Biosynthetic insights provided by unusual sesterterpenes from the medicinal herb Aletris farinosa.

A series of novel sesterterpenes (2-6) have been isolated from the roots of Aletris farinosa and structurally characterized by MS, NMR, and X-ray crystallography in conjunction with computational modeling. Their structures provide new insights into the mechanisms of sesterterpene biosynthesis. Specifically, we propose with support from density functional theory computations that the configuration at a single stereocenter determines the fate of a key tetracyclic carbocationic intermediate, derived from an oxidogeranylfarnesol precursor. Whereas one epimer of the carbocation undergoes H+ elimination to give 6, the other undergoes a spectacular cascade of seven 1,2-methyl and hydride migrations leading to the previously unreported carbon skeleton of 5. Theoretical calculations suggest that the cascade is triggered by substrate preorganization in the enzyme active site.

Structure and absolute configuration of methyl (3R)-malonyl-(13S)-hydroxycheilanth-17-en-19-oate, a sesterterpene derivative from the roots of Aletris farinosa.

We report the isolation and structure elucidation of a new cheilanthane sesterterpene from the roots of Aletris farinosa that possesses an unusual malonate half-ester functional group. The structure of 1 was determined via mass spectrometry and 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy, while its absolute configuration was determined via X-ray crystallographic analysis performed on its methyl ester derivative 2.

Structure and bioactivity of steroidal saponins isolated from the roots of Chamaelirium luteum (false unicorn).

Phytochemical investigation of Chamaelirium luteum ("false unicorn") resulted in the isolation of 15 steroidal glycosides. Twelve of these (1, 2, 4-9, 11-13, and 15) are apparently unique to this species, and eight of these (6-9, 11-13, and 15) are previously unreported compounds; one (15) possesses a new steroidal aglycone. In addition, the absolute configuration of (23R,24S)-chiograsterol A (10) was defined, and its full spectroscopic characterization is reported for the first time. The structures and configurations of the saponins were determined using a combination of multistage mass spectrometry (MS(n)), 1D and 2D NMR experiments, and chemical degradation. The antiproliferative activity of nine compounds obtained in the present work, and eight related compounds generated in previous work, was compared in six human tumor cell lines, with aglycones 3 and 10 and related derivatives 16, 17, 19, and 20 all displaying significant antiproliferative activity.

Steroidal saponins from the roots of Smilax sp.: structure and bioactivity.

Phytochemical characterization of a commercial herb sample supplied as Smilax ornata Lem. (sarsaparilla) led to the isolation of five steroidal saponins, including two new furostanol saponins sarsaparilloside B (1) and sarsaparilloside C (2), whose structures were elucidated via a combination of multistage mass spectrometry (MS(n)), 1D and 2D NMR experiments, and chemical degradation. The previously unreported spectroscopic characterization of sarsaparilloside (3), Δ(20(22))-sarsaparilloside (4), and parillin (5) is also provided. The antiproliferative activity of the isolated saponins was compared in six human cell lines derived from different tumor types and one of the structures (2) was particularly active against the HT29 colon tumor cell line.

Revision of the absolute configurations of bethosides B and C and their aglycone.

The absolute stereochemistry of the steroidal saponins bethosides B and C was previously assigned as (22R,25R) on the basis of work that employed Horeau's method. Our studies of helosides A and B created doubt about both the original assignment and consequently our conclusion that relied upon it. The absolute configurations of bethosides B and C are revised to (22S,25R) following X-ray crystallographic analysis of their aglycone. Synthesis and full spectral characterization of both the 22R and 22S aglycones is reported to facilitate future stereochemical assignments in this series of saponins.

Structure and absolute configuration of helosides A and B, new saponins from Chamaelirium luteum.

Investigation of Chamaelirium luteum roots led to the isolation of two new steroidal saponins, helosides A and B, that contain a previously unreported aglycone, helogenin. Their structures and absolute configuration were elucidated through MS-MS, NMR, chemical degradation, and X-ray crystallography.

The truth about false unicorn (Chamaelirium luteum): total synthesis of 23R,24S-chiograsterol†B defines the structure and stereochemistry of the major saponins from this medicinal herb.

