ECD Spectra Research Articles

Phyllanretiosides A and B: Two Undescribed Compounds from Phyllanthus Reticulatus with Nitric Oxide Production Inhibition and Antimicrobial Activity.

Phytochemical study on the methanol extract of the leaves of Phyllanthus reticulatus led to the isolation of two new compounds, phyllanretiosides A (1) and B (2) together with ten known ones (3-12). Their chemical structures were determined by HR-ESI-MS, NMR, and ECD spectra in comparison with the literature. Three ellagitannins, phyllanretioside A (1), corilagin (3), and phyllanthusiin C (4) inhibited lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced nitric oxide production in RAW 264.7 cells with IC50 values of 63.2, 83.2, and 5.6 μM, respectively. In addition, compounds 1, 3, and 4 exhibited significantly antimicrobial activity (MICs: 16-128 μg/mL) towards some of seven microbial strains.

Identification of antibacterial constituents from Rhododendron simsii Planch with an activity-guided method.

Bacterial infections and antibiotic resistance pose significant public health challenges globally. Natural products serve as valuable sources for discovering antimicrobial agents. Rhododendron simsii Planch, a folk medicine, is traditionally used to treat various inflammatory diseases. In this study, we investigated the antibacterial metabolites derived from R. simsii Planch. Rhodosimsiin A (1), bearing a 1,5-seco-1,6 and 3,6-epoxy grayanane diterpene skeleton, representing a novel 5/6/7/6/5 pentacyclic ring system, and 3β,16α-dihydroxy-6β-ethoxy-14β-acetoxy-grayan-1(5)-ene-10-one (4), which represents the first example of the degradation of C-20 and carbonylation in C-10 diterpenoid, together with two new grayanane diterpenes (2-3), three new triterpenes (13-15), and known analogs (5-12, 16-30), were isolated from the leaves of R. simsii Planch by using the bioassay-guided method. Their structures were elucidated by comprehensive spectroscopic analyses, and absolute configurations were established by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and calculated ECD spectra. Compounds 14, 15, 18, 20, 27, 28, and 30 exhibited potent antibacterial activity with an MIC50 of 1.4-24.3μg/mL against Staphylococcus aureus. The findings of this research indicate that secondary metabolites derived from R. simsii Planch are promising natural antimicrobial candidates.

Anti-inflammatory bicyclic polyprenylated acylphloroglucinols with diverse architectures including an unprecedented 6/6/6 tricyclic core from Garcinia yunnanensis

Garciyunnanol A (1), an unprecedented 1,2-seco-bicyclic polyprenylated acylphloroglucinol (BPAP) possessing a unique 6/6/6 tricyclic core, was characterized from Garcinia yunnanensis together with 16 BPAPs, including eight new compounds (garciyunnanols B–I, 2–9). Biogenetically, the bicyclo[3.3.1]nonane-2,4,9-trione moiety of 12 reconstructed the bicyclic δ-lactone core of 2 through Norrish type Ⅰ cleavage and cyclization, followed by a cyclization of two side chains to form an intriguing 6/6/6 tricyclic core of 1. Their structures were elucidated through analysis of spectroscopic data, calculation and comparison of ECD spectra. Bioactivity evaluation manifested that compounds 1, 2, 5, 6 and 14 demonstrated superior inhibition of NO production compared to the positive control dexamethasone. Notably, compound 5 exhibited a dose-dependent inhibitory effect on NO production, with an IC50 value of 0.25 ± 0.87 µM. Furthermore, experiments involving ELISA, Western blotting, and immunofluorescence staining revealed that 5 effectively reduced the secretion of interleukin-1β in LPS plus nigericin-stimulated THP-1 macrophages by inhibiting the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome.

Chemical constituents from the stem bark of Illicium burmanicum and their anti-inflammatory activity

Thirty-six compounds were isolated from extract of the stem bark of Illicium burmanicum, including twelve previously undescribed prenylated C6-C3 compounds and a norsesquiterpene lactone: illicidione D (1), illicidione E (2), illicidione F (3), illicidione G (4), (2R,4S,11R)-12-O-ethylillifunone C (5), (2R,4S,11R)-illifunone C-12-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (6), (2R,4S,11R)-2-hydroxyillifunone C (7), 4-epi-2,3-dehydroillifunone C (8), illiburmanone A (9), illiburmanone B (10), illiburmanlactone A (11), (2S,4S,5S,11R)-2,3-dihydroillicione E (12), and illiburmanolside A (13). Their structures were determined based on extensive spectroscopic data analyses, including MS, NMR, and ECD spectra. The anti-inflammatory activity of the isolated compounds (1-36) was evaluated, and compounds 7, 12, 14, and 18 exhibited inhibitory effects in RAW 264.7cells induced by LPS.

