Background: Seventy percent aqueous methanolic extract of the leaves of Lantana montevidensis exhibited antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-pyretic, antioxidant, and analgesic activities. Previous phytochemical study of the leaves led to the isolation of various flavones, pentacyclic triterpenoids, β-sitosterol and benzoic acid. Materials and Methods: The 70% aqueous methanolic extract of L. montevidensis (Spreng.) Briq. leaves was partitioned between water and n-hexane, CHCl3, EtOAc, and n-BuOH, successively. By using a series of different chromatographic techniques, the CHCl3 and EtOAc extracts afforded nine compounds. The isolated compounds were identified by spectroscopic techniques and by comparison with literature values and/or authentic samples. The free radical scavenging activity of some of the isolated compounds was evaluated. Results: Hispidulin-7-O-glucurnoide methyl ester (1), hispidulin-7-O-glucoside (2), cinaroside (3), nepetin-7-O-glucoside (4) pectolinarigenin (5), apigenin (6), luteolin (7) in addition to salicylic acid (8) and β-sitosterol-3-O-glucoside (9) have been isolated. Compounds 1-4 are first report from the genus Lantana, whereas compounds 5, 8 and 9 are first report from this plant. The structures of these compounds were elucidated on the basis of spectral methods, including 2D nuclear magnetic resonance experiments, and confirmed by comparing with the literature data and/or authentic samples. Additionally, some of the isolated flavonoids exhibited free radical scavenging activity. Conclusion: L. montevidensis (Spreng.) Briq. cultivated in Egypt is rich in biologically active ingredients.

Background: Seventy percent aqueous methanolic extract of the leaves of Lantana montevidensis exhibited antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-pyretic, antioxidant, and analgesic activities. Previous phytochemical study of the leaves led to the isolation of various flavones, pentacyclic triterpenoids, β-sitosterol and benzoic acid. Materials and Methods: The 70% aqueous methanolic extract of L. montevidensis (Spreng.) Briq. leaves was partitioned between water and n-hexane, CHCl3, EtOAc, and n-BuOH, successively. By using a series of different chromatographic techniques, the CHCl3 and EtOAc extracts afforded nine compounds. The isolated compounds were identified by spectroscopic techniques and by comparison with literature values and/or authentic samples. The free radical scavenging activity of some of the isolated compounds was evaluated. Results: Hispidulin-7-O-glucurnoide methyl ester (1), hispidulin-7-O-glucoside (2), cinaroside (3), nepetin-7-O-glucoside (4) pectolinarigenin (5), apigenin (6), luteolin (7) in addition to salicylic acid (8) and β-sitosterol-3-O-glucoside (9) have been isolated. Compounds 1-4 are first report from the genus Lantana, whereas compounds 5, 8 and 9 are first report from this plant. The structures of these compounds were elucidated on the basis of spectral methods, including 2D nuclear magnetic resonance experiments, and confirmed by comparing with the literature data and/or authentic samples. Additionally, some of the isolated flavonoids exhibited free radical scavenging activity. Conclusion: L. montevidensis (Spreng.) Briq. cultivated in Egypt is rich in biologically active ingredients.

Background: Seventy percent aqueous methanolic extract of the leaves of Lantana montevidensis exhibited antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-pyretic, antioxidant, and analgesic activities. Previous phytochemical study of the leaves led to the isolation of various flavones, pentacyclic triterpenoids, β-sitosterol and benzoic acid. Materials and Methods: The 70% aqueous methanolic extract of L. montevidensis (Spreng.) Briq. leaves was partitioned between water and n-hexane, CHCl3, EtOAc, and n-BuOH, successively. By using a series of different chromatographic techniques, the CHCl3 and EtOAc extracts afforded nine compounds. The isolated compounds were identified by spectroscopic techniques and by comparison with literature values and/or authentic samples. The free radical scavenging activity of some of the isolated compounds was evaluated. Results: Hispidulin-7-O-glucurnoide methyl ester (1), hispidulin-7-O-glucoside (2), cinaroside (3), nepetin-7-O-glucoside (4) pectolinarigenin (5), apigenin (6), luteolin (7) in addition to salicylic acid (8) and β-sitosterol-3-O-glucoside (9) have been isolated. Compounds 1-4 are first report from the genus Lantana, whereas compounds 5, 8 and 9 are first report from this plant. The structures of these compounds were elucidated on the basis of spectral methods, including 2D nuclear magnetic resonance experiments, and confirmed by comparing with the literature data and/or authentic samples. Additionally, some of the isolated flavonoids exhibited free radical scavenging activity. Conclusion: L. montevidensis (Spreng.) Briq. cultivated in Egypt is rich in biologically active ingredients.

