5, 6-Dihydropyranobenzopyrone: a previously undetermined antioxidant isolated from Polygonum amplexicaule

AIM

To study the chemical constituents and their bioactivity of Polygonum amplexicaule.

METHODS

The isolation of compounds was achieved by chromatographic techniques and structure of the isolates was established by UV, IR, HRESI-MS and NMR including 1D and 2D experiments.

RESULTS

Bioassay-guided fractionation of an ethanolic extract of Polygonum amplexicaule led to the isolation of a hitherto unidentified compound, 5, 6-dihydropyranobenzopyrone (1) along with nine previously known compounds (2-10). Compounds 2-10 were identified as amplexicine (2), catechin (3), rutin (4), quercetin-3-O-β-D-galactopyranoside (5), chlorogenic acid (6), galloyl glucose (7), caffeic acid (8), gallic acid (9) and scopletin (10).

CONCLUSION

Compound 1 is new. Compounds 1-10 exhibited considerable antioxidant activity in a 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical-scavenging assay.

Anti-H5N1 virus new diglyceride ester from the Red Sea grass Thallasodendron ciliatum

Some Egyptian plants were screened against highly pathogenic avian influenza strain H5N1 using plaque inhibition assay in Madin-Darby canine kidney. The results indicated that the extracts of Red Sea grass Thallasodendron ciliatum possessed potent antiviral activity (100% inhibition at the concentration of 1 μg mL⁻¹). The bioactivity-guided fractionations led to the isolation of a new diglyceride ester (1) along with asebotin (2) for the first time from the plant. The two isolates showed reduction of virus titre by 67.26% and 53.81% inhibition at concentration of 1 ng mL⁻¹, respectively.

Phytochemical and biological studies on some Egyptian seaweeds

Extracts of four species of seaweeds, Ulva lactuca L. (green), Liagora farinosa Lamouroux (red), Padina pavonia L. and Turbinaria ornata Turn (brown), were screened for their antimicrobial, and antimalarial activities, and binding affinity for human opioid receptors. Phytochemical analysis led to the isolation and identification of 10 constituents: fucosterol, stearic acid, palmitic acid, palmitoleic acid, oleic acid, myristic acid, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, beta-sitosterol, glycerol-1-olyl-3-palmotyl-2-galactoside, and glycerol-1,3-diolyl, The last two compounds displayed strong binding affinity to delta opioid receptors.

Phytochemical and Biological Studies on Some Egyptian Seaweeds

Extracts of four species of seaweeds, Ulva lactuca L. (green), Liagora farinosa Lamouroux (red), Padina pavonia L. and Turbinaria ornata Turn (brown), were screened for their antimicrobial, and antimalarial activities, and binding affinity for human opioid receptors. Phytochemical analysis led to the isolation and identification of 10 constituents: fucosterol, stearic acid, palmitic acid, palmitoleic acid, oleic acid, myristic acid, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, β-sitosterol, glycerol-1-olyl-3-palmotyl-2-galactoside, and glycerol-1,3-diolyl, The last two compounds displayed strong binding affinity to delta opioid receptors.

Antifungal metabolites from the roots of Diospyros virginiana by overpressure layer chromatography

A preparative overpressure layer chromatography (OPLC) method was successfully used for the separation of two new natural compounds, 4-hydroxy-5,6-dimethoxynaphthalene-2-carbaldehyde (1) and 12,13-didehydro-20,29-dihydrobetulin (2) together with nine known compounds, including 7-methyljuglone (3), diospyrin (4), isodiospyrin (5), shinanolone (6), lupeol (7), betulin (8), betulinic acid (9), betulinaldehyde (10), and ursolic acid (11) from the acetone extract of the roots of Diospyros virginiana. Their identification was accomplished by 1D- and 2D-NMR spectroscopy and HR-ESI-MS methods. All the isolated compounds were evaluated for their antifungal activities against Colletotrichum fragariae, C. gloeosporioides, C. acutatum, Botrytis cinerea, Fusarium oxysporum, Phomopsis obscurans, and P. viticola using in vitro micro-dilution broth assay. The results indicated that compounds 3 and 5 showed high antifungal activity against P. obscurans at 30 μM with 97.0 and 81.4% growth inhibition, and moderate activity against P. viticola (54.3 and 36.6%). It appears that an optimized OPLC system offers a rapid and efficient method of exploiting bioactive natural products.

