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Three forms of pseudo-crystalline polymorph of thiamine chloride hydrochloride are dependent on hydration states. We investigated how the measurement environment affects the transition of the pseudo-crystalline polymorph, and aimed to establish a reliable method of identifying the forms clearly by IR spectrophotometry. We prepared three pseudo-crystalline forms and compared their IR spectra. In the IR spectra obtained by the potassium chloride (KCl) disk method, Form II was identified based on its characteristic absorption, but Forms I and III could not be distinguished clearly. Form I transformed to Form III after mixing with undried KCl powder, and Form III transformed to Form I by simply being left in the laboratory environment. These results suggested that the reversible transformation between Forms I and III occurred depending on the hydration status during the process of measurement, as measured by the shift in the absorption wavenumber of the primary alcohol stretching vibration. In addition, Forms I and III could not be distinguished clearly by the X-ray powder diffraction and their crystalline forms were similar plate crystals. However, in the IR spectra by the attenuated total reflection (ATR) method, the three forms could be identified based on each characteristic absorption. In summary, the ATR method does not require pretreatment for sample analysis, can be performed quickly, and is thus suitable to identify crystalline polymorph forms such as pseudo-crystalline polymorphs of thiamine chloride hydrochloride, which transform easily depending on the hydration status in a measurement environment.

The interaction of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) with ferrous ions (Fe(2+)) in the solid state, in water, and in polar organic solvents was investigated using (1)H-NMR, (13)C-NMR, IR, and UV-visible (Vis) spectroscopies. A red-purple colored substance was formed after grinding solid MMF and FeSO4·7H2O in a mortar. The IR spectrum of taken as a KBr tablet of the colored substance showed a new absorption band at 1651 cm(-1). Although the color disappeared when the sample was dissolved in water, it persisted in organic solvents such as MeOH or dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). The UV-Vis spectrum of a 0.25 mM MeOH solution of MMF showed a new absorption maximum at 507 nm in the presence of Fe(2+) ions, while an aqueous solution of the same mixture showed no significant change from the MMF solution. All the signals in the (13)C-NMR spectrum in DMSO-d6 solution were unambiguously assigned. Upon the addition of 0.5 eq. of Fe(2+) ions, all the carbon signals except those of the 2-morpholinoethyl group almost disappeared, which clearly indicated that the Fe(2+) ions were located far away from the 2-morpholinoethyl groups in the MMF molecules. On the basis of these results, we have concluded that the MMF-Fe(2+) complex is actually formed in the solid state as well as in polar organic solvents such as MeOH or DMSO.

During the course of screening natural sesquiterpenoids for new antitumor agents, two novel compounds, fischerisin A (1) and fischerisin B (2), were isolated from the roots of Ligularia fischeri. Their structures were elucidated by interpretation of their IR, high resolution-mass spectrometry (HR-MS), 1D- and 2D-NMR data. Fischerisin A and B are the first representatives of a novel sesquiterpenoid-geranylhydroquinone hybrid, and both compounds exhibited in vitro cytotoxicity against cultured human oral epidermoid carcinoma (KB) and human breast cancer (MCF-7) cell lines with IC(50) values of 9.7 and 10.2 µM, and 9.8 and 17.8 µM, respectively.

Five new compounds (1-5), were isolated from the rhizomes of Matteuccia orientalis (HOOK.) TREV. The structures of new compounds were elucidated on the basis of their 1D-, 2D-NMR, MS, IR and circular dichroism (CD) data.

Methotrexate (MTX) is one of the most common anticancer drugs used for chemotherapy so far. However some problems such as high toxicity and short plasma half-life, have limited its use. To overcome these limitations, conjugation with polymers such as polyethylene glycol (PEG) is one the efficient approaches which has been attempted in recent years. The aim of the present study is to synthesize esters of MTX with PEGs of different molecular weights and to characterize their physicochemical properties. Polymeric esters (MTX-PEGs) of MTX with low, medium and high molecular weight PEGs (750 D, 5000 D and 35000 D, respectively) were synthesized using dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC) as coupling agent and triethylamine (TEA) as catalyst. The purification was carried out using preparative TLC. Purified esters were characterized by UV, IR and (1)H-NMR spectroscopy methods and their thermal behavior was studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Also, an isocratic HPLC method with three mobile phase systems was set to determine the partition coefficient of the esters (log P). Gel permeation chromatography (GPC) was utilized for molecular weight determination of esters, which proved 1 : 1 conjugation of drug with each polymer. The stability and solubility of esters were determined in different pH values. The spectroscopy results indicated that esteric bond between MTX and PEGs were formed. The sharp endothermic peaks for MTX-PEGs were obtained in DSC which are similar to pure polymers, whilst a wide peak was observed for MTX. The values of log P for MTX-PEGs (+4.3, obtained by HPLC method) were remarkably different from log P of MTX (-1.4, obtained by shake-flask method). The stability results showed a pH range of 3-4 and an optimum polymer mw of 5000 for maximum stability of esters. A parabolic profile obtained from solubility studies that indicated the more solubility of MTX in alkaline condition (pH5) and MTX-PEGs in acidic conditions (pH5). Based on our results, it is concluded that MTX-PEGs were formed on an equimolar ratio of MTX and PEGs. The higher log P observed for the esters indicated dramatic physicochemical differences between MTX and its PEG conjugates and the higher stability and solubility in acidic medium showed a promising approach to improve the drug delivery of the conjugates, specially MTX-PEG5000 in the future.