Background: Seventy percent aqueous methanolic extract of the leaves of Lantana montevidensis exhibited antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-pyretic, antioxidant, and analgesic activities. Previous phytochemical study of the leaves led to the isolation of various flavones, pentacyclic triterpenoids, β-sitosterol and benzoic acid. Materials and Methods: The 70% aqueous methanolic extract of L. montevidensis (Spreng.) Briq. leaves was partitioned between water and n-hexane, CHCl3, EtOAc, and n-BuOH, successively. By using a series of different chromatographic techniques, the CHCl3 and EtOAc extracts afforded nine compounds. The isolated compounds were identified by spectroscopic techniques and by comparison with literature values and/or authentic samples. The free radical scavenging activity of some of the isolated compounds was evaluated. Results: Hispidulin-7-O-glucurnoide methyl ester (1), hispidulin-7-O-glucoside (2), cinaroside (3), nepetin-7-O-glucoside (4) pectolinarigenin (5), apigenin (6), luteolin (7) in addition to salicylic acid (8) and β-sitosterol-3-O-glucoside (9) have been isolated. Compounds 1-4 are first report from the genus Lantana, whereas compounds 5, 8 and 9 are first report from this plant. The structures of these compounds were elucidated on the basis of spectral methods, including 2D nuclear magnetic resonance experiments, and confirmed by comparing with the literature data and/or authentic samples. Additionally, some of the isolated flavonoids exhibited free radical scavenging activity. Conclusion: L. montevidensis (Spreng.) Briq. cultivated in Egypt is rich in biologically active ingredients.

Photo-switchable α-helical peptides offer a valuable tool to probe protein-biomacromolecule interactions in a spatiotemporally controlled manner. We synthesized a series of 32 residue peptides (AA32 s) with the core structure Ac-W-(E1A2A3A4R5)6-Q-NH2 and introduced the azobenzene based cross-linker BSBCA via reaction with Cys residues spaced at i, i + 7 intervals in different positions along the helix. UV/Vis measurements show that the composition of the photostationary state as well as thermal relaxation rates do not change considerably with changes in cross-linker position. CD analysis shows that photo-control of helix folding/unfolding is most effective when the cross-linker is targeted to the middle of the peptide so long as this segment has a high intrinsic helical propensity. The largest degree of photo-controlled conformational change occurred when a cross-linked central region of high intrinsic helicity was followed on the C-terminal side by a region of lower intrinsic helicity. This indicates the BSBCA cross-linker can act as a nucleation site for N-to-C propagation of a helix. These data help to guide the choice of cross-linking site in larger peptides and proteins where photo-control of conformation is desired.

A new 7-methoxy-2-benzoxazolinone dimer named zeaoxazolinone (2), together with four known compounds; 9-Z-hexadecenoic acid (1), 6-methoxy-benzoxazolinone (3), gallic acid (4), and -sitosterol-3-O--D-glucopyranoside (5) were isolated from Zea mays L. roots. The structural elucidation of isolatedmetabolites was established on the basis of UV, IR, 1D, 2D NMR, and MS spectral analyses. Compound 2 exhibited a potent antifungal activity against Aspergillus flavus, Fusarium oxysporum, and Candida albicans.