Cannabisol, a novel Δ9-THC dimer possessing a unique methylene bridge, isolated from Cannabis sativa

Cannabisol (1), a unique dimer of Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ⁹-THC) with a methylene bridge, was isolated from Cannabis sativa. This is the first example of a C-bridged dimeric cannabinoid. The structure of 1 was unambiguously deduced by HRESIMS, GCMS, and NMR spectroscopy. A plausible biogenesis of 1 is described.

Chemical constituents, antimicrobial and antimalarial activities of Zanthoxylum monophyllum

From the leaves and bark of Zanthoxylum monophyllum, a new lignan, 3-methoxy-3',4'-methylenedioxylignan-4,8,9,9'-tetraol (1), has been isolated along with 22 known compounds (2- 23), fifteen of them reported for the first time from Z. monophyllum. Their chemical structures were elucidated using detailed spectroscopic studies and chemical analysis. All compounds were evaluated for antimicrobial and antiprotozoal activities. Alkaloids BIS-[6-(5,6-dihydro-chelerythrinyl)] ether (2) and 6-ethoxy-chelerythrine (4) exhibited strong activity against Aspergillus fumigatus and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Compound 4-methoxy-N-methyl-2-quinolone (9) exhibited significant activity against MRSA (IC50 value of 8.0 µM) while compound 5,8,4'-trihydroxy-3,7,3'-trimethoxyflavone (10) showed weak activity against Plasmodium falciparum.

Benzyl derivatives with in vitro binding affinity for human opioid and cannabinoid receptors from the fungus Eurotium repens

Bioassay-guided fractionation of the fungus Eurotium repens resulted in the isolation of two new benzyl derivatives, (E)-2-(hept-1-enyl)-3-(hydroxymethyl)-5-(3-methylbut-2-enyl)benzene-1,4-diol (1) and (E)-4-(hept-1-enyl)-7-(3-methylbut-2-enyl)-2,3-dihydrobenzofuran-2,5-diol (2), along with seven known compounds (3-9) including five benzaldehyde compounds, flavoglaucin (3), tetrahydroauroglaucin (4), dihydroauroglaucin (5), auroglaucin (6), and 2-(2',3-epoxy-1',3'- heptadienyl)-6-hydroxy-5-(3-methyl-2-butenyl)benzaldehyde (7), one diketopiperazine alkaloid, echinulin (8), and 5,7-dihydroxy-4-methylphthalide (9). The chemical structures of these compounds were established on the basis of extensive 1D and 2D NMR and HRMS data. Compounds 1-4 and 6 showed good binding affinity for human opioid or cannabinoid receptors. These findings have important implications for psychoactive studies with this class of compounds.

Xenobiotic biotransformation of 4-methoxy-N-methyl-2-quinolone, isolated from Zanthoxylum monophyllum

Phytochemical evaluation of Zanthoxylum monophyllum has led to the isolation of the alkaloid 4-methoxy-N-methyl-2-quinolone (1) with a significant activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), with an IC50 value of 1.5 microg/mL. Xenobiotic biotransformation of 1 has been conducted with the general goal of increasing the bioactivity of the compound and contributing new leads for further pharmacological research. Twenty-nine microorganisms were used for screening and two (Aspergillus flavus and Cunninghamella echinulata var. echinulata) were able to transform compound 1 to 4-methoxy-2-quinolone (2). Structural identification of the compounds was based on NMR, IR, and MS data.

