Antimalarial diterpenoid dimers of a new carbon skeleton from Aphanamixis grandifolia

Chemical investigation into the minor constituents of Aphanamixis grandifolia yielded three new diterpenoid dimers, aphadilactones E-G (1-3) featuring a new carbon skeleton. Their structures and absolute configurations were fully established by comprehensive spectroscopic data analysis and ECD calculation. Discovery of another two new dimers (4 and 5) suggested the structure of recently reported aphanamene A to be re-investigated. Compounds 1-5 showed moderate antimalarial activities with low micromolar IC50 values.

Hydroxylated Daphniphyllum Alkaloids from Daphniphyllum himalense

Thirteen new hydroxylated calyciphylline A-type Daphniphyllum alkaloids (1-13) were isolated from an ethanolic extract of Daphniphyllum himalense. These structures were characterized on the basis of spectroscopic data analysis, especially from their 2D NMR spectra. Oxidation at the C-3, C-9, C-11, and C-12 positions is reported for the first time for this class of compounds. Selective compounds showed low inhibitory rates against three kinase enzymes, PTP1B, aurora A, and IKK-β, at a concentration of 20 μg/mL.

Limonoids with Anti-HIV Activity from Cipadessa cinerascens

Sixteen new limonoids, named ciparasins A-P (1-16), comprising three structural categories of trijugin-type (1-7), cipadesin-type (8-15), and prieurianin-type (16) compounds, as well as 15 known limonoid analogues (17-31), were isolated from Cipadessa cinerascens. Ciparasins E-G (5-7) were found to possess a rare γ-hydroxylbutenolide moiety at C-17. Ciparasins B (2) and P (16) showed significant anti-HIV activities, with EC50 values of 5.5 ± 0.6 (SI >7.2) and 6.1 ± 0.7 (SI >6.5) μM, respectively.

Varicocele and male infertility in Northeast China: Y chromosome microdeletion as an underlying cause

The prevalence of Y chromosome microdeletions among azoospermic, severe oligozoospermic, moderate oligozoospermic, and mild oligozoospermic patients with varicocele-related and idiopathic infertility shows conflicting data in Asian countries. We aimed to detect this frequency in Northeast China, and investigated spermatogenic defects whether associated with varicocele or Y chromosome microdeletions. All samples underwent a thorough physical examination, semen analysis, and PCR analyses for Y chromosome microdeletions. We randomly selected 150 infertile non-obstructive azoospermic patients with left varicocele (Group 1), 150 idiopathic non-obstructive azoospermic infertility patients (Group 2), 150 infertile severe oligozoospermic patients with left varicocele (Group 3), 150 idiopathic severe oligozoospermic infertility patients (Group 4), 150 infertile moderate oligozoospermic patients with left varicocele (Group 5), 150 idiopathic moderate oligozoospermic infertility patients (Group 6), 150 infertile mild oligozoospermic patients with left varicocele (Group 7), 150 idiopathic mild oligozoospermic infertility patients (Group 8), and 60 healthy unrelated men with proven fertility were recruited as control subjects (Group 9). We observed that our samples from Northeastern China had a higher frequency of microdeletions among the non-obstructive azoospermic individuals with varicocele, as compared with other Asian countries. Furthermore, the spermatogenic defect is due to the underlying Y chromosome microdeletion, and not the varicocele itself. Although varicocele is not the cause of male infertility, it may be associated with male infertility in the Northeastern Chinese population.

Diterpenes and lignans from Viburnum odoratissimum var. odoratissimum

A new diterpenoid, dehydrovibsanin G (1), a new lignan, (+)-9'-O-senecioyllariciresinol (2), and six known compounds (3-8) were isolated from the branches and leaves of Viburnum odoratissimum var. odoratissimum. The structures of these compounds were elucidated by analysis of spectroscopic data. Both new compounds showed moderate inhibitory activity against human A431 and T47D tumor cell lines.

Limonoids and Triterpenoids from Dysoxylum mollissimum var. glaberrimum

Seven new limonoids, dysomollides A-G (1-7), and two new cycloapotirucallane-type triterpenoids, dysomollins A and B (8 and 9), together with three known compounds, dysoxylumin A (10) and toonapubesins A (11) and B (12), were isolated from the twigs of Dysoxylum mollissimum var. glaberrimum. The structures of 1-9 were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic methods. Compound 10 showed inhibitory activity against A549 cells with an IC50 value of 2.1 μM, and compound 11 exhibited activity against P388 cells with an IC50 value of 6.7 μM.

New Securinega alkaloids with anti-HIV activity from Flueggea virosa

A series of Securinega alkaloid hybrids and oligomers with anti-HIV activity were isolated and identified from Flueggea virosa.

Ricinodols A–G: new tetracyclic triterpenoids as 11β-HSD1 inhibitors from Ricinodendron heudelotii

Chemical investigation of Ricinodendron heudelotii has returned seven new tetracyclic triterpenoids with moderate to significant inhibitory effect against 11β-HSD1 enzyme.

Eurifoloids A-R, structurally diverse diterpenoids from Euphorbia neriifolia

Eighteen new diterpenoids, named eurifoloids A-R (1-18), including ingenane (1 and 2), abietane (3-7), isopimarane (8-12), and ent-atisane (13-18) types, along with four known analogues were isolated from Euphorbia neriifolia. Eurifoloid M (13) represents a rare class of ent-atisane-type norditerpenoid. Eurifoloids E (5) and F (6) exhibited significant anti-HIV activities, with EC50 values of 3.58 ± 0.31 (SI = 8.6) and 7.40 ± 0.94 μM (SI = 10.3), respectively.