Three new ylangene-type sesquiterpenoids: dendronephthol A (7,13-dihydroxy-3,4-dihydro--ylang-5-one) (1), dendronephthol B (6,7,13-trihydroxy-3,4-dihydro--ylangene) (2), and dendronephthol C (6,7,13-trihydroxy--ylang-5-one) (3), together with two known compounds: dendronesterone A and cholesterol were isolated from the CHCl3 fraction of Red Sea soft coral Dendronephthya sp. (Nephtheidae). The structures of the new compounds were established on the basis of one- and two-dimensional NMR spectroscopic studies (1H, 13C, DEPT, COSY, HSQC, HMBC, and NOESY) as well as MS spectroscopy and by comparison of the spectral data with those of related known compounds. Compounds 1 and 3 showed cytotoxic activity against the murine lymphoma L5187Y cancer cell line with ED50 values of 8.4 and 6.8 µg/mL, respectively.

One new compound, (2S)-1-O-(Z)-tetracos-6-enoate glycerol (1) named urgineaglyceride A, along with six known compounds, 3,5,7,3',5'-pentahydroxydihydroflavonol (2), stigmasterol (3), (25S)-5-furostane-3-22-26-triol (4), scillaridin A (5), (2S)-(+)-2-hydroxynaringenin-4'-O--D-glucopyranoside (6) and quercetin-3'-O--Dglucopyranoside (7), were isolated from the EtOAc fraction of Drimia maritima (L.) Stearn bulbs. Their structures were secured based on their IR, UV, 1D and 2D NMR data, in addition to HR-MS data and comparison with the literature data. The isolated compounds were evaluated for their in vitro growth inhibitory activity against A549 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), U373 glioblastoma (GBM) and PC-3 prostate cancer cell lines. Compounds 2 and 3 displayed variable activities against the tested cancer cell lines. Compound 2 was a selective inhibitor of the NSCLC cell line with an IC50 of 2.3 µM, whereas 3 was selective against GBM with IC50 of 0.5 µM and against PC-3 with 2.0 µM.

In our search for bioactive metabolites from marine organisms, we have investigated the polar fraction of the organic extract of the Red Sea sponge Theonella swinhoei. Successive chromatographic separations and final HPLC purification of the potent antifungal fraction afforded a new bicyclic glycopeptide, theonellamide G (1). The structure of the peptide was determined using extensive 1D and 2D NMR and high-resolution mass spectral determinations. The absolute configuration of theonellamide G was determined by chemical degradation and 2D NMR spectroscopy. Theonellamide G showed potent antifungal activity towards wild and amphotericin B-resistant strains of Candida albicans with IC50 of 4.49 and 2.0 μM, respectively. Additionally, it displayed cytotoxic activity against the human colon adenocarcinoma cell line (HCT-16) with IC50 of 6.0 μM. These findings provide further insight into the chemical diversity and biological activities of this class of compounds.

Phytochemical investigation of the methanolic extract of Tagetes minuta L. (Asteraceae) leaves resulted in the isolation and identification of two new compounds: 5-methyl-2,2',5',2'',5'',2''',5''',2''''-quinquethiophene (1) and quercetagetin-6-O-(6-O-caffeoyl--D-glucopyranoside) (9), in addition to seven known compounds: quercetin-3,6-dimethyl ether (2), quercetin-3-methyl ether (3), quercetin (4), axillarin-7-O--D-glucopyranoside (5), quercetagetin-3,7-dimethoxy-6-O--D-glucopyranoside (6), quercetagetin-7-methoxy-6-O--D-glucopyranoside (7), and quercetagetin-6-O--D-glucopyranoside (8). The compounds were identified by UV, IR, 1D, 2D NMR, and HRESIMS spectral data. They showed significant antioxidant activity, comparable with that of propyl gallate. Compounds 8 and 3 showed weak to moderate antileishmanial and antimalarial activities, with IC50 values of 31.0 μg/mL and 4.37 μg/mL, respectively.