Overlapping chemical and genetic diversity in Ligularia lamarum and Ligularia subspicata. Isolation of ten new eremophilanes and a new seco-bakkane compound

Cumulative Data of 1H and 13C NMR Signals and Specific Rotations of Eremophilane Sesquiterpenoids. 1. Bicyclic Eremophilanes (1)

1H and 13C Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) signals and specific rotations of eremophilane sesquiterpenoids are cumulated as a series of review articles. In the first chapter of this review, 332 bicyclic eremophilanes, namely with no furan or lactone rings (except for epoxides), without 3-OR functionality (except for hydroxy, acetoxy, and carbonyl) are listed in tables. These data may help chemists working in the area of natural products chemistry as well as synthetic scientists.

Chemical and Genetic Diversity of Ligularia kanaitzensis in the Hengduan Mountains Area. Chemical Relationship with L. subspicata

Root chemicals and the sequences of the internal transcribed spacers (ITSs) were analyzed for 9 Ligularia kanaitzensis and 3 L. subspicata samples collected in northwestern Yunnan and southwestern Sichuan, China. Subspicatins A and C were isolated from two L. kanaitzensis samples. Introgression of genes responsible for these compounds from L. subspicata was suggested by their strong connection with L. subspicata/L. lamarum and the geographical proximity of the samples to L. subspicata. DNA analysis of a set of 27 L. kanaitzensis samples including those analyzed previously showed that they belong to two clades, designated A and B. Together with the presence/absence of furanoeremophilane, the 27 samples were sorted into three groups: clade A/furan, clade B/furan, and clade B/non-furan. The ancestral plant presumably belonged to clade B/non-furan, because furanoeremophilanes are biosynthesized from eremophilan-8-ones. 1β-Angeloyloxyfukinone, a likely intermediate between fukinone and subspicatin C, was isolated for the first time. This finding allowed us to propose plausible biosynthetic pathways of subspicatins A and C.

Sesquiterpene-Loaded Co-Polymer Hybrid Nanoparticle Effects on Human Mast Cell Surface Receptor Expression, Granule Contents, and Degranulation

Biodegradable polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) such as poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) have been used as drug delivery systems for natural and synthetic compounds and are designed to control the loading and release of biodegradable materials to target cells, tissues, and organs. Eremophilane-type sesquiterpenes have anti-inflammatory properties but are lipophilic, cytotoxic, and not biocompatible with many cells. To determine whether biodegradable PLGA/PVA could improve the biocompatibility of sesquiterpenes, sesquiterpene-loaded NPs were synthesized and their effects on human mast cells (LAD2), the major effector cells of allergic inflammation, were determined. NPs composed of PLGA/PVA and two types of sesquiterpenes (fukinone, PLGA/PVA-21 and 10βH-8α,12-epidioxyeremophil-7(11)-en-8β-ol, PLGA/PVA-22) were produced using a microfluidic synthesis method. The NPs’ size distribution and morphology were evaluated by dynamic light scattering and cryogenic transmission electron microscopy (TEM). PLGA/PVA-21 and PLGA/PVA-22 were 60 to 70 nm and were readily internalized by LAD2 as shown by flow cytometry, fluorescence microscopy, and TEM. While unencapsulated sesquiterpenes decreased LAD2 cell viability by 20%, PLGA/PVA-21 and PLGA/PVA-22 did not alter LAD2 viability, showing that encapsulation improved the biocompatibility of the sesquiterpenes. PLGA/PVA-21 and PLGA/PVA-22 decreased the expression of genes encoding the subunits of the high affinity immunoglobulin E receptor (FcεR1α, FcεR1β, FcεR1γ) and the stem cell factor receptor (Kit,), suggesting that hybrid NPs could alter mast cell responses to antigens and shift their maturation. Similarly, PLGA/PVA-21 and PLGA/PVA-22 inhibited tryptase expression but had no effect on chymase expression, thereby promoting a shift to the tryptase-positive phenotype (MC_T). Lastly, PLGA/PVA-21 and PLGA/PVA-22 inhibited mast cell degranulation when the LAD2 cells were activated by IgE crosslinking and FcεRI. Overall, our results suggest that PLGA/PVA-21 and PLGA/PVA-22 alter human mast cell phenotype and activation without modifying viability, making them a more biocompatible approach than treating cells with sesquiterpenes alone.

