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R Riccio

Publications and source records attributed to R Riccio.

18 recordsLinked to original sources

Steroid and triterpenoid oligoglycosides of marine origin.

Saponins have been considered for a long time typical metabolites of plant origin. It has been only in the last two decades that the world-wide investigation of marine organisms as sources of new bioactive metabolites disclosed the wide distribution of these molecules also among marine animals. Today saponins are recognized as the most common characteristic metabolites in two classes of the phylum Echinodermata (Holothuroidea and Asteroidea). Furthermore, several steroid and triterpenoid oligoglycosides have been isolated from different species of marine sponges, more rarely Anthozoans, and also from fishes of the genus Pardachirus, where they have been shown to act as shark repellents. This communication offers a general view of the distribution of steroid and triterpenoid oligoglycosides among marine organisms and focuses on a number of recent examples to discuss structural characteristics, biological activities, and methods of investigation.

Animals

Starfish saponins, Part 53. A reinvestigation of the polar steroids from the starfish Oreaster reticulatus: isolation of sixteen steroidal oligoglycosides and six polyhydroxysteroids.

A reinvestigation of the starfish Oreaster reticulatus has led to the isolation of sixteen steroidal oligoglycosides and six polyhydroxysteroids. One steroidal monoglycoside has been identified as asterosaponin-1 [5], previously isolated from the same organism, and one pentaglycoside steroidal sulfate has been identified with the known ophidianoside F [1], previously isolated from starfish species of the family Ophidiasteridae. The novel pentaglycoside steroidal sulfates reticulatosides A [3] and B [4] represent the second examples of asterosaponins containing the 5 alpha-cholesta-9(11)-en-3 beta,6 alpha,20,22-tetraol aglycone. Of the remaining new steroidal oligoglycosides, the majority are characterized by the common (24S)-5 alpha-cholesta-3 beta,6 alpha,8,15 alpha,24-pentaol aglycone, with some having a sulfate group at C-6, and differing in the sugar moiety. Compounds 11, 12, 15, and 16 represent major departures from the more common structural features encountered in steroidal glycosides from starfish with the presence in 11 and 12 of a rare 5-O-methylgalactofuranosyl unit and in 15 and 16 of a 3-O-methyl-2-O-sulfate-xylopyranosyl unit. The latter was shown by nmr data combined with molecular dynamics calculations to exist in an 8:2 equilibrium mixture of the 1C4 and 4C1 conformations.

Animals

Chemical and biological investigation of the polar constituents of the starfish Luidia clathrata, collected in the Gulf of Mexico.

Ten new [1-10] and three known [11-13] polyhydroxysteroids were isolated, along with four known asterosaponins [14-17], from the starfish Luidia clathrata, collected from the offshore waters of the northern Gulf of Mexico. The EtOH extracts of this starfish showed feeding-deterrent properties against marine fish, and inhibited the settlement of larvae of barnacles and bryozoans, as well as the growth of several bacteria. The structures of the new compounds were determined by interpretation of their nmr spectral data and by comparison with the spectral data of known compounds. The assignment of the configurations of the side-chain stereogenic centers of compounds 1 and 3-10 were based on the comparison of their nmr data with those of the stereoisomeric model compounds after derivatization with the chiral auxiliary MTPA reagent. Larval settlement assays conducted on ten isolated compounds revealed they are all potent inhibitors of settlement. Two of these isolated compounds inhibited the growth of several bacteria.

Animals

Further brominated bis- and tris-indole alkaloids from the deep-water New Caledonian marine sponge Orina Sp.

Two tris-indole alkaloids, (+/-) gelliusines A and B [1], have been isolated for the first time from a marine source, the New Caledonian sponge, Orina sp. (or Gellius sp.), along with five further indole constituents [2-6]. Compound 6 has been identified as 2,2-bis-(6'-bromo-3'-indolyl(-ethylamine, previously isolated from the tunicate Didemnum candidum, but the remaining four indoles [2-5] are novel compounds. These showed anti-serotonin activity and a strong affinity for somatostatin and neuropeptide Y receptors in receptor-binding assays.

