Simon P. B. Ovenden

A novel aspochalasin with HIV-1 integrase inhibitory activity from Aspergillus flavipes.

A novel aspochalasin, aspochalasin L (1), was isolated from the fermentation broth of a soil-derived fungal culture identified as Aspergillus flavipes (Deuteromycota). Structure elucidation of 1 was accomplished by detailed spectroscopic data analyses and by comparison with related cytochalasins. Aspochalasin L demonstrated activity against HIV integrase with an IC50 of 71.7 µM.

Spermine alkaloids from Albizia adinocephala with activity against Plasmodium falciparum plasmepsin II

Crude MeOH extracts from the stem bark and leaves of a Panamanian specimen of Albizia adinocephala (Leguminosae) were found to inhibit the malarial enzyme plasmepsin II. Bioassay guided fractionation led to the isolation of two new bioactive spermine alkaloids, budmunchiamines L4 and L5.

Phenolic Glycosides with Antimalarial Activity from Grevillea Poorinda Queen

In search of new antimalarial compounds, three new phenolic glycosides, robustasides E (1), F (2), and G (3), in addition to the known compounds robustaside D (4) and quercetin-7-O-[α-l-rhamnopyranosyl(1→6)-β-d-galactopyranoside] (5), were identified during chemical investigations of the MeOH extract from the leaves and twigs of Grevillea Poorinda Queen. The chemical structures of the new compounds were elucidated through 2D NMR spectroscopy, while the absolute configuration of the sugar was elucidated through chemical degradation and comparison with an authentic standard. Discussed in detail are the isolation and structure elucidation of 1-3, as well as the associated in vitro anitmalarial activities for 1-5. Also discussed are the in vivo anitmalarial and in vitro cytotoxic activities for 1, 3, and 4.

Actephilol A and epiactephilol A: two novel aromatic terpenoids isolated from Actephila excelsa

An investigation into the chemical constituents of a crude MeOH extract from a specimen of Actephila excelsa (family Euphorbiaceae), led to the isolation of two new epimeric aromatic terpenoids, actephilol A 1 and epiactephilol A 2. The gross structures and relative stereochemistry of 1 and 2 were determined through extensive 2D NMR analysis