Chemical profile and biological activities of Lysiphyllum binatum (Blanco) de Wit.

Lysiphyllum binatum (Blanco) de Wit in the Fabaceae family, despite its traditional medicinal uses, has not been the subject of prior scientific inquiry into its chemical and biological profile. The dichloromethane and MeOH extracts of its roots exhibited notably similar antioxidant activity, while the dichloromethane extract of the vine stems showed aromatase inhibition. This study aimed to identify the bioactive components responsible for these activities. Chemical investigation of the roots led to the isolation of six new metabolites, named lysiphans A-F (1-6), along with eight known compounds (7-14). The vine stem yielded lysiphan C (3) and compound 7, as well as five known isolates (15-19). The structures of these metabolites were determined through NMR spectral analysis, HRESIMS, quantum chemical calculations of NMR and ECD spectra, and Mosher's modifications to establish their absolute configurations. The biogenetic relationships between the new compounds were proposed. Several of the isolates were evaluated for their antioxidant, anti-aromatase, and cytotoxic properties. Lysiphan B (2) exhibited significant antioxidant activity, with an IC50 value of 28.8 ± 0.4μM in the diphenyl picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH) assay, 3.5 ± 0.2μM in the xanthine/xanthine oxidase (XXO) assay, and 1.5 ± 0.0 ORAC units in oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assay. Additionally, compounds 12, 13, and 16 exhibited very strong aromatase inhibitory activity with IC50 values of 0.3 ± 0.2, 4.7 ± 0.1, and 0.9 ± 0.2µM, respectively. Compound 16 also demonstrated strong ORAC activity of 1.9 ± 0.1 ORAC units.

VCD Analysis of Axial Chirality in Synthetic Stereoisomeric Biaryl-Type bis-Isochroman Heterodimers with Isolated Blocks of Central and Axial Chirality.

Optically active heterodimeric 5,5'-linked bis-isochromans, containing a stereogenic ortho-trisubstituted biaryl axis and up to four chirality centers, were synthesized stereoselectively by using a Suzuki-Miyaura biaryl coupling reaction of optically active isochroman and 1-arylpropan-2-ol derivatives, providing the first access to synthetic biaryl-type isochroman dimers. Enantiomeric pairs and stereoisomers up to seven derivatives were prepared with four different substitution patterns, which enabled us to test how OR, ECD, and VCD measurements and DFT calculations can be used to determine parallel central and axial chirality elements in three isolated blocks of chirality. In contrast to natural penicisteckins A-D and related biaryls, the ECD spectra and OR data of (aS) and (aR) atropodiastereomers did not reflect the opposite axial chirality, but they were characteristic of the central chirality. The atropodiastereomers showed consistently near-mirror-image VCD curves, allowing the determination of axial chirality with the aid of DFT calculation or by comparison of characteristic VCD transitions.

Isolation, Structure Elucidation, and Biological Activity of the Selective TACR2 Antagonist Tumonolide and its Aldehyde from a Marine Cyanobacterium.

The macrocyclic tumonolide (1) with enamide functionality and the linear tumonolide aldehyde (2) are new interconverting natural products from a marine cyanobacterium with a peptide-polyketide skeleton, representing a hybrid of apratoxins and palmyrolides or laingolides. The planar structures were established by NMR and mass spectrometry. The relative configuration of the stereogenically-rich apratoxin-like polyketide portion was determined using J-based configuration analysis. The absolute configuration of tumonolide (1) was determined by chiral analysis of the amino acid units and computational methods, followed by NMR chemical shift and ECD spectrum prediction, indicating all-R configuration for the polyketide portion, as in palmyrolide A and contrary to the all-S configuration in apratoxins. Functional screening against a panel of 168 GPCR targets revealed tumonolide (1) as a selective antagonist of TACR2 with an IC50 of 7.0 μM, closely correlating with binding affinity. Molecular docking studies established the binding mode and rationalized the selectivity for TACR2 over TACR1 and TACR3. RNA sequencing upon treatment of HCT116 colorectal cancer cells demonstrated activation of the pulmonary fibrosis idiopathic signaling pathway and the insulin secretion signaling pathway at 20 μM, indicating its potential to modulate these pathways.

