Growth inhibiting compounds biological activity

Compounds XI, XII, XIV, XVII inhibit actinomycetes growth, and their biological activity is almost the same. 

The isolation from a marine ascidian and subsequent structure determination of polycitone A (105) (Fig. 6) was first reported [52] by Kashman and coworkers in 1994. In this paper, the penta-O-methyl derivative was reported to inhibit the growth of SV40 transformed fibroblast cells at a concentration of 10 jtg/mL. Loya, Hizi and Kashman published [53] an extensive account of the biological activity of polycitone A in 1999 in which case inhibition of retroviral reverse transcriptases and cellular DNA polymerases was described. The isolation from an ascidian and structure determination of polycitone B (106) (Fig. 4) was subsequently reported [54] by Kashman and coworkers in 2000. Obviously, the presence of extensive bromination in both polycitone A and B make this family of compounds unique among the 3,4-diarylpyrrole natural products. 

Farnesylamine (123) (Fig. 20), a sesquiterpene alkaloid, was recently detected in whole extracts of Monomorium fieldi [129]. This compound had already be prepared by synthesis and found to display a whole range of biological activities. Among others, it inhibits arthropod molting, squalene synthesis, and the growth of malignant tumor cells, modulates human T cells and has anti-osteo-porosis activity [129]. 

The notion of action by specific allelochemical compounds is also unjustified. Detailed study of some allelochemicals in active species has shown the presence of phenolic acid mixtures and other phenolic derivatives or terpenes. I think that we can never talk about the action of a single substance everywhere many compounds having different biological activity act simultaneously, perhaps mutually increasing their activity. As a rule, such allelochemicals are the intermediate products of soil humus, synthesis, or the ground detritus in aquatic ecosystems (11). High concentrations of these substances are lethal, moderate ones inhibit growth processes, and low concentrations stimulate them. 

Beside this dermatoxic activity pederin (147) has various biological activities (92). When administered in appropriate doses to partially hepatectomized rats, this compound stimulates development of hepatic tissues. The inhibitory effect at the cellular level has been found in chicken heart fibroblast cultures, and mice embryo, dog kidney, HeLa, and KB cell lines. In plants, root growth of Lupinus albus is inhibited and mitosis in Allium cepa blocked at the metaphasic stage. Also, pederin (147) inhibits protein synthesis and growth of yeast cells. In addition, the treatment of rat ascites sarcoma with purified extracts of P. fuscipes produces almost complete regression. 

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