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In order to improve the antitumor and/or antiviral activities of existing nucleoside analogs, eight new compounds (9a,b, 14a,b, 15a,b and 16a,b) were designed and synthesized. Halogen atom were incorporated at the 2-position of the purine base to render the amino group at the 6-position less susceptible to metabolism by adenosine deaminase. A methylene group was introduced at the 2′-position following the lead of nucleoside antibiotics angustmycin A and neplanocin A. The two key intermediates 9a and 9b were prepared from guanosine after protection of the 3′ and 5′ hydroxyl groups and oxidation of the 2′ hydroxyl group to the corresponding carbonyl group using swern method. The conversion of the carbonyl group to the methylene function was carried out by applying wittig reaction conditions. The final compounds 14a,b, 15a,b, 16a,b were prepared by means of nonaqueous diazotization of 9a and 9b. The prepared compounds were subjected to in vitro antileukemic and antiviral activity upon a new L1210 cell line that is doubly resistant to both hydroxyurea and deoxyadenosine which was grown and characterized. The new compounds showed potent antileukemic activity.

Background: This study examined the chemistry and safety of Heteromeles arbutifolia, also called toyon or California holly, which is a traditional California Indian food and treatment for Alzheimer’s disease. Methods: Plant extracts were examined by HPLC/MS, NMR and other techniques to identify compounds. Volunteers were recruited to examine the acute safety of the plant medicine using a standard short-term memory test. Results: The plant was found to contain icariside E4, dihydroxyoleanenoic acid, maslinic acid, betulin, trihydroxyoxo-seco-ursdienoic acid, catechin, vicenin-2, farrerol, kaempferide and tetrahydroxyoleanenoic acid. These compounds are anti-inflammatory agents that may protect the blood-brain barrier and prevent inflammatory cell infiltration into the brain. The dried berries were ingested by six volunteers to demonstrate the safety of the medicine. Conclusion: The plant medicine was found to contain several compounds that may be of interest in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. The plant medicine was found to be safe.