Trimeric and Dimeric Carbazole Alkaloids from Murraya microphylla

Abstract

Seventeen new carbazole alkaloid derivatives, including a trimeric carbazole racemate, (±)-microphyltrine A (1), 15 dimeric carbazole racemates, (±)-microphyldines A–O (2–16), and a C-6–C-3″-methyl-linked dimeric carbazole, microphyldine P (17), were isolated from the leaves and stems of Murraya microphylla (Merr. et Chun) Swingle. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated on the basis of HRESIMS and NMR data analysis. The optically pure isomers of these isolated carbazole alkaloids were obtained by chiral HPLC separation and their absolute configurations were determined by electronic circular dichroism (ECD) data analysis.

1. Introduction

Carbazole alkaloids, one type of bioactive constituents from the Murraya genus, have been demonstrated to possess anti-inflammatory, antitumor, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and antidiabetic properties [1]. Many of the biologically active carbazole alkaloids have been isolated from four closely related genera, Clausena, Glycosmis, Murraya, and Micromelum of the family Rutaceae [2,3,4]. Murraya microphylla (Merr. et Chun) Swing (M. microphylla) is a shrub distributed in the thickets of sandy areas or coastal regions in the Hainan Province of China [5]. Previous chemical investigations have confirmed that M. microphylla contains abundant carbazole alkaloids [6,7].

In the course of the search for bioactive carbazole alkaloids from Murraya species, the 95% aqueous ethanol extract of the leaves and stems of M. microphylla was investigated and 17 new carbazole alkaloid derivatives, namely (±)-microphyltrine A (1), (±)-microphyldines A–O (2–16), and microphyldine P (17) (Figure 1) were obtained. (±)-Microphyltrine A (1) is an unprecedented racemate of trimeric carbazole atropisomers. Microphyldines A–P (2–17) are new carbazole dimers, among which, (±)-microphyldines A–J (2–11) are 10 biphenyl-type carbazole dimeric racemates, while (±)-microphyldines K–O (12–16) are five pyranocarbazole dimeric racemates, and microphyldine P (17) is a C-6–C-3″-methyl-linked dimeric carbazole alkaloid. The optically pure isomers of these isolated carbazole racemates were obtained by chiral HPLC separation. Herein, we describe the isolation and structural characterization of compounds 1–17, as well as their activity screening on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitric oxide (NO) production in BV-2 microglial cells and murine monocytic RAW 264.7 macrophages and cytotoxicities on HepG2, Du145, HCT116, and HeLa cells.

2. Results

2.1. Structural Elucidation

(±)-Microphyltrine A (1) was obtained as a white amorphous powder. Its molecular formula was determined as C₅₂H₄₇N₃O₇ based on the HRESIMS (m/z 824.3330 [M − H]⁻, calcd. for C₅₂H₄₆N₃O₇, 824.3336) and ¹³C NMR data. The UV spectrum showed absorptions at 227, 252, 293, and 332 nm, suggesting the presence of a pyranocarbazole skeleton in the molecule [8,9,10]. Analysis of the ¹H NMR data (

Table 1. ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR data of compound 1 in acetone-d₆ (δ in ppm, J in Hz, ¹H NMR: 400 MHz; ¹³C NMR: 100 MHz) ^a.

