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Xylongoic acids A–C, three isopimarane diterpene derivatives were isolated from the rice cultures of Xylaria longipes HFG1018, a fungicolous fungus isolated from the fruiting bodies of the wood-decay and medicinal fungus Fomitopsis betulina. The structures of the isolated compounds were determined by extensive analysis of NMR and HRESIMS data.

Ochracines F–L (1–7), seven previously undescribed chamigrane and cadinane sesquiterpenoids, together with four known chamigranes were isolated from cultures of the wood-decaying fungus Steccherinum ochraceum HFG119. Ochracines F–L were structurally characterized by extensive analysis of HRMS and NMR spectroscopic data. The relative configurations were assigned through a combination of NOE correlations and J-based configuration analysis (JBCA), while the absolute configurations were determined by X-ray single-crystal diffraction, and calculated methods (ECD, [α], 13C NMR). All the new isolates were evaluated for their cytotoxicity against five human cancer cell lines HL-60, SMMC-7721, A549, MCF-7, and SW-480, and inhibitory activity on NO production in RAW 264.7 macrophages.

A new irlactane-type, namely irlactin K (1), and 22 tremulane-type sesquiterpenes including fourteen previously undescribed ones, namely irpexolactins A–N (2–15), and a known irlactane-type sesquiterpenoid, were isolated from the fermentation broth of the medicinal fungus Irpex lacteus HFG1102. The structures of all the isolates were characterized by extensive spectroscopic methods, including 1D and 2D NMR and MS spectroscopic analysis. The absolute configurations of irlactin K and the known compound conocenol B (20) were established by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The vasorelaxant effects of irlactin K (1), irpexolactins A (2), C (4), K (12), and irlactam (22) were evaluated. Graphic Abstract

Eighteen new nor-isopimarane diterpenes, xylarinorditerpenes A-R (1-18), along with two previously reported compounds, 14α,16-epoxy-18-norisopimar-7-en-4α-ol (19) and the labdane-type diterpene agatadiol (20), were isolated from cultures of the fungicolous fungus Xylaria longipes HFG1018 isolated from the wood-rotting basidiomycete Fomitopsis betulinus. The structure elucidation and relative configuration assignments of 1-18 were accomplished by interpretation of spectroscopic data and through computational methods. The absolute configurations of 1, 4, and 16 were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Compounds 1-16 possess an 18- or 19-nor-isopimarane skeleton, and compounds 17 and 18 possess an 18,19-dinor-isopimarane skeleton. Compounds 2-5, 9, 14, 19, and 20 showed immunosuppressive activity but were devoid of cytotoxicity against the cell proliferation by concanavalin A-induced T lymphocytes and lipopolysaccharide-induced B lymphocytes, with IC50 values varying from 1.0 to 27.2 μM and from 16.1 to 51.8 μM, respectively.

Two previously undescribed cadinane-type sesquiterpenoids, rigidoporones A and B (1 and 2), along with an undescribed racemic indolizine alkaloid, (±)-rigidoporine A (3), were isolated from the rice fermentation of the wood-decay fungus Rigidoporus microporus. The structures of the compounds were established by extensive spectroscopic methods, including 1D & 2D NMR and HRMS spectroscopic analysis. Compounds 1 and 3 were evaluated for their inhibitory activity on NO production in murine monocytic RAW264.7 macrophages (IC50 > 25 μM).

Ten previously undescribed triterpenoid congeners, namely irpeksolactins A–J, together with eighteen known ones, were isolated from the fruiting bodies of the rainforest-dwelling medicinal fungus Irpex lacteus. The structures of all the isolates were characterized by extensive spectroscopic approaches, including 1D & 2D NMR and MS spectroscopic methods. Irpeksolactin J displayed selective and weak cytotoxicity against the human lung cancer cell line A549 and the human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line SMMC-7721.

Phytochemical investigation on the fermentation broth of the fungus Stereum hirsutum led to the isolation of ten steroids, including two previously unreported ones, namely steresterones A (1) and B (2). The semi-synthesis products 3a and 3b were prepared by reduction of the known compound 3 with NaBH4. Their structures and absolute configurations were established via 1D & 2D NMR spectroscopic analysis, and TDDFT/ECD calculations as well as single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The structure of 3 which harbored a 5β-H was confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis for the first time. All the compounds reported in this study were evaluated for their cytotoxicity against five human cancer cell lines. Bioassay results revealed that 3, 4, 6―9 displayed significant anti-proliferative effects with IC50 values varying from 2.3 to 34.3 μM. The structure-activity relationships of 3, 3a, 3b were discussed.

