Alfarius Eko Nugroho

Circular dichroism calculation for natural products

Determination of the absolute configuration (AC) is often a challenging aspect in the structure elucidation of natural products. When chiral compounds possess appropriate chromophore(s), electronic circular dichroism (ECD) may provide a powerful approach to the determination of their absolute configuration. Recently, ECD calculations by time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) have come to be used more commonly. In the present review, we give several examples of recent studies using TDDFT-calculated ECD spectra for the AC determination of natural products.

Bisnicalaterines B and C, atropisomeric bisindole alkaloids from Hunteria zeylanica, showing vasorelaxant activity.

Two new bisindole alkaloids, bisnicalaterines B and C (1 and 2) consisting of an eburnane and a corynanthe type of skeletons, were isolated from the bark of Hunteria zeylanica. Their absolute structures were determined by combination of NMR, CD, and computational methods, and each of them was shown to be in an atropisomeric relationship. Bisnicalaterines B and C (1 and 2) showed potent vasorelaxant activity on isolated rat aorta.

Alsmaphorazines A and B, Novel Indole Alkaloids from Alstonia pneumatophora

Two novel indole alkaloids, alsmaphorazines A and B, were isolated from the leaves of Alstonia pneumatophora (Apocynaceae), and their structures were determined on the basis of the 2D NMR and MS spectral analysis. These alkaloids possessed a new skeleton consisting of an 1,2-oxazinane and an isoxazolidine chromophore. The absolute configuration of alsmaphorazine B was determined by using CD spectral analysis. Alsmaphorazine A inhibited the NO production in the LPS-stimulated J774.1 cells dose-dependently without affecting the cell viability.

Bisnicalaterine A, a Vobasine-Vobasine Bisindole Alkaloid from Hunteria zeylanica

A new bisindole alkaloid, bisnicalaterine A (1), consisting of two vobasine-type skeletons, and 3-epivobasinol (2) and 3-O-methylepivobasinol (3), with vobasine-type skeletons, were isolated from the leaves of Hunteria zeylanica, and their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic data and chemical correlation. Bisnicalaterine A showed moderate cytotoxicity against various human cancer cell lines.

Antiplasmodial indole alkaloids from Leuconotis griffithii

A new indole alkaloid, leucoridine A N-oxide (1), consisting of two units of a strychnan type of skeleton, was isolated from the leaves of Leuconotis griffithii. Its structure was elucidated by various spectroscopic means such as NMR and MS, and also by chemical means. Antiplasmodial activity against Plasmodium falciparum 3D7 of indole alkaloids isolated from L. griffithii was investigated.

Ceramicines J–L, new limonoids from Chisocheton ceramicus

Three new limonoids, ceramicines J (1), K (2), and L (3), were isolated from the hexane layer of Chisocheton ceramicus bark extract. Their structures were elucidated from 1D and 2D NMR data. Ceramicines J–L (1–3) exhibited dose-dependent moderate cytotoxicity against the HL-60 cell line.

Bisleuconothine A, an eburnane-aspidosperma bisindole alkaloid from Leuconotis griffithii

A new bisindole alkaloid, bisleuconothine A (1) consisting of an eburnane-aspidosperma type skeleton, was isolated from the bark of Leuconotis griffithii. The structure including absolute stereochemistry was elucidated on the basis of 2D NMR data and X-ray analysis. Bisleuconothine A (1) showed cell growth inhibitory activity against various human cancer cell lines.

Chisomicines A-C, limonoids from Chisocheton ceramicus.

Three new limonoids, chisomicines A-C (1-3), have been isolated from the bark of Chisocheton ceramicus. Their structures were determined by 2D NMR, CD spectroscopic methods, and X-ray analysis. Chisomicine A (1) exhibited NO production inhibitory activity in J774.1 cells stimulated by LPS dose-dependently at high cell viability.

Haworforbins A–C, new phenolics from Haworthia cymbiformis

Two new isocoumarin glucosides, haworforbins A (1) and B (2), and a new chromone, haworforbin C (3), have been isolated from Haworthia cymbiformis. Their structures and absolute configurations were elucidated on the basis of NMR and CD data. Haworforbin C (3) exhibited moderate inhibition of nitric oxide production in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW264.7 cell line.

Eucophylline, a Tetracyclic Vinylquinoline Alkaloid from Leuconotis eugenifolius

Eucophylline (1), a new tetracyclic vinylquinoline alkaloid, was isolated from the bark of Leuconotis eugenifolius together with leucophyllidine (2). The structure and absolute configuration of 1 were elucidated on the basis of 2D NMR correlations and simulated CD analysis. Leucophyllidine (2) showed iNOS inhibitory activity and decreased the iNOS protein expression dose-dependently.