Chemical Constituents of Ligularia Species (Asteraceae) and Their Diversity in East Asia

More than 100 Ligularia species and those of several related genera (Cremanthodium, Cacalia, Senecio, and others) in the plant family Senecioneae grow in East Asia. For many years, researchers have studied the chemical constituents of these plants, and terpenoids, flavonoids, sterols, alkaloids, and aromatic compounds have been isolated. Among these, in particular, numerous sesquiterpenoids were reported. In this contribution, relevant chemical studies are described mainly from literature reports appearing since 2000, inclusive of investigations performed by the present authors, on the diversity in secondary metabolites of Ligularia growing in the Hengduan Mountains area of China, focusing on eremophilane sesquiterpenoids and other metabolites. Terpenoids and aromatic compounds (totaling 1049), both new and known, are listed. Genetic studies and synthesis investigations are also reviewed briefly.

Chemical Composition of Intergeneric Hybrids Between Ligularia and Cremanthodium Collected in Sichuan Province of China

Two intergeneric hybrids between Ligularia nelumbifolia and Cremanthodium stenoglossum were examined with respect to the chemical composition of root extracts and the sequences of neutral DNA regions. The DNA data showed that the direction of hybridization was different between the individuals. Eremophilane sesquiterpenes were found in both hybrids and deduced to have come from their Cremanthodium parents, because sesquiterpenes were detected in C. stenoglossum but not in L. nelumbifolia.

Applications of Friedel-Crafts reactions in total synthesis of natural products

Over the years, Friedel-Crafts (FC) reactions have been acknowledged as the most useful and powerful synthetic tools for the construction of a special kind of carbon-carbon bond involving an aromatic moiety. Its stoichiometric and, more recently, its catalytic procedures have extensively been studied. This reaction in recent years has frequently been used as a key step (steps) in the total synthesis of natural products and targeted complex bioactive molecules. In this review, we try to underscore the applications of intermolecular and intramolecular FC reactions in the total syntheses of natural products and complex molecules, exhibiting diverse biological properties.

Chemical constituents of hybrids of Ligularia cyathiceps and L. lamarum/L. subspicata collected in China: Structures of subspicatins M, N, O1, and O2, and related compounds

Three natural hybrids and an introgressed individual of Ligularia were evaluated based on a combination of morphology, root chemicals, and nucleotide sequences of evolutionally neutral regions to understand the chemical outcomes of hybridization and introgression. Six previously undescribed eremophilane sesquiterpenes were isolated from hybrids between L. cyathiceps and L. lamarum/L. subspicata, and benzofurans were isolated from L. subspicata for the first time. Their structures were elucidated based on spectroscopic analyses. Some compounds produced by hybrids have not been detected in either parental species, indicating that the metabolic profile was altered by hybridization and introgression.

Bidirectional natural hybridization between sympatric Ligularia vellerea and L. subspicata

Natural hybridization has been regarded as a crucial pathway of speciation and provides the raw materials for the evolution of biodiversity. The interspecific natural hybridization of the genus Ligularia Cass. is universal and has been considered to be an important factor driving the high diversity of Ligularia species in the Hengduan Mountains, China. Although the natural hybridization between L. vellerea and L. subspicata was reported previously, the direction of hybridization was uncertain due to the limitation of sampling. Thus, in this study, we sampled more individuals and increased two fragments of chloroplast DNA on the basis of the previous study to further verify the natural hybridization between L. vellerea and L. subspicata and confirm the direction of hybridization. Based on DNA sequences (atpB-rbcL, trnL-rpl32, trnQ-5'rps16, and nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer region) data, we concluded that putative hybrids were primary products of hybridization between L. vellerea and L. subspicata and the hybridization was bidirectional. Moreover, sympatric L. tongolensis was not apparently involved in the hybridization. Surprisingly, some pure L. subspicata individuals showed the disaccordance between morphology and DNA data, which might indicate that introgression occurs between L. vellerea and L. subspicata.