A new cadinane-type sesquiterpenoid, microporotriol (1), together with four known compound, 5-methylresorcinol (2), (22E,24R)-ergosta-4,6,8(14),22-tetraen-3-one (3), (22E,24R)-ergosta-5,7,22-trien-3β-ol (4), (22E,24R)-5α,8α-epidioxy-ergosta-6,22-dien-3β-ol (5), were isolated from the fermentation broth of the wood decaying fungus Microporus affinis HFG829. The structures of the compounds were established by extensive spectroscopic methods, including 1D & 2D NMR, along with HRMS spectroscopic analysis. The relative configuration of 1 was confirmed by NMR calculation. Compound 1 was evaluated for the cytotoxicity against five human cancer cell lines.

Irpexolidal (1), a triterpenoid with an unprecedented carbon skeleton, along with its biogenetic-related compound irpexolide A (2), were isolated from the fruiting bodies of the medicinal fungus Irpex lacteus. Irpexolidal features a 6/5/6/5/6/5-fused polycyclic skeletal system which arises from the eburicane-type triterpene by a 6,7- seco-6,8- cyclo pattern. The structures of 1 and 2 were established by means of extensive spectroscopic techniques, ECD calculation, and DP4+ probability based on GIAO NMR chemical shift calculations. The plausible biosynthetic pathways for compounds 1 and 2 were proposed. Their biological activities were evaluated.

Two new Tricholoma terpenoids, tricholopardins A and B, were isolated from the fruiting bodies of the basidiomycetes Tricholoma pardinum. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, as well as electronic circular dichroism and optical rotatory dispersion calculations. Tricholopardin A potently inhibited nitric oxide production in lipopolysaccharide-induced RAW264.7 macrophages with an IC50 of 0.08 μM. Its anti-inflammatory effects on three inflammatory mediators were also evaluated. A plausible biosynthetic pathway for these products is discussed.

Extensive studies have revealed that triterpenoids, meroterpenoids, and polysaccharides are the main constituents of the well-known traditional Chinese medicinal mushroom Ganoderma. In this study, we report seven previously undescribed sesquiterpenoids, including six gymnomitranes (1–6) and a novel type of sesquiterpenoid (8), together with a polyketide (7) and a known steroid (9) from the fruiting bodies of Ganoderma lingzhi, a fungus used as traditional medicine and food supplement in East Asia for ages. The structures of 1–8 were deduced by analysis of spectroscopic data, X-ray single crystal diffractions and TDDFT/ECD calculations. Compound 8 possessed an unusual 14(7→6)-cuparane scaffold. Compound 9 exhibited weak cytotoxicity against the five human cancer cell lines HL-60, MCF-7, SW480, A549, and SMMC-7721 with IC50 values of 18.0–32.3 μM. A simple structure-activity-relationship (SAR) investigation by acetylating the 5-OH of 9 (9a) suggested that the 5-OH is essential for its cytotoxicity. Additionally, the biosynthetic pathways for compounds 2 and 8 are discussed.

Five new triterpenoids, irpeksins A-E (1-5), were isolated from fruiting bodies of the medicinal fungus Irpex lacteus. The structures as well as absolute configurations of the new compounds were established via extensive spectroscopic analysis, computational methods, and Cotton effects. Compounds 1-4 are featured by a scaffold of 1,10- seco- and ring B aromatic eburicane (24-methyllanostane), and compound 5 is characterized by a scaffold of 1,10-9,11- diseco- and ring B aromatic eburicane, which represents unprecedented cleavage patterns in the lanostane family. Compounds 1-5 showed significant inhibitory activity against NO production in LPS-activated RAW 264.7 macrophage cells with IC50 values varying from 2.2 to 19.6 μM.

Three previously undescribed cyathane-type diterpenoids, hericinoids A-C (1‒3) and three known analogues (4‒6) have been isolated from fermentation broth of Hericium erinaceus. Their structures of hericinoids A-C were determined by in-depth analyses of NMR spectra and HRESIMS. The absolute configurations of compounds 1 and 2 were determined by the ROESY spectra along with the DP4+ calculations based on quantum chemistry. Compounds 1–5 were inactive on the enhancement of NGF-induced neutrite outgrowth in PC-12 cells. Instead, compounds 2, 4, and 5 showed potent cytotoxicity against HL-60 cell lines with the IC50 values of 18.3, 8.9, and 0.5 μM, respectively. Compounds 4 and 5 showed moderate cytotoxicities against MCF-7 cell lines with the IC50 values ranging from 13.4 to 15.8 μM.

