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The use of natural products for medicinal purposes is becoming more and more common nowadays, as evidenced by the presence in plants of secondary metabolites with different potentials such as antioxidant and antibacterial properties. We evaluated in this work the antimicrobial activities of the extracts and some isolated compounds from the seeds of Psychotria succulenta Hiern. (Rubiaceae), a Cameroonian medicinal plant traditionally used to cure microbial infections. The ethanol extract was prepared by maceration and extracted with ethyl acetate and n-butanol. The EtOAc ( m = 168 g ) and n-BuOH ( m = 20 g ) extracts were further fractionated by silica gel column chromatography to isolation of compounds. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analysis and by comparison with published data. The antibacterial activity of extracts and compounds was assessed by evaluating the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) against pathogenic bacteria. Thirteen compounds including four alkaloids (veprisine (1), naucleofficine III (2), vepridimerine B (3), and vepridimerine C (4)), three triterpenes (barbinervic acid (5), 3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl quinovic acid (6), and oleanolic acid (7)), one steroid (β-sitosterol-3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (8)), four phenolic compounds (scopoletin (9), gallic acid (10), quercetin-3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (11), and kaempferol 3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside-7-O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside (12)), and one iridoid (borreriagenin (13)) were isolated from the EtOAc and n-BuOH extracts. These compounds were identified by 1D and 2D NMR combined analysis as well as by melting point comparison. The EtOH, EtOAc, and n-BuOH extracts exhibited significant antibacterial activities ( MIC = 32 ‐ 128 μ g / mL ; MBC = 64 ‐ 256 μ g / mL ) against Staphylococcus aureus (Gram-positive bacterium), Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, and Klebsiella pneumonia (Gram-negative bacteria). Among the isolated compounds, scopoletin (9) showed a moderate activity against Klebsiella pneumoniae with MIC and MBC values of 16 μg/mL and 32 μg/mL, respectively. It appears that, chemotaxonomically, some of the isolated compounds have already been obtained from the genus Psychotria but to the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the phytochemical investigation of P. succulenta. Although many other studies need to be achieved, our results support the use of P. succulenta in traditional medicine to cure infectious diseases particularly those caused by the tested bacteria.

Medicinal plants are known as sources of potential antibacterial compounds including alkaloids. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the antibacterial activities of the extract, fractions, and some secondary metabolites isolated from the leaves of Crinum glaucum A. Chev. (Amaryllidaceae). The antibacterial activities were performed with the ethanol (EtOH) extract, as well as with ethyl acetate (EtOAc) and n-butanol (n-BuOH) fractions. Repeated column chromatography of the fractions led to the isolation of several compounds and their structures were elucidated mainly by means of extensive spectroscopic analysis [(one-dimensional (1D) and two-dimensional (2D) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), mass spectrometry)] and the comparison with published data. This includes eleven alkaloids: (3S)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-β-carboline-3-carboxylic acid (1), lycorine (2), ungeremine (3), ambelline (4), macronine (5), 5,6-dihydrobicolorine (6), trisphaeridine (7), hippadine (8), adenosine (9), arolycoricidine (10), pratorimine (11); two steroids: β-sitosterol (12), β-sitosterol-3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (14) and one triterpene: oleanolic acid (13). Apart from lycorine (2), all these secondary metabolites are isolated from C. glaucum for the first time. The in vitro antibacterial activity of the EtOH extract, and the n-BuOH and EtOAc fractions as well as compounds 2, 3, 6 and 9 against pathogenic bacteria was performed. All extracts and fractions showed varying levels of antibacterial properties against at least one of the bacteria strains tested. The n-BuOH fraction was the most active extract with the lowest minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) value of 64 µg/mL against Enterococcus faecalis. For pure compounds, the best MIC (8 µg/mL) was obtained with ungeremine (3) against Enterococcus faecalis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Our results show the antimicrobial potential of C. glaucum and scientifically validate its uses in traditional medicine against infectious diseases including cough and sexually transmitted infections. Ungeremine seems to be the antimicrobial active ingredient of this medicinal plant.

Phytochemical studies on Momordica foetida led to the isolation and characterization of Momordin (23,24,25,26,27-pentanorcucurbitacin) (3), a new pentanor cucurbitane along with the known β-sitosterol 3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (4), β-sitosterol (5) and kaempferol-7-O-s-D-glucopyranoside (6). In adition to those components, two previously unreported cucurbitane glucosides, namely 3β-hydroxy-7-oxo-23(R)-cucurbita-5,24-diene-23-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (Momordiside A) (1) and 3β-hydroxy-7β-methoxy-23(R)-cucurbita-5,24-diene-23-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (Momordiside B) (2) were also obtained. The structures were elucidated by HR-ESI-MS and spectroscopic analysis including 1D- and 2D-NMR. Compounds 1 and 2 showed significant antioxidant potential in DPPH radical scavenging assay. In addition, compound 2 further revealed significant inhibitory potential against the enzyme urease in vitro as well as moderate activity against oral cancer cell line CAL-27.