Isolation of C-29 oxygenated oleanane triterpenoids and a (+)-muurolene type sesquiterpenoid from the fruiting bodies of Fuscoporia torulosa and their bioactivities.

Basidiomycetes with a wide variety of skeletons of secondary metabolites can be expected to be the source of new interesting biological compounds. During our research on basidiomycetes, two new C-29 oxygenated oleanane-type triterpenes (1 and 2) and torulosacid (3), a muurolene type sesquiterpenoid with a five-membered ether ring along with nine known compounds (4-12), were isolated from the MeOH extract of the fruiting bodies of Fuscoporia torulosa. The structures of 1-3 were determined by NMR and HREIMS analysis. Further studies on the stereochemistry of 3 were conducted using X-ray crystallographic analysis and comparison of experimental and calculated ECD spectra. In the antimicrobial assay of isolates, 1, 7, and 9 showed growth inhibitory activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and other gram-positive strains. Isolation of oleanane type triterpenes from fungi including basidiomycetes, is a unique report that could lead to further isolation of new compounds and the discovery of unique biosynthetic enzymes.

Formohyperins G-L, polycyclic prenylated benzoylphloroglucinols from the flowers of Hypericum formosanum.

Phytochemical study on the flowers of Hypericum formosanum Maxim. (Hypericaceae) led to the isolation of formohyperins G-L (1-6), whose structures were assigned by detailed spectroscopic analysis. Formohyperins G-L (1-6) are new benzoylphloroglucinols substituted by a C10 unit, a prenyl group, and a methyl group. Formohyperins G-J (1-4) possess a 6/6/6-tricyclic structure, while formohyperins K (5) and L (6) have a unique 6/6/5/4-tetracyclic structure consisting of cyclohexadienone, dihydropyrane, cyclopentane, and cyclobutane rings. The absolute configurations of 1-6 were deduced by analysis of the ECD spectra. Formohyperins G-J (1-4) and L (6) were found to show potent inhibitory activities against IL-1β release from LPS-treated murine microglial cells with EC50 values of 5.0, 10.9, 6.3, 10.8, and 13.7µM, respectively, without cytotoxicity. 6-O-Methylformohyperins G (1a) and I (3a) also exhibited the inhibitory activities with EC50 values of 4.7 and 2.7µM, respectively, although they were cytotoxic against microglial cells.

Pyrrololactam alkaloids with IL-6 inhibitory activities from the sponge Phakellia fusca collected in the South China Sea

Sixteen undescribed pyrrololactam alkaloids, including five 2-bromopyrrole-ε-lactam (1a, 1b, 4a, 4b and 5), two 3-bromopyrrole-ε-lactam (9 and 10), eight pyrrole-ε-lactam (2a-3 and 6a-8), and one pyrrole-δ-lactam alkaloids (11), along with three previously reported compounds (12–14) were isolated from the marine sponge Phakellia fusca collected in the South China Sea. The planar structures were determined by NMR and MS analyses, while the absolute configurations were clearly elucidated by comparing the experimental and calculated ECD spectra. Compounds 2a, 2b, 4a-7b, 10, 12 and 13 exhibited anti-inflammatory activity in inhibiting the production of inflammatory cytokines IL-6 in LPS-induced RAW264.7 macrophages.

Three new diterpenoids from the roots of Euphorbia fischeriana and their cytotoxicity

Euphorbiabietane F (1), a novel abietane diterpenoid with the unprecedented 6/6/5/6/5 carbon skeleton, one new strobane diterpenoid (2), together with one new pimarane diterpenoid (3) were isolated from the roots of Euphorbia fischeriana. The structures were elucidated by the extensive spectroscopic data, gauge-independent atomic orbital (GIAO) NMR calculations, the comparison of experimental and calculated ECD spectra, as well as single crystal X-ray diffraction. The cytotoxicity result suggested the moderate inhibition rate of 1 on the cell lines of HepG2 and A549.

