Synthesis and Antimicrobial Characterization of Half-Calycanthaceous Alkaloid Derivatives.

A total of 29 novel tetrahydropyrroloindol-based calycanthaceous alkaloid derivatives were synthesized from indole-3-acetonitrile in good yields. The synthesized compounds were evaluated against nine strains of bacteria and a wide range of plant pathogen fungi. Bioassay results revealed that majority of the compounds displayed similar or higher in vitro antimicrobial activities than the positive control.

Quinone derivatives from the genus Rubia and their bioactivities.

The extracts and phytochemicals of the genus Rubia have drawn much attention due to their potent effects; among them, naphthoquinone and cyclopeptide derivatives, with significant biological activities, have great potential to be developed to new drugs. This review updates and compiles a total of 142 quinone derivatives including anthraquinone and naphthoquinone derivatives, occuring in twelve Rubia species. These compounds were listed together with their sources, melting points, bioactivities, as well as 112 corresponding references.

Protection of a new heptapeptide from Carapax trionycis against carbon tetrachloride-induced acute liver injury in mice.

A new heptapeptide GAGPHGG (OC1) was isolated from Carapax trionycis which was a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) used for treatment of hepatic diseases. The structure of OC1 was characterized by MS, NMR techniques, together with amino acid sequence analysis. The hepatoprotective activity of OC1 was evaluated in vivo using the CCl4-induced acute liver injury model.