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13-[(N-Alkylamino)methyl]-8-oxodihydrocoptisines were synthesized to evaluate antibacterial activity against Clostridium difficile and activating x-box-binding protein 1 (XBP1) activity, biological properties both associated with ulcerative colitis. Improving structural stability and ameliorating biological activity were major concerns. Different substituents on the structural modification site were involved to explore the influence of diverse structures on the bioactivities. The target compounds exhibited the desired activities with definite structure-activity relationship. In the series of 13-[(N-n-alkylamino)methyl]-8-oxodihydrocoptisines, the length of n-alkyl groups has a definite effect on the bioactivity, elongation of the length increasing the antibacterial activity. The synthesized compounds were determined to display strong or weak XBP1-activating activity in vitro. The preliminary results of this study warrant further medicinal chemistry studies on these synthesized compounds.

Chemical investigation of the roots of Linum usitatissimum led to the isolation and characterization of a new diterpenoid, named usitatissimin A (1), together with four known compounds. The structure of the new compound was established by spectroscopic methods, including X-ray crystallographic diffraction analysis that confirmed the relative configuration of 1. This is the first example of a diterpenoid with a novel 6/6/6/3-membered ring system of 14,15-cyclopimarane. In addition, usitatissimin A showed pronounced hepatoprotective activity against D-galactosamine-induced toxicity in WB-F344 rat hepatic epithelial stem-like cells.

Xiao-xu-ming decoction (XXMD) prescription is a traditional Chinese prescription that has been widely used to treat theoplegia and the sequela of theoplegia. Modern pharmacological research has also indicated that the active fraction from XXMD is able to treat cardiovascular diseases and Alzheimer's disease. In the study reported here, high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (HPLC/FTICR-MS) was developed to identify active compounds and their metabolites after oral administration of active fraction from Xiao-xu-ming decoction to rats, using parent mass list triggered data-dependent multiple-stage mass analysis at a resolving power of 100,000 in the external calibration mode. The mass accuracies obtained for full-scan MS were within 2 ppm in most cases. Fifteen constituents were identified in the active fraction from XXMD and the biological samples of rats. The fragmentation behaviors of these constituents were summarized which would be helpful for structural characterization. The profiles of the constituents in the active fraction and biological samples of rats were obtained which provided us with much information for a better understanding of the chemical basis of the pharmacologic actions of XXMD.

Four new Stemona alkaloids, sessilistemonamines A-C (1-3, resp.) and dihydrostemoninine (4), were isolated from the roots of Stemona sessilifolia. Their structures and relative configurations were elucidated by means of in-depth 1D- and 2D-NMR-spectroscopic as well as mass-spectrometric experiments; and the structure of 4 was solved by X-ray single-crystal diffraction. The stereoisomeric compounds 1-3 share an unprecedented tetracyclic decahydro-1H-furo[2',3':4,5]cyclopenta[1,2-b]pyrrolo[1,2-a]azepine nucleus. Compounds 1 and 2 were found to be moderately active in terms of acetylcholinesterase (AchE) inhibition, with IC50 values of 68.8+/-9.5 and 17.1+/-2.5 microM, resp.

A new alkaloid, named sessilistemonamine D, was isolated from the roots of Stemona sessilifolia and the structure and relative configuration were determined on the basis of NMR and MS spectrometric data analysis.

Chemical investigation of the roots of Nannoglottis ravida resulted in the characterization of two 5alpha,10alpha-cis-clerodane-type diterpenoides, ravidin A and B. Their structures and stereochemistry were established by spectroscopic methods, including X-ray crystallographic diffraction analysis of ravidin A. Their significance in terms of the chemotaxonomy of Nannoglottis is discussed.