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Jussiaea repens L. (JRL) is an edible medicinal plant and is also used as a vegetable by the local people in southwestern China. The crude extract and its four fractions derived from JRL were evaluated for the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical-scavenging ability, hydroxyl radical-scavenging capacity and the potassium ferricyanide reduction property. The ethyl acetate-soluble fraction (EAF) and EAF6 (a subfraction derived from EAF) were the most valuable fraction and subfraction, respectively. Furthermore, bioactivity-guided chromatographic fractionation revealed that three pure compounds greatly contributed to the antioxidant activities. Qualitative and quantitative analyses of the major antioxidant constituents in the extract were systematically conducted by NMR, mass spectral analyses and RP-HPLC. The result demonstrated that rosmarinic acid (2.00 mg g(-1) JRL dry weight) quercetin 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (9.88 mg g(-1) JRL dry weight), and kaempferol 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (1.85 mg g(-1) JRL dry weight) were the major antioxidative constituents in JRL. These compounds are reported for the first time from this plant.

Ergosterimide (1), a natural Diels-Alder adduct of ergosteroid and maleimide, was characterized from the culture extract of Aspergillus niger EN-13, an endophytic fungus isolated from the marine brown alga Colpomenia sinuosa. In addition, four known steroids including (22E,24R)-ergosta-5,7,22-trien-3 beta-ol (2), (22E,24R)-ergosta-4,6,8(14),22-tetraen-3one (3), (22E,24R)-5 alpha,8 alpha-epidioxyergosta-6,22-dien-3 beta-ol (4), and (22E,24R)-ergosta-7,22dien-3 beta,5 alpha,6 beta-triol. (5) were also isolated and identified. The structures of these compounds were elucidated by extensive analysis of 1D and 2D NMR and IR spectra and MS data. The plausible biosynthetic pathway of 1 was also discussed. To the best of our knowledge, 1 is the first natural Diels-Alder adduct of steroid and maleimide reported so far. (C) 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Two new brominated diterpenes, namely, laurendecumtriol (1) and 11-O-deacetylpinnaterpene C (2), one new polybromoindole, 2,3,4,6-tetrabromo-1-methyl-1H-indole (7), and six known natural products were isolated and identified from the marine red alga Laurencia decumbens. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of detailed spectroscopic and mass-spectrometric analysis as well as by comparison with literature data. Based on 2D-NMR experiments, the previously reported NMR data for pinnaterpene C (3) were reassigned.

Four new halogenated nonterpenoid C(15)-acetogenins, 4:7,6:13-bisepoxy-9,10-diol-1,12-dibromopentadeca-1,2-diene (1, laurendecumallene A), 4:7,6:12-bisepoxy-9,10-diol-1,13-dibromopentadeca-1,2-diene (2, laurendecumallene B), (3Z)-6:10,7:13-bisepoxy-12-bromo-9-hydroperoxylpentadeca-3-en-1-yne (3, laurendecumenyne A), and (3Z)-6:10,9:13-bisepoxy-12-bromo-7-chloropentadeca-3-en-1-yne (4, laurendecumenyne B), together with one known halogenated C(15)-acetogenin elatenyne (5) were isolated and identified from the organic extract of the marine red alga Laurencia decumbens. Their structures and relative stereochemistry were established by means of spectroscopic analysis including UV, IR, high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HRESIMS), and 1D and 2D NMR techniques. All these metabolites were submitted for the cytotoxic assay against tumor cell line A549 (human lung adenocarcinoma), but all of them were found inactive (IC(50)10 microg/mL).

Asperamides A (1) and B (2), a sphingolipid and their corresponding glycosphingolipid possessing a hitherto unreported 9-methyl-C-20-sphingosine moiety, were characterized from the culture extract of Aspergillus niger EN-13, an endophytic fungus isolated from marine brown alga Colpomenia sinuosa. The structures were elucidated by spectroscopic and chemical methods as (2S,2'R,3R,3'E,4E,8E)-N-(2'-hydroxy-3'-hexadecenoyl)-9-methyl-4,8-icosadien-1,3-diol (1) and 1-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(2S,2'R,3R,3'E,4E,8E)-N-(2'-hydroxy-3'-hexadecenoyl)-9-methyl-4,8-icosadien-1,3-diol (2). In the antifungal assay, asperamide A (1) displayed moderate activity against Candida albicans.