Position	δH	δC	Position	δH	δC
1		105.1, C	1‴	6.66, d (10.0)	119.9, CH
2		149.5, C	2‴	5.48, d (10.0)	129.6, CH
3		117.9, C	3‴		76.5, C
4	7.62, s	120.9, CH	4‴	1.38, s	28.1, CH3
4a		119.3, C	5‴	1.37, s	28.4, CH3
4b		115.9, C	1⁗		147.6, C
5	7.60, s	105.9, CH	2⁗	7.15, d (2.0)	108.4, CH
6		144.1, C	3⁗		132.9, C
7		144.5, C	4⁗	7.56, d (2.0)	112.9, CH
8		105.1, C	4a⁗		125.7, C
8a		136.6, C	4b⁗		124.6, C
9a		136.5, C	5⁗	7.91, d (8.0)	121.3, CH
1′	6.81, d (10.0)	119.8, CH	6⁗	7.10, t (8.0)	120, CH
2′	5.59, d (10.0)	129.3, CH	7⁗	7.34, t (8.0)	126.6, CH
3′		76.7, C	8⁗	7.55, d (8.0)	112.6, CH
4′	1.49, s	27.9, CH3	8a⁗		141.6, C
5′	1.45, s	28.5, CH3	9a⁗		130.1, C
1″		106.2, C	3-CH3	2.28, s	16.8, CH3
2″		149.5, C	6-OCH3	4.01, s	57.7, CH3
3″		117.7, C	7-OH	7.16, br s
4″		134, C	9-NH	9.58, br s
4a″		118.6, C	3″-CH3	2.42, s	12, CH3
4b″		115.9, C	6″-OCH3	3.82, s	57.4, CH3
5″	7.59, s	103, CH	7″-OH	7.05, br s
6″		143.5, C	9″-NH	9.55, br s
7″		145, C	1⁗-OCH3	3.98, s	56.4, CH3
8″		105.4, C	3⁗-CH2	4.84, s	37.3, CH2
8a″		136.6, C	9⁗-NH	10.25, br s
9a″		136.6, C

^a Assignments were based on HSQC and HMBC experiments.

) revealed the presence of five labile proton signals (δ_H 7.05 (1H, br s, 7″-OH), 7.16 (1H, br s, 7-OH), 9.55 (1H, br s, 9″-NH), 9.58 (1H, br s, 9-NH), 10.25 (1H, br s, 9⁗-NH)), five aromatic doublets and singlets (δ_H 7.15 (1H, d, J = 2.0 Hz, H-2⁗), 7.56 (1H, d, J = 2.0 Hz, H-4⁗), 7.59 (1H, s, H-5″), 7.60 (1H, s, H-5), 7.62 (1H, s, H-4)), an ortho-substituted phenyl moiety (δ_H 7.10 (1H, t, J = 8.0 Hz, H-6⁗), 7.34 (1H, t, J = 8.0 Hz, H-7⁗), 7.55 (1H, d, J = 8.0 Hz, H-8⁗), 7.91 (1H, d, J = 8.0 Hz, H-5⁗)), three methoxy groups (δ_H 3.82 (3H, s, 6″-OCH₃), 3.98 (3H, s, 1⁗-OCH₃), 4.01 (3H, s, 6-OCH₃)), two methyl groups (δ_H 2.28 (3H, s, 3-CH₃) 2.42 (3H, s, 3″-CH₃)), a methylene singlet (δ_H 4.84 (2H, s, 3⁗-CH₂)), and two 2,2-dimethyl-2H-pyran moieties (δ_H 1.37/1.45 (3H, s, H-5‴/H-5′), 1.38/1.49 (3H, s, H-4‴/H-4′), 5.48/5.59 (1H, d, J = 10 Hz, H-2‴/H-2′), 6.66/6.81 (1H, d, J = 10 Hz, H-1‴/H-1′)). In the ¹³C NMR data of 1, there were 52 carbon resonances, comprising 42 olefinic, six methyl, three methoxy, and one methylene carbons. These data suggested 1 to be a carbazole trimer, consisting of three pyranocarbazole units similar to two koenigine [11,12] and a murrayafoline A moiety [13], in the combination of the HSQC and HMBC spectral analysis. The murrayafoline A unit was deduced to be connected to the middle koenigine unit via a C-4″–C-3⁗-methyl-linked mode, on the basis of HMBC correlations from 3⁗-CH₂ to C-3″, C-4″, C-4a″, C-2⁗, C-3⁗, and C-4⁗, and the reverse correlations of H-2⁗/4⁗ to C-3⁗. The deficiency of H-8 and H-8″, together with the HMBC correlations from 7-OH to C-8 and from 7″-OH to C-8″, implied the two koenigine units were linked by a C-8–C-8″ bond (Figure 2). Thus, the planar structure of microphyltrine A was proposed as shown (Figure 1).