[Diversity of Plants Belonging to the Genus Ligularia (Asteraceae) Based on Terpenoids and Synthetic Studies on Some Terpenoids]

The terpenoid constituents of Ligularia virgaurea (30 samples), Ligularia pleurocaulis (8 samples), Ligularia dictyoneura (8 samples), Ligularia brassicoides (5 samples), Ligularia lingiana (1 sample), and Ligularia liatroides (1 sample)(all belonging to section Senecillis of Ligularia, Asteraceae and collected in Yunnan, Sichuan, Qinghai, and Gansu provinces, China), from which 220 compounds were isolated, including 113 novel ones, are reviewed. Five chemotypes were identified in L. virgaurea based on their chemical constituents, while three clades were detected from the base sequences. Although intra-specific diversity was found in L. virgaurea, more samples were needed of other species in order to reach a definite conclusion. Inter-specific diversity was also examined in section Senecillis but was restricted due to the scarcity of samples. Synthetic studies on chiral natural products to determine their absolute configurations, especially those of riccardiphenols A and B as well as crispatanolide, which were all isolated from the liverwort, are briefly reviewed.

Copper/P(tBu)3 -Mediated Regiospecific Synthesis of Fused Furans and Naphthofurans

A novel [3+2] cycloaddition between a variety of cyclic ketones and diverse olefins or alkynes can be effectively promoted by copper in combination with the tri-tert-butylphosphine [P(tBu)₃ ] ligand. This protocol exhibits excellent selectivity and provides an exemplary set of fused heterocycles in good to excellent yields. Present strategy also represents an extremely simple and atom-economic way to construct substituted fused furans and naphthofurans from readily available starting materials under mild reaction conditions. The utility of the method is further demonstrated by the synthesis of chiral furans from (R)-(-)-carvone and (S)-(+)-carvone. A plausible mechanism involving the oxidative radical cyclization has been suggested based on experimental observations.

Three New Eremophilanes from a Ligularia Hybrid Collected in China

Three new eremophilanes were isolated from a sample of Ligularia collected in Yunnan province of China and their structures were determined. The chemical constituents including eleven eremophilanes (major constituents: 6-acyloxyfuranoeremophilan-10β-ols) were similar to those of a hybrid of L. cyathiceps and L. subspicata, however, the base sequence of the ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 region was typical of L. cyathiceps, indicating backcrossing.

Diversity in Chemical Constituents of Ligularia Longihastata Collected in China

Root constituents of Ligularia longihastata were examined for the first time. Fourteen eremophilane sesquiterpenes, including two new eremophilanes identified as 3α-isobutyroyloxy-7β H-eremophila-9,11-dien-8-one and 3β-angeloyloxy-1β,10β-epoxyfuranoeremophilan-9-one, and three eudesmanes were isolated. From samples collected in Baiyu County, Sichuan Province, furanoeremophilane derivatives were isolated, while various eremophilan-8-ones were isolated from samples collected in Kangding County, Sichuan. The results suggest chemical diversity in the species.

Four New Sesquiterpenoids from Ligularia subspicata Collected in China; Isolation of a Bakkane-type Lactone, an Eremophilane-type Lactone, and Two Ortho Esters

A bakkane type lactone, an eremophilane type lactone, and two ortho esters were isolated from Ligularia subspicata collected in Sichuan Province, China. The ortho ester type compound has been isolated from Ligularia for the first time.