Four new highly brominated and fully substituted mono- and bis-phenols, 1-(2,3,6-tribromo-4,5-dihydroxybenzyl)pyrrolidin-2-one (1), 1,2-bis(2,3,6-tribromo-4,5-dihydroxyphenyl)ethane (2), 6-(2,3,6-tribromo-4,5-dihydroxybenzyl)-2,5-dibromo-3,4-dihydroxybenzyl methyl ether (3), and 2,3,6-tribromo-4,5-dihydroxybenzyl methyl sulfone (4), were characterized from the marine red alga Symphyocladia latiuscula. In addition, five known bromophenols, bis(2,3,6-tribromo-4,5-dihydroxyphenyl)methane (5), bis(2,3,6-tribromo-4,5-dihydroxybenzyl) ether (6), 2,3,6-tribromo-4,5-dihydroxybenzyl methyl ether (7), 2,3,6-tribromo-4,5-dihydroxymethylbenzene (8), and 2,3,6-tribromo-4,5-dihydroxybenzaldehyde (9), were also isolated and identified. The structures of these compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic methods including 1D and 2D NMR as well as by low- and high-resolution mass spectrometric analysis. Structurally, all of these compounds are highly brominated and fully substituted, and contain one or two 2,3,6-tribromo-4,5-dihydroxyphenyl unit(s) in each of the molecules. In addition, compound 4 possesses a unique sulfone structural feature. Each of the isolated compounds was evaluated for alpha,alpha-diphenyl-beta-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical-scavenging activity and all were found to be potent, with IC50 values ranging from 8.1 to 24.7 microM, compared to the known positive control butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), with an IC50 of 81.8 microM.

A new acetylated flavanol, 3,7-O-diacetyl (–)-epicatechin (3), and seven known flavanol derivatives, (–)-epicatechin (1), 3-O-acetyl (–)-epicatechin (2), 3,3′,4′,5,7-O-pentaacetyl (–)-epicatechin (4), (+)-afzelechin (5), (+)-catechin (6), cinchonain Ib (7), and proanthocyanidin B2 (8), were isolated from the stems and twigs of the mangrove plant Rhizophora stylosa and identified. The crude extract, the different fractions and all of the purified compounds were evaluated for DPPH radical scavenging activity.

Three new naphtho-gamma-pyrones, 5-hydroxy-6,8-dimethoxy-2-hydroxymethyl-4H-naphtho[2,3-b]pyran-4- one (1, nigerasperone A), 3,3'-dihydro-2,2',5,5'-tetrahydroxy-8,8', 10,10'-tetramethoxy-2,2'-dimethyl-(6',9-bi-4H-naphtho[1,2-b]pyran)-4,4'-dione (2, nigerasperone 13), and 3'-hydro-2',5,5',8-tetrahydroxy-6,6',8'-trimethoxy-2,2'- dimethyl-(7,10'-bi-4H-naphtho[2,3-b]pyran)-4,4'-dione (3, nigerasperone C), together with nine related known compounds were characterized from Aspergillus niger EN-13, an endophytic fungus isolated from the marine brown alga Colpomenia sinuosa. Their structures were elucidated by detailed analysis of spectroscopic data and by comparison with literature reports. In the cytotoxic assay, these compounds did not show remarkable inhibitory effects against A549 and SMMC-7721 tumor cell lines. However, 3 and several known compounds showed weak antifungal activity against Candida albicans and moderate activity on DPPH scavenging.

Three new polybrominated 1H-indoles, compounds 1-3, and three new aristolane sesquiterpenes, compounds 4-6, were isolated from the marine red alga Laurencia similis, together with seven known natural products. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of detailed spectroscopic and mass-spectrometric analyses, as well as by comparison with literature data.