Arctiin and its aglucone, arctigenin from the fruits of Arctium lappa L. showed potent in vitro antiviral activities against influenza A virus (A/NWS/33, H1N1) (IFV). Based on the data from time-of-addition experiments and on release tests of progeny viruses, arctigenin was assumed to interfere with early event(s) of viral replication after viral penetration into cells, and to suppress the release of progeny viruses from the host cells. Arctiin was orally effective against either IFV-inoculated normal or 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-treated mice, being less effective as compared with oseltamivir. Noticeably, arctiin produced a larger amount of virus-specific antibody than those of control and oseltamivir in sera collected from 5-FU-treated mice. Furthermore, oral treatment of 5-FU-treated mice with arctiin did not induce any resistant viruses, although the same treatment with oseltamivir induced resistant viruses at a 50% frequency. When the combination of arctiin and oseltamivir was administered to normal mice infected with IFV, the virus yields in both bronchoalveolar lavage fluids and lungs were significantly reduced relative to those in the mice treated with arctiin or oseltamivir alone. Thus, monotherapy of arctiin or combined therapy of arctiin with oseltamivir would be another treatment option for influenza.

A rapid expansion of supercritical solution (RESS) technology was presented for the micronization of Chinese medicinal material. Magnolia bark extract (MBE) obtained by supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO(2)) extraction technology was chosen as the experimental material. RESS process produced 4.7 microm size MBE microparticles (size distribution, 0.2-24.1 microm), which was significantly smaller than the 55.3 microm size particles (size distribution, 8.3-102.4 microm) obtained from conventional mechanical milling. Dissolution rate study showed that drug dissolution was significantly enhanced by the RESS progress. At 90 min, the amount dissolved of mechanical milling MBE was 6.37 mg x l(-1), which was significantly lower than that of micronized MBE (14.77 mg x l(-1)), according to the results of ANOVA (p0.01). The effect of extraction temperature (30, 40, 50 degrees Celsius), extraction pressure (200, 250, 300 bar) and nozzle size (50, 100, 200 microm) on the size distribution of microparticles was investigated. The characteristics of microparticles were also studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), infrared spectroscopy (IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and image analysis. This study demonstrates that RESS is applicable for preparing microparticles of MBE at low operating temperature; the process is simple without residual solvent.

A new 2,3-disubstituted 1,2-dihydroquinazolin-4(3H)-one derivative namely 2-hydroxy-2-ethyl-(3-carboxylideneamino)-3-(2-(4-methyl-phenyl))-1,2-dihydroquinazolin-4(3H)-one (HECMDQ) is synthesized employing a modified method in higher yield and is complexed with Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) metal ions in order to study its coordinating behavior. All the complexes were characterized by various physicochemical (analytical, IR, NMR, Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR), mass, Thermogravimetric Analysis Differential Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA-DTA)) methods. The molar conductivity measurements in N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) solution indicate the non-electrolytic nature of complexes. IR spectral analysis reveal that coordination takes place through the deprotonated hydroxyl group, azomethine nitrogen and carbonyl oxygen. Four coordinated geometry was assigned to all the complexes on the basis of spectral studies. The anti-inflammatory activities of compounds are moderate. Co(II) complex exhibited highest activity among all the complexes. At lower dose level activity of Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes is more compared to that of ligand. The analgesic activity of ligand has enhanced on complexation with Co(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II) metal ions. Among the compounds studied Co(II) complex has shown highest activity and is comparable with standard used.

Two new complexes ZnL(2) (1) and CuL(2) (2) (here, HL=isoeuxanthone) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, molar conductance, infrared spectra (IR), (1)H-NMR and UV-Vis measurements. The interactions of them with calf thymus DNA (ct DNA) have been investigated by absorption spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, circular dichroism spectroscopy and viscosity measurements. Experimental results revealed an intercalative interaction with DNA for the complexes; furthermore the binding affinity of 2 is higher than that of 1 according to the calculated binding constant values. In addition, they were evaluated for their cytotoxic activities toward human esophageal cancer (ECA109) and human gastric cancer (SGC7901) cells by MTT assay. Both of them showed significant cytotoxic potency.

Three new hydronaphthalenone derivatives (1-3) and one new dihydroramulosin derivative (4), were isolated from the endophytic fungus PSU-N24 together with eight known compounds. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods. Griseofulvin (9) displayed strong antifungal activity against Microsporum gypseum SH-MU-4 with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value of 2 microg/ml while all metabolites exhibited very weak antibacterial activity (MIC valueor=128 microg/ml) against Staphylococcus aureus, both standard and methicillin-resistant strains. 3-(2-Hydroxypropyl)benzene-1,2-diol (10) showed moderate antimalarial activity against Plasmodiun falciparum with an IC(50) value of 6.68 microg/ml. For antimycobacterial activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis, compound 3 gave the best activity with the MIC value of 12.50 microg/ml.

The severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) coronavirus 3CL protease is an attractive target for the development of anti-SARS drugs. In this paper, cinanserin (1) analogs were synthesized and tested for the inhibitory activities against SARS-coronavirus (CoV) 3CL protease by fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) assay. Four analogs show significant activities, especially compound 26 with an IC(50) of 1.06 microM.

Investigation of the non-polar fraction of Boesenbergia pandurata of Myanmar led to the identification of six novel secondary metabolites, panduratins D-I (1-6), together with known diastereomers, panduratins B1 (7) and B2 (8). Their structures were determined based on extensive spectroscopic analysis. The in vitro preferential cytotoxicity of all isolates was examined against human pancreatic PANC-1 cancer cells under nutrient-deprived conditions. All exhibited a mild activity.

Two new melampolide-type sesquiterpene lactones, 8beta-epoxyangeloyloxy-9alpha-ethoxy-14-oxo-acanthospermolide (1) and 8beta-angeloyloxy-9alpha-ethoxy-14-oxo-acanthospermolide (2), were isolated from the leaves of yacon [Smallanthus sonchifolia (POEPP. et ENDL.) H. Robinson] along with eleven known melampolides, allo-schkuhriolide (3), enhydrin (4), polymatin A (5), fluctuanin (6), 8beta-angeloyloxy-9alpha-acetoxy-14-oxo-acanthospermolide (7), 8beta-angeloyloxy-14-oxo-acanthospermolide (8), 8beta-methacryloyloxymelampolid-14-oic acid methyl ester (9), uvedalin (10), polymatin B (11), 8beta-tigloyloxymelampolid-14-oic acid methyl ester (12), and sonchifolin (13). Their structures were established on the basis of spectroscopic evidence including 1D- and 2D-NMR experiments. All isolates were evaluated for inhibition of LPS-induced nitric oxide production in murine macrophage RAW 264.7 cells.

Lantana camara LINN. (family: Verbenaceae), commonly known as lantana, is a hairy shrub, native of Tropical America cultivated elsewhere as an ornamental or hedge plant. Different parts of the plant are used for the treatment of various human ailments, such as itches, cuts, ulcers, malaria, influenza, anemia, tumors, swellings, bilious fever, eczema eruptions, rheumatism, stomachache, toothache, scabies, and leprosy and as antiseptic for wounds. Aqueous extract of the leaves showed antihyperglycaemic activity and wound-healing property. Pharmacological investigations indicated that extracts of the shoot of L. camara exhibit antibacterial properties. Lancamarone, a steroid from the leaves, possesses cardiotonic property, whereas lantamine, an alkaloid from the bark of stems and roots, shows strong antipyretic and antispasmodic properties comparable with those of quinine. 1—4) Phytochemical studies undertaken by several groups on different parts of the plant have resulted in the isolation of various terpenoids, 3,5) steroids, 3) and flavonoids. 3,6) The present studies were undertaken on the chemical constituents of the aerial parts of this plant, which resulted in the isolation and structure elucidation of two new triterpenoids, lantanoic acid (1) and camaranoic acid (2), along with six known triterpenoids, lantic acid, 7) camarinic acid, 8) camangeloyl acid, 9) camarinin, 10) oleanonic acid, 11) and ursonic acid. 12)

The syntheses of four totarane diterpenes-totarol, 8,11,13-totaratriene-12,13-diol, 6-deoxymaytenoquinone and maytenoquinone-are described. Totarol was synthesized via cyclization of a modified polyene. 8,11,13-Totaratriene-12,13-diol was prepared from natural totarol by ortho-oxidation with mCBPO (m-chlorobenzoyl peroxide). Maytenoquinone and 6-deoxymaytenoquinone were synthesized from 8,11,13-totaratriene-12,13-diol. 1 H-NMR analysis showed that tautomeric isomerization between 6-deoxymaytenoquinone (2-hydroxy-4-quinone methide) and the ortho-quinone was very slow.

In our continuous search for alpha-glucosidase inhibitors from plants, four new depsidones named brevipsidones A-D (1-4) were isolated from stem bark of Garcinia brevipedicellata together with known damnacanthal, scopoletin and a mixture of stigmasterol and beta-sitosterol. Structural elucidations were made by spectroscopic analyses including 2D-NMR data.

A new lanostane-type triterpene, 29-hydroxypolyporenic acid C (8), was isolated from the dried sclerotia of Poria cocos together with eight other known compounds pachymic acid (1), dehydropachymic acid (2), 3-acetyloxy-16alpha-hydroxytrametenolic acid (3), polyporenic acid C (4), 3-epi-dehydropachymic acid (5), 3-epi-dehydrotumulosic acid (6), tumulosic acid (7), and dehydrotumulosic acid (9). The compounds were identified by spectral analysis and comparison with spectroscopic data reported in the literatures. Although none of the nine (1 to 9) compounds showed promising antioxidant activity, 1 through 6 and 8 showed good cytotoxicity against human lung cancer cell line A549 and human prostate cancer cell line DU145. Interestingly, all these compounds exhibited better cytotoxicity towards A549 than DU145 cells.

