Norsesquiterpenes from the brown alga Dictyopteris divaricata

Three bisnorsesquiterpenes (1-3) with novel carbon skeletons and a norsesquiterpene (4) have been isolated from the brown alga Dictyopteris divaricata. By means of spectroscopic data including IR, HRMS, 1D and 2D NMR techniques, single-crystal X-ray diffraction, and CD, their structures including absolute configurations were proposed as (+)-1R,6S,9R)-1-hydroxyl-6-isopropyl-9-methylbicyclo[4.3.0]non-4-en3-one (1), (-)-(1S,6S,9R)-1-hydroxyl-6-isopropyl-9-methylbicyclo[4.3.0] non-4-en-3-one (2), (+)-(5S,6R,9S)5-hydroxyl-6-isopropyl-9-methylbicyclo [4.3.01 non-1-en-3-one (3), and (-)-(1R,7S,10R)-1-hydroxy-1lnorcadinan-5-en-4-one (4). Biogenetically, the carbon skeleton of 1-3 may be derived from the co-occurring cadinane skeleton by ring contraction and loss of two carbon units, and compound 4 from the oxidation of cadinane derivatives. Compounds 1-4 were inactive (IC50 > 10 mu g/mL) against several human cancer cell lines including lung adenocarcinoma (A549), stomach cancer (BGC-823), breast cancer (MCF-7), hepatoma (Bel7402), and colon cancer (HCT-8) cell lines.

Sesquiterpenes from the red alga Laurencia tristicha

Seven new sesquiterpenes (1-7), together with seven known sesquiterpenes, aplysin (8), aplysinol (9), gossonorol (10), 7,10-epoxy-ar-bisabol-11-ol (11), 10-epi-7,10-epoxy-ar-bisabol-11-ol (12), johnstonol (13), and laurebiphenyl (14), have been isolated from the red alga Laurencia tristicha. The structures of new compounds were established as laur-11-en-2,10-diol (1), laur-11-en-10-ol (2), laur-11-en-1,10-diol (3), 4-bromo-1,10-epoxylaur-11-ene (4), cyclolauren-2-ol (5), laurentristich-4-ol (6), and ar-bisabol-9-en-7,11-diol (7) by means of spectroscopic methods including IR, HRMS, and ID and 21) NMR techniques. Compound 6 possessed a novel rearranged skeleton. All compounds were tested against several human cancer cell lines including lung adenocarcinoma (A549), stomach cancer (BGC-823), hepatoma (Bel 7402), colon cancer (HCT-8), and HELA cell lines. Laurebiphenyl (14) showed moderate cytotoxicity against all tested cell lines, with IC50 values of 1.68, 1.22, 1.91, 1.77, and 1.61 mu g/mL, respectively. Other compounds were inactive (IC50 > 10 mu g/mL).

Bromophenol derivatives from the red alga Rhodomela confervoides

Eight new bromophenol derivatives, 2,3-dibromo-4,5-dihydroxybenzyl methyl sulfoxide (1), 4-(2,3-dibromo-4,5-dihydroxyphenyl)-3-butene-2-one (2), 2-(3-bromo-5-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-3-(2,3-dibromo-4,5-dihydroxyphenyl)propionic acid (3), 2-(3-bromo-5-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-3-(2,3-dibromo-4,5-dihydroxyphenyl)propionic acid methyl ester (4), 2-phenyl-3-(2,3-dibromo-4,5-dihydroxyphenyl)propionic acid (5), 4'-methoxy-2",3',3"-tribromo-4",5',5"-trihydroxydiphenylacetic acid (6), and 3-bromo-5-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenylacetic acid (7) and its methyl ester (8), together with a known bromophenol, 3-bromo-5-hydroxy4-methoxybenzoic acid (9), were isolated from the red alga Rhodomela confervoides. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods including IR, EIMS, FABMS, ESIMS, HRFABMS, HRESIMS, 1D and 2D NMR, and single-crystal X-ray structure analysis. Compounds 1-4, 8, and 9 were found inactive against several human cancer cell lines and microorganisms.