The phytochemical study of the fruiting bodies of Albatrellus confluens afforded three pairs of new N-Oxidized l -Isoleucine derivatives epimers, confluenines A–F (1–6). The structures of these compounds were deduced using spectroscopic techniques, and the absolute configurations of the compounds were assigned by comparison between experimental and theoretical NMR and ECD data, respectively. Putative biosynthetic pathways toward the oxime, hydroxamate moieties and epimers were discussed. Compounds 5 and 6 exhibited weak antimicrobial activities against Staphylococcus aureus with MIC90 values at 29.3 μg/mL and 56.7 μg/mL, respectively.

Eight undescribed lanostane triterpenoids, pardinols A‒H, along with one previously reported lanostane triterpenoid, namely saponaceol B, were isolated from the fruiting bodies of Tricholoma pardinum. Their structures and stereoconfigurations were established via combination of extensive spectroscopic analyses, alkaline methanolysis method and TDDFT/ECD calculations. Pardinols B and E-H exhibited certain inhibition activities of nitric oxide (NO) production with IC50 value ranging from 5.3 to 14.7 μM, as well as cytotoxicities against human cancer cell-lines.

Eight hetereocyclic compounds conflamides B–I with an unprecedented skeleton and their precursor conflamide A were isolated from the mushroom Albatrellus confluens. Their structures and absolute configurations were determined by use of NMR studies, total synthesis, and calculated ECD spectra. Conflamides D and E were found to exhibit potent inhibition against LPS-induced B lymphocyte cell proliferation with IC50 values 1.48 and 5.71 μM, respectively.

Four eburicane-type triterpenoids with malonyl modifications, namely irpexoates A–D (1–4), were isolated from the fruiting bodies of the medicinal fungus Irpex lacteus. The structures of the new compounds were established by extensive spectroscopic methods, including 1D and 2D NMR, HRESIMS spectroscopic analysis. Irpexoate B (2) displayed weak cytotoxicity against four human cancer cell lines (A-549, SMMC-7721, MCF-7, SW480) with IC50 values varying from 22.9 to 34.0 μM, and irpexoate D (4) showed weak cytotoxicity against the human cancer cell line SW480 with an IC50 value of 35.2 μM. Graphical Abstract Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1007/s13659-018-0160-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Two new sesquiterpenes, daedaleanols A (1) and B (2), together with three known sesquiterpenes (3-5), were isolated from cultures of the basidiomycete Daedalea incana. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic means. All compounds were tested for their cytotoxicities against three human cancer cell lines.

A chemical study of the common species Albatrellus confluens present in Yunnan province, southwest China led to the identification of a pair of epimers named albatredines A (1) and B (2). They feature a natural unprecedented 1,2,4-oxadiazolidin-5-one skeleton. The acyl substitution pattern and complete configurational assignments were deduced from the comparison between experimental and theoretical 13C NMR and ECD data, respectively. Bioassay results showed that compound 1 exhibited a weak immunosuppressive activity against the concanavalin A-induced T lymphocyte cell proliferation (IC50 2.99 μM).

Three new podocarpane diterpenoids, namely anemhupehins A–C (1–3), together with four known analogues (4–7), have been isolated from aerial parts of Anemone hupehensis. Their structures were characterized based on extensive spectroscopic data. Compounds 1 and 4 showed certain cytotoxicities against human cancer cell lines. Graphical Abstract Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1007/s13659-017-0146-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

