Georges Massiot

Jaspines A and B: two new cytotoxic sphingosine derivatives from the marine sponge Jaspis sp.

Abstract The ethanolic extract of the sponge Jaspis sp. collected in Vanuatu showed cytotoxicity against KB tumour cells (IC 95 =10 μg/ml). A bioassay-guided fractionation led to the isolation of two new cytotoxic sphingosine derivatives, jaspine A and jaspine B. Structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, and absolute configuration by chemical derivatisation. The cytotoxicity of jaspine B hydrochloride was evaluated against the A549 lung tumour cell line (IC 50 =3.4×10 −7 M).

Parthenolide Inhibits Tubulin Carboxypeptidase Activity

Microtubules are centrally involved in cell division, being the principal components of mitotic spindle. Tubulin, the constituent of microtubules, can be cyclically modified on its alpha-subunit by enzymatic removal of the COOH-terminal tyrosine residue by an ill-defined tubulin carboxypeptidase (TCP) and its readdition by tubulin tyrosine ligase (TTL). We and others have previously shown that suppression of TTL and resulting accumulation of detyrosinated tubulin are frequent in human cancers of poor prognosis. Explanations for the involvement of TTL and detyrosinated tubulin in tumor progression arise from the recent discovery that tubulin detyrosination leads to CAP-Gly protein mislocalization, which correlates with defects in spindle positioning during mitosis. Impaired control of spindle positioning is one factor favoring tumor invasiveness. Thus, TCP could be a target for developing novel therapeutic strategies against advanced stages of cancers. Inhibitors of TCP, by reversing abnormal detyrosinated tubulin accumulation in tumor cells, could impair tumor progression. TCP has never been isolated and this has hampered search of specific inhibitors. In this article, we describe a cell-based assay of TCP activity and its use to screen a library of natural extracts for their inhibitory potency. This led to the isolation of two sesquiterpene lactones. We subsequently found that parthenolide, a structurally related compound, can efficiently inhibit TCP. This inhibitory activity is a new specific property of parthenolide independent of its action on the nuclear factor-kappaB pathway. Parthenolide is also known for its anticancer properties. Thus, TCP inhibition could be one of the underlying mechanisms of these anticancer properties.

Cytotoxic polyisoprenes and glycosides of long-chain fatty alcohols from Dimocarpus fumatus

The ethanolic extract from the stem bark of Dimocarpus fumatus, showed in vitro cytotoxic activity against KB cells. Fractionation of the extract gave compounds belonging to different classes. The two major components have been identified as a benzoquinone, sargaquinone, and a chromene, sargaol. One sphingolipid, soyacerebroside I, two glycosides of sitosterol, and fatty acids were also identified. Besides these known compounds, two new glycosides of long-chain fatty alcohols have been identified as 1-O-[alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-beta-D- glucopyranosyl-(1-->3)-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->6)-beta-D- glucopyranosyl]hexadecanol and 1-O-[[alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl-(1-->3)]-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 -->2)- beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->3)-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->6)-beta-D- glucopyranosyl] hexadecanol, and a mixture of three new diacylglycerylglucosides has been isolated. These structures were elucidated by analysis of 2D-NMR and mass spectra.

Interspecific variation in terpenoid composition of defensive secretions of European Reticulitermes termites

Sixteen terpene compounds were isolated from the soldier defensive secretions of seven European termite taxa of the genus Reticulitermes (Isoptera, Rhinotermitidae). We describe species-specific mixtures of monoterpenes (α-pinene, β-pinene, limonene), sesquiterpenes (germacrene C, germacrene A, germacrene B, β-selinene, δ-selinene, γ-selinene, (E)-β-farnesene, γ-cadinene, nerolidol), diterpenes (geranyl linalool, geranyl geraniol, geranyl geranial), and one sesterterpene (geranyl farnesol). Compounds were purified by HPLC and their structures determined by means of MS spectrometry, or 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy. Comparison of two different analytical approaches, GC-MS and HPLC with subsequent NMR spectroscopy, revealed Cope rearrangement of germacrene A, germacrene B, and germacrene C to the respective β-elemene, γ-elemene, and δ-elemene under GC conditions, thus demonstrating the limits for this analytical approach. The species-specific compound composition provides insight into taxonomy and species origin of European Reticulitermes. The biological significance of the species-specific composition of Reticulitermes defensive secretions is briefly discussed.

