Flow Pd(II)-Catalysced Carbonylative Cyclisation in the Total Synthesis of Jaspine B

This work describes the total synthesis of jaspine B involving the highly diastereoselective Pd(II)-catalysed carbonylative cyclisation in the preparation of crucial intermediates. New conditions for this transformation were developed and involved the pBQ/LiCl as a reoxidation system and Fe(CO)5 as an in situ source of stoichiometric amount of carbon monoxide (1.5 molar equivalent). In addition, we have demonstrated the use of a flow reactor adopting proposed conditions in the large-scale preparation of key lactones.

SP600125 enhances C-2-induced cell death by the switch from autophagy to apoptosis in bladder cancer cells

Background A natural compound Jaspine B and its derivative possess potential anti-cancer activities; However, little is known about the underlying mechanism. Here, the role of a new autophagy inducer Jaspine B derivative C-2 in suppressing bladder cancer cells was researched in vitro and in vivo. Methods The underlying mechanisms and anticancer effect of C-2 in bladder cancer cells were investigated by MTT, western blotting, immunoprecipitation and immunofluorescence assays. The key signaling components were investigated by using pharmacological inhibitors or specific siRNAs. In vivo, we designed a C-2 and SP600125 combination experiment to verify the effectiveness of compound. Results C-2 exhibits cytotoxic effect on bladder cancer cells, and JNK activated by C-2 triggers autophagy and up-regulates SQSTM1/p62 proteins, contributing to activation of Nrf2 pathway. Utilization of JNK inhibitor SP600125 or knockdown of JNK by siRNA potentiate the cytotoxicity of C-2 through down-regulation of p62 and LC3II proteins and up-regulation of active-Caspase3 proteins, enhance the cell death effect, facilitating the switch from autophagy to apoptosis. In vivo study, C-2 suppresses tumor growth in a xenograft mouse model of EJ cells without observed toxicity. Combined treatment with SP600125 further enhances tumor inhibition of C-2 associated with enhanced activation of caspase3 and reduction of autophagy. Conclusions It reveals a series of molecular mechanisms about SP600125 potentiate the cytotoxicity and tumor inhibition of C-2 in bladder cancer cells through promoting C-2-induced apoptosis, expecting it provides research basis and theoretical support for new drugs development.

Enantioselective Stereodivergent Synthesis of Jaspine B and 4-epi-Jaspine B from Axially Chiral Allenols

A short enantioselective synthetic route to the cytotoxic marine natural product jaspine B has been developed. A chiral non-racemic primary α-allenol, obtained from pentadecanal, gave access to an enantioenriched 2-tetradecyl-2,5-dihydrofuran as key intermediate. A stereodivergent functionalization of this dihydrofuran allowed access in a few steps to jaspine B and its 4-epimer.