Synthesis and antiproliferative activity of selenoindirubins and selenoindirubin-N-glycosides.

Selenoindirubins and selenoindirubin-N-glycosides were prepared by the reaction of isatins and isatin-N-glycosides with 3-acetoxy-benzo[b]selenophene, respectively. While selenoindirubin-N-glycosides have not been reported before, three non-glycosylated selenoindirubins were previously reported, but without quantities, yields, scales, experimental details and spectroscopic data. In addition, the work could, in our hands, not be reproduced to prepare pure products.

A novel anticancer diterpenoid from Jatropha gossypifolia.

Jatropha gossypifolia root bark is used in ethnomedicine for bacterial infections and cancer of the lungs. Phytochemical investigation resulted in the isolation and characterization of a potent anticancer and novel lathyrane diterpenoid compound, abiodone, with an unusual methylene group. The structure of this novel compound was established by 1D, and 2D NMR spectroscopic experiments a nd confirmed by X-ray analysis.