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Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial activity and the cytotoxicity of the ethanol crude extract, fractions and isolated compounds from the twigs of Eriosema robustum, a plant used for the treatment of coughs and skin diseases. Methods: Column chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques were used to isolate and identify eight compounds, robusflavones A (1) and B (2), orostachyscerebroside A (3), stigmasterol (4), 1-O-heptatriacontanoyl glycerol (5), eicosanoic acid (6), 3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside of sitosterol (7) and 6-prenylpinocembrin (8), from E. robustum. A two-fold serial microdilution method was used to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) against fungi and bacteria, and the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazolyl-2)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide reduction assay was used to evaluate the cytotoxicity. Results: Fraction B had significant antimicrobial activity against Aspergillus fumigatus and Cryptoccocus neoformans (MIC 0.08 mg/ml), whilst the crude extract and fraction A had moderate activity against A. fumigatus and Candida albicans (MIC 0.16 mg/ml). Fraction A however had excellent activity against Staphylococcus aureus (MIC 0.02 mg/ml), Enterococcus faecalis and Escherichia coli (MIC 0.04 mg/ml). The crude extract had significant activity against S. aureus, E. faecalis and E. coli. Fraction B had good activity against E. faecalis and E. coli (MIC 0.08 mg/ml). All the isolated compounds had a relatively weak antimicrobial activity. An MIC of 65 μg/ml was obtained with robusflavones A (1) and B (2) against C. albicans and A. fumigatus, orostachyscerebroside A (3) against A. fumigatus, and robusflavone B (2) against C. neoformans. Compound 8 had the best activity against bacteria (average MIC 55 μg/ml). The 3 fractions and isolated compounds had LC50 values between 13.20 to > 100 μg/ml against Vero cells yielding selectivity indices between 0.01 and 1.58. Conclusion: The isolated compounds generally had a much lower activity than expected based on the activity of the fractions from which they were isolated. This may be the result of synergism between different compounds in the complex extracts or fractions. The results support the traditional use of E. robustum to treat infections. The crude extract had a good activity and low preparation cost, and may be useful in topical applications to combat microbial infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Phytochemical studies of the seeds of the Cameroonian medicinal plant, Salacia staudtiana , resulted in the isolation and identification of five new cardenolides (1 – 5) as well as a new dihydro-β-agarofuran (9), along with eight known compounds. The structures of all compounds were elucidated by 1D/2D NMR, ESI-HRMS data and comparison with literature data. The relative configurations of the new compounds were defined by X-ray crystallography analysis, NOESY correlations and coupling constants. We evaluated their antibacterial efficacy against two commonly dispersed environmental strains of Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis , and two pathogenic strains of Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa , compared to the standard antibiotics, streptomycin and gentamicin. Moreover, we assessed the antibacterial activity of the crude extract of the seeds in parallel to evaluate the plausible synergistic effects of the compounds in chemical defense of the seeds during germination and plant reproduction. The isolated compounds showed moderate antibacterial activities against the tested organisms. Compounds 1 and 3 and the crude extract exhibited distinct antibacterial activities against B. subtilis and S. aureus. The isolated compounds showed weak DPPH radical scavenging properties compared to the reference standard (Trolox). Our study lends evidence to the antibacterial chemical defense of S. staudtiana seeds by seed-borne compounds. Graphical abstract Unlabelled Image [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chemical investigation of the roots of Entandrophragma congoënse (Meliaceae) led to the isolation of two new 3,4- seco -tirucallane triterpenes, namely seco -tiaminic acids B and C ( 1 and 2 ) together with nine known compounds: 3,4-secotirucalla-21-formyl-23-oxo-4(28),7,24-trien-3-oic acid ( 3 ), methyl angolensate ( 4 ), molucensin N ( 5 ), molucensin O ( 6 ), piscidinol A ( 7 ), 7 α ,20( S )-dihydroxy-4,24(28)-ergostadien-3-one ( 8 ), 24-methylene-cholest-5-en-3 β ,7 α -diol ( 9 ), entilin A ( 10 ), and entilin B ( 11 ). Their structures were determined using extensive spectroscopic methods including 1D and 2D NMR, HRMS, and CD analyses; new results were compared to existing data in the literature. The two newly identified seco -tiaminic acids showed moderate antiplasmodial and cytotoxic activities against a chloroquine-sensitive strain of the malaria parasite ( Plasmodium falciparum NF54) and were cytotoxic toward an L6 rat skeletal myoblast cell line, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Six new flavanones ( 1 – 6 ), together with six known compounds were isolated from Erythrina livingstoniana . Their structures were elucidated on the basis of NMR data and HRMS n fragmentation pathway and by comparison with literature data. Compounds 5 , 7 and 8 showed remarkable DPPH free radical scavenging efficacies. The compounds, however, did not demonstrate an anti-inflammatory potential when tested using a PGE 2 (prostaglandin E2) competitive enzyme immunoassay. The plausible biosynthetic pathways of the isolated compounds are described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extracts of Chlorophora regia are frequently used in Ghana in traditional medicine. There is, however, no reported data on the chemical composition of the plant. Comprehensive phytochemical investigation of the stem bark of C. regia resulted in the isolation of three new prenylated 2-arylbenzofuran derivatives, regiafuran A–C ( 1–3 ), and one new prenylated flavonol ( 4 ), together with fifteen known compounds ( 5–19 ). Their structures were elucidated by combined spectroscopic analysis of their NMR and HRESI-MS n data. Compounds 1, 2, 5, 9 and 15 exhibited remarkable free radical scavenging properties with IC 50 values of 1.9 μg/ml, 2.4 μg/ml, 2.2 μg/ml, 2.1 μg/ml and 1.8 μg/ml, respectively, compared to the standard trolox (IC 50 1.1 μg/ml). The isolated compounds did not, however, show any anti-inflammatory potential when tested using a PGE 2 (prostaglandin E 2 ) competitive enzyme immunoassay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phytochemical investigation of the stem bark extract of Anopyxis klaineana was carried out by various chromatographic techniques resulting in the isolation and characterization of three new tirucallane triterpenoids, namely 3,23-dioxotirucalla-7,24-dien-21-oic acid ( 1 ), 3,4-secotirucalla-23-oxo-4(28)7,24-trien-3,21-dioic acid ( 2 ) and 3,4-secotirucalla-4-hydroxy-23-oxo-7,24-diene-3,21-dioic acid-21-methyl ester ( 3 ), along with nine known compounds ( 4–12 ). The structural elucidation of the compounds was performed by means of high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS n ), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and by comparison to literature data. Although none of the isolated compounds showed antibacterial efficacy against selected environmental and clinically important pathogenic Gram-positive and -negative bacteria, they demonstrated moderate DPPH free radical scavenging properties. Furthermore, compounds 1 and 7 exhibited remarkable anti-inflammatory potential in a prostaglandin E 2 (PGE 2 ) competitive enzyme immunoassay with IC 50 values of 3.63 μM and 10.23 μM, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The chemical study of Erythrina livingstoniana has led to the isolation of three new flavanones namely 5,7,3′-trihydroxy-4′-methoxy-5′-formylflavanone (erylivingstone A) ( 1 ), 5,7,3′-trihydroxy-5′-(2-hydroxy-3-methylbut-3-enyl)-4′-methoxyflavanone (erylivingstone B) ( 2 ) and 5,7,3′-trihydroxy-5′-(3-hydroxy-3-methyl- trans -but-1-enyl)-4′-methoxyflavanone (erylivingstone C) ( 3 ) together with three known compounds ( 4 – 6 ). Their structures were elucidated on the basis of NMR data, HRMS n fragmentation pathway and by comparison with literature data. We evaluated the antibacterial efficacies and free-radical scavenging potential of the isolated compounds ( 1 – 6 ). The typical environmental strains of Gram-positive Bacillus subtilis , Gram-negative Escherichia coli , as well as against the clinically important Staphylococcus aureus , Streptococcus pyogenes and E. coli (risk-group 2) were used for the antibacterial assay. Compounds 5 and 6 exhibited the most pronounced efficacy against tested environmental bacteria as well as against the pathogenic strain of E. coli . Compound 3 was also quite active against these three bacterial strains. The isolated compounds showed weak radical scavenging properties with compound 6 being the most active, followed by compounds 2 , 3 and 5 . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new tirucallane-type triterpenoids were isolated from the bark of Entandrophragma congoënse (Meliaceae) along with five known compounds gladoral A, bipendensin, 4-hydroxymethyl-3,5-dimethyldihydrofuran-2(3 H )-one, scopoletin and 5,7-dimethoxy-6-hydroxycoumarin. Their structures were elucidated by means of spectroscopic analyses including 1D and 2D-NMR spectroscopy, high resolution mass spectrometric data as well as the comparison of data with those reported in the literature. The tested compounds ( 1 – 4 ) displayed moderated antiplasmodial activity against erythrocytic stages of chloroquine-resistant Plasmodium falciparum strain NF54 and low cytotoxicity on L6 cell lines. All the isolated compounds are reported for the first time from the genus Entandrophragma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tetrapleura tetraptera is a medicinal plant used in East and West Africa to treat inflammation and related diseases. From the stem bark of the plant, three previously undescribed flavan-3-ol derivatives named (2 R, 3 S)-3,3′,5′,7-tetrahydroxy-4′-methoxyflavane (1), (2 R, 3 S) -3′,5′,7-trihydroxy-4′-methoxyflavane-3- O -β-D-glucopyranoside (2), and (2 R, 3 S, 4 S) -3,3′,4,5′,7-pentahydroxy-4′-methoxyflavane (3) were isolated with three known analogues. The structural elucidation of the compounds was performed based on NMR spectroscopy and HRMS data analyses. The absolute configurations around the stereogenic carbons were determined using Circular Dichroism (ECD) and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The cytotoxicity of the isolated compounds was tested using resazurin reduction assay. Compound 1 was moderately active against both recalcitrant leukemia cell lines with IC 50 values of 21.90 μM towards CCRF-CEM and 50.80 towards CEM/ADR5000. Similar level of activity was observed for compound 3 against CCRF-CEM cell line, IC 50 = 35.50 μM. All the tested compounds were not cytotoxic compared with the standard drug, doxorubicin, with IC 50 values of 0.0075 against CCRF-CEM and 24.30 μM against CEM/ADR5000. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

From the leaves of Kenyan medicinal plant Bersama abyssinica Subspecies abyssinica , four previously undescribed compounds namely, three bufadienolides, 10 β -formylpaulliniogenin B, 10 β -formylpaulliniogenin A and 1 β -acetoxy-3 β ,5 β -dihydroxy-15-methoxy-16,19-dioxobufa-14(15),20,22-trienolide, and a phenolic compound 2,6,4′-trihydroxybenzophenone-4-O-(6‴-cinnamoyl)-β-D-glucoside were isolated together with four known compounds. The structural elucidation of the compounds was based on 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy and HRMS data analyses. The relative configurations were defined by NOESY correlations. Cytotoxic activities on L929 and KB3.1 cell lines of the isolated compounds were investigated using MTT assay. The 1 β -acetoxy-3 β ,5 β -dihydroxy-15-methoxy-16,19-dioxobufa-14(15),20,22-trienolide showed significant cytotoxic activity against KB3.1 cell lines with IC 50 of 3.9 ± 0.99 μM. Bufadienolides from Bersama abyssinica (Fresen) subspecies abyssinica Melianthaceae. [Display omitted] • Cytotoxic compounds from the leaf of Bersama abyssinica subspecies abyssinica. • Previously undescribed bufadienolides are reported. • Plants of the genus Bersama have proved to be a rich source of bufadienolides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three new polyketides named penialidins A–C ( 1 – 3 ), along with one known compound, citromycetin ( 4 ), were isolated from an endophytic fungus, Penicillium sp., harbored in the