Natural hybridization and introgression between Ligularia cymbulifera and L. tongolensis (Asteraceae, Senecioneae) in four different locations

Natural hybridization has been considered to represent an important factor influencing the high diversity of the genus Ligularia Cass. in the Hengduan Mountains, China. Natural hybridization has been confirmed to occur frequently in Ligularia. To date, however, it has been demonstrated only within a single population. In this paper, we present evidence of natural hybridization in Ligularia from four different locations. The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of the nuclear ribosomal DNA and three chloroplast intergenic spacers (trnK-rps16, trnL-rpl32 and trnQ-5'rps16) of 149 accessions of putative hybrids and their putative parents (L. cymbulifera and L. tongolensis) were analyzed for evidence of hybridization. The ITS data clearly distinguished two putative parental species and sympatric L. vellerea and supported the hypothesis that those morphological intermediates were products of natural hybridization between L. cymbulifera and L. tongolensis. Moreover, several identified morphological parents were actual introgressed products. Because of hybridization and introgression, chloroplast DNA sequences generated a poorly resolved network. The present results indicate that varying degrees of hybridization and introgression occur differently depending on the habitat context. We conclude that gene flow caused by natural hybridization in Ligularia indeed plays an important role in the species diversity.

Chemical and genetic similarity and diversity of Ligularia anoleuca and L. fischeri collected in the Hengduan Mountains of China

The sesquiterpenoid composition in the root and the DNA sequences of evolutionarily neutral regions were studied in Ligularia anoleuca and Ligularia fischeri (Asteraceae) collected in the Sichuan Province of China. LC-MS analysis showed that L. anoleuca populations from different localities had different chemical compositions. However, the isolated compounds were similar to each other, indicating that the differences in chemical composition were not large. The DNA analysis suggested that the two species were indistinguishable. Seventeen furanoeremophilanes and an eremophilane acetal were isolated.

Chemical and genetic diversity of Cremanthodium lineare

Chemical constituents and evolutionally neutral DNA sequences of six samples of Cremanthodium lineare Maxim., collected in the Sichuan Province of China, were studied. Three samples produced furanoeremophilanes and the other three, eremophilan-8-ones. The chemotypes were found to be correlated with DNA sequence types, suggesting that the chemical diversity observed has a genetic origin. Production of furanoeremophilanes by a Cremanthodium species suggests an evolutionary relationship between Cremanthodium and Ligularia species, and possibly to related genera.

Peroxy natural products

This review covers the structures and biological activities of peroxy natural products from a wide variety of terrestrial fungi, higher plants, and marine organisms. Syntheses that confirm or revise structures or stereochemistries have also been included, and 406 references are cited.

[Chemical and genetic diversity of Ligularia plants collected in the Hengduan Mountains, China]

The Hengduan Mountains area of China is rich in plant resources. The Ligularia species, which belong to Senecioneae and Asteraceae, distributed in this area are highly diversified and contain 6 sections and over 100 species, and are considered to be in on-going evolution and diversification. To understand the inter- and intra-specific diversity of these plants and to elucidate the mechanism of diversification, we analyzed Ligularia plants by chemical, genetic, geographical, ecological, and morphological approaches. We investigated 4 species, and isolated 26 novel compounds. Based on the chemical composition of root extract as well as nucleotide sequence variations in internal transcribed spacers (ITS), we obtained 3 findings. (i) L. virgaurea is classified into two groups, ligularol type and virgaurenone type from the view point of chemical constituents, which are phylogenetically distinguished from each other, (ii) L. subspicata and L. lamarum have an overlapped chemical spectrum, but showed no clear genetic correlation, and (iii) L. cyathiceps showed no significant variations in either chemical constituents or nucleotide sequences.

Chemical Constituents of Ligularia Nelumbifolia and L. Subspicata Hybrid Collected in Shangrila County, Yunnan Province of China

Four Ligularia individuals possessing morphological characters of both L. nelumbifolia and L. subspicata were discovered in Shangrila County, Yunnan Province, China. DNA sequencing showed that the specimens were hybrids of the two species and their maternal parent was L. subspicata. The chemical composition of the root extract was examined for three of them as well as L. nelumbifolia and L. subspicata collected sympatrically. Nelumol was isolated from L. nelumbifolia, and furanoeremophilanes from L. subspicata. While nelumol and furanoeremophilanes were detected in two of the hybrid samples, only furanoeremophilanes were detected in the others.