Two new oxepine-containing diketopiperazine-type alkaloids, varioloids A and B (1 and 2, resp.), were isolated from the algal-derived fungus Paecilomyces variotii EN-291. The structures and absolute configurations were determined by detailed interpretation of 1D- and 2D-NMR spectroscopic data and by analysis of acidic hydrolysates. Compounds 1 and 2 exhibited potent activity against the plant-pathogenic fungus Fusarium graminearum with MIC values of 8 and 4 mu g/ml, respectively.

A new polyoxygenated dihydropyrano[2,3-c]pyrrole-4,5-dione derivative, pyranonigrin F (1), together with a related known compound, pyranonigrin A (2), were isolated and identified from Penicillium brocae MA-231, an endophytic fungus obtained from the fresh tissue of the marine mangrove plant Avicennia marina. The structures of these metabolites were determined based on comprehensive spectral interpretation and the absolute configuration of compound 1 was established by X-ray crystallographic analysis. Compounds 1 and 2 showed potent activity against a broad spectrum of human-, aqua-, and plant-pathogens. (C) 2015 Chinese Chemical Society and Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

One new resorcylic acid derivative (IV), and five new loop-opened resorcylic acid-related congeners, including brocapyrone A (III), and brocaketones A-D (structure examples (I) and (II)) are isolated together with three known compounds.

Citrifelins A (1) and B (2), two citrinin adducts possessing a unique tetracyclic framework, were characterized from a coculture of marine-derived fungal isolates of Penicillium citrinum and Beauveria felina. Neither fungus produced these compounds when cultured alone under the same conditions. The structures of these adducts were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analysis, and the absolute configurations were assigned on the basis of TDDFT-ECD calculations. A hypothesis that adducts 1 and 2 might be derived from a citrinin derivative through a non-pericyclic Michael reaction is proposed. Compounds 1, 2, and 5 showed inhibitory activities against several human and aquatic pathogens.

Evaluation of the cytotoxic activity of the newly isolated indole alkaloids, dihydrocarneamide A (I) and iso-notoamide (II), reveals a weak cytotoxicity.

Two new β-carbolines, penipalines A and B (I), and the new indole carbaldehyde derivative, penipaline C (II) are isolated along with two known indole derived analogs from the deep-sea-sediment derived fungus Penicillium paneum SD-44 Compounds (Ib) and (II) exhibit potent cytotoxic activities against A-549 an HCT-116 cell lines.

Three new indolediketopiperazine alkaloids of the isoechinulin type, rubrumazines A-C (1-3), each possessing an oxygenated prenyl group either at C-7 (1 and 2) or at C-5 (3), along with 13 related analogues (4-16), were isolated and identified from a culture extract of Eurotium rubrum MA-150, a fungus obtained from mangrove-derived rhizospheric soil collected from the Andaman Sea coastline, Thailand. Their structures were established by detailed interpretation of NMR spectroscopic and mass spectrometry data analysis. The structure and absolute configuration of compound 1 were confirmed by X-ray crystallographic analysis, thus providing the first characterized crystal structure of an isoechinulin-type alkaloid. All isolated compounds were evaluated for brine shrimp lethality and antibacterial activity.

The alkaloid varioexpine A (I) is isolated from the marine fungus Paecilomyces variotii and its structure is characterized by NMR spectroscopy and X-ray analysis.

The three new brocaeloids (I)-(III) are isolated from the cultures of penicillium brocae MA-192.

The anthraquinone glycoside (I), and the orsellinic ester, cristatumside A (II), are isolated along with three known aromatic glycosides as well as three known anthraquinone derivatives from the fungal strain Euroticum cristatum.