Considering the high steric hindrance at the central biaryl axis of C-8–C-8″, 1 was supposed to be with an axial chirality. However, its specific rotation value approached zero and no Cotton effects were observed in its ECD spectrum, suggesting 1 to be a pair of atropisomers coexisting as a racemic mixture. Compound 1 was isolated by a chiral HPLC with n-hexane-isopropanol (85:15, v/v, 1 mL/min) as the mobile phase to give the enantiomers 1a and 1b in an approximate ratio of 1:1. Their specific rotations were detected as ${\left[\alpha \right]}_{\mathrm{D}}^{25}$ −74 (c 0.1, MeOH) for 1a and ${\left[\alpha \right]}_{\mathrm{D}}^{25}$ +84 (c 0.1, MeOH) for 1b, respectively. The ECD spectrum of 1a exhibited a sequential negative and positive Cotton effect at 245 nm and 218 nm, i.e., a negative couplet derived from the electronic transition of the two carbazole monomers, indicating an (R_a) configuration for (−)-microphyltrine A (1a) and, accordingly, the configuration of (+)-microphyltrine A (1b) was defined as (S_a) [14]. Furthermore, the ECD spectra of (R_a)- and (S_a)-1 were calculated using the TDDFT method at the B3LYP/6-311G(d) level to confirm the results of ECD exciton coupling. The computed ECD spectrum of (R_a)-1 matched well with the experimental curve for 1a and the computed ECD spectrum of (S_a)-1 matched well with the experimental curve for 1b (Figure 3). This is the second report for trimeric carbazole alkaloids from a natural source, for the first was murratrines A and B from M. tetramera [4], whose units are three simple carbazoles linked with a bismethylene ether and a C-3-methyl-linked mode.

(±)-Microphyldine A (2) was obtained as a brown amorphous powder, and its molecular formula was determined as C₃₇H₃₄N₂O₅ from the ¹³C NMR spectroscopic data and the HRESIMS ion at m/z 585.2387 [M − H]⁻ (calcd. for C₃₇H₃₃N₂O₅, 585.2389). Four labile proton signals (δ_H 7.43 (1H, br s, 7-OH), 7.43 (1H, br s, 7″-OH), 9.58 (1H, br s, 9-NH), 10.14 (1H, br s, 9″-NH)), five aromatic singlet protons (δ_H 7.04 (1H, s, H-8″), 7.61 (1H, s, H-5), 7.63 (1H, s, H-4″), 7.65 (1H, s, H-4), 7.87 (1H, s, H-5″)), a methoxy group (δ_H 4.02 (3H, s, 6-OCH₃)), two methyl groups (δ_H 2.29 (3H, s, 3″-CH₃) 2.31 (3H, s, 3-CH₃)), and two 2,2-dimethyl-2H-pyran moieties (δ_H 1.42/1.49 (each 3H, s, H-5′/H-5‴), 1.43/1.50 (each 3H, s, H-4′/H-4‴), 5.58/5.80 (each 1H, d, J = 10 Hz, H-2′/H-2‴), 6.87/6.94 (each 1H, d, J = 10 Hz, H-1′/H-1‴)) were observed in the ¹H NMR data (

Table 2. ¹H NMR data of compounds 2–11 and 17 in acetone-d₆ (δ in ppm, J in Hz) ^a.

