TY - JOUR A1 - Wanjohi, John M. A1 - Yenesew, Abiy A1 - Midiwo, Jacob O. A1 - Heydenreich, Matthias A1 - Peter, Martin G. A1 - Dreyer, M. A1 - Reichert, M. A1 - Bringmann, Gerhard T1 - Three dimeric anthracene derivatives from the fruits of Bulbine abyssinica N2 - From the fruits of Bulbine abyssinica three new dimeric anthracene derivatives, (P)-8,9,1',8'- tetrahydroxy-3,3'-dimethyl[10,7'-bianthracene]-1,4,9',10'- tetraone (trivial name abyquinone A), (10R)-1,4,8,1',8-pentahydroxy-3,3'-dimethyl-[10,7'-bianthracene]9,9',10' (10H)-trione (trivial name abyquinone B), and (10R)-3,4'-dihydro-1,4,8,3',8',9'-hexahydroxy-3,3'- dimethyl-[10,7'-biant hracene]9,1'(10H,2'H)-dione (trivial name abyquinone Q were isolated. Despite their structural differences, these three compounds are connected to each other by the apparently biomimetic conversion of abyquinone C (a preanthraquinonylanthrone with two stereogenic centers) into B (an anthraquinonylanthrone with one stereogenic center) and finally into A (an axially chiral bianthraquinone) under mild conditions, involving a highly efficient center-to-axis chirality transfer. In addition, the known anthraquinones islandicin and chrysophanol were identified. The structures were determined on the basis of spectroscopical evidences, chemical transformations, and quantum chemical CD calculations. (C) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved Y1 - 2005 SN - 0040-4020 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Yenesew, Abiy A1 - Derese, Solomon A1 - Midiwo, Jacob O. A1 - Bii, Christine C. A1 - Heydenreich, Matthias A1 - Peter, Martin G. T1 - Antimicrobial flavonoids from the stem bark of Erythrina burttii N2 - The chloroform extract of the stem bark of Erythrina burttii showed antifungal and antibacterial activities using the disk diffusion method. Flavonoids were identified as the active principles. Activities were observed against fungi and Gram(+) bacteria, but the Gram(-) bacteria Escherichia coli was resistant. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved Y1 - 2005 SN - 0367-326X ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Yenesew, Abiy A1 - Mushibe, E. K. A1 - Induli, M. A1 - Derese, Solomon A1 - Midiwo, Jacob O. A1 - Kabaru, Jacques M. A1 - Heydenreich, Matthias A1 - Koch, Andreas A1 - Peter, Martin G. T1 - 7a-O-methyldeguelol, a modified rotenoid with an open ring-C, from the roots of Derris trifoloata N2 - From the acetone extract of the roots of Derris trifoliata an isollavonoid derivative, named 7a-O- methyldeguelol, a modified rotenoid with an open ring-C, representing a new sub-class of isollavonoids (the sub-class is here named as rotenoloid), was isolated and characterised. In addition, the known rotenoids, rotenone, deguelin and alpha-toxicarol, were identified. The structures were determined on the basis of spectroscopic evidence. Rotenone and deguelin were identified as the larvicidal principles of the acetone extract of the roots of Derris trifoliata. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved Y1 - 2005 SN - 0031-9422 ER -