A new steroid derivative, (24S)-3β-hydroxy-7β-methoxyergost-5-ene (1), was isolated along with eleven known compounds: 7α-hydroxysterol (2), β-sitosterol (3), oleanolic acid (4), betulinic acid (5), lupeol (6), swertiaperennin (7), decussatin (8), tetracosanoic acid (9) β-sitosterol-3-O-β- d -glucopyranoside (10), (2R,3S)-2,3-dihydro-2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-3-hydroxymethyl-5-(2-formylvinyl)-7-hydroxybenzofuran (11) and acacetin 6-C-β- d -glucopyranoside (12) from the tree bark and leaves of Anthocleista liebrechtsiana De Wild & T. Durand. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic (1D and 2D NMR) and mass spectrometric data. Compounds 2 and 7–10 have already been isolated from the genus Anthocleista and 3–6 from the Loganiaceae family. The isolated secondary metabolites were screened for their antimicrobial properties but only compound 12 showed moderate activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Furthermore, the chemotaxonomic significance among Anthocleista species is discussed.

Two new metabolites possessing the unusual 1-oxa-7-azaspiro[4.4]non-2- ene-4,6-dione core (2, 3) along with the recently described pseurotin A3 (1) were isolated from the pathogenic fungus Wilsonomyces carpophilus (previously named Stigmina carpophila). The producer organism was obtained from Prunus armeniaca collected in Iran and was identified by morphological and molecular phylogenetic methods. The structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated on the basis of extensive NMR spectroscopic analysis, high-resolution mass spectrometry and ECD analysis. The compounds were screened for their antimicrobial, cytotoxic, nematicidal and biofilm inhibition activities but, no significant effect was observed. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the isolation of secondary metabolites produced by W. carpophilus.

The MeOH extract of Dracaena viridiflora was found to display significant cytotoxicity against some cancer cell lines. Systematic phytochemical investigation of this extract led to the isolation and structure elucidation of ten secondary metabolites including five spirostane (1-5) and one furostane (6) steroidal saponins. Furthermore, some acetylated spirostane analogues and three previously unreported derivatives with the 22,26-epoxycholesta-5,22-diene skeleton (15-17) were prepared from trillin (1), prosapogenin A of dioscin (2) and dioscin (4) by reaction with ZnCl 2/Ac 2O. Among the isolated and semisynthetic compounds, dioscin showed the most potent cytotoxicity against A549, Jurkat and Skov-3 cells with IC 50 values of 0.42, 1.70 and 1.90 µg/mL, respectively. It was noteworthy that acetylation of the bioactive compounds led to semisynthetic derivatives which unfortunately did not present any activity. This is the first report on the phytochemical and pharmacological investigation of Dracaena viridiflora.

Phytochemical investigation of the aerial parts of Sansevieria trifasciata, one of the most common Dracaenaceae plants, has resulted in the isolation of a new dihydrochalcone derivative named trifasciatine C (1), four previously unreported steroidal saponins as two pairs of inseparable regioisomers: trifasciatosides K/L (2/3), M/N (4/5), together with the known 1,2-(dipalmitoyl)-3-O-β-D-galactopyranosylglycerol (6), aconitic acid (7), and 1-methyl aconitic acid (8). Their structures were elucidated mainly by extensive spectroscopic analysis (1D and 2D nuclear magnetic resonance) and high-resolution electronspray ionization-mass spectrometry, as well as chemical methods and comparison of their spectral data with those of related compounds. Compounds 2/3 and 4/5 were evaluated for their antiproliferative activity on Hela cells, and no significant effect was observed.

A new sulfated steroidal derivative (fruticogenin A: 1-sulfo-australigenin-3-sodium sulphate, 1) and three new steroidal saponins named fruticoside K (3-sulfo-spirostan-25(27)-ene-1β,3β-diol-1-O-[α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 4)-β-D-fucopyranoside], 2), fruticoside L (3-sulfo-spirostan-25(27)-ene-1β,3β,6α-triol-1-O-[α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 4)-β-D-fucopyranoside], 3) and fruticoside M (spirostan-25(27)-ene-1β,3α-diol-1-O-[α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-α-L-rhamnopyranoside], 4) were isolated from the aerial parts of Cordyline fruticosa L. var. strawberries. Their structures were established on the basis of 1D and 2D NMR data, mass spectrometry and chemical methods. Compounds 2 and 4 exhibited weak cytotoxicity against melanoma (A375), breast adenocarcinoma (MDA-MB-231), and colon carcinoma (HCT116) human tumor cell lines.