Position	2	3	4	5 b	6 b	7	8	9 c	10 b	11 b	17
2									7.03, s
4	7.65, s	7.66, s	7.66, s	7.67, s	7.62, s	7.66, s	7.65, s	7.64, s			7.49, s
5	7.61, s	7.71, s	7.72, s	7.73, s	7.60, s	7.63, s	7.63, s	7.58, s	7.44, d (8.0)	8.31, d (8.0)	7.68, s
6									7.12, t (8.0)	7.43, t (8.0)
7									6.59, t (8.0)	7.49, t (8.0)
8									6.52, d (8.0)	7.71, d (8.0)	6.69, s
1′	6.87, d (10.0)	6.66, d (10.0)	6.64, d (10.0)	6.64, d (10.0)	6.86, d (10.0)	6.72, d (10.0)	6.74, d (10.0)	6.37, d (10.0)			6.87, d (10.0)
2′	5.58, d (10.0)	5.51, d (10.0)	5.49, d (10.0)	5.50, d (10.0)	5.58, d (10.0)	5.55, d (10.0)	5.53, d (10.0)	5.57, d (10.0)	7.03, s	6.92, s	5.74, d (10.0)
4′	1.43, s	1.43, s	1.38, s	1.39, s	1.43, s	1.41, s	1.41, s	1.47, s			1.45, s
5′	1.42, s	1.42, s	1.35, s	1.36, s	1.43, s	1.41, s	1.41, s	1.47, s	7.44, d (8.0)	7.78, d (8.0)	1.45, s
6′									7.12, t (8.0)	6.94, t (8.0)
7′									6.59, t (8.0)	7.29, t (8.0)
8′									6.52, d (8.0)	7.56, d (8.0)
9′
10′
2″											7.03, s
4″	7.63, s	6.44, s	6.42, s	6.43, s	7.65, s	7.67, s	7.67, s	7.86, s			7.65, s
5″	7.87, s				7.86, s	7.82, d (8.0)	7.81, d (8.0)	7.81, d (8.0)			8.01, d (8.0)
6″						6.87, d (8.0)	6.86, d (8.0)	6.87, d (8.0)			7.13, t (8.0)
7″			7.00, d (8.0)	7.00, d (8.0)							7.35, t (8.0)
8″	7.04, s	7.09, s	7.31, d (8.0)	7.32, d (8.0)	7.03, s						7.55, d (8.0)
1‴	6.94, d (10.0)	6.87, d (10.0)	6.87, d (10.0)	6.92, d (10.0)	6.98, d (10.0)	6.75, d (10.0)	6.75, d (10.0)	3.44, d (7.2)
2‴	5.80, d (10.0)	5.58, d (10.0)	5.69, d (10.0)	5.69, d (10.0)	5.78, d (10.0)	5.56, d (10.0)	5.57, d (10.0)	5.12, t (7.2)
4‴	1.50, s	1.39, s	1.38, s	1.50, s	1.47, s	1.41, s	1.39, s	1.26, s
5‴	1.49, s	1.36, s	1.38, s	1.70, m	1.80, m	1.41, s	1.71, m	1.26, s
6‴				2.11, m	2.23, m		2.15, m
7‴				5.08, t (6.0)	5.16, t (6.0)		5.11, t (6.0)
9‴				1.61, s	1.66, s		1.63, s
10‴				1.52, s	1.59, s		1.55, s
1-OH									8.65, br s
3-CH3	2.31, s	2.29, s	2.28, s	2.28, s	2.31, s	2.31, s	1.81, s	2.37, s	2.06, s	1.89, s	2.23, s
6-OCH3	4.02, s	4.05, s	4.04, s	4.04, s	4.08, s	4.04, s	4.03, s	4.13, s
7-OH	7.43, br s	7.08, br s	7.23, br s	7.23, br s	7.62, br s	7.66, br s	7.00, br s	6.21, br s			8.20, br s
9-NH	9.58, br s	9.40, br s	9.40, br s	9.40, br s	9.57, br s	9.58, br s	10.02, br s	7.47, br s	10.11, br s	11.70, br s	9.92, br s
1′-OH									8.65, br s	8.80, br s
3′-CH3									2.06, s	2.25, s
9′-NH									10.11, br s	10.26, br s
1″-OCH3											3.96, s
2″-OH								5.56, br s
3″-CH2											4.28, s
3″-CH3	2.29, s	1.85, s	1.81, s	1.81, s	2.30, s	2.32, s	2.33, s	2.54, s
6″-OH			7.02, br s
6″-OCH3		3.99, s
7″-OH	7.43, br s	6.71, br s		7.00, br s	7.42, br s	7.67, br s	7.67, br s
7″-OCH3								3.92, s
9″-NH	10.14, br s	9.95, br s	10.02, br s	10.02, br s	10.15, br s	9.66, br s	9.67, br s	7.66, br s			10.20, br s

^a Assignments were based on HSQC and HMBC experiments.^b Measured in 500 MHz, and others in 400 MHz. ^c 9 was measured in CDCl₃ and others were measured in acetone-d₆.

).

The ¹³C NMR data (

Table 3. ¹³C NMR data of compounds 2–11 and 17 (Measured in acetone-d₆, δ in ppm) ^a.