Bromophenols coupled with derivatives of amino acids and nucleosides from the red alga Rhodomela confervoides

Three new bromophenols coupled with pyroglutamic acid derivatives and one bromophenol coupled with deoxyguanosine were obtained from the red alga Rhodomela confervoides. By spectroscopic methods including 2D NMR and single-crystal X-ray structure analysis their structures were elucidated as N-(2,3-dibromo-4,5-dihydroxybenzyl)methyl pyroglutamate (1), N-(2,3-dibromo-4,5-dihydroxybenzyl)pyroglutamic acid (2), N-[3-bromo-2-(2,3-dibromo-4,5-dihydroxybenzyl)-4,5-dihydroxybenzyllmethyl pyroglutamate (3), and 2-N-(2,3-dibromo-4,5-dihydroxybenzylamino)deoxyguanosine (4), respectively. Compounds 1-4 were evaluated against several microorganisms and human cancer cell lines, but found inactive. To our knowledge this is the first report of bromophenols coupled with amino acid or nucleoside derivatives through the C-N bond.

The synthesis and antioxidant activity of the Schiff bases of chitosan and carboxymethyl chitosan

Five kinds of Schiff bases of chitosan and carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCTS) have been prepared according to a previous method and the antioxidant activity was studied using an established system, such as superoxide and hydroxyl radical scavenging. Obvious differences between the Schiff bases of chitosan and CMCTS were observed, which might be related to contents of the active hydroxyl and amino groups in the molecular chains. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Factors affecting the protease activity of venom from jellyfish Rhopilema esculentum Kishinouye

In this paper, the effects of some chemical and physical factors such as temperature, pH values, glycerol, and divalent metal cations on the protease activity of venom from jellyfish, Rhopilema esculentum Kishinouye, were assayed. Protease activity was dependent on temperature and pH values. Zn2+, Mg2+, and Mn2+ in sodium phosphate buffer (0.02 M, pH 8.0) could increase protease activity. Mn2+ had the best effects among the three metal cations and the effect was about 20 times of that of Zn2+ or Mg2+ and its maximal protease activity was 2.3 x 10(5) U/mL. EDTA could increase protease activity. PMSF had hardly affected protease activity. O-Phenanthroline and glycerol played an important part in inhibiting protease activity and their maximal inhibiting rates were 87.5% and 82.1%, respectively. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Antioxidant activity of differently regioselective chitosan sulfates in vitro

Differently regioselective chitosan sulfates were prepared according to Hanno Baumann's methods. Their antioxidant potencies were investigated employing various established in vitro systems, such as 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH)/superoxide/hydroxyl radicals scavenging, reducing power, iron ion chelating and total antioxidant activity. All kinds of sulfated chitosans (HCTS, TSCTS, SCTS, TCTS) showed strong inhibitory activity toward superoxide radical by the PMS-NADH system compared to Vc. According to the above-mentioned order their IC50 were 0.012, 0.040, 0.015, 0.022mg/mL, respectively, however, scavenging activity of Vc on superoxide radical was 68.19% at 2.0mg/mL. Scavenging activity of superoxide radical was found to be in the order of HCTS > SCTS > TCTS > TSCTS > Vc. Furthermore, all kinds of sulfated chitosans exhibited strong concentration-dependent inhibition of deoxyribose oxidation. Except for HCTS, others had stronger scavenging activity on hydroxyl radical than Vc. Scavenging effect of TSCTS on 1, 1 -diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazy] radical was little lower than that of BHA, but better than that of others. All kinds of sulfated chitosans were efficient in the reducing power, especially TSCTS. TSCTS and TCTS showed considerable ferrous ion chelating potency. The data obtained in vitro models clearly establish the antioxidant potency of all kinds of sulfated chitosans. These in vitro results suggested the possibility that sulfated chitosans could be effectively employed as ingredient in health or functional food, to alleviate oxidative stress. However, comprehensive studies need to be conducted to ascertain the in vivo safety of sulfated chitosans in experimental animal models. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Relevance of molecular weight of chitosan and its derivatives and their antioxidant activities in vitro