Chamaelirium luteum is used in traditional medicine systems and commercial botanical dietary supplements for the treatment of female reproductive health problems. Despite the wide use of this herb, only very limited phytochemical characterisation is available. Our investigation of C. luteum roots led to the isolation of two new steroidal saponins 1 and 2 that contain an unusual aglycone 3. The absolute configurations of these molecules were unable to be determined spectroscopically and thus the total synthesis of 3 was undertaken and achieved in 16 steps and 1.6 % overall yield from pregnenolone. The key step in the synthesis was the stereoselective installation of the side chain at C-17 and C-20, which employed anion-accelerated oxy-Cope methodology. The relative configuration of aglycone 3 was determined by X-ray crystallography of an advanced synthetic intermediate. The absolute configuration was based upon that of the pregnenolone-derived steroidal skeleton and determined to be 23R,24S.

Polyunsaturated alkyl amides from Echinacea: synthesis of diynes, enynes, and dienes.

The synthesis of 20 alkyl amides, including 15 naturally occurring polyunsaturated alkyl amides previously identified from Echinacea spp. (1-13 and 62) or from Achilla sp. (55) and five previously unknown geometric isomers (23, 28, 67, 73, and 80), is described. Importantly, these amides include all of the major alkyl amides present in commercially used Echinacea extracts. The syntheses demonstrate methodology used for constructing alkyl amides containing conjugated diyne and isomerically pure enyne and diene moieties and may be adapted easily for the preparation of other alkyl amides present in Echinacea spp. Terminal-conjugated diynes were prepared by a Cadiot-Chodkiewitz coupling/deprotection sequence utilizing a protected bromoacetylene, and methyl-substituted diynes were made via a base-catalyzed rearrangement of terminal-skipped diynes. Conjugated dienes were prepared conveniently and with high stereoselectivity by the reduction of enynes or diynes with Rieke zinc. With the exception of 1-2 and 11-12, the alkyl amides are synthesized here for the first time, and their NMR data are consistent with that of the reported isolated natural compounds.

Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic interactions of echinacea and policosanol with warfarin in healthy subjects.

AIMS: This study investigated the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic interactions of echinacea and policosanol with warfarin in healthy subjects. METHODS: This was an open-label, randomized, three-treatment, cross-over, clinical trial in healthy male subjects (n= 12) of known CYP2C9 and VKORC1 genotype who received a single oral dose of warfarin alone or after 2 weeks of pre-treatment with each herbal medicine at recommended doses. Pharmacodynamic (INR, platelet activity) and pharmacokinetic (warfarin enantiomer concentrations) end points were evaluated. RESULTS: The apparent clearance of (S)-warfarin (90% CI of ratio; 1.01, 1.18) was significantly higher during concomitant treatment with echinacea but this did not lead to a clinically significant change in INR (90% CI of AUC of INR; 0.91, 1.31). Policosanol did not significantly affect warfarin enantiomer pharmacokinetics or warfarin response. Neither echinacea nor policosanol had a significant effect on platelet aggregation after 2 weeks of pre-treatment with the respective herbal medicines. CONCLUSION: Echinacea significantly reduced plasma concentrations of S-warfarin. However, neither echinacea nor policosanol significantly affected warfarin pharmacodynamics, platelet aggregation or baseline clotting status in healthy subjects.

Bilberry adulteration using the food dye amaranth.

Vaccinium myrtillus or bilberry fruit is a commonly used herbal product. The usual method of determining the anthocyanin content is a single-wavelength spectrophotometric assay. Using this method, anthocyanin levels of two extracts were found to be 25% as claimed by the manufacturers. When high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used, however, one extract was found to contain 9% anthocyanins probably not derived from V. myrtillus but from an adulterant. This adulterant was subsequently identified, using HPLC, mass spectroscopy, and nuclear magnetic resonance, as amaranth, that is, 3-hydroxy-4-[(4-sulfo-1-naphthalenyl)azo]-2,7-naphthalenedisulfonic acid trisodium salt-a synthetic dark red sulfonic acid based naphthylazo dye. As described in this study, if deliberate adulteration occurs in an extract, a single-wavelength spectrophotometric assay is inadequate to accurately determine the levels of compounds such as anthocyanins. Detection of deliberate adulteration in commercial samples thus requires the use of alternative, more sophisticated, methods of analysis such as HPLC with photodiode array detection as a minimum.