Structure-Activity Relationships of Haemolytic Saponins

The haemolytic activity of 59 samples, natural or partially synthetic pure saponins and mixtures thereof, was determined. The tested saponins possessed triterpenic genins and six structural skeleton types were studied. Structure-activity relationships were established by comparison of the functional groups of each saponin and of the branched sugar chains attached to aglycone. The haemolytic activity is shown to depend on the number of sugar units in the chains, as well as on the presence of an osidic chain in position 3 or of functional groups on the genin such as carboxylic or 16a-OH. Comparison of activities of monodesmosidic and bidesmosidic saponins showed that monodesmosidic saponins were generally more active and suggested a polar balance between the two sugar chains at positions 3 and 28. Twelve saponins showed strong haemolytic activity and five possessed a Haemolytic Index (HI) greater than 100,000, such as the a- and ß-aescines (HI: 200,000).

Bioactive flavonoids of Tanacetum parthenium revisited

Bio-guided fractionation of an extract from Tanacetum parthenium showing activity as mitotic blocker allowed the isolation and identification of santin 3, jaceidin 2 and centaureidin 1. The latter two closely related flavonols, which, to the best of our knowledge, are isolated here together for the first time, form a mixture difficult to resolve and which is probably the reason for the confusion in the literature regarding their occurrence. Centaureidin 1 had an IC50 of 1 microM while jaceidin 2 and santin 3 were 200 times less active.

Bioactive phenolic glycosides from Amburana cearensis

Abstract Coumarin ( 1 ) and two new phenolic glycosides have been isolated from the stem bark of Amburana cearensis , a tree reported in the Chacobo pharmacopoeia to be used against fever-causing diseases. The novel compounds were identified as: 4-(O-β- d -glucopyranosyl)-hydroxy-7-(3′,4′-dihydroxy-benzoyl)-benzyl alcohol ( 2 ) and 4-(O-β- d -glucopyranosyl)-hydroxy-7-(3′-methoxy-,4′-hydroxy-benzoyl)-benzyl alcohol ( 3 ). All three compounds were assayed in vitro for antimalarial, antiprotozoal, antifungal and antibacterial activities.

PROTON NMR SPECTROSCOPY ASSIGNMENT OF D-GLUCOSE RESIDUES IN HIGHLY ACETYLATED STARCH

1H NMR spectroscopy assignments have been obtained for starch acetates using COSY and HOHAHA experiments by comparison with the spectra of amylose triacetate and of peracetylated malto-oligosaccharides (maltotriose, maltotetraose, maltoheptaose). These assignments are valuable for the location and evaluation of the substitution pattern in modified starches. The bulk of the 1H NMR spectra of highly acetylated starch strongly resembles the spectrum of amylose triacetate in which all protons are identified and display distinct chemical shifts. The resolving power of the HOHAHA experiment allowed the distinction of minor spin systems. Beside these strong signals pertaining to an average 2.3.6-tri-O-acetyl-alpha-(1-->4) linked D-glucopyranose unit in an infinite chain, the combination of COSY and HOHAHA experiments allowed the identification of these systems to the terminal, n-1, n-2, and to partially acetylated glucopyranosyl units. As an example, two different preparations of starch acetates with degrees of substitution 2.74 and 2.63 were examined. In one case, NMR demonstrates that the defects of acetylation are random on the polymeric chain (with corresponding signals for unacylated secondary hydroxyl positions at delta 3.61 and 3.40) while in another case, these signals are not detectable, probably due to the presence of clusters of non-acetylated residue forming solid-like zones.

Alstonia species: are they effective in malaria treatment?

A review of the literature on Alstonia species indicates that evidence in support of their effectiveness in the treatment of malaria is controversial. The antiprotozoal activity of the major alkaloid present in Alstonia species, echitamine, was assessed in vitro against Plasmodium falciparum and Giardia intestinalis. Echitamine displayed little antiplasmodial activity, but two quinoline alkaloids from A. coriacea (corialstonine and corialstonidine) were found to have some activity against P. falciparum although this was approximately 10 times less than that of quinine. None of the three Alstonia alkaloids was active against G. intestinalis. These results are discussed in the context of previously published data.

A new synthesis of α,β-unsaturated aldehydes

Abstract The two carbon homologation of carbonyl compounds to α,β-unsaturated aldehydes is achieved by the Wittig-Horner reaction with N-methoxy N-methyl diethylphosphonoacetamide 1 followed by lithium aluminum hydride reduction.