The extracts obtained from 28 species of marine algae were evaluated for their antioxidant activity (AA) versus the positive controls butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), gallic acid (GA), and ascorbic acid (AscA). Most of the tested samples displayed antioxidant activity to various degrees. Among them, the extract of Symphyocladia latiuscula exhibited the strongest AA, which was comparable to BHT, GA, and AscA in radical scavenging activity, as shown in the DPPH (α,α-diphenyl-β-picrylhydrazyl) assay, and higher than those of the positive controls in β-carotene-linoleate assay system. In addition, the ethyl acetate-soluble fraction isolated from the crude extract of S. latiuscula exhibited the highest antioxidant activity in both assay systems. This fraction was further fractionated into seven subfractions (F1-F7) by vacuum liquid chromatography (VLC). F1 and F4 were found to be the most effective subfractions in scavenging DPPH radical assay and in the β-carotene-linoleate assay, respectively. The total phenolic content (TPC) and reducing power (RP) for all of the extracts, fractions, and subfractions (F1–F7) were also determined. The TPC of the 28 extracts ranged from 0.10 to 8.00 gallic acid equivalents (mg/g seaweed dry weight) while the RP ranged from 0.07 to 11.60 ascorbic acid equivalents (mg·g−1 seaweed dry weight). Highly positive relationships between AA and TPC as well as between AA and RP were found for the extracts and fractions, while for the subfractions F1–F7 only weak or no such relations were found. The results obtained from this study indicate that further analysis is needed of those marine algal species that contain the most antioxidant activity in order to identify the active principles.

Cultivation of the endophytic fungus Chaetomium globosum, which was isolated from the inner tissue of the marine red alga Polysiphonia urceolata, resulted in the isolation of chaetopyranin (1), a new benzaldehyde secondary metabolite. Ten known compounds were also isolated, including two benzaldehyde congeners, 2-(2 ',3-epoxy-1 ',3 '-heptadienyl)-6-hydroxy- 5-(3-methyl-2-butenyl) benzaldehyde (2) and isotetrahydroauroglaucin (3), two anthraquinone derivatives, erythroglaucin (4) and parietin (5), five asperentin derivatives including asperentin ( 6, also known as cladosporin), 5 '-hydroxy-asperentin-8-methylether (7), asperentin-8-methyl ether (8), 4 '-hydroxyasperentin (9), and 5 '-hydroxyasperentin (10), and the prenylated diketopiperazine congener neoechinulin A (11). The structures of these compounds were determined on the basis of their spectroscopic data analysis (H-1, C-13, H-1-H-1 COSY, HMQC, and HMBC NMR, as well as low- and high-resolution mass experiments). To our knowledge, compound 1 represents the first example of a 2H-benzopyran derivative of marine algal-derived fungi as well as of the fungal genus Chaetomium. Each isolate was tested for its DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) radical-scavenging property. Compounds 1-4 were found to have moderate activity. Chaetopyranin (1) also exhibited moderate to weak cytotoxic activity toward several tumor cell lines.

A new hydroperoxy-substituted cembranoid diterpene, 2-hydroperoxysarcophine (=(1aR*,4E,11E,14aR*)-2,3,6,7,10a,13,14,14a-octahydro-10a-hydroperoxy-1a,5,8,12-tetramethyloxireno[9,10]cyclote- tradeca[1,2-b]furan-9(1aH)-one; 1), was isolated from the marine soft coral Lobophytum crassum. Also isolated were two other cembranoid diterpenes, obtained for the first time from a natural source, i.e., 7 beta,8 beta-epoxy-4 alpha-hydroxycembra-1(15),2,11-trien-16,2-olide (2) and 7 beta,8 beta-epoxy-4 beta-hydroxycembra1(15),2,11-trien-16,2-olide (3), along with three further cembranoid derivatives, five sterols, and two open-chain metabolites. Their structures and relative configurations were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analyses including 1D- and 2D-NMR, and HR-ESI-MS experiments.

Antioxidant activity (AA), total phenolic content, and reducing power of the crude extract, fractions, and subfractions derived from a red alga, Polysiphonia urceolata, were evaluated and determined. The antioxidative activity was measured using the alpha,alpha-diphenyl-beta-pierylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay and the P-carotene-linoleate assay systems, and compared with that of butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), gallic acid (GA), and ascorbic acid (AscA). The results showed that the crude extract and the ethyl acetate-soluble fraction exhibited higher AA than BHT in the DPPH assay model, at all of four concentration levels tested (from 0.4 to 50 mu g/ml), while, in the beta-carotene-linoleate assay system, the crude extract and the ethyl acetate-soluble fraction exhibited similar or, in most cases, higher AA than GA and AscA at the same concentrations (from 10 to 200 mu g/ml). The ethyl acetate-soluble fraction was further fractionated into seven subfractions F1-F7 by silica gel vacuum liquid chromatography. F1 was found to be the most effective subfraction in both assay systems. The total phenolic content and reducing power were determined using the Folin-Ciocalteu and the potassium ferricyanide reduction methods, respectively. Statistical analysis indicated a significant association between the antioxidant potency and total phenolic content as well as between the antioxidant potency and reducing power. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The new anthraquinone derivative, 6,8-di-O-methylaverantin (1), together with six known congeners (2-7), were characterized from a culture extract of the marine algous fungus, Aspergillus versicolor EN-7. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods. A bioassay showed compounds 1, 2 and 5 to have weak inhibition against Escherichia coli, while compound 5 also displayed weak inhibition against Staphylococcus aureus.

