Kaisuke Yoneda

Three fragrant sesquiterpenes of agarwood

Abstract Three fragrant sesquiterpenes have been isolated as major constituents from the wood of Aquilaria malaccensis and identified as α-agarofuran, (−)-10-epi-γ-eudesmol and oxo-agarospirol.

Flavonoid glycosides of the roots of Glycyrrhiza uralensis

Abstract The structure of a flavanone glycoside from the roots of Glycyrrhiza uralensis has been confirmed as 4′-O-[β- d -apio- d -furanosyl-(1 → 2)-β- d -glucopyranosyl]liquiritigenin. In addition, two known flavonoid glucosides, ononin (a minor component) and liquiritin (a major component), were isolated from the same extract.

Jinkohol, a prezizane sesquiterpene alcohol from agarwood

Abstract A new tricyclic sesquiterpene, jinkohol, has been isolated from an agarwood ( Aquillaria sp.) which is different from that obtained from Aquillaria agallocha . Its structure was shown to be 2β-hydroxy-(+)-prezizane by spectroscopic methods and by chemical transformation. The two kinds of agarwood are readily identified from their sesquiterpene components.

Sesquiterpenoids in two different kinds of agarwood

Abstract Sesquiterpenoids of an agarwood originating from Aquilaria agallocha and of the other kind of agarwood (Aquilaria sp.; probably Aquilaria malaccensis) were investigated by a combination of GLC and GC/MS. The differences in sesquiterpene composition between the two kinds of agarwood are discussed.

Regulation of ferruginol and cryptotanshinone biosynthesis in cell suspension cultures of Salvia miltiorrhiza

Abstract Ferruginol was produced only in the lag phase in habituated cell suspension cultures of Salvia miltiorrhiza, while it was produced in both lag and stationary phases by 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid-requiring cultures. On addition of sucrose to habituated cultures, in the stationary phase, production of ferruginol was restored, indicating that habituated cultures still retained the capacity to produce ferruginol. A two-stage culture method, with normal medium and then medium without Fe-EDTA, for ferruginol production was established. This culture method was also found to be suitable for production of cryptotanshinone, a clinically active principle in this plant.

Production of ferruginol by cell suspension cultures of Salvia miltiorrhiza

Abstract The time-course production of ferruginol, a diterpene, was examined during growth of Salvia miltiorrhiza in cell culture. Ferruginol was produced in the lag and stationary phases of growth and so production of this secondary metabolite was inversely related to active cell division. The effects of auxins and light on ferruginol production were also examined.

Aristoloside, an aristolochic acid derivative from stems of Aristolochia manshuriensis

Abstract Aristoloside, a new companion aristolochic acid derivative isolated from stems of Aristolochia manshuriensis has been shown to be 6- O -β- d -glucopyranoside of aristolochic acid-D on chemical and physicochemical evidence. Three known acids, aristolochic acids I, IV (both as their corresponding methyl esters), and -D have also been characterized from stems of the plant.

Two triterpenoid glycosides from leaves of Ilex cornuta

Abstract Two new triterpene glycosides, a diglycoside (as the corresponding methyl ester) and a bis-desmoside were isolated from leaves of Ilex cornuta . The

Production of cryptotanshinone and ferruginol by immobilized cultured cells of Salvia miltiorrhiza

Abstract The production of the diterpenes cryptotanshinone and ferruginol by immobilized cultured cells of Salvia miltiorrhiza was examined. Cryptotanshinone and ferruginol were produced continuously by the immobilized cells. Much of the cryptotanshinone was released into the medium, while most of the ferruginol was retained in the cells. The production of cryptotanshinone and ferruginol by the immobilized cells was about 39% and 61% of those by cell suspensions. Re-use of the immobilized cells for the production of these compounds was also examined.

Effect of nutritional factors on cryptotanshinone and ferruginol production by cell suspension cultures of Salvia miltiorrhiza

Abstract The effects of the components of Murashige-Skoog (MS) medium on the production of the diterpenes cryptotanshinone and ferruginol in cell suspension cultures of Salvia miltiorrhiza were examined. Sucrose, a nitrogen source and thiamine were needed for the production of these compounds, and phosphate, MnSO 4 and kinetin showed slight beneficial effects. All the other components of MS medium were found to be either unnecessary or inhibitory for the production of these compounds, when tested separately. A revised medium for the production of cryptotanshinone, a clinically active principle in this plant, was designed.