A novel series of 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid derivatives were synthesized and biologically evaluated. (S)-2-Benzyl-7-[2-(5-methyl-2-phenyloxazol-4-yl)ethoxy]-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid (10, KY-021) was identified as a novel peroxisome proliferators-activated receptor (PPAR) gamma agonist, which showed potent activity in human PPAR gamma (EC50=11.8 nM). KY-021 reduced plasma glucose and triglyceride levels at 3 mg/kg/d for 7 d in male KK-Ay mice. KY-021 also decreased plasma triglyceride levels at 0.3-3 mg/kg/d for 6 d, and improved oral glucose tolerance at 1 and 3 mg/kg/d for 7 d in male Zucker fatty rats. Maximal plasma concentration of KY-021 after oral administration at 10 mg/kg was 6.6 microg/ml and 2.1 microg/ml in male ICR mice and male SD rats, respectively. Repeated oral administration of KY-021 at 30 mg/kg/d for 10 weeks had little toxicity in male SD rats. These results demonstrated that KY-021 has great potential as an efficacious and safe drug for diabetes.

Two new phenyl glycosides, mangliesides A and B (1, 2), a new ionol glycoside, manglieside C (3), two new lignan glycosides, mangliesides D and E (4, 5), were isolated from the leaves of Manglietia phuthoensis, along with two known lignans, 3-methoxymagnolol (6) and obovatol (7). Their structures were established by means of 1D and 2D NMR, electrospray ionization (ESI)-MS and HR-ESI-MS experiments. Among them, compounds 2 and 5 significantly (p

Two new germacrane sesquiterpenes, called salviadienol A (1) and salviadienol B (2), together with five known compounds, methyl-ent-4-epi-agath-18-oate (3), angelicoidenol (4), clovane-2beta,9alpha-diol (5), dehydrovomifoliol (6) and blumenol A (7), were isolated from Salvia chinensis. Their structures were identified on the basis of spectral characteristics.

Some novel Mannich base isatin derivatives were synthesized by reacting 1-(5-methyl-2-oxoindolin-3-ylidene)-4-(substitutedpyridin-2-yl)thiosemicarbazide with formaldehyde and several secondary amines. Their chemical structure was elucidated by means of spectral (FT-IR, (1)H- and (13)C-NMR and mass) analysis. Investigation of anti-inflammatory activity of synthesized compounds was done by carrageenan induced paw oedema method using diclofenac sodium as standard drug and analgesic activity was done by acetic acid induced writhing method. The synthesized compounds showed significant anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity.

Four new (1-4) and seven known (5-11) benzaldehyde derivatives were characterized from the liquid fermentation cultures of Eurotium rubrum, an endophytic fungus that was isolated from the inner tissue of stems of the mangrove plant Hibiscus tiliaceus. The structures of these compounds were determined by extensive analysis of their spectroscopic data. Among these metabolites, compound 1, which was named as eurotirumin, possesses a new carbon skeleton with a cyclopentabenzopyran ring system.

The analysis of nucleosome positions and transcription factor binding in chromatin is a central issue for understanding the mechanisms of gene expression in eukaryotes. Here, we have developed a footprinting technique, using multi-cycle primer extension with an infrared-fluorescence DNA sequencer, to analyze chromatin structure in isolated yeast nuclei and transcriptional activator binding in living yeast cells. Using this technique, the binding of the yeast activators Hap1 and Hap2/3/4/5 to their cognate sites was detectable as hypersensitive sites by in vivo UV-photofootprinting, and the locations of nucleosomes in yeast minichromosomes were determined by micrococcal nuclease mapping. We also applied this method to determine the position of the nucleosome in the 5S DNA fragment reconstituted in vitro. This technique allowed us to eliminate the use of radioactive materials and to perform experiments on common benches. Thus, the footprinting procedure established in this study will be useful to researchers studying DNA-protein interactions and chromatin structure in vivo and in vitro.

Two new hopane type triterpenes, named dryopteric acids A (1) and B (2), were isolated from the Rhizome of Dryopteris crassirhizoma (Aspiadaceae) together with sixteen known compounds (3-18). Of isolated compounds, ursolic acid (15), and dryopteric acid A (1) and B (2) showed potent inhibitory activities against HIV-1 protease with IC50 values of 8.9-44.5 microM. In addition, acetylated compounds 1 and 2 appreciably increased inhibitory activities with their IC50 values of 1.7 and 10.8 microM, respectively.

A new isoflavone, 4'-gamma,gamma-dimethylallyloxy-5,7,2',5'-tetramethoxyisoflavone, brandisianin A (1), was isolated from the leaves of Millettia brandisiana, along with one synthetically known isoflavone, 7,4'-di-O-prenylgenistein (2) and twelve known compounds. The structures were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis. Two isolated compounds were tested for anti-inflammatory activity; 12a-hydroxy-alpha-toxicarol (11) showed significant anti-inflammatory activity.