Fifteen triterpenoid saponins including five new compounds (Mannioside B: 3β-[(β- d -glucopyranosyl)oxy]urs-12-en-28-oic acid α- l -rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 4)-β- d -glucopyranosyl-(1 → 6)-β- d -glucopyranosyl ester (1), mannioside C: 3β-[(β- d -glucopyranosyl)23-dioxy]urs-12-en-28-oic acid α- l -rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 4)-β- d -glucopyranosyl-(1 → 6)-β- d -glucopyranosyl ester (2), mannioside D: 3β,23-dihydroxyurs-12-en-28-oic acid β- d -glucopyranosyl-(1 → 6)- β- d -glucopyranosyl ester (3), mannioside E: 3β-hydroxy-23-oxolup-20(29)-en-28-oic acid α- l -rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 4)-β- d -glucopyranosyl-(1 → 6)-β- d -glucopyranosyl ester (4) and mannioside F: (22S)-27β-[(β- d -glucopyranosyl)oxy]-22-hydroxyprotosta-12,24-dien-3β-yl β- d -glucopyranoside (5)) were isolated from the leaves of Schefflera mannii (Hook.f.) Harms. Their structures were established on the basis of 1D and 2D NMR data, mass spectrometry and chemical methods. The major isolated compounds were tested for their antiproliferative activity on human malignant epithelial (HeLa) cells but were not efficient at the concentration of 33 mM.

Two new sappanin-type homoisoflavonoids, (3 R )-7-hydroxy-8-methoxy-3′,4′-methylenedioxyhomoisoflavanone (trifasciatine A) 1 and (3 R )-3,7-dihydroxy-8-methoxy-3′,4′-methylenedioxyhomoisoflavanone (trifasciatine B) 2 were isolated as minor components from the EtOAc soluble fraction of the methanol extract of Sansevieria trifasciata collected in Cameroon together with the known 1-(stearoyl)-glycerol 3 and spirosta-5,25(27)-dien-1β,3β-diol-1- O -α- l -rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-α- l -arabinopyranoside 4 . Their structures were elucidated mainly by extensive spectroscopic analysis (1D and 2D NMR) and HRESIMS. Compounds 1 and 2 were screened for their antiproliferative activity on HeLa cells and no significant effect was observed when compare to 5-FU (fluorouracil) used as positive control.

The ethyl acetate extract from the whole plant of Crinum biflorum Rottb. Showed a moderate activity against Enterococcus faecalis. Its phytochemical investigation led to the isolation of a new flavan-3-ol derivative namely (2R,3R)-3-hydroxy-7-methoxy-3′,4′-methylenedioxyflavan, together with (2S)-7-hydroxy-3′,4′-methylenedioxyflavan, (2R,3R)-7-methoxy-flavan-3-ol, (2S)-7-hydroxy-3′,4′-dimethoxyflavan, 3′,7-dihydroxy-4′-methoxyflavan, 4′,7-dimethoxy-3′-hydroxyflavan, farrerol, β-sitosterol, β-sitosterol-3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside, oleanolic acid, kaempferol, pancratistatin, lupeol, aurantiamide acetate, Narciprimine and 2,3-dihydroxypropyl palmitate. Their structures were elucidated mainly by extensive spectroscopic analysis and comparison with published data. The absolute configuration of the new metabolite was determined by electronic circular dichroism (ECD) analysis and comparison of optical rotation. Some of the isolated compounds were tested for their antimicrobial activity but no inhibition was observed.

Two new tryptophan derivatives, N-sulfonyl-L-tryptophan (tryptorheedei A) (1) and 3-(N-sulfonylindolyl)-D-lactic acid (tryptorheedei B) (2) together with the known 5-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-2-hydroxyphenylacetic acid (3), 1-O-methylglucopyranoside, entadamide A, homogentisic acid and 3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-β-sitosterol, were isolated from the seed kernels of Entada rheedei (Mimosaceae). Their structures were established using 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry and by comparison with spectroscopic data reported in the literature. Compounds 1 and 2 showed no toxicity to TZM and Human PBMC cells. Both compounds 1 and 2 were found to promote early infection events in HIV, likely by inhibiting the enzyme indolamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) and preventing tryptophan depletion. Inhibition of IDO acutely in HIV infection inhibits viral replication, but chronic activation of IDO leads to immune impairment in AIDS. IDO is also the gatekeeper enzyme for kynurenine metabolism, a pathway involved in serotonin and melatonin biosynthesis and the regulation of glutamate and dopamine levels in the brain. Therefore inhibition of IDO might explain both the reported medicinal and neuropsychiatric effects of E. rheedei.