Position	2	3	4	5 b	6 b	7	8	9 c	10 b	11 b	17
1	104.9, C	104.7, C	104.9, C	104.3, C	104.9, C	104.9, C	104.7, C	104.9, C	141.8, C	179.1, C	104.5, C
2	148.3, C	148.1, C	149.1, C	147.7, C	148.3, C	148.2, C	148.2, C	149.1, C	112.6, CH	142.2, C	148.2, C
3	116.8, C	116.5, C	118.1, C	116.2, C	116.9, C	116.8, C	118.0, C	118.7, C	126.8, C	145.6, C	116.8, C
4	119.7, CH	119.8, CH	120.7, CH	119.3, CH	120.4, CH	119.6, CH	119.7, CH	120.0, CH	125.0, C	183.1, C	120.0, CH
4a	117.9, C	118.0, C	118.8, C	117.4, C	117.9, C	114.8, C	116.7, C	116.2, C	123.9, C	116.5, C	117.3, C
4b	115.0, C	114.7, C	115.8, C	114.4, C	115.0, C	118.0, C	114.8, C	117.3, C	123.4, C	124.3, C	116.8, C
5	101.0, CH	101.7, CH	102.9, CH	101.5, CH	101.0, CH	101.8, CH	101.7, CH	101.8, CH	110.6, CH	122.4, CH	120.5, CH
6	142.3, C	142.8, C	143.8, C	142.4, C	142.7, C	142.8, C	142.8, C	142.1, C	124.6, CH	123.8, CH	121.4, C
7	142.7, C	143.4, C	144.5, C	143.1, C	142.8, C	143.8, C	143.8, C	141.6, C	118.0, CH	126.5, CH	153.2, C
8	109.1, C	106.6, C	106.7, C	109.5, C	109.0, C	103.5, C	103.5, C	101.7, C	121.2, CH	113.6, CH	96.5, CH
8a	135.1, C	134.9, C	135.9, C	134.5, C	135.1, C	135.3, C	135.5, C	132.7, C	140.4, C	138.0, C	140.1, C
9a	135.3, C	135.3, C	136.2, C	134.8, C	135.3, C	135.7, C	135.1, C	134.7, C	128.5, C	136.2, C	135.2, C
1′	118.4, CH	118.3, CH	119.2, CH	117.8, CH	118.4, CH	118.3, CH	118.3, CH	117.3, CH	141.8, C	142.6, C	117.9, CH
2′	128.3, CH	128.2, CH	129.2, CH	127.7, CH	128.3, CH	128.4, CH	128.4, CH	129.4, CH	112.6, CH	112.3, CH	128.9, CH
3′	75.2, C	75.1, C	76, C	74.6, C	75.2, C	75.2, C	75.1, C	75.7, C	126.8, C	118.6, C	75.3, C
4′	27, CH3	27, CH3	27.9, CH3	26.4, CH3	27, CH3	26.8, CH3	27, CH3	27.4, CH3	125, C	126.8, C	26.9, CH3
4a′									123.9, C	122.4, C
4b′									123.4, C	123.0, C
5′	26.9, CH3	26.8, CH3	27.8, CH3	26.4, CH3	26.9, CH3	26.8, CH3	27, CH3	27.5, CH3	110.6, CH	120.7, CH	26.9, CH3
6′									124.6, CH	118.8, CH
7′									118.0, CH	125.1, CH
8′									121.2, CH	111.3, CH
8a′									140.4, C	140.4, C
9′
9a′									128.5, C	128.2, C
10′