Alkaloids

HIV-inhibitory natural products. 11. Comparative studies of sulfated sterols from marine invertebrates.

A total of 22 sulfated sterols isolated from marine sponges, ophiuroids (brittle stars), and asteroids (sea stars) were comparatively evaluated for their antiviral activity against HIV-1 and HIV-2. In general, sterols with sulfate groups at position 2, 3, or 6 were the most active, with EC50 values of 3-13 microM against HIV-1 (RF) and 2-8 microM against HIV-2 (CBL20). Those compounds which were sulfated on the sterol D ring were completely inactive against both HIV-1 and HIV-2. Overall, sulfated sterols active against HIV-1 were also active against HIV-2.

Animals

(+/-)-Gelliusines A and B, two diastereomeric brominated tris-indole alkaloids from a deep water new caledonian marine sponge (Gellius or Orina sp.).

Two new diastereomeric brominated tris-indole alkaloids occurring as enantiomeric pairs, (+/-)-gelliusines A [1] and B [2], have been isolated from a deep water New Caledonian sponge (Gellius or Orina sp.), whose crude extract exhibited cytotoxicity against KB cells. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods including one- and two-dimensional nmr spectroscopy. The major compound, (+/-) gelliusine A [1], which showed very weak cytotoxicity, proved to be active at the serotonin receptor.

Animals

Polycyclic guanidine alkaloids from the marine sponge Crambe crambe and Ca++ channel blocker activity of crambescidin 816.

Four pentacyclic guanidine derivatives (crambescidin 800 [5], crambescidin 816 [6], isocrambescidin 800 [9], and crambine [10]) related to ptilomycalin A [11] have been isolated from the Mediterranean sponge Crambe crambe. Isocrambescidin 800 and crambidine are new derivatives, the structures of which have been determined on the basis of their spectral properties. The absolute configuration of crambescidin 816 at the stereogenic center C-43 has been determined by applying Mosher's method. Pharmacological and biological activities of the Crambe crambe alkaloids are reported. In particular, crambescidin 816 was found to have a potent Ca++ antagonist effect and to inhibit the acetylcholine-induced contraction of guinea pig ileum at very low concentrations.

Acetylcholine

Starfish saponins, Part 50. Steroidal glycosides from the Okinawan starfish Nardoa tuberculata.

This paper describes a complete analysis of the glycoside and polyhydroxysteroid constituents of the starfish Nardoa tuberculata, collected at Zampa, Okinawa, Japan. Besides a group of known non-sulfated steroidal diglycosides, halitylosides A [5], B [6], D [7], E [8], and F [9], and two known polyhydroxysteroids 10 and 11, N. tuberculata also contains four new sulfated steroidal glycosides 1-4 closely related to the previous halitylosides. The antifungal activities and the effects on the development of fertilized sea urchin eggs of some steroid components from this starfish were examined.

Animals

Starfish saponins, Part 51. Steroidal oligoglycosides from the starfish Distolasterias nipon.

A reinvestigation of the extracts from the starfish Distolasterias nipon, collected at Mutsu Bay, Japan, has led to the isolation of six glycosides of polyhydroxysteroids and six asterosaponins. Four steroidal glycosides have been identified as distolasterosides D1 [1] and D2 [2] (previously isolated from the same organism), and pycnopodioside C [5] and pisasteroside A [6], previously found in the related species Pycnopodia helianthoides and Pisaster ochraceus (family Asteridae), respectively. Two asterosaponins have been identified as the common versicoside A [7] and thornasteroside A [7a]. The two remaining glycosides of polyhydroxysteroids, named distolasterosides D4 [3] and D5 [4], and four asterosaponins designated nipoglycosides A [8], B [9], C [10], and D [11] are new compounds, and their structures have been elucidated mainly by interpretation of spectral data and comparison with known compounds.

Animals

Starfish saponins, 52. Chemical constituents from the starfish Echinaster brasiliensis.

