quan Bao

New jasmonate analogues as potential anti-inflammatory agents.

In an effort to develop new anti-inflammatory agents, methyl jasmonate analogues (2-20) were synthesized and evaluated for their inhibitory effects on the production of pro-inflammatory mediators (NO, IL-6, and TNF-alpha) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated RAW264.7 murine macrophage cells. The introduction of an enone functionality to the structure of a plant hormone (1) rendered the product (2) a significant anti-inflammatory activity. Analogues further derived from 2 (7, 9, 13, and 15) exhibited even more enhanced activity, and these compounds were much more potent than natural anti-inflammatory prostaglandins (PGA(1), PGA(2), and 15-deoxy-Delta(12,14)-PGJ(2)). Among them, compounds 9 and 15 showed the highest potency, while compounds 7 and 13 would be more desirable with respect to safety. This is the first study demonstrating the anti-inflammatory potential of jasmonate derivatives, and the present results suggest that alpha-haloenone jasmonates (7, 9, 13, and 15) may serve as potential anti-inflammatory leads.

Anti-inflammatory Sesquiterpenoids from a Sponge-Derived Fungus Acremonium sp.

In the course of our search for bioactive metabolites from a sponge-derived fungus Acremonium sp., new sesquiterpenoids (1-4) were isolated along with known derivatives by bioactivity-guided fractionation. The unique cyclic skeleton of compounds 2 and 3 is unprecedented. The absolute configurations were determined by modified Moshers method and CD spectroscopy, along with comparison of (1)H and (13)C NMR spectroscopic data and specific optical rotation values with those reported. The anti-inflammatory activity of the isolated compounds (1, 5, 7-13) was evaluated by measuring their inhibitory effects on the production of pro-inflammatory mediators (NO, IL-6, and TNF-alpha) in RAW 264.7 murine macrophage cells. Among the compounds tested, compounds 7 and 9 significantly inhibited the production of NO and TNF-alpha at the concentration of 100 microM, while compounds 11 and 12 showed selective inhibition of NO production at the same concentration.

Marine-derived Aspergillus species as a source of bioactive secondary metabolites.

This report reviews biologically active secondary metabolites from marine-derived members of the fungal genus Aspergillus. Pharmacological activities and biological roles of the secondary metabolites from marine-derived Aspergillus spp. were addressed in respect of pharmaceutical potential.

Bicyclic α,ω-dicarboxylic acid derivatives from a colonial tunicate of the family Polyclinidae

In the course of our search for bioactive metabolites from a colonial tunicate of the family Polyclinidae, six new (1-6) cyclic fatty acid derivatives were isolated. Their planar structures were established on the basis of NMR and MS spectroscopic analyses. The relative configuration was determined by NOESY experiment. Compounds 1-6 represent a fused bicyclic skeleton possibly derived from alpha,omega-dicarboxylic acids such as eicosanedioic acid or docosanedioic acid via a Diels-Alder type of cyclization. Compounds 1-4 and 6 showed mild cytotoxicity against a panel of five human solid tumor cell lines.