Gmelinoside I, a new flavonol glycoside from Limonium gmelinii

Gmelinoside I (1), a new flavonol glycoside, was isolated and chemically characterized as 3,5,7,3',4',5'-hexahydroxy-3-O-alpha-D-galactopyranosylflavone from the aerial part of Limonium gmelinii Kuntze (Plumbaginaceae).. Other compounds were identified as (-)-epigallocatechin-3-O-gallate, myricetin, myricetin-3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranoside, myricetin-3-O-beta-D-galactoside-6"-O-gallate and caprolactam. The antibacterial, antifungal and antileishmanial activities of the isolated compounds were evaluated. Myricetin showed moderate antileishmanial activity.

Gmelinoside I, a New Flavonol Glycoside from Limonium gmelinii

Gmelinoside I (1), a new flavonol glycoside, was isolated and chemically characterized as 3,5,7,3′,4′,5′-hexahydroxy-3- O-α-D-galactopyranosylflavone from the aerial part of Limonium gmelinii Kuntze (Plumbaginaceae).. Other compounds were identified as (-)-epigallocatechin-3- O-gallate, myricetin, myricetin-3- O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside, myricetin-3- O-β-D-galactoside-6″- O-gallate and caprolactam. The antibacterial, antifungal and antileishmanial activities of the isolated compounds were evaluated. Myricetin showed moderate antileishmanial activity.

Microbial metabolism of cannflavin A and B isolated from Cannabis sativa

Microbial metabolism of cannflavin A (1) and B (2), two biologically active flavonoids isolated from Cannabis sativa L., produced five metabolites (3-7). Incubation of 1 and 2 with Mucor ramannianus (ATCC 9628) and Beauveria bassiana (ATCC 13144), respectively, yielded 6''S,7''-dihydroxycannflavin A (3), 6''S,7''-dihydroxycannflavin A 7-sulfate (4) and 6''S,7''-dihydroxycannflavin A 4'-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranoside (5), and cannflavin B 7-O-beta-D-4'''-O-methylglucopyranoside (6) and cannflavin B 7-sulfate (7), respectively. All compounds were evaluated for antimicrobial and antiprotozoal activity.

Sepicanin A- A new geranyl flavanone from Artocarpus sepicanus with activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)

Bioassay-guided fractionation of the EtOH extract of Artocarpus sepicanus Diels leaves has led to the isolation of a new geranyl flavanone (1), along with the known compounds, afzelechin-3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside and β-sitosterol glucoside. The structure of the new compound was established by UV, IR, HRESIMS, 1D and 2D NMR experiments. Antimicrobial testing of the three compounds indicated that 1 displayed a significant selective antibacterial activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) with IC₅₀ and MIC values of 1.4 and 2.9 μM, respectively.

Antiprotozoal, anticancer and antimicrobial activities of dihydroartemisinin acetal dimers and monomers

Nine dihydroartemisinin acetal dimers (6-14) with diversely functionalized linker units were synthesized and tested for in vitro antiprotozoal, anticancer and antimicrobial activity. Compounds 6, 7 and 11 [IC(50): 3.0-6.7 nM (D6) and 4.2-5.9 nM (W2)] were appreciably more active than artemisinin (1) [IC(50): 32.9 nM (D6) and 42.5 nM (W2)] against the chloroquine-sensitive (D6) and chloroquine-resistant (W2) strains of the malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum. Compounds 10, 13 and 14 displayed enhanced anticancer activity in a number of cell lines compared to the control drug, doxorubicin. The antifungal activity of 7 and 12 against Cryptococcus neoformans (IC(50): 0.16 and 0.55 microM, respectively) was also higher compared to the control drug, amphotericin B. The antileishmanial and antibacterial activities were marginal. A number of dihydroartemisinin acetal monomers (15-17) and a trimer (18) were isolated as byproducts from the dimer synthesis and were also tested for biological activity.