Chemical and genetic study of Ligularia duciformis and related species in Sichuan and Yunnan Provinces of China

The chemical constituents of the root extracts and the evolutionarily neutral DNA base sequences were studied for 28 samples of Ligularia duciformis, L. kongkalingensis, and L. nelumbifolia collected in Sichuan and Yunnan Provinces of China. The samples could be classified into four chemotypes (1-4). Sesquiterpenoids having eremophilane and oplopane skeletons were isolated from two (Chemotype 1) and three (Chemotype 2) samples, respectively. Two new oplopane derivatives were isolated and their structures were determined. In 18 samples, phenylpropenoids were the major components (Chemotype 3). In five samples, neither phenylpropenoids nor sesquiterpenoids were found (Chemotype 4). Despite this large chemical variety, no correlation was found between the chemotype and the morphological criteria of species identification. The analysis of the evolutionarily neutral DNA regions also indicated that the samples were not separated into distinct clades and that introgression was extensive.

Phaeophytin analogues from Ligularia knorringiana

A new phaeophytin, ligulariaphytin A, together with five known phaeophytins, were isolated from the aerial parts of Ligularia knorringiana. The structure of ligulariaphytin A was elucidated as 13¹-hydroxy-13¹,13²-peroxyphaeophorbide A ethyl ester (1), and the five known compounds were identified as 13²-hydroxyphaeophorbide A ethyl ester (2), 17³-ethoxyphaeophorbide A (3), phaeophytin B (4), phaeophytin A (5), and phaeophorbide B ethyl ester (6), respectively, based on spectroscopic analysis and by comparison of their spectral data with those reported previously in the literature. All compounds were evaluated for their in vitro cytotoxic activities against cultured Hela cell, and were found to show only very weak cytotoxicity.

Four New Bisabolane-type Sesquiterpenes from

The chemical constituents of the roots of two Ligularia lankongensis samples collected in Yunnan and Sichuan Provinces, China, were investigated, together with the DNA sequence of the atpB-rbcL and ITS regions. Four new highly oxygenated bisabolane-type sesquiterpenes (1 – 4) were obtained. Intraspecific diversity in the DNA sequence was found to be limited.

Complex Diversity in

Two samples of Ligularia kanaitzensis collected in the Shizhongshan Mountain region of Yunnan Province, as well as one sample collected in Sichuan Province, were analyzed with regard to root constituents and neutral DNA sequences. The two Shizhongshan samples were found to be different from each other and from other samples analyzed previously, indicating that the intra-specific diversity in the species was highly complex.

Diversity of Furanoeremophilanes in Major Ligularia Species in the Hengduan Mountains

The chemical and genetic diversity of Ligularia species in the Hengduan Mountains area of China is reviewed. A hypothesis that the production of furanoeremophilanes is ecologically advantageous is proposed.

Four eremophil-9-en-8-one derivatives from Cremanthodium stenactinium samples collected in China

Two samples of Cremanthodium stenactinium (Asteraceae) were collected in Sichuan Province, China. From the ethyl acetate extracts of the roots, three new eremophilane-type sesquiterpenoids and one new trinoreremophilane compound were isolated, together with other known eremophilanes. Their structures were determined based on the spectroscopic data. This is the first report of isolation of eremophilane-type compounds from the genus Cremanthodium.

Phytochemicals and biological activities of Ligularia species

Ligularia, an important genus of the Compositae family, has captured the interest of natural product chemists for years. Phytochemical investigations on the title genus have led to isolation of hundreds of secondary metabolites with various skeletons. Herein, we summarized the chemical constituents of this genus and their biological activities over the past few decades.

A new approach to fused furan ring systems and benzofurans: Intramolecular cyclization reactions of unsaturated acyloxy sulfone derivatives

Unsaturated acyloxy sulfones 3 undergo intramolecular cyclization upon deprotonation with LHMDS in THF. Dehydration and double bond isomerization of the products upon exposure to acid, gave the fused ring furans, 4, in good yields. This strategy could be readily adapted to 12 from the cyclization reactions of acyloxy sulfones 11 prepared from phenols. Finally, this approach could be successfully modified to access dihydropyrans and benzopyrans.