Thirteen new metabolites, melophlins C-O (1-13), were identified from the marine sponge Melophlus sarassinorum. Compounds 1-13 represent tetramic acid derivatives that differ with regard to the nature of their alkyl side chains. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated on the basis of comprehensive spectral analysis (H-1, C-13, H-1-H-1 COSY, HMQC, and HMBC NMR, as well as low- and high-resolution ESIMS and EIMS). The absolute configurations of 1, 8, 10, 11, 12, and 13 were determined by ESI LC/MS analysis of chiral derivatives obtained upon oxidation and hydrolysis of the respective parent compounds. Melophlin C (1) displayed pronounced antibacterial activity against Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus, together with antifungal activity against Candida albicans.

Four novel lignans, aglacins E–H ( 1 – 4 ), were isolated and identified from the methanolic extract of the stem bark of Aglaia cordata collected in Indonesia. All of these metabolites contain two unusual contiguous trimethoxylated phenyl systems. While two of these compounds ( 1 and 2 ) are aryltetralin cyclic ether lignans, a third lignan ( 3 ) exhibits an unusual formyl group whereas compound ( 4 ) is a rare norlignan. The structures of all compounds were elucidated by interpretation of 1D and 2D NMR, as well as by low- and high-resolution EIMS. The absolute configurations of aglacins E and F ( 1 and 2 ) were determined by the modified Mosher's method.

Two new metabolites, microsphaerones A (1) and B (2), were identified from the EtOAc extract of the culture of an undescribed fungus of the genus Microsphaeropsis, isolated from the Mediterranean sponge Aplysina aerophoba. Compounds 1 and 2 represent the first examples of gamma-pyrone derivatives of the fungal genus Microsphaeropsis. The structures of the compounds were elucidated on the basis of comprehensive spectral analysis ((1)H, (13)C, (1)H-(1)H COSY, HMQC, and HMBC NMR, as well as low- and high-resolution ESI and EIMS experiments). The (S)-2-methylsuccinic acid moiety present in 1 was established by GC-MS analysis of a hydrolysis product.

A new 3H-oxepine-containing alkaloid, varioxepine A (1), characterized by a structurally unprecedented condensed 3,6,8-trioxabicyclo[3.2.1]octane motif, was isolated from the marine algal-derived endophytic fungus Paecilomyces variotii. Due to the low proton/carbon ratio, the unambiguous assignment of the planar structure and relative configuration was precluded by NMR experiments and solved by single crystal X-ray analysis. The absolute configuration was established by DFT conformational analysis and TDDFT-ECD calculations. Compound 1 inhibited plant pathogenic fungus Fusarium graminearum.

Six new disulfide-bridged diketopiperazine derivatives, brocazines A–F (1–6), along with one known analogue (7), were isolated and identified from the cytotoxic extract of Penicillium brocae MA-231, a fungus obtained from the fresh tissue of the marine mangrove plant Avicennia marina. The structures of these compounds were established on the basis of detailed interpretation of NMR and mass spectroscopic data. X-ray crystallographic analysis confirmed the structure of 1 and established the structure and absolute configuration of 5, while the absolute configurations for compounds 1, 4, and 6 were deduced by comparison of the CD data with those of 5. Compounds 1, 2, 5, and 6 showed cytotoxic activities against several tumor cell lines.