leaves of the Cameroonian medicinal plant Garcinia nobilis . Their structures were elucidated by means of spectroscopic and spectrometric methods (NMR and HRMS n ). The antibacterial efficacies of the new compounds ( 1 – 3 ) were tested against the clinically-important risk group 2 (RG2) bacterial strains of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli . The ecologically imposing strains of E. coli (RG1), Bacillus subtilis and Acinetobacter sp. BD4 were also included in the assay. Compound 3 exhibited pronounced activity against the clinically-relevant S. aureus as well as against B. subtilis comparable to that of the reference standard (streptomycin). Compound 2 was also highly-active against S. aureus . By comparing the structures of the three new compounds ( 1 – 3 ), it was revealed that altering the substitutions at C-10 and C-2 can significantly increase the antibacterial activity of 1 . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Investigation of the crude extract obtained from the aerial parts of Canthium multiflorum led to the isolation of a new iridoid (1) together with twelve known compounds. The structures of these compounds were elucidated by interpretation of 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic data, accurate mass measurements and comparison with analytical data of previously known analogues. Most of the isolated compounds have been reported for the first time from C. multiflorium. The antimicrobial activities of the isolated compounds were evaluated on five different bacterial strains using agar diffusion technique. The Gram-positive bacterium Staphylococcus aureus subsp. aureus (DSM 799), and the Gram-negative bacteria Actinobacter calco-aceticus (DSM 30006), Serratia plymuthica (DSM 4540), Pseudomonas stutzeri (DSM 4166) and Escherichia coli (DSM 1116) were employed for this purpose. The new iridoid, named 6-oxo-genipin (1), demonstrated significant inhibitory activity against all microbial strains tested, especially the pathogen Staphylococcus aureus. In addition, the compounds 3, 4 and 9 exhibited antiplasmodial activity against Plasmodium falciparum strain K1 and weak cytotoxicity against L6 cell lines. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A new hopene-type triterpenoid, namely sonhafouonic acid 1a was isolated from Zehneria scabra camerunensis, together with eight known compounds. The structure of 1a was established by extensive NMR and high resolution MS techniques and confirmed by single-crystal X-ray crystallographic analysis. Compound 1a exhibited inhibitory activity against mycelial growth of two peronosporomycete phytopathogens Pythium ultimum and Aphanomyces cochliodes and cytotoxicity towards brine shrimp larvae (Artemia salina) at 10μg/mL. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Two novel adducts of codeinone with barbituric and 2-thiobarbituric acids have been synthesized via Michael addition. The compounds were spectroscopically elucidated by means of IR-LD spectroscopy of oriented samples as a suspension in nematic liquid crystals, UV spectroscopy and 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy. The 2-thiobarbituric adduct was characterized by X-ray crystallography. HPLC tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC ESI MS/MS) and thermal methods were also employed. Quantum chemical calculations have been performed with a view to obtaining the electronic structure and vibrational properties of the novel compounds. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Four new steroidal sapogenins, dracaenogenins C F (1 – 4), a new conjugated chalcone-stilbene, 3′′-methoxycochinchinenene H (5) together with eight known compounds namely, (25 S)-spirosta-1,4-dien-3-one (6), trans -resveratrol (7), 4,4′-dihydroxy-3′-methoxychalcone (8), N - trans -coumaroyltyramine (9), N - trans - p -coumaroyloctopamine (10), N - trans -feruloyloctopamine (11), 7-hydroxy-1-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)- N 2 , N 3 - bis (4-hydroxyphenethyl)-6-methoxy-1,2-dihydronaphthalene-2,3-dicarboxamide (12) and grossamide (13) were isolated from the stems of Dracaena usambarensis Engl. from Kenya. It is important to note that compounds 12 and 13 are being reported from this genus for the first time. Structural