The antioxidant potency of different molecular weight (DMW) chitosan and sulfated chitosan derivatives was investigated employing various established in vitro systems, such as superoxide (O-2(.-))/hydroxyl ((OH)-O-.) radicals scavenging, reducing power, iron ion chelating. As expected, we obtained several satisfying results, as follows: Firstly, low molecular weight chitosan had stronger scavenging effect on O-2(.-) and (OH)-O-. than high molecular weight chitosan. For example the O-2(.-) scavenging activity of low molecular weight chitosan (9 kDa) and high molecular weight chitosan (760 kDa) were 85.86 % and 35.50 % at 1.6 mg/mL, respectively. Secondly, comparing with DMW chitosan, DMW sulfated chitosans had the stronger inhibition effect on 0(2)(.-). At 0.05 mg/mL, the scavenging activity on O-2(.-) reached 86.26 %, for low molecular weight chitosan sulfate (9 kDa), but that of low molecular weight chitosan (9 kDa) was 85.86 % at 1.6 mg/mL. As concerning chitosan and sulfated chitosan of the same molecular weight, scavenging activities of sulfated chitosan on superoxide and hydroxyl radicals were more pronounced than that of chitosan. Thirdly, low molecular weight chitosan sulfate had more effective scavenging activity on 02 and (OH)-O-. than that of high molecular weight chitosan sulfate. Fourthly, DMW chitosans and sulfated chitosans were efficient in the reducing power, especially LCTS. Their orders were found to be LCTS > CTS4 > HCTS > CTS3 > CTS2 > CTS1 > CTS. Fifthly, CTS4 showed more considerable ferrous ion-chelating potency than others. Finally, the scavenging rate and reducing power of DMW chitosan and sulfated derivatives increased with their increasing concentration. Moreover, change of DMW sulfated chitosans was the most pronounced within the experimental concentration. However, chelating effect of DMW chitosans were not concentration dependent except for CTS4 and CTS1. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Insecticidal activity of proteinous venom from tentacle of jellyfish Rhopilema esculentum Kishinouye

Insecticidal activity of proteinous venom from tentacle of jellyfish Rhopilema esculentum Kishinouye was determined against three pest species, Stephanitis pyri Fabriciusa, Aphis medicaginis Koch, and Myzus persicae Sulzer. R. esculentum full proteinous venom had different insecticidal activity against S. pyri Fabriciusa, A. niedicaginis Koch, and M. persicae Sulzer. The 48 It LC50 values were 123.1, 581.6, and 716.3 mu g/mL, respectively. Of the three pests, R. esculentuin full proteinous venom had the most potent toxicity against S. pyri Fabriciusa, and the corrected mortality recorded at 48 It was 97.86%. So, S. pyri Fabriciusa could be a potential target pest of R. esculentum full proteinous venom. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Radical scavenging activity of protein from tentacles of jellyfish Rhopilema esculentum

In this study, radical scavenging activity of protein from tentacles of jellyfish Rhopilema esculentum (R. esculentum) was assayed including superoxide anion radical and hydroxyl radical scavenging. The protein samples showed strong scavenging activity on superoxide anion radical and values EC50 of full protein (FP), first fraction (IFF), second fraction (SF), and 30% (NH4)(2)SO4 precipitate (Fr-1) were 2.65, 7.28, 1.10, and 22.51 mu g/mL, respectively, while values EC50 of BHA, BHT, and alpha-tocopherol were 31, 6 1, and 88 pg/mL, respectively. Also, the protein samples had strong scavenging effect on hydroxyl radical and the values EC50 of FP, FF, SF, Fr-1, and Fr-2 were 48.91, 27.72, 1.82, 16.36, and 160.93 mu g/mL, but values EC50 of Vc and mannitol were 1907 and 4536 mu g/mL, respectively. Of the five protein samples, SF had the strongest radical scavenging activity and may have a use as a possible supplement in the food and pharmaceutical industries. The radical scavenging activity was stable at high temperature so that R. esculentum may be used as a kind of natural functional food. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A novel polyhydroxyl sterol from Asterina pectinifera

A novel polyhydroxyl sterol ( 1) along with one known polyhydroxyl sterol (2), and two known monoglycosides, asterosaponin P-1 (3) and its desulfated monoglycoside (4), have been isolated from the whole bodies of a common Pacific starfish Asterina pectinifera. The structure of the new polyhydroxyl sterol was determined as 15beta, 16beta-isopropylidenedioxy-5alpha-cholestane-3beta, 4beta, 6alpha, 7alpha, 8,26-hexaol by spectroscopic methods, including FABMS, HR-FABMS, 1D and 2D NMR techniques.

