from the fruits of Ardisia colorata

Novel alk(en)ylphenols, named ardisiphenols A--C (1--3) were isolated from the fruits of Ardisia colorata, together with known alk(en)ylresorcinols (4--6). Their structures were determined by the NMR and MS/MS analyses. All compounds showed scavenging activities towards 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical and cytotoxicities against murine breast cancer cell line, FM3A.

Relaxant effect of 6-deoxyclitoriacetal on smooth muscle preparations

The pharmacological effect of 6-deoxyclitoriacetal (6-DA), a rotenoid compound isolated from the roots of Clitoria macrophylla Wall. (Papilionaceae), was examined on different smooth muscle preparations. 6-Deoxyclitoriacetal 0.2 mg/ml produced a significant decrease in the spontaneous contraction of isolated rat uterus. It also suppressed the contraction induced by acetylcholine 5x10(-6) M and oxytocin 5x10(-3) IU/ml. The cumulative contractile responses of rat aortic strips caused by serotonin 10(-8)-10(-4) M and norepinephrine 10(-11)-10(-7) M were reduced by 6-DA 0.4 mg/ml. In calcium free Kreb's solution, 6-DA inhibited the aortic contraction produced by a cumulative dose of calcium chloride (0.1-30 mM). In guinea-pig ileum, 6-DA 0.15 mg/ml exerted the spasmolytic activity by inhibition of the contractile response evoked by various contractile agents e.g. acetylcholine 10(-9)-10(-5) M, serotonin 10(-9)-10(-5) M and histamine 10(-9)-10(-5) M. All of the results indicated that 6-DA could induce a smooth muscle relaxant effect by interference with intracellular calcium metabolism.

Flavonoids from Ochna integerrima

Two biflavonoids namely, 2",3"-dihydroochnaflavone and 2",3"-dihydroochnaflavone 7"-O-methyl ether, and a flavonoid glycoside, 6-gamma,gamma-dimethylallyltaxifolin 7-O-beta-D-glucoside were isolated from the leaves of Ochna integerrima.

Chemical constituents of Micromelum minutum. Isolation and structural elucidation of new coumarins

The chemical constituents of an acetone extract of the stems of Micromelum minutum Wight et Arn (Rutaceae), collected at Nakorn-Rachasima province in Thailand, were studied. Six new coumarins, named micromarin-A (1), -B (2), -C (3), -F (4), -G (5), and -H (6), were isolated along with six known coumarins, and their structures were elucidated by chemical and spectroscopic methods.

New carbazole alkaloids from Clausena anisata with antitumor promoting activity

Four new carbazole alkaloids, named clausamine D (1), E (2), F (3), and G (4), were isolated from Clausena anisata as inhibitors of Epstein-Barr virus early antigen activation induced by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate in Raji cells.

Xanthones with antimalarial activity from Garcinia dulcis

Chromatographic separation of the EtOH extract of the bark of Garcinia dulcis (Guttiferae) furnished five xanthones, viz 1,7-dihydroxyxanthone (1), 12b-hydroxy-des-D-garcigerrin A (2), 1-O-methylsymphoxanthone (3), symphoxanthone (4), and garciniaxanthone (5). These xanthones 1-5 showed inhibitory effects on the growth of Plasmodium falciparum with IC50 values of 0.96-3.88 micrograms/ml. In addition, revised 13C-NMR assignments of 3 and complete 13C-NMR assignments of 4 were obtained through analysis of their COSY, NOESY, HMQC, and HMBC spectra.

Antimalarial naphthoquinones from Nepenthes thorelii

Roots of Nepenthes thorelii yielded plumbagin, 2-methylnaphthazarin, octadecyl caffeate, isoshinanolone, and droserone. In addition, seven derivatives were prepared from plumbagin. Each of these natural and semisynthetic compounds was evaluated for in vitro antimalarial potential.

Isolation of pyropheophorbide a from the leaves of Atalantia monophylla (ROXB.) CORR. (Rutaceae) as a possible antiviral active principle against herpes simplex virus type 2

Antiviral activity-guided isolation studies on the leaves of Atalantia monophylla (ROXB.) CORR. (Rutaceae) led to the identification of pyropheophorbide a (1), a simple chlorin derivative, from the chloroform extract (fr. B) as a possible antiviral active principle against herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2). Pyropheophorbide a methyl ester (2) was also isolated from the hexane extract (fr. A).

