Rearranged diterpenoids from the seeds of Caesalpinia sappan

Structurally diverse diterpenoids from the seeds of Caesalpinia minax Hance and their bioactivities

Eight previously undescribed diterpenoids, caesamins A-H (1-8), were separated and identified from the seeds of Caesalpinia minax Hance. Their structures were characterized by extensive spectroscopic data and X-ray crystallographic analysis. Structurally, caesamin A (1) is the first cassane-type diterpenoid with a C23 carbon skeleton containing an unusual isopropyl. Caesamin F (6) represents the first example of cleistanthane diterpenoid from the genus Caesalpinia. Caesamins B (2) and F (6) exhibited inhibitory activity against LPS-induced nitric oxide production in RAW 264.7 macrophages with IC50 values of 45.67 ± 0.92 and 42.99 ± 0.24 μM, comparable to positive control 43.69 ± 2.62 μM of NG-Monomethyl-L-arginine. Furthermore, the chemotaxonomic significance of the isolates was discussed.

Naturally Occurring Norsteroids and Their Design and Pharmaceutical Application

The main focus of this review is to introduce readers to the fascinating class of lipid molecules known as norsteroids, exploring their distribution across various biotopes and their biological activities. The review provides an in-depth analysis of various modified steroids, including A, B, C, and D-norsteroids, each characterized by distinct structural alterations. These modifications, which range from the removal of specific methyl groups to changes in the steroid core, result in unique molecular architectures that significantly impact their biological activity and therapeutic potential. The discussion on A, B, C, and D-norsteroids sheds light on their unique configurations and how these structural modifications influence their pharmacological properties. The review also presents examples from natural sources that produce a diverse array of steroids with distinct structures, including the aforementioned A, B, C, and D-nor variants. These compounds are sourced from marine organisms like sponges, soft corals, and starfish, as well as terrestrial entities such as plants, fungi, and bacteria. The exploration of these steroids encompasses their biosynthesis, ecological significance, and potential medical applications, highlighting a crucial area of interest in pharmacology and natural product chemistry. The review emphasizes the importance of researching these steroids for drug development, particularly in addressing diseases where conventional medications are inadequate or for conditions lacking sufficient therapeutic options. Examples of norsteroid synthesis are provided to illustrate the practical applications of this research.

Caesalpinbondin A, a Novel Diterpenoid Lactone With an Unprecedented Carbon Skeleton from the Seeds of Caesalpinia bonduc

One novel diterpenoid lactone named caesalpinbondin A (1) that possesses an unprecedented tetracyclic ring system in which a 6/6/5-fused tricyclic ring and a 4,5-dimethyldihydrofuran-2(3H)-one were connected by a C-C single bond comprising a 5-(naphtho [2,3-b]furan-7-yl)dihydrofuran-2(3H)-one moiety was isolated from the seeds of Caesalpinia bonduc. Its chemical structure was established by extensive spectroscopic methods, and its absolute configuration was further determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis and electronic circular dichroism calculation. The biological evaluation suggested that compound 1 demonstrated potent anti-Alzheimer’s disease (AD) bioactivity, which could delay paralysis of transgenic AD Caenorhabditis elegans. A possible biogenetic pathway of 1 was also proposed.

Pimarane Diterpenoids from the Seeds of Caesalpinia minax as PTP1B Inhibitors and Insulin Sensitizers

Protein-tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) has been considered as a promising target for treating insulin resistance. In searching for naturally occurring PTB1B antagonists, two new pimarane diterpenoids, named 2α-hydroxy-7-oxo-pimara-8(9),15-diene (1) and 19-hydroxy-2α-acetoxy-7-oxo-pimara-8(9),15-diene (2), were isolated from the seeds of Caesalpinia minax. Their structures were determined by extensive analysis of NMR and HR-ESIMS data, and their absolute configurations were determined by electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectra. Compound 1 was disclosed as a competitive inhibitor of PTP1B with an IC50 (the half-maximal inhibitory concentration) value of 19.44 ± 2.39 µM and a Ki (inhibition constant) value of 13.69 ± 2.72 μM. Moreover, compound 1 dose-dependently promoted insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in C2C12 myotubes through activating insulin signaling pathway. Compound 1 might be further developed as an insulin sensitizer.

Diterpenoids of terrestrial origin

This review covers the isolation and chemistry of diterpenoids from terrestrial as opposed to marine sources and includes labdanes, clerodanes, abietanes, pimaranes, kauranes, cembranes and their cyclization products. The literature from January to December, 2016 is reviewed.