New alkaloid from the aerial parts of Codonopsis clematidea.

A new codonopsine-related alkaloid and 13 known compounds were isolated from the aerial parts of Codonopsis clematidea (Campanulaceae). The structure of the new compound was elucidated by two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance and other spectral examinations.

A new phenolic glucoside from an Uzbek medicinal plant, Origanum tyttanthum.

A new phenolic glucoside was isolated from the aerial parts of Origanum tyttanthum, an Uzbek medicinal plant, together with 12 known compounds. The structure of the new compound was elucidated as 4-O-beta-D-glucopyranosylbenzyl-3'-hydroxyl-4'-methoxybenzoate (1) based on the spectral and chemical evidence.

Monoterpene glycosides from Paeonia hybrida.

Monoterpene glycosides (1-5, and 7), together with 14 known compounds, were isolated from the methanol extract of the roots of Paeonia hybrida. These compounds included a paeoniflorin-related glycoside with a hybrid structure of paeoniflorin and paeonovicinoside (1), a monoterpene glucoside biogenetically related to lactiflorin (2), a paeoniflorin-related monoterpene (3), arbiflorin-related monoterpenes (4 and 5), and a tymol-related monoterpene glycoside (7). Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic examinations.

Sesquiterpene lactones from the roots of Ferula varia and their cytotoxic activity.

The ethyl acetate-soluble fraction from a MeOH extract of the roots of Ferula varia gave six new sesquiterpene lactones (1-6) and five known sesquiterpenes (7-11). Their structures were established on the basis of spectroscopic evidence. The cytotoxic activities of 1-11 were evaluated against selected human cancer cell lines. Compound 4 showed significant selective cytotoxicity against multidrug-resistant cancer cells (KB-C2). The cytotoxicities of compounds 1, 3, 5, 8, and 11 against KB-C2 cells were enhanced in the presence of nontoxic concentrations of colchicine.

Terpenoids from Juniperus polycarpus var. seravschanica.

Two eudesmanes, two abietanes, two podocarpanes and other nine known compounds were isolated from the dried fruits of Juniperus polycarpus var. seravschanica. Their structures were established on the basis of analysis of spectroscopic evidence. Some of the isolated terpenoids showed antimalarial activity.

Prenylated benzophenones and xanthones from Hypericum scabrum.

Two new polyprenylated benzophenones, a new polyprenylated phloroglucinol, and six new xanthone derivatives were isolated from the aerial parts of the Uzbekistan medicinal plant Hypericum scabrum. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic evidence. The isolated compounds showed moderate cytotoxicity for human tumor cells.

New stilbene derivatives from Calligonum leucocladum.

Two new stilbene derivatives, (E)-resveratrol 3-(6' '-galloyl)-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (1) and (E)-resveratrol 3-(4' '-acetyl)-O-beta-D-xylopyranoside (2), and five known stilbene derivatives (3-7) were isolated from the dried aerial parts of Calligonum leucocladum. Their structures were established on the basis of spectroscopic evidence. Compound 1 showed antioxidant activity and a restorative effect of the inhibition of oxacillin to oxacillin/methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

Field survey of Glycyrrhiza plants in Central Asia (3). Chemical characterization of G. glabra collected in Uzbekistan.

The chemical characteristics of Glycyrrhiza glabra L. were investigated at a habitat in Uzbekistan. HPLC analysis of the underground parts indicated that glycyrrhizin contents varied from 3.3 to 6.1% of dry weight, and that glabridin, a species-specific flavonoid for G. glabra, was detected in all underground samples (0.08-0.35% of dry weight). HPLC analysis of the leaves indicated that G. glabra plants collected in the present study could be divided into two types, RT-type and IQ-type, according to their major flavonol glycosides, rutin or isoquercitrin, respectively.

New icetexane and 20 norabietane diterpenes with trypanocidal activity from Dracocephalum komarovi.

Two new icetexane diterpenes, cyclocoulterone (1) and komaroviquinone (2), and a novel 20-norabietane diterpene, dracocephalone A (3), were isolated from Dracocephalum komarovi. Their structures were elucidated by extensive analyses of spectral data. Komaroviquinone (2) showed strong trypanocidal activity against epmastigotes of Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of American trypanosomiasis, with a minimum lethal concentration of 0.4 micro M.

Sesquiterpenes from Ferula penninervis.

The ethyl acetate soluble extract of the dried roots of Ferula penninervis gave 17 new sesquiterpenes [15 of the guaiane-type, ferupennins A-O (1-15), and two of the eudesmane-type, 1alpha-hydroxy-2-oxo-5alpha,7beta,11betaH-eudesm-3-en-6alpha,12-olide (16) and penninervin (17)] and nine known sesquiterpenes. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic evidence and X-ray analysis. The absolute configuration of ferupennin A (1) was determined by a modified Mosher method.

Polysulfide derivatives from Ferula foetida.

The ethyl acetate-soluble fraction from a methanol extract of Ferula foetida has afforded six new sulfide derivatives, (E)-3-methylsulfinyl-2-propenyl sec-butyl disulfide (foetisulfide A) (1), (Z)-3-methylsulfinyloxy-2-propenyl sec-butyl disulfide (foetisulfide B) (2), (E)-3-methylsulfinyloxy-2-propenyl sec-butyl disulfide (foetisulfide C) (3), bis(3-methylthio-2E-propenyl) disulfide (foetisulfide D) (4), 3,4,5-trimethyl-2-thiophenecarboxylic acid (foetithiophene A) (5), 3,4,5-trimethyl-2-(methylsulfinyloxymethyl)thiophene (foetithiophene B) (6), along with six known compounds. The structures of 1-6 were established on the basis of spectroscopic studies, with the elucidation of 5 confirmed by single-crystal X-ray crystallography.

An unusual sesquiterpene derivative from Ferula kuhistanica.

An unusual new sesquiterpene derivative, kuhistaferone (1), was isolated from the fruits of the Uzbekistan medicinal plant Ferula kuhistanica. The structure of 1 was established on the basis of spectroscopic evidence. Compound 1 showed moderate cytotoxicity against the human colon tumor cell line HCT116.

Benzoylphloroglucinol derivatives from Hypericum scabrum.

Nine new polyprenylated benzoylphloroglucinol derivatives, hyperibones A-I (1-9), were isolated from the aerial parts of the Uzbekistan medicinal plant Hypericum scabrum. Their structures were determined mainly on the basis of spectroscopic evidence (2D NMR and HRMS). Compounds 1, 2, and 4 showed mild in vitro antibacterial activity against methicillin-resistance Staphylococus aureus (MRSA) and methicillin-sensitive Staphylococus aureus (MSSA).

Coumarins and gamma-pyrone derivatives from Prangos pabularia: antibacterial activity and inhibition of cytokine release.

The n-hexane and ethyl acetate extracts of the stems and the ethyl acetate extracts of roots from Prangos pabularia afforded an gamma-pyrone derivative and furanocoumarin derivatives with three glucose and gamma-pyrone (pabularin A, B and C), along with 26 previously known compounds (18 coumarins, six terpenoids and two glycosides). Their structures were established on the basis of spectroscopic studies. Of these, 16 coumarin derivatives isolated from P. pabularia were tested for antibacterial activity and inhibition of cytokine release.