A scale-up fermentation of the fungus Boreostereum vibrans facilitated the isolation of six new vibralactone biogenesis-associated analogues, namely vibralactamide A (1), vibralactone T (2), 13-O-lactyl vibralactone (3), 10-O-acetyl vibralactone G (4), (11R,12R)- and (11S,12R)-vibradiol (5, 6). Their structures were established via extensive spectroscopic analyses, specific optical rotation comparison, and Snatzke’s method. The biosynthetic pathway for vibralactamide A was postulated. The absolute configuration of vibralactone B was revised by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. This work puts the divergent vibralactone biosynthesis pathway one step further and expands the structural diversity of vibralactone-associated compounds. Graphical Abstract Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1007/s13659-017-0147-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Seven previously undescribed polyketides, namely childinins A-G, and one previously undescribed 8,14-seco-ergosterol, namely childinasterone A, were obtained from the fruiting bodies of Daldinia childiae. Their structures and absolute configurations were established via extensive spectroscopic analyses, single-crystal X-ray diffraction, and TDDFT/ECD calculations. Childinins A represents the first example of natural product possessing a previously undescribed 6H-naphtho[2,1-c]chromen-6-one scaffold. The single crystal X-ray diffraction of childinasterone A unambiguously determined the absolute configuration of a 8,14-seco-ergosterol skeleton. Childinins A, B, F and G (MIC90 54.9 μg⋅mL-1) showed anti-bacterial activities. Childinasterone A showed significant anti-NO activity (IC50 21.2 μM) and weak activities against SMMC-7721, MCF-7 and SW480 cell lines.

Two new alkaloids (1–2), together with six known compounds (3–8), were isolated from cultures of the endophytic fungus Stagonosporopsis oculihominis. Their structures were elucidated through extensive spectroscopic methods including 2D NMR and HRMS analyses. The absolute configurations of 1 was determined by the comparison of experimental and theoretical electronic circular dichroism spectra. The new compounds were investigated for their cytotoxicity against five human cancer cell lines.

Two new C13 -polyketides, aureonitols A and B (1 and 2), along with five known compounds (3-7), were isolated from the solid fermentation culture of the plant endophytic fungus Chaetomium globosum from the aerial parts of Salvia miltiorrhiza. The structures and absolute configurations of 1 and 2 were determined by comprehensive spectroscopic data analysis and computed methods. Compound 5 was found to display the remarkable antimicrobial activities against four multidrug-resistant bacteria (Enterococcus faecalis, Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, and Staphylococcus epidermidis) with MIC values of 3.13-6.25 μg/mL (ciprofloxacin: 0.78-1.56 μg/mL), and also against all tested fungal strains with MIC values of 3.13-25 μg/mL (ketoconazole: 0.78-12.50 μg/mL).

Five vibralactone derivatives containing γ, δ, e-lactone cores, namely vibralactones X (1), Y (2), and Z1-Z3 (3-5), together with the known vibralactone, have been isolated from cultures of the basidiomycete Boreostereum vibrans. Compounds 3-5 possessed a novel bis-γ-lactone group which was found in vibralactone derivatives for the first time. Compounds 3 and 5 exhibited moderate cytotoxicities to human cancer cell lines referring to that of cisplatin.

This study features the isolation and identification of 12 lanostane-type triterpenoids, namely lepiotaprocerins A–L, 1–12, from the fruiting bodies of the Poland-collected edible mushroom Macrolepiota procera. The structures and the absolute configurations of the new compounds were ambiguously established by extensive spectroscopic analyses, ECD calculation, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. Structurally, lepiotaprocerins A–F, 1–6, are distinguished by the presence of a rare “1-en-1,11-epoxy” moiety which has not been previously described in the lanostane class. Biologically, lepiotaprocerins A–F, 1–6, displayed more significant inhibitions of nitric oxide (NO) production than the positive control L-NG-monomethyl arginine (L-NMMA) (IC50 47.1 μM), and lepiotaprocerins G–L, 7–12, showed various cytotoxicity potencies against a panel of human cancer cell lines. Compound 9 also displayed antitubercular activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Ra with a minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC...

Six previously undescribed 5,6-seco-tremulane analogues, together with two known ones, were isolated from the culture broth of the medicinal fungus Irpex lacteus HFG1102. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated via extensive spectroscopic methods, including NMR and HRMS spectroscopic analyses. Graphical Abstract Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1007/s13659-018-0157-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Four new spiroaxane sesquiterpenes, tramspiroins A-D (1-4), one new rosenonolactone 15,16-acetonide (5), and the known drimane sesquiterpenes isodrimenediol (6) and funatrol D (7) have been isolated from the cultures of Basidiomycete Trametes versicolor. The structures of new compounds were elucidated by means of spectroscopic methods. Compounds 1-7 were investigated for their cytotoxicities against five human cancer cell lines. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Two new compounds, maniesculentins A (1) and B (6), together with four known ones were isolated from the stems of Manihot esculenta Crantz. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic methods including NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. The two new compounds (1, 6) were assayed for antibacterial activity against four tested bacteria lines. Graphical Abstract Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s13659-015-0052-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Two new triterpenoids, (24E)-9α,11α-epoxy-3β-hydroxylanosta-7,24-dien-26-al (1) and (22Z,24Z)-13-hydroxy-3-oxo-14(13 → 12)abeo-lanosta-8,22,24-trien-26,23-olide (2) were isolated from dried fruiting bodies of fungus Ganoderma lucidum. The structures of these two new compounds were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analyses. Compound 1 possessed a lanostane skeleton, while compound 2 was based on a rare 14 (13 → 12)abeo-lanostane skeleton with a 26,23-olide moiety. Both of them were evaluated for their antifungal and cytotoxic activities. Neither of them displayed obvious inhibition on Candida albicans and five human cancer cell lines.

