Ahmed Eid Fazary

New and bioactive lignans from the fruits of Schisandra sphenanthera.

Phytochemical investigation of the ethanol extract from the fruits of Schisandra sphenanthera has resulted in isolation of seven new oxygenated lignans (1-7), in addition to 11 known compounds (8-18). Their structures were determined on the basis of 2D-NMR (COSY, HMQC, HMBC and NOESY) analyses. The isolated components were evaluated with a reporter gene assay that measures their anti-liver fibrosis activity. Compounds 1, 2, 4, 11, 13, 14 and 18 exhibited significant anti-inflammatory activity on HSC-T6 test.

New Briarane Diterpenoids from the Gorgonian Coral Junceella juncea

Chemical investigation of Junceella juncea has resulted in the isolation of three new briaranes designated juncenolides M–O (1–3). The structures of these compounds were determined by spectroscopic analysis including 2D-NMR (COSY, HMBC and NOESY) and HRMS. Compound 1 is a new chlorinated briarane while compound 3 contains a rare methyl ester at C-16. The anti-inflammatory activities tested on superoxide anion generation and elastase release by human neutrophils in response to FMLP/CB were evaluated.

New verticillane diterpenoids from Cespitularia taeniata.

Chemical investigation of Cespitularia taeniata has led to the isolation of three new verticillanes, cespitulins E–G (1–3, resp.). The structures of these compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic analysis, especially HR‐MS and 2D‐NMR techniques. Compound 1 possesses a rare norverticillane skeleton with two adjacent OH groups at C(5) and C(6), while the seco‐compound 2 with an aldehyde group at C(9) results from an unusual bond cleavage between C(9) and C(10). Pharmacological studies revealed that compound 3 exhibited significant activities on superoxide‐anion generation and elastase release by human neutrophils in response to FMLP/CB. A plausible biogenetic pathway for compound 2 is also discussed.

Hyperinakin, a new anti-inflammatory phloroglucinol derivative from Hypericum nakamurai

Phytochemical investigation of Hypericum nakamurai (Masamune) Robson has led to the isolation of three phloroglucinol derivatives 1–3. The structures of these compounds were determined by the analysis of their spectroscopic data (IR, mass and UV), and by the application of 1-D and 2-D-NMR techniques. Hyperinakin (1) is a new compound. The anti-inflammatory activities of compounds 1–3 were also tested and evaluated. A biogenetic pathway for compounds 1–3 was also proposed.

Bioactive xenicane diterpenoids from the Taiwanese soft coral Asterospicularia laurae.

Chemical investigation of the Taiwanese soft coral Asterospicularia laurae has led to the isolation of three new xenicane diterpenoids, named asterolaurins K–M (1–3, resp.). Their chemical structures were determined through extensive spectroscopic analyses (1H‐ and 13C‐NMR, 1H,1H‐COSY, HMBC, and NOESY). Compound 2 exhibited cytotoxic activity against HEp‐2, Daoy, MCF‐7, and WiDr tumor cells.