Extracts from an endophytic fungus isolated from the roots of the Algerian plant Globularia alypum showed prominent antimicrobial activity in a screening for novel antibiotics. The producer organism was identified as Dendrothyrium variisporum by means of morphological studies and molecular phylogenetic methods. Studies on the secondary metabolite production of this strain in various culture media revealed that the major components from shake flasks were massarilactones D (1) and H (2) as well as two new furanone derivatives for which we propose the trivial names (5S)-cis-gregatin B (3) and graminin D (4). Scale-up of the fermentation in a 10 L bioreactor yielded massarilactone D and several further metabolites. Among those were three new anthranilic acid derivatives (5-7), two known anthranilic acid analogues (8 and 9) and three cyclopeptides (10-12). Their structures were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis (1D- and 2D-NMR), high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRESIMS), and the application of the modified Mosher's method. The isolated metabolites were tested for antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities against various bacteria, fungi, and two mammalian cell lines. The new Metabolite 5 and Compound 9 exhibited antimicrobial activity while Compound 9 showed cytotoxicity activity against KB3.1 cells.

Background Dissotis thollonii Cogn. belonging to the Malastomataceae family is used in the West Region of Cameroon for the treatment of inflammation, kidney diseases, pregnancy control and sinusitis. Despite the traditional use of this plant, no scientific report or information was found in the literature regarding neither its biological activity nor its chemical constituents. Aim of the study The present work was designed to determine the antimicrobial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of different extracts of the roots of D. thollonii Cogn. as well as the isolation and identification of the chemical constituents of this plant. Materials and methods The tests for antimicrobial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities were performed over the MeOH, EtOAc, n-BuOH and aqueous extracts. Compounds were isolated from EtOAc and n-BuOH extracts of the roots of D. thollonii Cogn. through column chromatography and their structures were determined by means of NMR and MS analysis, and published data. Results According to the antimicrobial and antioxidant assays, the EtOAc and n-BuOH extracts were submitted to further separation and purification. This led to the isolation of twelve compounds identified as 3,3′-di- O -methylellagic acid 4′- O-β -D-xylopyranoside 1 , 3- O -methylellagic acid 4′- O-β -D-arabinopyranoside 2 , casuarinin 3 , betulinic acid 4 , β -sitosterol-3- O -D-glucopyranosyl-6′-mirystate 5 , cellobiosylsterol 6 , β -sitosterol 7 , β -sitosterol-3- O-β -D-glucopyranoside 8, arjunolic acid 9 , 3,3′-di- O -methylellagic acid 10 , ellagic acid 11 , and 3,3′-di- O -methylellagic acid 4′- O - β -D-glucopyranoside 12 . The EtOAc extract was the only antimicrobial active sample [diameter of the zone of inhibition (DZI) of 10 mm against Staphyloccocus aureus ] among all the tested extracts. The analysis of fractions of this extract revealed the presence of bioactive compounds with a described antimicrobial activity such as β -sitosterol, β -sitosterol-3- O-β -D-glucopyranoside and arjunolic acid. By using Trolox as the standard drug, all extracts showed antioxidant activity against DPPH in the following order of scavenging ability: Trolox > nBuOH > EtOAc > MeOH > WE (water extract). The ABTS •+ scavenging ability was similar to that found for the DPPH assay, being Trolox > n-BuOH > MeOH > EtOAc > WE. Along with the DPPH and ABTS assays, the FRAP assay showed the scale n-BuOH > MeOH > WE > EtOAc. The phytochemical study of the EtOAc and n-BuOH extracts revealed the presence of important known antioxidant compounds such as ellagic acid derivatives, arjunolic acid, betulinic acid and β -sitosterol. The anti-inflammatory properties of D. thollonii extracts were investigated using RAW 264.7 murine macrophage cells. The MeOH extract reduced the stimulated NO production in a concentration-dependent manner. 86% reduction was observed at the highest tested concentration of 100 μg/ml (IC 50 = 5.9 μg/ml). The n-BuOH extract showed higher dose dependent reduction of NO formation (IC 50 = 6.5 μg/ml) than the EtOAc extract (IC 50 = 18.1 μg/ml), whereas the water extract had no significant influence on the NO production. All the extracts did not have any influence on the macrophage viability. The phytochemical investigation of the EtOAc and n-BuOH extracts revealed that the main compounds identified do have potent anti-inflammatory properties. Conclusion The biological and phytochemical characterization of the root extracts of D. thollonii validates the use of this plant for the treatment of inflammation and sinusitis, thus providing evidence that this plant extracts, as well as some of the isolated compounds, might be potential sources of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory drugs.