Three new cyclohexadepsipeptides of the isaridin class including isaridin G (1), desmethylisaridin G (2), and desmethylisaridin C1 (3), along with three related known metabolites (4-6), were isolated and identified from the marine bryozoan-derived fungus Beauveria felina EN-135. The structures of these compounds were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis, and the structures and absolute configurations of compounds 1-3 were confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The crystal structures showed the presence of beta-turns for the Tyr(3)/N-Me-Val(4) and Phe(3)/N-Me-Val(4) amide bonds in compounds 2 and 3, respectively, in the cis conformations, which were opposite other reported isaridins. The conformations of the HMPA(1)-Pro(2) amide bond in compound 2 are different in the solution and in the crystal structures, which showed trans and cis geometries, respectively, while compounds 1 and 3 do not exhibit this phenomenon. Each of the isolated compounds was evaluated for antimicrobial activity and brine shrimp lethality. Compound 3 exhibited antibacterial activity against E. coli with an MIC value of 8 mu g/mL.

Chemical investigation of the mycelial extract of a mixed culture of two marine alga-derived fungal strains of the genus Aspergillus has yielded one new cyclotripeptide, psychrophilin E (1), the recently reported oxepin-containing alkaloids, protuboxepin A (2) and oxepinamide E (3), together with three other polyketide derivatives (4–6). The chemical structure and relative and absolute configurations of psychrophilin E (1) were unambiguously established based on HRMS, 1D, 2D NMR and chiral-phase HPLC analysis of its hydrolysate. All the isolated compounds were assessed for their anti-proliferative activity against four different human cancer cell lines and some of them revealed selective activities.

One new sesquiterpenoid, aristolan-1α-bromo-9β ,10β -epoxide (1), and one new indole alkaloid, 2,5-dibromo-N-methylindole (2), along with six sesquiterpenes and indoles were identified from the marine red alga Laurencia similis. Their structures were established on the basis of spectroscopic methods

A new rearranged chamigrane sesquiterpene, named laurenokamurin, was isolated from the marine red alga Laurencia okamurai. Its structure was determined on the basis of spectroscopic methods. (C) 2008 Bin Gui Wang. Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of Chinese Chemical Society. All rights reserved.

Eight pentacyclic triterpenoids have been isolated from the aerial parts of Rubus xanthocarpus and four of them are new compounds. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectral data and chemical transformations as: 1α,2α,3β,19α-tetrahydroxyurs-12-en-28-oic and, 2α,3α,19α,24-tetrahydroxyurs-12-en-28-oic acid-28-O-β- D -glucopyranusyl ester, 2α,3α,19α-trihydroxyurs-12-en-24-formyl-28-oic acid-28-O-β- D -glucopyranosyl ester and 2,3-O-isopropylidenyl-2α,3α,19α-trihydroxyurs-12-en-28-oic acid.

Two new brominated diterpenes, namely, laurendecumtriol and 11-deacetylpinnaterpene C, were isolated and identified from the marine red alga Laurencia decumbens. Their structures were established on the basis of various NMR spectroscopic techniques and HR-ESI-MS analyses. (c) 2007 Bing Gui Wang. Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of Chinese Chemical Society. All rights reserved.

Cultivation of an endophytic fungus Aspergillus niger EN-13 that was isolated from the inner tissue of the marine brown alga Colpomenia sinuosa resulted in the characterization of a new naphthoquinoneimine derivative, namely, 5,7-dihydroxy-2-[1-(4methoxy-6-oxo-6H-pyran-2-yl)-2-phenylethylaniino]-[1,4]naphthoquinone. The structure of the new compound was established on the basis of various NMR spectroscopic analyses including 2D NMR techniques, EI-MS, and HR-ESI-MS. This compound displayed moderate antifungal activity. (c) 2007 Bin Gui Wang. Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of Chinese Chemical Society. All rights reserved.

Two new aristolane sesquiterpenes, namely, aristolan-10-ol-9-one and aristolan-8-en-1-one, were isolated from the red alga Laurencia similis. Their structures were established on the basis of various NMR spectroscopic analyses, including 2D NMR techniques (H-1-H-1 COSY, HMQC, HMBC, and NOESY) and HR-FAB-MS. (c) 2007 Bin Gui Wang. Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of Chinese Chemical Society. All rights reserved.