Ten new highly oxygenated lanostane triterpenoids, stereinones A–J (1–10), were isolated from the fruiting bodies of the basidiomycete Stereum sp. Compounds 3 and 4 are structurally characterized as intact lanostane-type triterpenoids containing unusual 1,2-diketone functionality at C-11 and C-12, while compound 10 is a 24-methylene-lanostane. The structures of these new compounds were established based on detailed 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic analyses, along with quantum chemical NMR calculations. All isolates were evaluated for their in vitro cytotoxicities against five human tumor cell lines (including HL-60, A-549, SMMC-7721, MCF-7, and SW480 cell lines). Compound 4 showed moderate cytotoxic activities against tumor cell lines SMMC-7721 and SW480 with IC50 values of 9.1 and 9.8 μM, respectively.

Molecular identification suggested an edible mushroom, which was previously named as Craterellus odoratus should be revised as Montagnula donacina. A chemical re-investigation of the culture broth of this fungus resulted in the isolation of four rare tetracyclic bergamotane-type sesquiterpenoids, namely donacinolides A and B, donacinoic acids A and B, and three cadinane-type ones, namely donacinols A–C and a meroterpenoid (Z)-4-hydroxy-3-(3-hydroxy-3-methylbut-1-en-1-yl)benzoic acid. Their structures were established via extensive spectroscopic methods, single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis, and computational methods. (Z)-4-Hydroxy-3-(3-hydroxy-3-methylbut-1-en-1-yl)benzoic acid showed antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus.

Five new tremulane sesquiterpenes (1-5), together with seven known ones (6-12), were isolated from cultures of the fungus Phellinus igniarius. The new compounds were established as 6 beta, 11,12-trihydroxytremul- 1(10)-ene (1), 11,12-dihydroxyl-7 beta-peroxy-hydroxyl-tremul-1(10)-ene (2), 6 beta, 12-dihydroxytremulene (3), 10 beta, 12-dihydroxy-tremulene (4), and 12,15-dihydroxy-tremulene (5) on the basis of their MS and NMR data. Compounds 1-6 were evaluated for their vascular-relaxing activities. In preliminary in vitro assays, at 3 x 10(-4) M, they showed vascular-relaxing activities against phenylephrine-induced vasoconstriction with relaxing rates of 29.9%, 39.9%, 48.5%, 78.7%, 32.3%, and 59.3%, respectively. In addition, compounds 1, 4, and 6 exhibited different levels of vascular-relaxing activities against KCl-induced vasoconstriction with relaxing rates of 31.3%, 57.7%, and 14.0%, as compared with the blank control. (C) 2014 Phytochemical Society of Europe. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Three new bisabolane sesquiterpenoids, inonotic acid A (1), 3-O-formyl inonotic acid A (2), inonotic acid B (3), and one new drimane sesquiterpenoid 3α,6β-dihydroxycinnamolide (4), were isolated from the fruiting bodies of mushroom Inonotus rickii. Their structures were elucidated by means of extensive spectroscopic methods. Compound 4 had moderate inhibitory activity on human colon cancer SW480 (IC50 = 20.4 μmol).

Ochracines A-E, five previously undescribed norsesquiterpenes featured by unusual scaffolds biogenetically related to chamigrane, were isolated from the cultures of Steccherinum ochraceum. Ochracines A (1) and B (2) represent the first examples of norsesquiterpenes with an unprecedented 1,2-6,7-diseco-1,8-cyclochamigrane scaffold. Ochracines C-D (3–5) possess an unusual 1,2-6,7-diseco-chamigrane skeleton. Their structures were elucidated by analysis of spectroscopic data. The absolute configuration of ochracine A (1), and the relative configuration of ochracine B (2) were determined by ECD and/or NMR calculations. The biosynthetic pathways for the norsesquiterpenes were proposed. All isolates were evaluated for their cytotoxicity against the five human cancer cell lines HL-60, SMMC-7721, A549, MCF-7, and SW-480.

