Pyrenes and pyrendiones from Uvaria lucida.

A chemical investigation of the chloroform extract of the roots of Uvaria ludida Benth. (Annonaceae), an important African traditional medicine, led to the isolation of six new compounds; three pyrenes, 2-hydroxy-1,8-dimethoxypyrene (1), 8-methoxy-1,2-methylenedioxypyrene (2), and 7-hydroxy-8-methoxy-1,2-methylenedioxypyrene (3), two pyrenediones, 2-hydroxy-1,8-pyrenedione (4) and 2-methoxy-1,8-pyrenedione (5), and a sesquiterpene, (-)-10-oxo-isodauc-3-en-15-oic acid (6), together with eight known compounds (7-14). The structural elucidation by spectroscopic studies of the compounds isolated is described.

Chemical studies on the roots of Uvaria welwitschii.

A chemical investigation of the chloroform extract of the roots of Uvaria welwitschii (Annonaceae), an African traditional medicine taken for stomach ache, led to the isolation of eight new compounds, named welwitschins A-H (1-8), together with five known compounds (9-13). The structural elucidation by spectroscopic studies of the compounds isolated is described. All new compounds were flavonoids having a 2-hydroxy-3,4,6-trimethoxyphenyl moiety in the A-ring, and unsubstituted phenyl in the B-ring.

Hydroxyespintanol and schefflerichalcone: two new compounds from Uvaria scheffleri.

A chemical investigation of the petroleum ether extract and chloroform extract of the root of Uvaria scheffleri Diels (Annonaceae) led to the isolation of two new compounds, named hydroxyespintanol (1) and schefflerichalcone (2), together with eight known compounds (3-10). The structural elucidation of compounds 1 and 2 by spectroscopic studies is described. The cytotoxicity of the isolated compounds against human promyelocytic leukemia HL-60 cells was studied.

Antinociceptive effects of the extracts of Xylopia parviflora bark and its alkaloidal components in experimental animals.

In the present study, we attempted to elucidate the antinociceptive activity of Xylopia parviflora bark using the acetic acid-induced writhing test, hot plate test, and formalin test in mice. The MeOH extract (100 and 200 mg/kg, administered intraperitoneally (i.p.

Secondary and tertiary isoquinoline alkaloids from Xylopia parviflora.

From the secondary and tertiary alkaloidal fractions of the root and the bark of Xylopia parviflora (Annonaceae), the isoquinoline alkaloids, 10,11-dihydroxy-1,2-dimethoxynoraporphine and parvinine were isolated, along with 39 known alkaloids. Their structures were determined on the basis of analysis of spectroscopic data.

Induction of apoptosis in human promyelocytic leukemia cell line HL-60 by C-benzylated dihydrochalcones, uvaretin, isouvaretin and diuvaretin.

Uvaretin, isouvaretin and diuvaretin, cytotoxic C-benzylated dihydrochalcones isolated from Uvaria acuminata, displayed growth inhibitory effects against human promyelocytic leukemia HL-60 cells. We examined the mechanism of the cytotoxicity. From the morphological study by staining with Hoechst 33258, the cells treated with C-benzylated dihydrochalcones exhibited significant chromosomal condensation and nuclear degradation.

Quaternary isoquinoline alkaloids from Xylopia parviflora.

From the quaternary alkaloidal fraction of the bark and the root of Xylopia parviflora (Annonaceae), four isoquinoline alkaloids, xylopinidine, dehydrocoreximine, N, N-dimethylanomurine and N-methylphoebine were isolated along with the known compounds, pycnarrhine, lotusine, 6,7-dimethoxy-2-methyl-isoquinolinium salt, 1,2-dehydroreticuline, (-)-phellodendrine, (+)-tembetarine, (-)-litcubine, (+)-magnoflorine, tetradehydroreticuline, (-)-oblongine, (+)-menisperine, (+)-N-methylcorydine, stepharanine, (+)-xanthoplanine, dehydrodiscretine, jatrorrhizine and palmatine. 3,4-Dihydro-6,7-dimethoxy-2-methyl-isoquinolinium and N-methylpurpuerine were isolated as natural products for the first time. Their structures were determined on the basis of spectroscopic evidence.

Cytotoxic C-benzylated dihydrochalcones from Uvaria acuminata.

Two new C-benzylated dihydrochalcones, isochamuvaritin (1) and acumitin (2), have been isolated from the African medicinal plant Uvaria acuminata, together with the previously reported benzylbenzoate (3), uvaretin (4), isouvaretin (5), diuvaretin (6), and uvangoletin (7). The structural elucidation of compounds 1 and 2 in spectroscopic studies is described. C-Benzylated dihydrochalcones, especially 1, 2, 4, and 6, showed considerable cytotoxicity toward human promyelocytic leukemia HL-60 cells.