A previous study on spray-drying demonstrated that it could promote the solubility of poorly water-soluble drugs using water-soluble polymers. Here, the preparation of composite particles of salbutamol sulfate (Sb) with water-insoluble polymers, such as Eudragit RS (RS) or Eudragit RL (RL) as a carrier, was examined. Despite the water insolubility of both polymers, the permeability of water was low in the former but high in the latter. We attempted to prepare controlled release composite particles by exploiting the characteristics of these carriers. The composite particles of the three components (Sb, RS, and RL) were prepared using a 4-fluid nozzle spray-dryer, and their physico-chemical and dissolution properties were compared with physical mixtures. Examination of particle morphology by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed that the particles from the spray-drying process had atomized to several microns and were spherical. Analysis by X-ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry revealed that diffraction peaks and heat of fusion of Sb in the spray-dried samples decreased, indicating that the drug was amorphous and formed a solid dispersion. FT-IR analysis suggested that the amino group of Sb and a carbonyl group of the polymers formed a hydrogen bond. A dissolution test of Sb-RS-RL particles prepared using the 4-fluid nozzle spray-drying method showed that release rates were depressed significantly compared to the physical mixture at pH 1.2 and 6.8, and the depression was greater when RS was used instead of RL, presumably because of the permeability difference. The compression of these particles into tablets revealed that desirable controlled released dosage forms could be prepared. In addition, Sb was used to simulate an anti-asthmatic drug. For this an Andersen cascade impactor for dry powder inhalers was used to investigate delivery to the lungs.

Total syntheses of (+)-coronarin A (1), (+)-coronarin E (2), (+)-austrochaparol (3) and (+)-pacovatinin A (4) were achieved from the synthetic (+)-albicanyl acetate (6). Dess-Martin oxidation of (+)-albicanol (5) derived from the chemoenzymatic product (6) gave an aldehyde (7), which was subjected to Julia one-pot olefination using beta-furylmethyl-heteroaromatic sulfones (8 or 9 ) gave (+)-trans coronarin E (2) and (+)-cis coronarin E (12) with high cis-selectivity. The synthesis of (+)-coronarin A (1) from (+)-trans coronarin E (2) was achiev-ed, while (+)-cis coronarin E (12) was converted to the natural products (+)-(5S,9S,10S)-15,16-epoxy-8(17),13(16),14-labdatriene (13) and (+)-austrochaparol (3). By the asymmetric synthesis of (+)-3, the absolute structure of (+)-3 was determined to be 5S, 7R, 9R, 10S configurations. Homologation of (+)-albicanol (5) followed by allylic oxidation gave (7 alpha)-hydroxy nitrile (17), which was finally converted to the natural (+)-pacovatinin A (4) in 8 steps from (+)-albicanol (5).

Six new dibenzofuran glycosides, fortuneanosides G (1), H (2), I (3), J (4), K (5), and L (6), were isolated from the fruit of Pyracantha fortuneana (MAXIM) LI. Their structures were determined to be 3,7-dihydroxy-2,4-dimethoxy-dibenzofuran 7-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside, 3,7-dihydroxy-2,4-dimethoxy-dibenzofuran 7-O-(alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl)-(1-6)-beta-D-glucopyranoside, 3,6-dihydroxy-2,4-dimethoxy-dibenzofuran 6-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside, 2,4-dimethoxy-3,6,9-trihydroxy-dibenzofuran 6-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside, 3,9-dihydroxy-2,4-dimethoxy-dibenzofuran 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside, and 2-methoxy-3,4,9-trihydroxy-dibenzofuran 4-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside based on spectroscopic analysis. Fortuneanosides G-J showed more potent tyrosinase-inhibitory activity than arbutin.

Four new flavonoids, 3'-formyl-4',6',4-trihydroxy-2'-methoxy-5'-methylchalcone (1), 3'-formyl-6',4-dihydroxy-2'-methoxy-5'-methylchalcone 4'-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (2), (2S)-8-formyl-6-methylnaringenin (3), and (2S)-8-formyl-6-methylnaringenin 7-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (4) were isolated from the buds of Cleistocalyx operculatus (Myrtaceae). The structures of the new metabolites (1-4) were determined on the basic of spectroscopic analyses including 2 dimensional NMR. Compounds 1 and 3 exhibited 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity with IC(50) values of 22.8 and 27.1 microM, respectively.

In the previous work we reported five A-seco-rearranged lanostane triterpenoids as antibacterial constituents from the ethyl acetate soluble fraction of Abies sachalinensei leaves. In further study on the isolation of constituents from the ethyl acetate soluble fraction, two new rearranged lanostane and lanostane-type triterpenoids (3, 4) and three reported compound (1, 2, 5) were isolated. The structures of new compound 3 and 4 were determined to be 3,4-seco-4(28),6,8(14),24-mariesatetraen-26,23-olide-23-hydroxy-3-oic acid and 3,4-seco-4(28),7,24-lanostatrien-26,23-olide-23-hydroxy-3-oic acid, respectively, by spectral studies on HR-MS, (1)H-NMR, (13)C-NMR, and 2D-NMR spectra. Compound 1 was identified with pindrolactone and its structure was revised as 7,14,22Z,24-mariesatetraen-26,23-olide-3alpha-ol. Structures of 2 and 5 were determined as 7,14,24-mariesatrien-26,23-olide-3alpha,23-diol and 3alpha-hydroxy-7,14,24E-mariesatrien-23-oxo-26-oic acid. Of these compounds, 2, 3 and 4 were obtained as lactol tautomer mixtures at gamma-lactone structures of side chains.