Lycorine alkaloids from Hymenocallis littoralis

From Hymenocallis littoralis, one new alkaloid, named littoraline, together with 13 known lycorine alkaloids and one lignan, were isolated. The structure and NMR assignments of this new alkaloid were determined by 1D and 2D NMR techniques. Littoraline showed inhibitory activity of HIV reverse transcriptase, and lycorine and haemanthamine showed potent in vitro cytotoxicity.

Bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloids from Cyclea barbata

Continuing studies of the alkaloidal fraction from the roots of Cyclea barbata afforded two new bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloids, namely, (-)-2'-norlimacine [1] and (+)-cycleabarbatine [2]. The known (+)-tetrandrine-2'-beta-N-oxide [3], for which the configuration of the N-oxide function is now assigned, was identified, as were (+)-berbamine, (-)-repandine, (+)-cycleanorine, (+)-daphnandrine, (-)-curine, (+)-coclaurine, and (-)-N-methylcoclaurine.

3-hydroxycoumarin glycosides from Alyxia reinwardti var. Lucida

Investigation of the inner bark of Alyxia reinwardti var. lucida led to the isolation of two new coumarin glycosides, 1 and 2, whose structures were determined by interpretation of their spectroscopic data, particularly NMR spectroscopy.

Cytotoxic and antimalarial alkaloids from the tubers of Stephania pierrei

Biological evaluation of extracts prepared from the tubers of Stephania pierrei revealed cytotoxic and antimalarial activity. During the course of separation, two new aporphine alkaloids, (-)-asimilobine-2-O-beta-D-glucoside [2] and (-)-nordicentrine [8], in addition to twenty-one known isoquinoline alkaloids, were isolated. Each isolate was assessed for cytotoxic and antimalarial activities. It was found that the cytotoxicity of S. pierrei was mainly due to the presence of the aporphine alkaloids containing the 1,2-methylenedioxy group 3-10, whereas the antimalarial activity was attributed to the nonquaternary aporphine alkaloids 1, 3-10 and the tetrahydroprotoberberines possessing a phenolic functionality, 13-15, 18. None of the isolates showed a degree of selectivity comparable to that of antimalarial drugs such as chloroquine, quinine, mefloquine, and artemisinin. Comparison of the alkaloid content of S. pierrei and Stephania erecta strongly suggested separate identities for the two plants.

Cytotoxic and antimalarial alkaloids from the bulbs of Crinum amabile

From the bulbs of Crinum amabile (Amaryllidaceae), a new alkaloid (-)-amabiline [1], together with the known alkaloids (-)-lycorine [2], (-)-buphanisine [3], (-)-augustine [4], and (+)-crinamine [5], were isolated. The structural characterization of 1 and the revised 1H- and 13C-nmr assignments of 2 are discussed. Alkaloids 2, 4, and 5 were found to be the principal cytotoxic and antimalarial constituents.

Cytotoxic and antimalarial bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloids from Cyclea barbata

An alkaloid extract derived from the roots of Cyclea barbata demonstrated cytotoxic and antimalarial activities, and five bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloids, (+)-tetrandrine [1], (-)-limacine [2], (+)-thalrugosine [3], (+)-homoaromoline [4], and (-)-cycleapeltine [5], were isolated as the active principles. The complete and unambiguous assignments of the 1H- and 13C-nmr data of these substances were made by 1D and 2D nmr techniques (COSY, phase-sensitive ROESY, HETCOR, and FLOCK).

Cytotoxic and antimalarial bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloids from Stephania erecta

(+)-2-N-Methyltelobine [1], a new alkaloid, together with twelve known bisbenzylisoquinolines, was isolated from the tubers of Stephania erecta. The structure determination and the complete 1H- and unambiguous 13C-nmr assignments of 1 were obtained through extensive use of several 1D and 2D nmr techniques. All alkaloids inhibited the growth of cultured Plasmodium falciparum strains D-6 and W-2 and displayed nonselective cytotoxicity with a battery of cultured mammalian cells. These data were used for the calculation of selectivity indices. Relative to known antimalarial agents, these bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloids do not appear to be promising clinical candidates at the present time.