We validate the improved resolution and sensitivity of the C₃ Marfey’s method, including an ability to resolve all Ile isomers, against an array of amino acids commonly encountered in natural products and by comparison to an existing Marfey’s method. We also describe an innovative 2D C₃ Marfey’s method as an analytical approach for determining the regiochemistry of enantiomeric amino acid residues in natural products. The C₃ and 2D C₃ Marfey’s methods represent valuable tools for probing and defining the stereocomplexity of hydrolytically accessible amino acid residues in natural products.

A new vaccine immunostimulatory (adjuvant) system was developed based on fully defined polymers built from native amino acids.

We previously reported that the time frame and the extent of the changes in the peripheral neurogenic inflammatory response in the skin area, innervated by an injured nerve, coincide with those of pain behaviours. We raised the possibility that common factors might operate to modulate neuropathic pain and peripheral neurogenic processes in rats with chronic constriction nerve injury (CCI). In the present study we examined the role of free radicals in modulating the neurogenic vascular response and thermal hyperalgesia in rats with CCI of the sciatic nerve. Free radicals, via an interaction with nitric oxide (NO) to form peroxynitrite, have previously been implicated in the maintenance of thermal hyperalgesia in CCI rats. In this study, we induced CCI of the sciatic nerve and the activity of xanthine oxidase (XO), which catalyzes the formation of superoxide anions, was measured in the injured nerve. In addition, we examined the effect of antioxidants on thermal hyperalgesia and on the neurogenic vascular response to substance P (SP) perfused over the base of a blister induced on the hind footpad skin which is innervated by the injured sciatic nerve. Compared with the sham operated group, CCI rats had a significantly higher XO activity in the injured sciatic nerve and significantly reduced thermal threshold and peripheral neurogenic vascular response to SP. Treatment with antioxidants, superoxide dismutase (SOD) or tirilazad significantly improved the neurogenic vascular response while tirilazad treatment significantly alleviated thermal hyperalgesia. The results therefore, suggest that free radicals are elevated in CCI animals and that they contribute to the maintenance of thermal hyperalgesia and the reduction in peripheral microvascular blood flow in the area innervated by the injured nerve. We raise the possibility that common mechanisms may govern the changes in neuropathic pain and in the peripheral neurogenic vascular responses in tissues innervated by the injured nerve.

Chiral, dimeric natural products containing complex structures and interesting biological properties have inspired chemists and biologists for decades. A seven-step total synthesis of the axially chiral, dimeric tetrahydroxanthone natural product rugulotrosin A is described. The synthesis employs a one-pot Suzuki coupling/dimerization to generate the requisite 2,2′-biaryl linkage. Highly selective point-to-axial chirality transfer was achieved using palladium catalysis with achiral phosphine ligands. Single X-ray crystal diffraction data were obtained to confirm both the atropisomeric configuration and absolute stereochemistry of rugulotrosin A. Computational studies are described to rationalize the atropselectivity observed in the key dimerization step. Comparison of the crude fungal extract with synthetic rugulotrosin A and its atropisomer verified that nature generates a single atropisomer of the natural product.

Fractionation of a southern Australian marine sponge, Ianthella sp., yielded sixteen metabolites including a new class of pyrrolidone, ianthellidones A–F (1–6), a new class of furanone, ianthellidones G–H (7–8), new and known lamellarins, lamellarins O1 (9), O2 (10), O (11) and Q (12), plus the known 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde (13), 4-hydroxybenzoic acid (14), 4-methoxybenzoic acid (15) and ethyl 4-hydroxybenzoate (16). Structures for all Ianthella metabolites were determined by detailed spectroscopic analysis, supported by a plausible biosynthetic relationship. The ianthellidones were non-cytotoxic towards two human colon cancer cell lines (SW620 and SW620 Ad300), as well as Gram +ve and Gram −ve bacteria, and a fungus. Ianthellidone F (6) and lamellarins O2 (10) and O (11) displayed modest BACE inhibitory properties (IC₅₀ > 10 μM), while lamellarin O1 (9) was more potent (IC₅₀ < 10 μM). Lamellarin O (11) exhibited modest cytotoxicity towards SW620 and SW620 Ad300 cell lines (IC₅₀ > 22 μM), was an inhibitor of the multi-drug resistance efflux pump P-glycoprotein, and displayed selective growth inhibitory activity against the Gram +ve bacterium Bacillus subtilis (ATCC 6633) (IC₅₀ 2.5 μM).