This paper reports an analysis of the chemical constituents from the Caribbean starfish Echinaster brasiliensis collected at Grand Bahama Island. This species is completely devoid of cyclic steroidal glycosides, previously isolated from two species of the genus Echinaster in place of the more common penta- and hexa-glycoside steroidal sulfates ("asterosaponins"). Two typical "asterosaponins" and ten glycosides of polyhydroxysteroids were instead isolated in relatively large amounts from E. brasiliensis. The asterosaponins include the known marthasteroside A1 [1] and the new brasiliensoside [2], while the glycosides of polyhydroxysteroids include seven new compounds (six monoglycosides and one diglycoside). The known echinasteroside A, previously found in Echinaster sepositus and in the related Henricia laeviuscula (both belonging to the family Echinasteridae), and laeviusculosides C and I from H. laeviuscula were also isolated. Most of the glycosides from E. brasiliensis are 3-O-beta-xylopyranosides of delta 4-3 beta,6 beta,8,15 alpha,16 beta pentahydroxysteroid aglycones, having different side chains and sometimes a sulfate group at C-15, structural features which are typical of steroidal glycosides from starfishes of the family Echinasteridae. Continuing the analysis of the constituents of E. brasiliensis, we have also isolated a series of anthraquinones, known animal pigments found only in echinoderms and particularly in Crinoidea and in the Echinasteridae family of Asteroidea.

Animals

Starfish saponins, 48. Isolation of fifteen sterol constituents (six glycosides and nine polyhydroxysteroids) from the starfish Solaster borealis.

This paper reports a complete steroid glycoside and polyhydroxysteroid analysis of the starfish Solaster borealis, collected at Mutsu Bay, Japan. The glycosides include a new pentaglycoside steroid sulfate ("asterosaponin"), designated solasteroside A [1], two new sulfated 24-O-diglycosides, both with the common 5 alpha-cholesta-3 beta,6 alpha,8,15 alpha, 24-pentaol aglycone, borealosides A [2] and B [3], two new 24-O-(3-O-methyl)xylosides, borealosides C [4] and D [5], having the same aglycone with an additional hydroxy group at 4 beta-position in 5, and the known amurensoside B, previously isolated from Asterias amurensis. Among the polyhydroxysteroid constituents, four (7-10) are new, and five (11-15) have previously been isolated from starfishes.

Animals

Percutaneous intralesional brushing of cystic lesions of bone: a technical improvement of diagnostic cytology.

A modified bronchial brush is presented as a new cytologic method to improve the value of fine-needle aspiration biopsy in the diagnosis of cystic lesions of bone. Four female and six male patients ranging in age from 10 to 44 years were studied. In all cases intralesional brushing was percutaneously performed under fluoroscopic control with local anesthesia. Fine-needle aspiration biopsy preceded intralesional brushing and was performed as described elsewhere. The brush was driven into the walls and septa of an osteolytic lesion through a 14-G needle; material obtained was fixed and processed for cytological and/or histological examinations.

Adolescent

Biological activity of saponins and saponin-like compounds from starfish and brittle-stars.

Twenty-four saponins and saponin-like compounds, isolated from starfish and brittle-stars, have been tested in four in vitro tests, based upon bacterial and cell tissue cultures. Saponin-like compounds from brittle-stars have previously not been tested for biological activity. In an antibacterial test based on an agar diffusion test, the Gram positive bacterium S. aureus was affected by the polyhydroxylated steroidal glycosides, polyhydroxylated sterols and disulfated sterols. However, none of the 21 compounds tested were active against the Gram negative bacterium E. coli. In a cytotoxicity test all 21 compounds tested influenced the cells at a concentration of 100 micrograms/ml, while the cells were unaffected at 1 microgram/ml. In an antitumor test, 16 compounds were tested on two lymphoma cell lines. Inhibition of cell growth, at a concentration of 5 ng/ml, was seen for three polyhydroxylated sterols, in one cell line. Weak activity was seen in an antiviral test at a concentration of 10 micrograms/ml.

Animals