Fucoidan inhibits the development of proteinuria in active Heymann nephritis

Fucoidan, the sulphated polysaccharide extracted from brown seaweed, has various biological activities. The effect of fucoidan on the formation of proteinuria and renal functions in active Heymann nephritis was investigated in this study. Active Heymann nephritis was induced by administering brush border protein of rat proximal uriniferous tubules (FX1A). Fucoidan was administered by oral intubation to Heymann nephritis rats at three doses (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg) once daily for 4 weeks. The elevated urinary protein excretion and plasma creatinine due to the induction of Heymann nephritis were significantly reduced by fucoidan at doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg. The results indicated that fucoidan has a renoprotective effect on active Heymann nephritis and is a promising therapeutic agent for nephritis. Copyright (c) 2005 John Wiley F Sons, Ltd.

Preparation of 1,3,5-thiadiazine-2-thione derivatives of chitosan and their potential antioxidant activity in vitro

Three new kinds of 1,3,5-thiadiazine-2-thi one derivatives of chitosan with two different molecular weight (SATTCS1, SATTCS2, TITTCS1, TITTCS2, CITTCS1 and CITTCS2) have been prepared. Their structures were characterized by IR spectroscopy. The substitution degree of derivatives calculated by elemental analyses was 0.47, 0.42, 0.41, 0.38, 0.41 and 0.36, respectively. The result shows that substitution degree of derivatives was higher with lower molecular weight. The antioxidant activity was studied using an established system, such as bydroxyl radical scavenging, superoxide radical scavenging and reducing power. Antioxidant activity of the 1,3,5-thiadiazine-2-thione derivatives of chitosan were stronger than that of chitosans and antioxiclant activity of low molecular weight derivatives were stronger than that of high molecular weight derivatives. It is a potential antioxidant in vitro. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Relevance of molecular weight of chitosan-N-2-hydroxypropyl trimethyl ammonium chloride and their antioxidant activities

The antioxidant potency of high/low molecular weight quatemary chitosan derivatives was investigated employing various established systems in vitro, such as superoxide (O-2(center dot-)) and hydroxyl (center dot OH) radicals scavenging, reducing power and iron ion chelating. As expected, we obtained several satisfying results, as follow: firstly, low molecular weight quaternary chitosan had stronger scavenging effect on O-2(center dot-) and center dot OH than high molecular weight quaternary chitosan. Secondly, the reducing power of low molecular weight quaternary chitosan was more pronounced than that of high molecular weight quaternary chitosan. Thirdly, ferrous ion chelating potency were showed to increase first and decrease afterwards with increasing concentration for two kinds of quaternary chitosans, namely, they have not concentration-dependence. However, the scavenging rate and reducing power of high and low molecular weight quaternary chitosans increased with their increasing conc centrations, and hence were concentration-dependent. (c) 2007 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

The antioxidant activity of 2-(4(or 2)-hydroxyl-5-chloride-1,3-benzene-di-sulfanimide)-chitosan

Chitosan (CS) with two different molecular weights was modified by reacting with 4-hydroxyl-5-chloride-1,3-benzene-disulfo-chloride or 2-hydroxyl-5-chloride-1,3-benzene-disulfo-chloride to give new 2-(4(or 2)-hydroxyl-5-chloride-1,3-benzene-di-sulfanimide)-chitosan (2-HCBSAHCS, 2-HCBSALCS, 4-HCBSAHCS, 4-HCBSALCS). The structure of the derivatives was characterized by FT-IR and C-13 NMR spectroscopy. The antioxidant activities of the derivatives were investigated employing various established systems, such as hydroxyl radical ((OH)-O-center dot)/superoxide anion (O-2(radical anion)) scavenging/reducing power and chelating activity. All the derivatives showed stronger scavenging activity on hydroxyl radical than chitosan and ascorbic acid (Vc), and IC50 of 4-HCBSAHCS, 4-HCBSALCS, 2-HCBSAHCS and 2-HCBSALCS was 0.334, 0.302, 0.442, 0.346 mg/mL, respectively. The inhibitory activities of the derivatives toward superoxide radical by the PMS-NADH system were strong. The results showed that the superoxide radical scavenging effect of 2-(4(or 2)-hydroxyl-5-chloride-1,3-benzene-disulfanimide)-chitosan was higher than chitosan. The derivatives had obviously reducing power and slight chelating activity. The data obtained in in vitro models clearly establish the antioxidant potency of 2-(4(or 2)-hydroxyl-5-chloride-1,3-benzene-disulfanimide)-chitosan. (C) 2007 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.