FTY720 (fingolimod), a novel immunosuppressant, was found to become biologically activated by phosphorylation into FTY720-1-phosphate (FTY720-P), which is a high-affinity agonist for sphingosine-1-phosphate (sphingosine-1-P)-receptors. FTY720 has also been reported to have a strong antitumor activity. The association between the phosphorylation of FTY720 and the growth inhibition of FTY720 against cancer cells are still not completely understood. In this study, we investigated the effects of FTY720, sphingosine, and their related compounds on the proliferation of human breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7, MDA-MB-231 and Sk-Br-3) and human colon cancer cell lines (HCT-116 and SW620). Non-phosphorylated FTY720, sphingosine and an FTY720 derivative, ISP-I-55, showed significant growth inhibition against these cells, with IC50 values of 5-20 microM at 48 h post-drug treatment. We confirmed that FTY720 induces the activation of a major mitogen-activated protein kinase, JNK, without the activation of p38 and down-regulation of phospho-ERK in MCF-7 breast cancer cells. In contrast, the phosphorylated derivatives, FTY720-P and sphingosine-1-P, as well as a phosphinane FTY720 derivative, cFTY720-P, did not inhibit the growth of the cells in the concentration range of 5-50 microM, whereas FTY720-P and sphingosine-1-P slightly induced the growth of MCF-7 cells. Combining FTY720 with dimethylsphingosine, a sphingosine kinase inhibitor, augmented the inhibitory effect of FTY720. These results indicate that the antiproliferative activity of FTY720 does not result from its phosphorylation, either endogenous or exogenous.

The ruthenium tetroxide (RuO(4)) oxidation of cyclic ene-carbamates resulted in the endo-cyclic carbon-carbon double bond cleavage to afford the corresponding omega-(N-formylamino)carboxylic acids in good yields. Substituted cyclic ene-carbamates derived from (3R)-3-hydroxypiperidine hydrochloride were converted into the N-Boc 4-aminobutyric acids by utilization of the RuO(4) oxidation as the key step, which were further transformed into (3R)-4-amino-3-hydroxybutyric acid, an important key intermediate for the synthesis of L-carnitine.

Fractionation of stem barks of Terminalia superba yielded two new ellagic acid derivatives, 3,4'-di-O-methylellagic acid 3'-O-beta-D-xylopyranoside (1) and 4'-O-galloy-3,3'-di-O-methylellagic acid 4-O-beta-D-xylopyranoside (2) together with known 3,3'-di-O-methylellagic acid, ellagic acid and 3,3'-di-O-methylellagic acid 4'-O-beta-D-xylopyranoside. Compounds (1) and (2) showed significant alpha-glucosidase inhibition activity and possessed significant immunoinhibitory activities with no cytotoxic effects.

The 80% aqueous acetone extract from the flowers of Hedychium coronarium was found to show a protective effect on D-galactosamine-induced cytotoxicity in primary cultured mouse hepatocytes. On the other hand, two new labdane-type diterpene glycosides, coronalactosides I (1) and II (2), and a new labdane-type trinorditerpene, coronadiene (3), were isolated together with 8 known compounds from the extracts, which were obtained with chloroform and 80% aqueous acetone from the flowers of H. coronarium. The structures of new constituents were elucidated on the basis of chemical and physicochemical evidence. In addition, the principal constituents, coronaririn C and 15-hydroxylabda-8(17),11,13-trien-16,15-olide, displayed hepatoprotective effects, which were stronger than that of the hepatoprotective agent, silybin.

cis-2,3-Diphenyl-6,7-dihydro-5H-cyclopenta[b]pyrazine-5,7-dimethanol, prepared by Diels-Alder reaction from cyclopentadiene and appropriately protected 2-imidazolone--followed by dihydroxylation, glycol protection, diamine deprotection, condensation with benzyl, glycol deprotection, oxidative cleavage and reduction--, was used to synthesize (+/-)-cis-([7-(6-chloro-9H-purin-9-yl)methyl]-2,3-diphenyl-6,7-dihydro-5H-cyclopenta[b]pyrazin-5-yl)methanol, a key intermediate for novel 1'-homocarbanucleosides based on a cyclopenta[b]pyrazine scaffold as shown by its conversion into several 6-substituted purinyl derivatives.