1″	104.6, C	104, C	105.7, C	103.2, C	104.5, C	104.9, C	104.9, C	102.1, C			145.7, C
2″	148.6, C	148.1, C	150, C	148.7, C	148.7, C	148.3, C	148.4, C	150.0, C			107.8, CH
3″	117.1, C	116, C	117.1, C	115.4, C	116.8, C	117.0, C	117.7, C	118.1, C			133.7, C
4″	120.3, CH	121.8, CH	123.6, CH	122.3, CH	119.7, CH	119.7, CH	119.8, CH	121.6, CH			112.4, CH
4a″	117.3, C	117.7, C	118.7, C	116.7, C	117.2, C	117.7, C	116.7, C	118.5, C			124, C
4b″	117.5, C	116, C	124.3, C	122.8, C	117.5, C	116.8, C	116.8, C	118.7, C			123.4, C
5″	122.1, CH	112.8, C	113.6, C	112.2, C	122.0, CH	119.2, CH	119.6, CH	117.3, CH			119.9, CH
6″	114.2, C	139.2, C	149.6, C	148.2, C	114.2, CH	108.9, CH	108.8, C	104.7, CH			118.5, CH
7″	153.4, C	146.5, C	114.5, CH	113.1, CH	153.4, C	153.2, C	153.2, C	154.7, C			125.1, CH
8″	97.9, CH	93.9, CH	111.5, CH	110.1, CH	97.8, CH	103.7, C	103.7, C	111.0, C			111.2, CH
8a″	141.5, C	133.9, C	135.6, C	134.3, C	141.5, C	141.0, C	141.0, C	140.4, C			140.2, C
9a″	135.5, C	135.4, C	137.3, C	136.0, C	135.5, C	135.4, C	135.3, C	137.7, C			128.6, C
1‴	117.9, CH	117.9, CH	118.7, CH	117.7, CH	118.2, CH	118.3, CH	118.7, CH	24, CH2
2‴	129.1, CH	128.5, CH	129.8, CH	127, CH	128.2, CH	128.5, CH	127.6, CH	122.1, CH
3‴	75.4, C	75.2, C	76.3, C	77.3, C	77.7, C	75.2, C	77.5, C	132.7, C
4‴	26.9, CH3	26.9, CH3	27.9, CH3	24.7, CH3	25.3, CH3	27, CH3	26.8, CH3	25, CH3
5‴	26.9, CH3	26.8, CH3	27.8, CH3	40.2, CH2	40.7, CH2	26.8, CH3	40.6, CH2	16.9, CH3
6‴				22.1, CH2	22.6, CH2		22.6, CH2
7‴				123.8, CH	124.3, CH		124.3, CH
8‴				130.4, C	131.0, C		130.9, C
9‴				24.7, CH3	24.9, CH3		24.9, CH3
10‴				16.2, CH3	16.7, CH3		16.7, CH3
3-CH3	15.4, CH3	15.4, CH3	16.4, CH3	14.9, CH3	15.4, CH3	15.4, CH3	16.3, CH3	16.1, CH3	18.2, CH3	12.7, CH3	15.2, CH3
6-OCH3	56.3, CH3	56.6, CH3	57.5, CH3	56.1, CH3	56.3, CH3	56.3, CH3	56.3, CH3	56.9, CH3
3″-CH3	15.3, CH3	15.5, CH3	16.3, CH3	15, CH3	15.3, CH3	15.5, CH3	15.4, CH3	16.9, CH3	18.2, CH3	18.4, CH3
3″-CH2											36.4, CH3
1″-OCH3											54.9, CH3
6″-OCH3
7″-OCH3		55.7, CH3						56.7, CH3