elucidation of the isolated compounds was done using spectroscopic (NMR, UV, IR, optical rotation) and spectrometric (HRESIMS) techniques. The absolute and relative configurations of the isolated compounds were determined by employing single crystal X-ray crystallography analysis, NOESY correlations and coupling constants. The anti-inflammatory potencies of the isolated compounds were evaluated by measuring the levels of four cytokines (IL-1β, IL-2, GM-CSF and TNF-α) in the supernatant media of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). At the tested concentration of 100 μM, the new conjugated chalcone-stilbene 5 , the dihydrochalcone, 8 and the lignanamide, 13 were substantially more potent than the standard drug, ibuprofen, inhibiting the release of all the cytokines, IL-1β , IL-2, GM-CSF and TNF-α from 0.06–58.04% compared to LPS control. These compounds should therefore be considered for development into anti-inflammatory drug candidates. Compound 7 significantly decreased the release of GM-CSF (6.11% of LPS control) and TNF-α (18.35% of LPS control). The cytokine TNF-α was sensitive to all the tested compounds 1 - 13. Unlabelled Image • Thirteen secondary metabolites isolated from the stem bark of Dracaena usambarensis. • Four new steroidal sapogenins, 1 - 4 and a new conjugated chalcone-stilbene, 5. • The relative configuration of 1 was confirmed with X-ray analysis. • Inhibitory activity of 5 , 8 and 13 , was higher than ibuprofen against all cytokines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phytochemical investigation of Tephrosia vogelii seedpods led to the isolation of twelve compounds: vogelisoflavone A (1), vogelisoflavone B (2), isopongaflavone (3), onogenin, luteolin, 4′,7-dihydroxy-3′-methoxyflavanone, trans - p -hydroxycinnamic acid, tephrosin, 2-methoxygliricidol, dehydrorotenone, 6a,12a-dehydro-α-toxicarol and pinoresinol. Compounds 1 and 2 are reported as new natural products. Isopongaflavone (3) was structurally modified using hydrazine to pyrazoisopongaflavone (4). These compounds were characterized based on their NMR and HRESIMS data. Further, four compounds (1–4) were evaluated for their anti-inflammatory effects in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Treatment of the LPS-stimulated PBMCs with the compounds at a concentration of 100 μM suppressed the secretion of interleukin IL-1β interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). Unlabelled Image • Twelve compounds were isolated from Tephrosia vogelii seedpods. • Two new isoflavones vogelisoflavone A (1) and vogelisoflavone B (2) are reported as new compounds. • Isopongaflavone was modified using hydrazine to pyrazoisopongaflavone. • The compounds exhibited anti-inflammatory effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Chemical investigation on the leaves of Melianthus comosus resulted in the isolation of six bufadienolides. • The configurations were determined from single crystal X-ray crystallography and NOESY correlations. • The isolated compounds displayed strong cytotoxicity against MCF-7, CCRF-CEM, and CEM/ADR5000 cancer cell lines. • Compound 1 showed the strongest activity. From the leaves of South African medicinal plant Melianthus comosus , four previously undescribed bufadienolides, 16β-formyloxymelianthugenin (1), 2β-acetoxymelianthusigenin (2), 2β-hydroxy-3β,5β-di- O -acetylhellebrigenin (3), and 2β-acetoxy-5β- O -acetylhellebrigenin (4) were isolated together with two known bufadienolides. The structural elucidation of the compounds was based on 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy, high-resolution mass spectrometry, and other spectroscopic methods. The relative configurations were determined by single-crystal X-ray crystallography analysis and NOESY correlations. The isolated compounds displayed strong cytotoxicity against MCF-7 breast cancer cells, sensitive CCRF-CEM and multidrug-resistant CEM/ADR5000 leukemia cells. Compound 1 showed the most potent activity, with IC 50 values of 0.07 μM towards CCRF-CEM, 0.06 μM towards CEM/ADR5000 and 0.36 μM towards MCF-7 followed by compound 4 with IC 50 values of 0.13 μM towards CCRF-CEM, 0.08 μM towards CEM/ADR5000 and 0.53 μM towards MCF-7. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]