Biologically active cannabinoids from high-potency Cannabis sativa

Nine new cannabinoids (1-9) were isolated from a high-potency variety of Cannabis sativa. Their structures were identified as (+/-)-4-acetoxycannabichromene (1), (+/-)-3''-hydroxy-Delta((4'',5''))-cannabichromene (2), (-)-7-hydroxycannabichromane (3), (-)-7R-cannabicoumarononic acid A (4), 5-acetyl-4-hydroxycannabigerol (5), 4-acetoxy-2-geranyl-5-hydroxy-3-n-pentylphenol (6), 8-hydroxycannabinol (7), 8-hydroxycannabinolic acid A (8), and 2-geranyl-5-hydroxy-3-n-pentyl-1,4-benzoquinone (9) through 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy, GC-MS, and HRESIMS. The known sterol beta-sitosterol-3-O-beta-d-glucopyranosyl-6'-acetate was isolated for the first time from cannabis. Compounds 6 and 7 displayed significant antibacterial and antifungal activities, respectively, while 5 displayed strong antileishmanial activity.

Lanostane-type triterpenes from the mushroom Astraeus pteridis with antituberculosis activity

Bioassay-guided fractionation of an EtOH extract of the truffle-mimiking mushroom Astraeus pteridis led to the isolation and identification of three new (3-5) and two known (1, 2) lanostane triterpenes and phenylalanine betaine (6). The structures of the isolates were elucidated on the basis of 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic data, HRESIMS results, and X-ray crystallographic analysis. Compounds 5 and 1 showed moderate activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis with MIC values of 34.0 and 58.0 microg/mL, respectively.

Focussed Assessment Sonograph Trauma (FAST) and CT scan in blunt abdominal trauma: surgeon's perspective

BACKGROUND

Diagnosis of blunt abdominal trauma is a real challenge even for experienced trauma surgeons. Diagnostic tools that help the treating doctor in optimum management of blunt abdominal trauma include; Focussed Assessment Sonography for Trauma (FAST), Diagnostic peritoneal lavage (DPL) and CT scan.

OBJECTIVES

the aim of this communication is to define the recent role of FAST and CT scan of the abdomen in the diagnosis of blunt abdominal trauma.

FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS

FAST is useful as the initial diagnostic tool for abdominal trauma to detect intraabdominal fluid. With proper training and understanding the limitations of ultrasound, the results of FAST can be optimized. DPL is indicated to diagnose suspected internal abdominal injury when ultrasound machine is not available, there is no trained person to perform FAST, or the results of FAST are equivocal or difficult to interpret in a haemodynamically unstable patient. In contrast, in haemodynamically stable patients the diagnostic modality of choice is CT with intravenous contrast. It is useful to detect free air and intraperitoneal fluid, delineate the extent of solid organ injury, detect retroperitoneal injuries, and help in the decision for conservative treatment. Helical CT is done rapidly which reduces the time the patient stays in the CT scan room. Furthermore, this improves sagittal and coronal reconstruction images which are useful for detecting ruptured diaphragm.

Botulinum toxin treatment for anal fissure

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the effectiveness of Botulinum toxin injection in the treatment of anal fissure.

METHODS

38 patients (22 males, 16 females; mean age (SD) of 33.3 (8.3) years) who have presented to Surgical Outpatient Clinic at Al Ain Hospital, United Arab Emirates, with anal fissure in the period between June 2000 and September 2001 and treated with Botulinum toxin injection were retrospectively studied. They were followed up for at least 8 weeks to evaluate the effects of treatment.

RESULTS

Treatment with Botulinum toxin was effective in 89% of patients with chronic uncomplicated anal fissure. Two patients experienced minor incontinence in the form of a fecal soiling which disappeared later.

CONCLUSION

Botulinum toxin injection is an effective alternative for surgery for treatment of uncomplicated idiopathic anal fissure. Surgery should be offered to patients who do not improve with Botulinum toxin injection and to those with complicated anal fissure.

