Yuka Inatomi

Isolation of apoptosis- and differentiation-inducing substances toward human promyelocytic leukemia HL-60 cells from leaves of Juniperus taxifolia.

A chloroform extract of the leaves of Juniperas taxifolia exhibited a marked antiproliferative effect on human promyelocytic leukemia HL-60 cells at a concentration of 2.5 μg/ml. Deoxypodophyllotoxin (4) was identified in the extract as an outstanding antiproliferative compound, and five diterpenes (1–3, 5, and 6) were isolated as known compounds with weak or no cytotoxicity. These compounds were examined for their respective apoptosis- and differentiation-inducing activities toward HL-60 cells by DNA fragmentation and NBT-reducing assays, respectively. Among them, 7α-hydroxysandaracopimaric acid (6) was found to have a potent differentiation-inducing activity in a dose-dependent manner at 0.125–2 μg/ml (0.39–6.29 μM), together with apoptosis-inducing activity at concentrations of more than 2.5 μg/ml (7.86 μM). Deoxypodophyllotoxin (4) that exerted cytotoxic and apoptosis-inducing activities at 2 ng/ml (5 nM) did not induce differentiation at the same concentration, and the other diterpenes (1–3 and 5) showed no effect on cell differentiation, even at 5 μg/ml. It was thus demonstrated for the first time that 7α-hydroxysandaracopimaric acid was an effective differentiation-inducing compound toward HL-60 cells.

Cycloartane triterpenoids from Aglaia harmsiana

Abstract Two new and two known cycloartane-type triterpenoids were isolated from the leaves of Aglaia harmsiana. The structures were determined using 1H, 13C and 2D NMR techniques.

Pregnanes and triterpenoid hydroperoxides from the leaves of Aglaia grandis

Abstract Three pregnanes and two known cycloartane-type triterpenoid hydroperoxides were isolated from the leaves of Aglaia grandis . Their structures were determined using 1 H, 13 C and 2D NMR techniques.

New Neolignan and Phenylpropanoid Glycosides in Juniperus communis var. depressa

Two new neolignan glucosides (junipercomnosides C and D) and two new phenypropanoid glycosides (junipercomnosides E and F) were isolated from aerial parts of Juniperus communis var. depressa along with seven known phenylpropanoid glycosides. The structures of the isolated compounds were determined by spectral analysis, in particular by the detailed analysis of 2D NMR and CD spectra.

Three putrescine bisamides from the leaves of Aglaia grandis

Three putrescine (i.e. 1,4-butanediamine) bisamides were isolated from the leaves of Aglaia grandis. Their structures were elucidated by interpretation of spectral data.

New glycosides of acetophenone derivatives and phenylpropanoids from Juniperus occidentalis

New glycosides of seven acetophenone derivatives (1–7) and two phenylpropanoids (8, 9), named juniperosides III–XI, have been isolated from the MeOH extract of the leaves and stems of Juniperus occidentalis Hook. (Cupressaceae), together with eleven other known compounds. The structures of these compounds have been successfully elucidated using a variety of spectroscopic techniques.