Four new sesquiterpenoids, namely 12-hydroxy-3-oxodrimenol (1), 11-hydroxyacetoxydrim-7-en-3β-ol (2), 2,6-dimethyl-7,10-epoxy-10-hydroxymethyldodeca-2,11-dien-6-ol (3), and 7,10-epoxy-2,6,10-trimethyldodeca-2,11-diene-4,6-diol (4), along with fourteen known compounds, were isolated from the cultures of Phellinidium sulphurascens. The structures of compounds 1–4 were established on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis. All of them were evaluated for their cytotoxic activities. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s13659-014-0047-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Antibodies (anti-83 and anti-93) against the cellulose synthase complex from A. xylinum ATCC 53582 have been employed to study the evolutionary conservation of this enzyme complex among various A. xylinum strains, selected species of other cellulose- producing bacteria, algae, and vascular plants. Of the 18 A. xylinum strains examined, the 83 Kd polypeptide clearly is detected only in 4 strains while the 93 Kd polypeptide is observed in all 18 strains. Assuming that the revised acsAB gene (Saxena et al., 1994) encoding the 83 and 93 Kd polypeptides as a single polypeptide holds true for all A. xylinum strains, it is proposed that the cellulose synthase is conserved in A. xylinum but with varying degrees of homology. An unknown regulatory mechanism causing the degradation of the 83 Kd polypeptide in response to agitated culturing conditions has been suggested to explain the absence of the 83 Kd polypeptide in most of the Acetobacter strains examined. A. xylinum cellulose synthase appears to be conserved in phylogenetically related Rhizobium and Agrobacterium species, but not in algae and plants.

Aims: Kushecarpin D (KD) is a novel flavonoid isolated from the traditional Chinese herbal medicine Kushen (the dried root of Sophora flavescens Ait). As part of our continuous effort to explore Chinese traditional medicinal herbs and to identify novel natural anticancer products, the antiangiogenic properties of MD were examined in vitro using a human umbilical vein endothelial cell line (ECV304). Main methods: The SRB and Trypan Blue exclusion assays were used to evaluate the effect of KD on cell proliferation. The antiangiogenic activities of MD were evaluated through studies of cell migration, cell adhesion, and tube formation. DCFH-DA and DHE fluorescent assays were used to detect the reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. Catalase activity was detected using the colorimetric ammonium molybdate method. Cell cycle and apoptosis were measured using flow cytometry and the Hoechst 33258 staining assay. Key findings: The results indicated that KD showed antiangiogenic activity via inhibitory effects on cell proliferation, cell migration, cell adhesion, and tube formation. ROS levels were down-regulated and catalase activity was up-regulated after treatment with MD. The cell cycle was arrested at the G2/M phase, while no apoptosis was observed using the Hoechst 33258 staining assay or following the flow cytometric analysis of the sub-G1 proportion. Significance: The antiangiogenic properties of KD, in combination with its anti-proliferative effect and ability to induce cell cycle arrest without inducing apoptosis, make it a good candidate for development as antitumor agent. However, further studies are essential to elucidate its mechanism of action. (C) 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

An immunochemical method was used to analyse the 83 and 93 Kd polypeptides of cellulose synthase from Acetobacter xylinum.Polyclonal antibodies were raised against the LDS-PAGE-fractionated 83 and 93 Kd polypeptides isolated from A. xylinum.Using these antibodies, the 83 and 93 Kd polypeptides were localized in the different fractions during purification of cellulose synthase, and the ratio of these two polypeptides was determined to be 1∶1. A differential solubilization of the 83 and 93 Kd polypeptides from the cell strongly suggested that the mechanism by which these two polypeptides originate from a single acsAB gene product (Saxena et al.,1994) must be via a post-translational cleavage. The results of trypsin treatment of the membrane fraction used in the purification of cellulose synthase were analysed to determine the fate of these two polypeptides and their relationship to the enzyme activity.

Phytochemical reinvestigation on the cultural broth of Boreostereum vibrans led to the isolation of six new vibralactone derivatives, vibralactone N (1), vibralactone O (2), vibralactone P (3), 10-lactyl vibralactone G (4), (3S*, 4R*)-6-acetoxymethyl-2,2-dimethyl-3,4-dihydro-2H-chromene-3,4-diol (5), vibralactone Q (6). Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic methods.