Two new compounds were found in the phenolic glycosides isolated from the roots of Lindera fruticosa: 5-O-[beta-D-apiofuranosyl-(1''--2')-O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl]gentisic acid-7,5''-ester (3), named linderofruticoside A; and 5-O-[beta-D-apiofuranosyl-(1''--3')-O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl]gentisic acid methyl ester (4), linderofruticoside B. Two previously known phenolic glycosides were also identified: beta-D-(3,4-disinapoyl)fructofuranosyl-alpha-D-(6-sinapoyl)glucopyranoside (1) and beta-D-(3-sinapoyl)fructofuranosyl-alpha-D-(6-sinapoyl)glucopyranoside (2). Compounds 1 and 2 inhibited osteoclast differentiation in a dose-dependent manner at concentrations higher than 1.04 microM and 0.132 microM, respectively.

5,7-Dihydroxyflavone (chrysin) (1) when fermented with fungal cultures, Aspergillus alliaceous (ATCC 10060), Beauveria bassiana (ATCC 13144) and Absidia glauco (ATCC 22752) gave mainly 4'-hydroxychrysin (4), chrysin 7-O-beta-D-4-O-methylglucopyranoside (5) and chrysin 7-sulfate (6), respectively. Mucore ramannianus (ATCC 9628), however, transformed chrysin into six metabolites: 4'-hydroxy-3'-methoxychrysin (chrysoeriol) (7), 4'-hydroxychrysin (apigenin) (4) 3',4'-dihydroxychrysin (luteolin) (8), 3'-methoxychrysin 4'-O-alpha-D-6-deoxyallopyranoside (9), chrysin 4'-O-alpha-D-6-deoxyallopyranoside (10), and luteolin 3'-sulfate (11). Cultures of A. alliaceous (ATCC 10060) and B. bassiana (ATCC 13144) metabolized 5-hydroxyflavone (2) into 5,4'-dihydroxyflavone (12) and 4'-hydroxyflavone 5-O-beta-D-4-O-methylglucopyranoside (13), respectively. 6-Hydroxyflavone (3) was transformed into 6-hydroxyflavanone (14), flavone 3-O-beta-D-4-O-methylglucopyranoside (15) and (+/-)-flavanone 6-O-beta-D-4-O-methylglucopyranoside (16) by cultures of Beauveria bassiana (ATCC 13144). The structures of the metabolic products were elucidated by means of spectroscopic data. The significance of the metabolites as antioxidants in relation to their structure is briefly discussed.

Eleven 3-substituted isocoumarins and a benzylidenephthalide were synthesized through thermal cyclization reaction of delta- and gamma-ketoamides, respectively. Subsequent deprotection of the hydroxyl groups of the resulting isocoumarin and benzylidenephthalide compounds afforded thunberginols A, B, and F, respectively, which originated from the processed leaves of Hydrangea macrophylla SERINGE var. thunbergii MAKINO. The synthesized isocoumarins and thunberginols were evaluated for their anti-allergic activity, in which thunberginol B exhibited the highest inhibitory potency on the degranulation of RBL-2H3 cells induced by antigen. Structure-activity relationship studies were carried out to determine the necessary substituents on the 3-phenylisocoumarin skeleton for inhibitory activity.

Five new briarane-type diterpenoids, pachyclavulides E (5), F (6), G (7), H (8) and I (9), were isolated from the Okinawan soft coral Pachyclavularia violacea. The structures of these compounds were elucidated based on the results of spectroscopic analysis. Compound 5 showed a weak growth-inhibitory activity in vitro toward cancer cells.

Some new N-monocarbamoyl symmetrical diamines have been prepared by the addition of symmetrical amines to isocyanates or isothiocyanates. 2,6-Diaminopyridine (1), (1R,2R)-1,2-diaminocyclohexane [(1R,2R)-2], meso-1,2-diaminocyclohexane (meso-2), or (1R,2R)-1,2-diphenylethylenediamine (3) were used as the starting symmetrical diamine frameworks. All of the newly synthesized compounds were subjected to an evaluation of antiviral activity with herpes simplex virus (HSV)-1. N-Monocarbamoyl 2,6-diaminopyridines (5a, b) showed significant antiviral activity (EC(50)=17.0, 6.2 microg/ml) comparable to that of N-monododecanoyl 2,6-diaminopyridine (A2). As a result, compound 5a showed a better selectivity index (CC(50)/EC(50) = ca. 10.0) than that of A2.

Two new sesquiterpenoidal natural products chabrolidiones A and B (1 and 2), two C(18) terpenoid-related carboxylic acids, ketochabrolic acid (3) and isoketochabrolic acid (4), and one naphthoquinone derivative chabrolonaphthoquinone C (5), along with two known compounds (+)-aristolone (6) and teuhetenone A (7) were isolated from a Formosan soft coral Nephthea chabrolii. The structures of the new metabolites were determined on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis and by comparison of NMR data with those of related metabolites. Metabolite 1 has been synthesized previously, but was isolated for the first time from natural sources. Cytotoxic activity of metabolites 1-3 and 5-7 against a limited panel of cancer cell lines is also described.

