Neolignans and Norlignans from Insect Medicine Polyphaga plancyi and Their Biological Activities

Ten neolignans or norlignans(1-10)including eight new compounds were isolated from the whole bodies of Polyphaga plancyi Bolivar.Their structures were identified by spectroscopic data.Compounds 3,4,8,and 9 are racemates indicated by chiral HPLC analysis.Chiral separation followed by ECD calculations allowed to clarify the absolute configurations of all the antipodes.All the new compounds were evaluated for their biological properties toward extracellular matrix in rat renal proximal tubular cells,human cancer cells(K562,A549,and Huh7),EV71,ROCK2,JAK3,DDR1,and coagulation.

Norsesquiterpenoids from the leaves of Croton tiglium

Two new compounds,badounoids A(1)and B(2),together with 13 known norsesquiterpenes,were isolated from the leaves of Croton tiglium L.The structures of the new compounds were established by means of spectroscopic methods.The absolute configuration of badounoid B was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis.All the known compounds were isolated from Croton plants for the first time which added a new chemical facet for this genus.The selected compounds were evaluated for their cytostatic activity against several cancer cell lines.None of them was found to be active.

New Diterpenoids from Clerodendranthus spicatus

Two new diterpenoids,neoorthosiphonones B and C(1 and 2),and one known diterpenoid,were isolated from the aerial parts of Clerodendranthus spicatus.Their structures including absolute configurations were determined by comprehensive spectroscopic analyses and X-ray crystallographic methods.No compound was found to inhibit fibronectin production at the concentration of 20μM.

Isolation of Boswelliains A-E,Cembrane-Type Diterpenoids from Boswellia papyifera,and an Evaluation of Their Wound Healing Properties

Boswelliai ns A-E(1-5),five new cembra ne-type diterpenoids,were isolated from the resin of Boswellia papyifera.Their structures,determined by using spectroscopic,computational and chemical methods,demonstrate that 2-5 are novel 4,5-seco-,4,5-seco-,9,10-seco-,and 6,7-seco-cembrane diterpenoids,and that 1,4 and 5 bear aldehyde moieties.An evaluation of the wound healing properties of these natural products along with a derivative of 2 shows that compounds 2 and 3 significantly stimulate proliferation,mobility and tuber formation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVECs)at the concentration of 20μmol/L.

Commiphoroids G_(1)-G_(3), H and I, Five Terpenoid Dimers as Extracellular Matrix Inhibitors from Resina Commiphora

Commiphoroids G_(1)-G_(3),H and I(1-5),five new terpenoid dimers were isolated from Resina Commiphora.Their structures and absolute configurations were determined by using spectroscopic,computational and crystallographic methods.Biological evaluation of these terpenoid dimers against renal fibrosis reveals that 5 inhibits extracellular matrix components including fibronectin and colla-gen I in a concentration-dependent manner.

Minor Compounds from Fungus Ganoderma cochlear

Objective To study the chemical constituents of the fungus Ganoderma cochlear. Methods The compounds were isolated by using MCI gel CHP 20P, Sephadex LH-20, RP-18 column chromatography, and preparative TLC. The structures were identified by means of spectroscopic methods. Results Two phenolic normeroterpenoid and meroterpenoid, cochlearols C and D （1 and 2）, together with six benzene derivatives, 3- methoxy-4-hydroxy-phenylethanol （3）, 4-hydroxyacetophenone （4）, p-hydroxycinnamic methyl ester （5）, 2-methoxy-4-hydroxybenzaldehyde （6）, 4-hydroxy-3-methoxy benzoic acid （7）, and 2-hydroxy-5-ethoxybenzoic acid （8）, were isolated from the fruiting bodies of Ganoderma cochlear. Conclusion Compounds 1 and 2 are new phenolic normeroterpenoid and meroterpenoid, respectively.

Alkyl-modified nucleobases with 6/5/7/5 ring systems from the insect Cyclopelta parva

(±)-Cyclopeltains A and B(1 and 2),two pairs of unusual alkylated adenine derivatives,were isolated from the insect Cyclopelta parva and structurally characterized.1 and 2 both possess a 6/5/7/5 ring system arising from the alkylation of N^(7) and N^(10) by a C6 unit and the formation of a furan ring.A plausible biosynthetic pathway for 1 and 2 was proposed.Biological evaluation of the enantiomers of 1 and 2 revealed that(−)-1 and(+)-2 could inhibit the production of TNF-αand IL-6 and the expression of iNOS,COX-2,and p-NF-κB.