^a Assignments were based on HSQC and HMBC experiments.^b Measured in 500 MHz, and others in 400 MHz. ^c 9 was measured in CDCl₃ and others were measured in acetone-d₆.

) showed 37 carbon resonances, comprising 30 olefinic, six methyl, and one methoxy carbons. The above data, coupled with information from the literature [4,14,15] and 2D NMR analysis, indicated a dimeric carbazole skeleton of 2, and the two carbazole units were deduced as koenigine [12] and murrayamine A [16] moieties, respectively. The HMBC correlations from H-5″ to C-8 indicated that the two units were linked by a C-8–C-6″ bond (Figure S12, Supporting Information). Therefore, the planar structure of 2 was assigned as shown (Figure 1).

Compound 2 could also be a racemate owing to the disappeared specific rotation and Cotton effects in the ECD spectrum, thus, it was then separated by a chiral HPLC to give the enantiomers 2a and 2b for almost equal quantity, which possess the opposite ECD curves and specific rotations. Similar to 1, the ECD spectrum of 2a exhibited sequential negative and positive Cotton effects at 252 nm and 224 nm, indicating an (R_a) configuration for (−)-microphyldine A (2a) [14] and, accordingly, the configuration of (+)-microphyldine A (2b) was defined as (S_a). Furthermore, the ECD spectra of (R_a)- and (S_a)-2 were calculated and compared with the experimental spectra to support the results of ECD exciton coupling (Figure 4).

(±)-Microphyldine B (3) gave a molecular formula of C₃₈H₃₆N₂O₆, as established by ¹³C NMR data and an [M − H]⁻ ion at m/z 615.2486 [M − H]⁻(calcd for C₃₈H₃₅N₂O₆, 615.2495) in the HRESIMS. The ¹H and ¹³C NMR data (Table 2 and Table 3) of 3 showed close resemblance to those of 2, except that one of the phenyl singlets in 3 was missing, but an additional methoxy signal was observed at δ_H 3.99 (3H, s). After 2D NMR analysis (Figure S19, Supporting Information), the two units were deduced to be both koenigine units [12]. The deficiency of H-8 and H-5″ signals suggested 3 to be a C-8–C-5″-linked dimeric carbazole. Thus, the planar structure of 3 was assigned as shown (Figure 1).

Similar to 2, compound 3 is also an atropisomeric racemate, and the following chiral HPLC resolution afforded 3a and 3b in a ratio of 1:1, and their absolute configurations were established as (R_a) and (S_a), respectively, by comparison of their ECD (Figure S18, Supporting Information) and specific rotations with those of 2a and 2b [14].

(±)-Microphyldine C (4) exhibited an [M − H]⁻ ion at m/z 585.2389 in the HRESIMS, which, in conjunction with the ¹³C NMR data, suggested a molecular formula of C₃₇H₃₄N₂O₅ (calcd. for C₃₇H₃₃N₂O₅, 585.2389). Analysis of 1D and 2D NMR data (Table 2 and Table 3) suggested that the structure of 4 resembled that of 3, except for the disappearance of one methoxy group in 4, and the replacement of an aromatic singlet in 3 by two aromatic doublets (δ_H 7.00 (1H, d, J = 8.0 Hz, H-7″), 7.31 (1H, d, J = 8.0 Hz, H-8″)). This suggested that 4 is the demethoxy derivative of 3. Further 2D NMR analysis (Figure S26, Supporting Information) deduced the structure of 4 as shown (Figure 1). The isolation of individual enantiomers (4a and 4b) was accomplished by a chiral HPLC separation and their absolute configurations were established as (R_a) and (S_a), respectively, by comparison of their ECD (Figure S25, Supporting Information) and specific rotations with those of 2a and 2b [14].

(±)-Microphyldine D (5) was isolated as an amorphous powder. Its ¹³C NMR and negative-ion HRESIMS data at m/z 653.3023 [M − H]⁻ (calcd for C₄₂H₄₁N₂O₅, 653.3015) established a molecular formula of C₄₂H₄₂N₂O₅. The ¹H and ¹³C NMR data (Table 2 and Table 3) of 5 were comparable to those of 4, except for the presence of a set of additional resonances for isopentenyl group (δ_H 1.52 (3H, s, H-10‴), 1.61 (3H, s, H-9‴), 2.11 (2H, m, H-6‴), 5.08 (1H, t, J = 6.0 Hz, H-7‴), δ_C 16.2 (C-10‴), 22.1 (C-6‴), 24.7 (C-9‴), 123.8 (C-7‴), 130.4 (C-8‴)) in 5. The HMBC correlations from H-5‴ to C-2‴ and C-7‴ and from H-6‴ to C-3‴, C-7‴, and C-8‴ suggested that the isopentenyl moiety is located at C-5‴ (Figure 2). Compound 5 is also a pair of atropisomers, and the following chiral HPLC resolution afforded 5a and 5b in a ratio of 1:1, and their absolute configurations were established as (R_a) and (S_a), respectively, by comparison of their ECD (Figure S32, Supporting Information) and specific rotations with those of 4a and 4b [14]. The experimental ECD spectra of 5a/5b are almost similar to those of 4a/4b, indicating that the C-3″′configuration did not have much influence on the ECD curves, which was proofed by the calculated ECD data of the different configurations of C-3‴. Thus, the C-3‴configuration was undetermined in this paper.

