Atricephenols A and B, two phenolic compounds from Indigofera atriceps Hook.f. (Fabaceae).

The phytochemical investigation of a previously unstudied species of the genus Indigofera, I. atriceps Hook.f. was undertaken and two new phenolic compounds, atricephenols A (1) and B (2) were isolated, along with nine known secondary metabolites viz., (-)-melilotocarpan D (3), genistein (4), melilotocarpan A (5), maackiain (6), p-hydroxybenzaldehyde (7), bornesitol (8), ß-sitosterol (9), sitosterol-3-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside (10) and stigmasterol-3-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside (11). Their structures were elucidated by extensive NMR spectroscopic analyses and HRESIMS, and by comparing their data with those reported in the literature. Compounds 1, 4, 7-11 were tested for their antibacterial efficacies and for their potential to inhibit the enzyme urease. Compounds 7 and 9 showed significant antibacterial activity against Salmonella typhi (ZOIs of 13 and 15 mm, respectively), while the best urease inhibition was measured for compound 9 with an IC50 value of 18.6 µM, which is higher than that of the potent inhibitor, thiourea (IC50 = 21.5 µM).

Dioclins A and B, new antioxidant flavonoids from Dioclea reflexa.

Dioclins A (1) and B (2), the new flavonoids, have been isolated from the ethyl acetate soluble fraction of the roots of Dioclea reflexa along with 3,5-dihydroxy-4 methoxybenzoic acid (3), lupeol (4) and the rare dipeptide, auratiamide acetate (5). Their structures have been elucidated by spectroscopic techniques. The compounds 1 and 2 showed a significant antioxidant activity in DPPH radical scavenging assay.

Ceramide and Cerebroside from the stem bark of Ficus mucuso (Moraceae).

Two new sphingolipids mucusamide (1) and mucusoside (2) have been isolated from methanol soluble part of the stem bark of Ficus mucuso WELW., together with fifteen known secondary metabolites including cellobiosylsterol (3), ß-sitosterol (4), stigmasterol (5), ß-sitosterol 3-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside (6), lupeol acetate (7), ursolic acid (8), procatechuic acid (9), 2-methyl-5,7-dihydroxychromone 8-C-ß-D-glucoside (10), apigenin (11), (-)-epicatechin (12), (+)-catechin (13), N-benzoyl-L-phenylalanilol (14), α-acetylamino-phenylpropyl α-benzoylamino-phenylpropionate (15), asperphenamate (16) and bejaminamide (17). Structures of compounds 1 and 2 were elucidated by spectroscopic analysis and chemical methods.

Structure determination of salisomide and salisoflavan, two new secondary metabolites from Salsola imbricata, by 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy.

Chromatographic analysis of the alcoholic extract from Salsola imbricata yielded two new secondary metabolites, salisomide (1) and salisoflavan (2). Their structures were established with the help of spectroscopic techniques including COSY, HMQC and HMBC NMR experiments.

New phthalates from Phyllanthus muellerianus (Euphorbiaceae).

Species of the genus Phyllanthus are known for their medicinal values and many are explored phytochemically. Some of them produce phthalates which usually have antimicrobial properties. This paper deals with the phytochemical investigation on Phyllanthus muellerianus. As a result, five compounds, bis(2-ethyloctyl)phthalate (1), bis(2-ethylicosyl)phthalate (2), 3-friedelanone (3), beta-sitosterol (4), and methyl gallate (5), have been isolated and characterized. Metabolites 1 and 2 are new compounds, while 3-5 have been isolated for the first time from this source. Structures of all the isolates were established on the basis of MS, 1D and 2D NMR spectral data and in comparison with the reported data.

Further cytotoxic sesquiterpene lactones from Elephantopus mollis KUNTH.

Three new sesquiterpene lactones, (4betaH)-5alpha-hydroxy-8alpha-(2-methylbut-2-enoyloxy)-2-oxo-1(10),11(13)-guaiadien-12,6alpha-olide (1), (4betaH)-8alpha-(2-methylbut-2-enoyloxy)-2-oxo-1(5),10(14),11(13)-guaiatrien-12,6alpha-olide (2) and 2,5-epoxy-2beta-hydroxy-4alpha-methoxy-8alpha-(2-methylbut-2-enoyloxy)-4(15),10(14),11(13)-germacratrien-12,6alpha-olide (3), have been isolated from roots and stems of Elephantopus mollis together with two known sesquiterpene lactones (4, 5). The identification of the isolates was accomplished by spectroscopic methods. Compounds (1-5) exhibited significant cytotoxic activities against mouse neuroblastoma B104 cells.

Longifoamide-A and B: Two new ceramides from Mentha longifolia (Lamiaceae).

Two new N-acylsphingosines (ceramides) named longifoamide A {6'-tetracosenamide, (6'-Z)-N-[2,3-dihydroxy-1-(hydroxymethyl)octadecyl]} and B {6'-tetracosenamide, (6'-Z)-N-[2,3,4-trihydroxy-1-(hydroxymethyl)octadecyl]} were isolated from a methanol extract of Mentha longifolia. Both ceramides were characterized with the aid of 1D and 2DNMR spectroscopic techniques and high resolution mass spectrometry.

Longifoside-A and -B: two new cerebrosides from Mentha longifolia (Lamiaceae).

Two new N-acyl-glycosphingosines (cerebrosides) named longifoside-A {6'-tetracosenamide, N-[3,4-dihydroxy-1-(hydroxymethyl)-2-(beta-D-glucopyranosyl) heptadecyl]-(6'E)} and B {6'-tetracosenamide, N-[3-hydroxy-1-(hydroxymethyl)-2-(beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-4Z-heptadecenyl]-(6'E)} have been obtained from the methanolic extract of Mentha longifolia belonging to the family Lamiaceae. Both the cerebrosides were purified as their acetate-derivatives: 6'-tetracosenamide, N-[3,4-diacetoxy-1-(acetoxymethyl)-2-(tetraacetoxy-beta-D-glucopyranosyl) heptadecyl]-(6'E) and 6'-tetracosenamide, N-[3-acetoxy-1-(acetoxymethyl)-2-(tetraacetoxy-beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-4Z-heptadecenyl]-(6'E). They were characterized with the aid of 1D and sophisticated 2D-NMR spectroscopic techniques.

A chlorinated monoterpene ketone, acylated beta-sitosterol glycosides and a flavanone glycoside from Mentha longifolia (Lamiaceae).

Mentha longifolia (Lamiaceae), an aromatic herb yielded a new halogenated chloro-derivative of menthone (longifone), two new derivatives of beta-sitosterol glycoside (longiside-A and -B) and a new flavanone-glycoside (longitin). The beta-sitosterol and flavanone glycosides were purified as their acetate derivatives. Structures of all the isolated constituents were elucidated with the aid of HMBC techniques. However, the structure of longifone was also determined through X-ray crystallography.