Phenylethanoids, iridoids and a spirostanol saponin from Veronica turrilliana

From the aerial parts of Veronica turrilliana two phenylethanoid glycosides, turrilliosides A and B and a steroidal saponin, turrillianoside were isolated and their structures elucidated as beta-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)ethyl-4-O-E-caffeoyl-O-[beta-glucopyranosyl-(1-->4)-alpha-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->6)]-beta-glucopyranoside, beta-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)ethyl-4-O-E-caffeoyl-[6-O-E-feruloyl-beta-glucopyranosyl-(1-->4)-alpha-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->6)]-beta-glucopyranoside and (23S,25S)-12beta,23-dihydroxyspirost-5-en-3beta-yl O-alpha-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->4)-beta-glucopyranoside, respectively. Furthermore, eight known glucosides are reported namely, catalpol, catalposide, verproside, amphicoside, isovanilloylcatalpol, aucubin, arbutin, and 6-O-E-caffeoylarbutin, the latter two for the first time in the genus Veronica. The two phenylethanoid glycosides were found to be potent DPPH radical scavengers. All of the tested compounds were inactive against the representative species of fungi and bacteria.

Mitogenic effect of Carthamus lanatus extracts, fractions and constituents

Extracts, fractions and constituents of Carthamus lanatus were tested for their mitogenic effect on bone marrow cells in mice. Most of the studied samples inhibited cell proliferation and only the flavonoid glycoside rutin caused increasing of mitotic activity.

Benzoxazinoids and iridoid glucosides from four Lamium species

A new class of compounds for the plant family Lamiaceae, benzoxazinoids, was found in Lamium galeobdolon. From the aerial parts of the species were isolated the new 2-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-6-hydroxy-2H-1,4-benzoxazin-3(4H)-one (6-hydroxy blepharin) together with four known benzoxazinoids, DHBOA-Glc, blepharin, DIBOA, DIBOA-Glc, as well as harpagide, 8-O-acetyl-harpagide and salidroside. Eight known iridoid glucosides, 24-epi-pterosterone and verbascoside were isolated from Lamium amplexicaule, L. purpureum and L. garganicum. The iridoids, 5-deoxylamiol and sesamoside, as well as the phytoecdysone, 24-epi-pterosterone, were found for the first time for the genus Lamium. The phytochemical data are discussed from a systematic and evolutionary point of view.

Crinum L. (Amaryllidaceae)

Alkaloids isolated from Crinum species have been reviewed for the period 1985-2000. Non-nitrogenous compounds have been surveyed for the first time. Botanical classification and biological activity are discussed. Spectral data literature sources are listed.

Iridoid patterns in Galium L. and some phylogenetic considerations

From 19 species of Galium, members of 6 European sections of the genus, 24 compounds were isolated, namely 16 iridoid glucosides, 2 secoiridoid glucosides and 6 triterpene saponins (the later found only in G. rivale (Sibth. & Sm. Griseb.) The iridoid content was analyzed by thin layer chromatography - densitometry. An effort was made to clarify interspecies relationships, based on the obtained results and previous data. Generally, a nearly uniform iridoid pattern in the studied species was observed. Nevertheless, some distinctions gave reason the following chemical characters to be treated as taxonomic markers: iridoids, secogalioside (characteristic of G. mollugo group), iridoids V1 and V2 (G. humifusum Bieb. and G. verum L.), 6-acetylscandoside (G. incurvum group and G. verum) and the triterpene saponins, rivalioside A and rivalioside C (characteristic of G. rivale). The studied species regarding to the iridoids could be attributed to three lines of evolutionary differentiation. One line is leading to the differentiation of G. rivale. It contains specific triterpenoids as well as iridoid acids, which show parallel development of both glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate/pyruvate and mevalonate biosynthetic routes in this species. A second line includes G. mollugo and G. incurvum species groups and the species G. humifusum and G. verum. Variety of iridoid esters, hydroxy and carboxy derivatives of iridoids and secoiridoids characterised this line. Third line comprises the remaining studied species, members of different sections and species groups. They posses a nearly identical iridoid pattern, which suggests a convergent evolution regarding to the iridoids.

Iridoid glucosides from Phlomis tuberosa L. and Phlomis herba-ventis L

A new iridoid glucoside, 5-desoxysesamoside, was isolated from Phlomis tuberosa L. (Lamiaceae) together with three known iridoid glucosides sesamoside, shanziside methyl ester and lamalbid. Lamiide was found in P. herba-ventis ssp. pungens in high concentrations.

Coumarins and Iridoids from Crucianella graeca, Cruciata glabra, Cruciata laevipes and Cruciata pedemontana (Rubiaceae)

The coumarin and iridoid composition of Crucianella graeca, Cruciata glabra, Cruciata laevipes and Cruciata pedemontana has been studied. Daphnin and daphnetin glucoside dominated in C. glabra along with low concentrations of daphnetin, deacetylasperulosidic acid and scandoside. In C. laevipes and C. pedemontana were found the same coumarin glucosides along with six iridoid glucosides. In Crucianella graeca were found ten iridoid glucosides

Indoid Glucosides from Four Balkan Endemics of the Galium incurvum Group (Rubiaceae)

The Balkan endemics G. mirum, Galium macedonicum, G. rhodopeum and G. aegeum, from the G. incurvum group, were screened for iridoid glucosides. Eleven known iridoid glucosides were isolated, identified and analysed for the first time in the investigated plants.

The main components appeared to be asperuloside and/or the non-acetylated iridoid acids -deacetylasperulosidic acid, scandoside, monotropein. Phylogenetic relationships are discussed.

Chemical ionization mass spectrometry of valepotriates using isobutane as reactant gas

A series of known valepotriates isolated from some VALERIANA species and their transformation products have been studied by CIMS (isobutane). The compounds have been characterized by molecular and protonated molecular ions and some typical fragments. Some information about the location of the acyloxy substituents, especially as regards monoene valepotriates, has been obtained.

Mass spectrometry of valepotriates

The mass spectrometry of eight valepotriates and their derivatives has been investigated. Mass spectral fragmentation schemes have been proposed as well as the use of this fragmentation for structural elucidation. Structures of two valepotriates, acevaltrate and homoacevaltrate, have been clarified.