Discovery of Michael reaction acceptors from the leaves of Ai-lanthus
altissima by a modified tactic
Abstract
Structural characteristics-guided investigation of Ailanthus altissima
(Mill.) Swingle resulted in the isolation and identification of seven
undescribed potential Michael reaction acceptors (1–7). Ailanlactone A
(1) possesses an unusual 1,7-epoxy-11,12-seco quassinoid core.
Ailanterpene B (6) was a rare guaianolide-type sesquiterpene with a
5/6/6/6-fused skeleton. Their structures were determined through
extensive analysis of physiochemical and spectroscopic data, quantum
chemical calculations, and single crystal X-ray crystallo-graphic
technology using Cu Kα radiation. The cytotoxic activities against HepG2
and Hep3B cells of isolates were determined. En-couragingly,
ailanaltiolide K (4) showed significant cytotoxicity against Hep3B cells
with IC50 values of 1.41 ± 0.21 μM, whose covalent binding mode was
uncovered in silico.