Structure determination and absolute configuration of cannabichromanone derivatives from high potency Cannabis sativa

Three new cannabichromanone derivatives were isolated from high potency cannabis, along with the known cannabichromanone. Full spectroscopic data, including the use of electronic circular dichroism and Mosher ester analysis to determine the absolute configuration of these compounds, are reported. All isolates were tested for antimicrobial, antimalarial, antileishmanial and anti-oxidant activity.

Non-cannabinoid constituents from a high potency Cannabis sativa variety

Six new non-cannabinoid constituents were isolated from a high potency Cannabis sativa L. variety, namely 5-acetoxy-6-geranyl-3-n-pentyl-1,4-benzoquinone (1), 4,5-dihydroxy-2,3,6-trimethoxy-9,10-dihydrophenanthrene (2), 4-hydroxy-2,3,6,7-tetramethoxy-9,10-dihydrophenanthrene (3), 4,7-dimethoxy-1,2,5-trihydroxyphenanthrene (4), cannflavin C (5) and beta-sitosteryl-3-O-beta-d-glucopyranoside-2'-O-palmitate (6). In addition, five known compounds, alpha-cannabispiranol (7), chrysoeriol (8), 6-prenylapigenin (9), cannflavin A (10) and beta-acetyl cannabispiranol (11) were identified, with 8 and 9 being reported for the first time from cannabis. Some isolates displayed weak to strong antimicrobial, antileishmanial, antimalarial and anti-oxidant activities. Compounds 2-4 were inactive as analgesics.

Sorocenols G and H, anti-MRSA oxygen heterocyclic Diels-Alder-type adducts from Sorocea muriculata roots

Bioassay-guided fractionation of a root extract of Sorocea muriculata led to the isolation and identification of two new oxygen heterocyclic Diels-Alder-type adducts, sorocenols G (1) and H (2), along with lupeol-3-(3' R-hydroxytetradecanoate) and oxyresveratrol. The structures of 1 and 2 were elucidated using 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic and HRMS data and by comparison with reported values. The absolute configurations of 1 and 2 were established by analysis of their experimental and theoretically calculated CD spectra. Compounds 1 and 2 showed significant and selective activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus with IC50 values of 1.5 and 0.5 microM, respectively. Compound 2 also displayed antifungal activity against Candida albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans, and Aspergillus fumigatus, with IC 50 values of 5.4, 5.4, and 10.0 microM, respectively.

Isoflavonoids from an Egyptian Collection of Colutea Istria

Two new isoflavonoids have been isolated from the aerial parts of Colutea istria Lam. of Egyptian origin and identified as (3 R)-7-hydroxy-3′,4′-dimethoxyisoflavan-2′,5′-quinone (1) and 6,3′-dihydroxy-7,4′-dimethoxyisoflavone (2). Their structures were determined by various 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic techniques. The antibacterial, antifungal, antimalarial and cytotoxic activities of 1 and 2 were evaluated. Compound 1 displayed selective antimicrobial activity against Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus with an IC50 value of 20 μg/mL.

Sinulodurins A and B, antiproliferative and anti-invasive diterpenes from the soft coral Sinularia dura

Two new diterpenes, sinulodurin A (1) and sinulodurin B (2), along with two known sterols, 24 S-methyl cholesterol and 24-methylene cholesterol, were isolated from the Palau soft coral Sinularia dura. The structures of the new metabolites were determined on the basis of spectroscopic methods and by comparison of NMR data with those of related metabolites. Sinulodurin A (1) and sinulodurin B (2) showed antiproliferative activity against highly malignant +SA mammary epithelial cells with an IC 50 range of 20-30 microM. They also displayed anti-invasive activity against human highly metastatic prostate cancer PC-3M-CT+ cells in the spheroid disaggregation assay. Furthermore, the antimicrobial activities of the isolates were tested.