goniothalamin and goniodiol

A protecting-group-free total synthesis of (+)-goniodiol (1), (6S,7S,8S)-goniodiol (2), (-)-parvistone D (4), and (+)-parvistone E (6) was efficiently achieved in five steps from commercially available trans-cinnamaldehyde with high overall yields (72-75%). The synthesis strategy was inspired from the proposed biosynthesis pathway of styryllactones. Key transformations of the strategy include a one-pot conversion of goniothalamin oxide to goniodiol or 9-deoxygoniopypyrone in aqueous media, stereoselective epoxidation, ring-closing metathesis, and stereoselective Maruoka allylation. The route is amenable to synthesis of various analogues for biological evaluation.

Topics: Heterocyclic Compounds, Bridged-Ring; Lactones; Molecular Conformation; Molecular Structure; Pyrones; Stereoisomerism

In the search for agents effective against immune-mediated disorders and inflammation, we have screened Malaysian medicinal plants for the ability to inhibit the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) on the surface of murine endothelial cells (F-2), and mouse myeloid leukaemia cells (M1), respectively. Of 41 kinds (29 species, 24 genera, 16 families) of Malaysian plants tested, 10 and 19 plant samples significantly downregulated the expression of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1, respectively. Bioassay-directed fractionation of an extract prepared from the bark of Goniothalamus andersonii showed that its ingredients, goniothalamin (1) and goniodiol (2) inhibited the cell surface expression of both ICAM-1 and VCAM-1. The present results suggest that Malaysian medicinal plants may be abundant natural resources for immunosuppressive and antiinflammatory substances.

Topics: Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Antibodies, Monoclonal; Endothelium; Humans; Immunosuppressive Agents; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1; Malaysia; Medicine, Traditional; Phytotherapy; Plant Extracts; Pyrones; Rats; Tumor Cells, Cultured; Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1