CPL of Mellein and Related Natural Compounds: Analysis of the ESIPT Phenomenon.

(R)-(-)-Mellein, (3R,4R)-4-hydroxymellein and (3R,4S)-4-hydroxymellein obtained from fungi, i. e. from Diplodia globulosa, were investigated as a class of natural products presenting ESIPT (excited state intramolecular proton transfer) phenomenon, through fluorescence and CPL (circularly polarized luminescence). The study was preceded by the assessment of the absolute configuration through ECD and VCD (electronic and vibrational circular dichroism) spectroscopies in addition to NMR spectra. It is found that ESIPT takes place in these systems very rapidly, and no dual fluorescence has been observed. The experimental study is backed up by TD-DFT calculations of ECD and CPL spectra, plus MD calculations to follow proton transfer in the excited state and careful analysis of the puckering dynamics of the lactone ring. Deprotonated forms of the three compounds were also investigated by the same chiroptical experimental and theoretical methods, showing how one can find in natural compounds not only biological activity but also biologically compatible sensing probes.

New Zosteropenillines and Pallidopenillines from the Seagrass-Derived Fungus Penicillium yezoense KMM 4679.

Ten new decalin polyketides, zosteropenilline M (1), 11-epi-8-hydroxyzosteropenilline M (2), zosteropenilline N (3), 8-hydroxyzosteropenilline G (4), zosteropenilline O (5), zosteropenilline P (6), zosteropenilline Q (7), 13-dehydroxypallidopenilline A (8), zosteropenilline R (9) and zosteropenilline S (10), together with known zosteropenillines G (11) and J (12), pallidopenilline A (13) and 1-acetylpallidopenilline A (14), were isolated from the ethyl acetate extract of the fungus Penicillium yezoense KMM 4679 associated with the seagrass Zostera marina. The structures of isolated compounds were established based on spectroscopic methods. The absolute configurations of zosteropenilline Q (7) and zosteropenilline S (10) were determined using a combination of the modified Mosher's method and ROESY data. The absolute configurations of zosteropenilline M (1) and zosteropenilline N (3) were determined using time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) calculations of the ECD spectra. A biogenetic pathway for compounds 1-14 is proposed. The antimicrobial, cytotoxic and cytoprotective activities of the isolated compounds were also studied. The significant cytoprotective effects of the new zosteropenilline M and zosteropenillines O and R were found in a cobalt chloride (II) mimic in in vitro hypoxia in HEK-293 cells. 1-Acetylpallidopenilline A (14) exhibited high inhibition of human breast cancer MCF-7 cell colony formation with IC50 of 0.66 µM and its anticancer effect was reduced when MCF-7 cells were pretreated with 4-hydroxitamoxifen. Thus, we propose 1-acetylpallidopenilline A as a new xenoestrogen with significant activity against breast cancer.

Vitifolignans, 3,4-dibenzyltetrahydrofuran lignans from Anemone vitifolia Buch.-Ham

Anemone vitifolia is a small herb found in Asia that is used to treat a range of diseases in Chinese traditional medicine. GNPS-based molecular networking of an Anemone vitifolia specimen revealed the presence of a network containing numerous ions indicating the presence of lignans, several of which suggested that there might be previously undescribed compounds in the extract. Fractionation of the organic extract yielded five undescribed lignans, the vitifolignans, together with one known. The structures were identified based on extensive spectroscopic data analysis (NMR, HR-ESI-MS, and UV), coupling constant calculation and comparison with reported data. Their absolute configurations were determined by comparison of experimental ECD spectra with calculated spectra. Compounds 4/5 showed weak inhibition of LPS-induced NO production in mouse mononuclear macrophages.

Axially chiral dihydrophenanthrene dimers from Pholidota yunnanensis with anti-neuroinflammatory activities

Axially chiral compounds are well known in medicinal chemistry of natural products, but their absolute configurations and bioactivities are rarely reported and studied. In this study, eleven undescribed axially chiral dihydrophenanthrene dimers, as well as twenty-five known dihydrophenanthrenes, were isolated from the entire plant of Pholidota yunnanensis. Their structures were elucidated by comprehensive spectroscopic analysis. A method for determining the absolute configurations of enantiomers was developed based on the rotational barriers and calculated ECD spectra. Additionally, the activities of all isolated compounds were assessed in LPS-induced BV-2 microglial cells. Most dihydrophenanthrenes exhibited significant NO inhibitory activities, and compound 7 showed the most potent inhibitory effect with an IC50 value of 1.5 μM, compared to the positive control minocycline. The immunofluorescence and western blot results revealed that compound 7 suppressed the expression of Iba-1, iNOS and COX-2 in LPS-stimulated BV-2 microglial cells.

UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS-Based Targeted Discovery of Chetomin Analogues from Chaetomium cochliodes.

Chetocochliodin M (5) containing a rare cage-ring and chetocochliodin N (6) featuring an unusual piperazine-2,3-dione ring system together with known analogues chetomin (1), chetoseminudin C (2), chetocochliodin I (3), and oidioperazine E (4) were targeted for purification from the fungus Chaetomium cochliodes using a UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS approach. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated using HR-ESI-MS, NMR, and ECD spectra. Compounds 1, 3, and 6 exhibited strong cytotoxic activities against A549 and HeLa cancer cell lines.

New polyketides and cytotoxic alkaloids from the mangrove endophytic fungus Talaromyces sp. SAF14

Investigation of secondary metabolites from the mangrove endophytic fungus Talaromyces sp. SAF14 led to the isolation of two new polyketides, methyl (R)-3-(6,8-dihydroxy-7-methoxy-1-oxoisochroman-3-yl)propanoate (1), (R)-3-(5,8- dihydroxy-1-oxoisochroman-3-yl)propanoic acid (2), together with four known alkaloids (3–6). The planar structures of new compounds were elucidated by comprehensive analysis of HR-ESI-MS and NMR data. The absolute configurations were determined by comparison of the calculated ECD spectrum with the measured one. All the isolated compounds were tested for cytotoxic activities against three human cancer cell lines. The known beauvericin (3) exhibited strong cytotoxic activity against A549, MCF-7, and KB cell lines with IC50 values of 5.36 ± 2.49, 1.96 ± 1.09 and 4.46 ± 0.68 μM, respectively.

Highly oxygenated cyclohexenes from Uvaria dac Pierre ex Finet & Gagnep. and their α-glucosidase inhibitory activity

Phytochemical investigations of the twig and leaf extracts of Uvaria dac Pierre ex Finet & Gagnep. resulted in the isolation and identification of five new highly oxygenated cyclohexenes, uvaridacols M − Q (1–3, 5, and 6), and six known compounds (4 and 7–11). All new structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods and HRESITOFMS data. The absolute configuration of 1, 5, and 6 was confirmed by single X-ray diffraction analysis with Cu Kα radiation. In contrast, other compounds were established by comparing their specific rotation and ECD spectra with those of known compounds. Some of the isolated compounds with sufficient quantity were evaluated for their α-glucosidase inhibitory activity. Of these, (−)-1,6-desoxypipoxide (10) showed α-glucosidase inhibitory activity with an IC50 value of 28.6 μM. The in silico molecular docking of active compounds was also studied.

Atramacrolodes A-D (1-4), Four Undescribed Eudesmane-Type Sesquiterpenes from the Rhizome of Atractylodes macrocephala.

Four undescribed sesquiterpenes, atramacrolodes A-D (1-4), along with six known compounds 5-10 were isolated from the rhizome of Atractylodes macrocephala. Compound 3 possessed a new skeleton based on an unprecedented carton-carton connection. Their structures were determined by UV, IR, HRESIMS, NMR spectra, 13C NMR calculation with DP4+ analysis, and the comparison of experimental and calculated ECD spectra. Compounds 5 and 8 showed protective effects against paracetamol-induced liver cell injury.

Two new withanolides from Physalis minima L

Two new withanolides named physaminilides L (1) and M (2), together with four known ones (3–6) were isolated from the Physalis minima L. The structures were established by analysis of the HR ESIMS, IR and NMR spectroscopic data. The absolute configurations were determined through NOESY and ECD spectra. For compounds 1–5 assayed at 20 µM and compound 6 at 10 µM, inhibition rates of hepatic fibrosis were 22.19%, 15.29%, 37.07%, 9.27%, 12.45%, and 37.03%, respectively.