Dammarane-type triterpenoids as 11β-HSD1 inhibitors from Homonoia riparia

An exploration for 11β-HSD1 inhibitors from Homonoia riparia returned eight new dammarane-type triterpenoids, horipenoids A–H (1–8), and a known oleanane-type triterpenoid (9). Their structures were elucidated on the basis of comprehensive analysis of spectroscopic data, and the absolute configuration of horipenoid E (5) was established by single crystal X-ray crystallography. Compounds 1–4 represent a rare class of octanortriterpenoids. Horipenoids C (3) and E (5) showed potent inhibition against mouse 11β-HSD1 with IC50 values of 0.810 ± 0.058 and 0.898 ± 0.215 μM, respectively.

Ingol-type diterpenes from Euphorbia antiquorum with mouse 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 inhibition activity

Eighteen new ingol-type diterpenes, euphorantins A-R (1-18), along with four known analogues (19-22), were isolated from the aerial parts of Euphorbia antiquorum. Compounds 1-3 are the first examples of C-17-oxygenated ingol-type diterpenes, and compounds 16-18 represent a rare class of 2,3-di-epimers of ingols. Diterpenes 1, 14, and 22 exhibited inhibitory activities against mouse 11β-HSD1 with IC50 values of 12.0, 6.4, and 0.41 μM, respectively.

New triterpenoids with protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B inhibition from Cedrela odorata

Two new apotirucallane-type triterpenoids, cedrodorols A-B (1 and 2), along with seven known compounds (3-9), were isolated from the twigs and leaves of Cedrela odorata. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis. Compounds 1 and 2 showed significant inhibitory activity against protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) with the IC50 values of 13.09 and 3.93 μg/ml, respectively.

Diterpenoids from Croton laui and their cytotoxic and antimicrobial activities

Fourteen new diterpenoids including clerodane (1-12), labdane (13), and norlabdane (14) types, as well as nine known analogues were isolated from the aerial parts of Croton laui. Their structures were established on the basis of spectroscopic analysis, and that of crotonolide H (11) was confirmed by single-crystal X-ray crystallography. Crotonolide A (1) exhibited moderate cytotoxicity against two tumor cell lines, HL-60 (human premyelocytic leukemia, IC50 9.42 μM) and P-388 (murine leukemia, IC50 7.45 μM), and crotonolide G (10) displayed significant antibacterial activity against a panel of Gram-positive bacteria.

Cytotoxic dinorditerpenoids from Drypetes perreticulata

Four hitherto unknown dinorditerpenoids, dryperreins A-D of the pimarane class, together with eight known triterpenoids, were isolated from twigs and leaves of Drypetes perreticulata. The structures of dryperreins A-D were elucidated on the basis of detailed spectroscopic analysis as (10S)-11,12-dihydroxy-6-methoxy-15,16-dinorpimara-5,8,11,13-tetraene-3,7-dione, (10S)-6,11,12-trihydroxy-15,16-dinorpimara-5,8,11,13-tetraene-3,7-dione, (10S)-11,12-dihydroxy-6-methoxy-15,16-dinorpimara-1,5,8,11,13-pentaene-3,7-dione, and (10S)-6,11,12-trihydroxy-15,16-dinorpimara-1,5,8,11,13-pentaene-3,7-dione, respectively. Dryperreins C and D exhibited strong cytotoxicity in vitro against HL-60 human tumor cell line. The structure-activity relationship of the cytotoxic compounds was briefly discussed.

Ivorenolide B, an immunosuppressive 17-membered macrolide from Khaya ivorensis: structural determination and total synthesis

Ivorenolide B (1), an unprecedented 17-membered macrolide featuring conjugated acetylenic bonds and four chiral centers, was isolated from Khaya ivorensis. The structure of 1 was fully determined by spectroscopic analysis and total syntheses of its four most possible stereoisomers. Compound 1 showed significant immunosuppressive activity.

New rearranged limonoids from Walsura cochinchinensis

This paper describes the discovery of a rare class of rearranged limonoids from Walsura cochinchinensis.

Aphadilactones A-D, four diterpenoid dimers with DGAT inhibitory and antimalarial activities from a Meliaceae plant

Aphadilactones A-D (1-4), four diastereoisomers possessing an unprecedented carbon skeleton, were isolated from the Meliaceae plant Aphanamixis grandifolia. Their challenging structures and absolute configurations were determined by a combination of spectroscopic data, chemical degradation, fragment synthesis, experimental CD spectra, and ECD calculations. Aphadilactone C (3) with the 5S,11S,5'S,11'S configuration showed potent and selective inhibition against the diacylglycerol O-acyltransferase-1 (DGAT-1) enzyme (IC50 = 0.46 ± 0.09 μM, selectivity index > 217) and is the strongest natural DGAT-1 inhibitor discovered to date. In addition, compounds 1-4 showed significant antimalarial activities with IC50 values of 190 ± 60, 1350 ± 150, 170 ± 10, and 120 ± 50 nM, respectively.

Trichinenlides A-T, mexicanolide-type limonoids from Trichilia sinensis

Twenty new mexicanolide-type limonoids, namely, trichinenlides A-T (1-20), and 11 known analogues were isolated from the leaves and twigs of Trichilia sinensis. Trichinenlides B (2) and C (3) and heytrijunolide D exhibited inhibition against lipopolysaccharide-induced nitric oxide production in RAW 264.7 macrophages with IC50 values of 2.85, 1.88, and 3.33 μM, respectively.