Antiviral spirooliganones C and D with a unique spiro[bicyclo[2.2.2]octane-2,2′-bicyclo[3.1.0]hexane] carbon skeleton from the roots of Illicium oligandrum

Prenylated C6-C3 derivatives from the root of Illicium ternstroemioides with antiviral activity

Six previously undescribed prenylated C6-C3 derivatives (1-6) were isolated from the root of Illicium ternstroemioides A. C. Smith. Their structures were elucidated based on extensive spectroscopic analyses (UV, IR, 1D and 2D NMR, and HRESIMS). The absolute configurations of 1-3 were determined using electronic circular dichroism (ECD), and Mo2(OAc)4 induced circular dichroism (ICD). Compound 3 exhibited weak activity against Coxsackievirus B3 with an IC50 value of 33.3 µM, and compound 5 exhibited more potent activity against Coxsackievirus B3 with an IC50 value of 6.4 µM.

Cadinane sesquiterpenes from the stems and branches of Illicium ternstroemioides

Three new cadinane sesquiterpenes (1-3) and three known sesquiterpenes were isolated from the stems and branches of Illicium ternstroemioides A. C. Smith. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by extensive analysis of spectroscopic and HRESIMS data. The structures of illiternins A-C (1-3) were confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction, allowing for the determination of their absolute configurations. Compounds 3 and 6 exhibited antiviral activity against Coxsackievirus B3 with IC50 values of 33.3 and 57.7 μM, respectively.

Diverse prenylated C6-C3 derivatives from the stems and branches of Illicium ternstroemioides A. C. Smith with anti-inflammatory and antiviral activities

Fifteen unreported prenylated C6-C3 derivatives (1-15) were isolated from the stems and branches of Illicium ternstroemioides A. C. Smith, including one bis-prenylated C6-C3 derivative (1), three prenylated C6-C3 derivative-shikimic acid ester hybrids (2-4) and 11 prenylated C6-C3 monomers (5-15). The structures of compounds 1-15 were elucidated by spectroscopic analysis (UV, IR, 1D and 2D NMR, and HRESIMS). The absolute configurations of the compounds were determined using electronic circular dichroism (ECD), induced circular dichroism (ICD), and the modified Mosher's method. Among the isolates, compounds 11, 12, and 15 exhibited significant anti-inflammatory activities by inhibiting the nitric oxide with IC50 values ranging from 1.89 to 24.83 μM in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated murine RAW 264.7 macrophages and murine BV2 microglial cells; compounds 2, 3, and 7 exhibited antiviral activitives against Coxsackievirus B3 with an IC50 value of 33.3, 25.9, and 27.8 μM, respectively.

Plant protection from virus: a review of different approaches

This review analyzes methods for controlling plant viral infection. The high harmfulness of viral diseases and the peculiarities of viral pathogenesis impose special requirements regarding developing methods to prevent phytoviruses. The control of viral infection is complicated by the rapid evolution, variability of viruses, and the peculiarities of their pathogenesis. Viral infection in plants is a complex interdependent process. The creation of transgenic varieties has caused much hope in the fight against viral pathogens. The disadvantages of genetically engineered approaches include the fact that the resistance gained is often highly specific and short-lived, and there are bans in many countries on the use of transgenic varieties. Modern prevention methods, diagnosis, and recovery of planting material are at the forefront of the fight against viral infection. The main techniques used for the healing of virus-infected plants include the apical meristem method, which is combined with thermotherapy and chemotherapy. These methods represent a single biotechnological complex method of plant recovery from viruses in vitro culture. It widely uses this method for obtaining non-virus planting material for various crops. The disadvantages of the tissue culture-based method of health improvement include the possibility of self-clonal variations resulting from the long-term cultivation of plants under in vitro conditions. The possibilities of increasing plant resistance by stimulating their immune system have expanded, which results from the in-depth study of the molecular and genetic bases of plant resistance toward viruses and the investigation of the mechanisms of induction of protective reactions in the plant organism. The existing methods of phytovirus control are ambiguous and require additional research. Further study of the genetic, biochemical, and physiological features of viral pathogenesis and the development of a strategy to increase plant resistance to viruses will allow a new level of phytovirus infection control to be reached.

Bergamotane-type sesquiterpenes from the leaves and twigs of Illicium oligandrum and their anti-inflammatory activities

Eight undescribed β-bergamotene-type sesquiterpene oliganins A-H (1-8) and one known α-bergamotene-type sesquiterpene (9) were isolated from the leaves and twigs of Illicium oligandrum Merr. & Chun. The structures of compounds 1-8 were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic data, and the absolute configurations were determined by using a modified Mosher's method and electronic circular dichroism calculations. The isolates were further evaluated in terms of their anti-inflammatory potential on nitric oxide (NO) generation in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW264.7 and BV2 cells. Compounds 2 and 8 exhibited potent inhibitory effects on the production of NO with IC₅₀ values ranging from 21.65 to 49.28 μM, which were greater than or comparable to those of dexamethasone (positive control).

Hot off the Press

A personal selection of 32 recent papers is presented covering various aspects of current developments in bioorganic chemistry and novel natural products such as hyperispirone A from Hypericum beanii.