The (2R,5S)-trans- and (2S,5S)-cis-stereoisomers 1a and 1b of 4(5)-(5-aminotetrahydropyran-2-yl)imidazole, which have two chiral centers and adopt a stable chair conformation, were synthesized via cyclization of diol intermediates 7 using L-glutamine as the starting material. Their enantiomers, (2S,5R)-trans-1c and (2R,5R)-cis-1d, were synthesized by the same methodology from D-glutamine. Stereo isomers 1a-d were converted into cyanoguanidines 11a-d, and into N-isopropyl and N-3,3-dimethylbutyl derivatives 12a-d and 13a-d, respectively. The results of in vivo brain microdialysis of the derivatives apparently indicated that only (2S,5R)-isomers increased the release of neuronal histamine. Among the many (2S,5R)-N-alkyl derivatives, 13c (OUP-133) and 18 (OUP-153) increased histamine release to 180-190% and 180-200% of basal levels, respectively, and were found to be novel histamine H(3) antagonists.

Eleven new cytotoxic cembranolides, michaolides A-K (1-11), and crassolide (12) were isolated from the CH(2)Cl(2) extract of the Formosan soft coral Lobophytum michaelae. Their structures were established by extensive spectral analysis. The cytotoxicity of the isolates against selected cancer cells was measured in vitro.

Various thieno[3,4-b]indolizine derivatives having an acylmethylthio or (3-ethoxycarbonyl-2-propenyl)thio group at the 3-position which could not be obtained by a conventional method were prepared by a new procedure using cyanoethyl group as a protecting group and their intramolecular arene-pi interactions were investigated. In the (1)H-NMR spectra of these thieno[3,4-b]indolizines, the low-field shifts (delta 0.10-0.33 ppm) for the 5-protons were observed in comparison with those of 3-(methylthio)thieno[3,4-b]indolizines as a standard. The UV spectra also exhibited a characteristic absorption band at 425-445 nm attributable to the arene-pi interaction but their intensities were generally lower than those of 3-(arylmethylthio)thieno[3,4-b]indolizines. In their X-ray analyses, the anti conformation for 3-(acylmethylthio)thieno[3,4-b]indolizines and the gauche one for the 3-(3-ethoxycarbonyl-2-propenyl)thio derivatives were exhibited.

Dirhodium(II)-catalyzed C-H amination reaction of (S)-3-(tert-butyldimethylsilyloxy)-2-methylpropyl carbamate, which was easily prepared from methyl (S)-2-methyl-3-hydroxypropanoate, proceeded more smoothly than those of their 2-(methoxycarbonyl)propyl derivative to give the corresponding oxazolidinone in excellent yield. The resulting oxazolidinone was converted efficiently into both (R)-monoprotected and (S)-monoprotected 2-amino-2-methyl-1,3-propanediols.

A new sulfated lupane triterpene, Gypsophilin (1), and its glucosyl ester, Gypsophilinoside (2) were isolated from the roots of Gypsophila repens whereas a new flavone C-glycoside (3) was obtained from the aerial parts. Their structures were established as (3beta)-3-O-(sulfo)lup-20(29)-en-23,28-dioic acid (1), (3beta)-3-O-(sulfo)lup-20(29)-en-23,28-dioic acid -28-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl ester (2) and luteolin-7-O-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl-6-C-beta-glucopyranoside (3) by spectroscopic methods such as 1D and 2D NMR, HR-ESI-MS and FAB-MS.

Two new abietane diterpene lactones (1--2), three new abietane diterpene lactone glycosides (3--5) and a new iridoid glycoside (6), together with five known compounds, were isolated from the aerial parts of Goldfussia yunnanensis. The new compounds were determined to be 18-hydroxyhelioscopinolide A (1), 18-oxohelioscopinolide A (2), 18-hydroxy-3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosylhelioscopinolide A (3), 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosylhelioscopinolide A (4), 3-O-beta-D-galactopyranosylhelioscopinolide A (5), and 6-O-trans-cinnamoyl E-harpagoside (6) on the basis of spectral data and chemical evidence.

Six new dammarane-type triterpene diglycosides with a hydroperoxide group, floralginsenosides A, B, C, D, E, and F, were isolated from ginseng flower, the flower buds of Panax ginseng C. A. MEYER, together with seven known dammarane-type triterpene oligoglycosides. The structures of new floralginsenosides were elucidated on the basis of chemical and physicochemical evidence.

Quinoline hexose analogs are expected to be useful as novel agents for treatment of chloroquine-resistant malaria. Here, we report preparation of 4-hydroxy quinoline-beta-glucosides from anilines in 4 steps.

Jorunnamycins A-C (1a-c), three stabilized renieramycin-type bistetrahydroisoquinolines, were isolated from the mantles, the visceral organs, and the egg ribbons of the Thai nudibranch Jorunna funebris that was pretreated with potassium cyanide (KCN), along with five known compounds, renieramycins M (2m), N (2n), O (2o), and Q (2q) and mimosamycin (3). The structures of 1a-c were elucidated from spectroscopic data and by chemical conversion of renieramycin M (2m) into 1c via 1a. The chemical stability and the oxidative degradation generating simple isoquinoline alkaloids of a carbinolamine analog 1d, which was easily prepared by reacting 1c with silver nitrate in aqueous acetonitrile, are discussed. The results of cytotoxicity studies are also presented.