A new triterpene glycoside, 2 α ,3 β ,19 α -trihydroxyurs-12-ene-23,28-dioic acid-28- O -(6′- O -methyl- β - d -glucopyranosyl) ester and a new triterpene derivative, 24- O -butyl-2 α ,3 β ,19 α ,24-tetrahydroxyurs-12-en-28-oic acid, together with six known compounds, have been isolated from the aerial parts of Rubus pungens Camb. var oldhamii . The structures of these compounds were established mainly by spectroscopic methods.

Five pentacyclic triterpenoid glycosyl esters have been isolated from the aerial parts of Rubus pileatus and three of them are new compounds. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectral data and chemical transformations as 3β,19α-dihydroxyurs-12-en-24,28-dioic acid -28-O-(6′-O- methyl -β- d -glucopyranosyl ) ester, 2α,3β,19α-trihydroxyurs-12-en-24,28-dioic acid -28-O-(6′-O- methyl -β- d -glucopyranosyl ) ester and 2α,3β,19α-trihydroxyurs-12-en-24,28-dioic acid -28-O-3′-O- methyl -β- d -glucopyranosyl ) ester.

Six new 4-phenyl-3,4-dihydroquinolone derivatives (1-6) along with the related aflaquinolone A (7) were isolated and identified from the cultures of Aspergillus nidulans MA-143, an endophytic fungus obtained from the fresh leaves of the marine mangrove plant Rhizophora stylosa. Their structures including absolute configurations were determined by spectroscopic analysis and electronic circular dichroism experiments, and the structure of compound 1 was confirmed by single-crystal X-ray crystallographic analysis. In bioscreening experiments, none of the isolated compounds showed potent antibacterial or cytotoxic activity. However, compounds 2, 3, and 7 exhibited lethality against brine shrimp (Artemia sauna), with LD50 values of 7.1, 4.5, and 5.5 mu M, respectively.

Chemotherapy remains the common therapeutic for patients with lung cancer. Novel, selective antitumor agents are pressingly needed. This study is the first to investigate a different, however, effective antitumor drug candidate Wentilactone A (WA) for its development as a novel agent. In NCI-H460 and NCI-H446 cell lines, WA triggered G2/M phase arrest and mitochondrial-related apoptosis, accompanying the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). It also induced activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase and p53 and increased expression of p21. When we pre-treated cells with ERK, JNK, p38, p53 inhibitor or NAC followed by WA treatment, only ERK and p53 inhibitors blocked WA-induced apoptosis and G2/M arrest. We further observed Ras (HRas, KRas and NRas) and Raf activation, and found that WA treatment increased HRas–Raf activation. Knockdown of HRas by using small interfering RNA (siRNA) abolished WA-induced apoptosis and G2/M arrest. HRas siRNA also halted Raf, ERK, p53 activation and p21 accumulation. Molecular docking analysis suggested that WA could bind to HRas-GTP, causing accumulation of Ras-GTP and excessive activation of Raf/ERK/p53-p21. The direct binding affinity was confirmed by surface plasmon resonance (SPR). In vivo, WA suppressed tumor growth without adverse toxicity and presented the same mechanism as that in vitro. Taken together, these findings suggest WA as a promising novel, potent and selective antitumor drug candidate for lung cancer.

Two new secondary metabolites, namely, pinodiketopiperazine A (1) and 6,7-dihydroxy-3-methoxy-3-methylphthalide (2), along with alternariol 2,4-dimethyl ether (3) and L-5-oxoproline methyl ester (4), which were isolated from a natural source for the first time but have been previously synthesized, were characterized from the marine sediment-derived fungus Penicillium pinophilum SD-272. In addition, six known metabolites (5-10) were also identified. Their structures were elucidated by analysis of the NMR and mass spectroscopic data. The absolute configuration of compound 1 was determined by experimental and calculated ECD spectra. Compound 2 displayed potent brine shrimp (Artemia salina) lethality with LD50 11.2 mu M.