(±)-Microphyldine E (6) was obtained as an amorphous powder with a molecular formula of C₄₂H₄₂N₂O₅, as deduced from the ¹³C NMR and HRESIMS (m/z 653.3023 [M − H]⁻ (calcd for C₄₂H₄₁N₂O₅, 653.3015) data. Its ¹H and ¹³C NMR (Table 2 and Table 3) data showed many similarities to those of 2, except for the presence of a set of additional resonances for isopentenyl group (δ_H 1.59 (3H, s, H-10‴), 1.66 (3H, s, H-9‴), 2.23 (2H, m, H-6‴), 5.16 (1H, t, J = 6.0 Hz, H-7‴), δ_C 16.7 (C-10‴), 22.6 (C-6‴), 24.9 (C-9‴), 124.3 (C-7‴), 131.0 (C-8‴)) in 6. The HMBC correlations from H-5‴ to C-2‴ and C-7‴ and from H-6‴ to C-3‴, C-7‴, and C-8‴ suggested that the isopentenyl moiety is located at C-5‴ (Figure S39, Supporting Information). Compound 6 was separated by a chiral HPLC to afford the enantiomers 6a and 6b. The ECD spectra of 6a/6b were calculated using the TDDFT method at the B3LYP/6-311G(d) level to determine the absolute configuration. The computed ECD spectrum of (R_a)-6 matched the experimental curve for 6a. and the computed ECD spectrum of (S_a)-6 matched the experimental curve for 6b. Thus, the absolute configuration of 6a was defined as (R_a) and, accordingly, 6b was defined as (S_a) (Figure S38, Supporting Information).

(±)-Microphyldine F (7) was shown to have the same molecular formula as 2, according to its ¹³C NMR data and the [M − H]⁻ ion at m/z 585.2390 in the HRESIMS (calcd. for C₃₇H₃₃N₂O₅, 585.2389). Analysis of ¹H and ¹³C NMR data (Table 2 and Table 3) of 7 showed a close structural resemblance to 2, a dimeric carbazole formed by koenigine [12] and murrayamine A [16] units. The difference between them is that the linkage mode is shifted from C-8–C-6″ in 2 to C-8–C-8″ in 7, as deduced from the deficiency of H-8 and H-8″ signals in 7. Accordingly, the structure of 7 was determined as shown (Figure 1). A subsequent chiral HPLC isolation was performed to obtain the pure enantiomers of 7a and 7b in a ratio of 1:1. After ECD and specific rotation determination, the absolute configurations of 7a and 7b were established as (R_a) and (S_a), respectively, by comparison of their ECD (Figure S45, Supporting Information) and specific rotations with those of 2a and 2b [14].

(±)-Microphyldine G (8) was isolated as an amorphous powder. The HRESIMS gave a deprotonated molecular ion at m/z 653.3007 [M − H]⁻ (calcd for C₄₂H₄₁N₂O₅, 653.3015), corresponding to a molecular formula of C₄₂H₄₂N₂O₅. The ¹H and ¹³C NMR data (Table 2 and Table 3) of 8 were found to be similar to those of 7. Their apparent difference was the presence of a set of resonances for isopentenyl group (δ_H 1.55 (3H, s, H-10‴), 1.63 (3H, s, H-9‴), 2.15 (2H, m, H-6‴), 5.11 (1H, t, J = 6.0 Hz, H-7‴), δ_C 16.7 (C-10‴), 22.6 (C-6‴), 24.9 (C-9‴), 124.3 (C-7‴), 130.9 (C-8‴)) in 8. The HMBC correlations from H-5‴ to C-2‴ and C-7‴ and from H-6‴ to C-3‴, C-7‴, and C-8‴ suggested that the isopentenyl moiety is located at C-5‴ (Figure S53, Supporting Information). Thus, the planar structure of 8 was assigned as shown (Figure 1). Compound 8 was also a pair of atropisomer mixtures and was then separated by a chiral HPLC to give the enantiomers 8a and 8b. The ECD spectra of 8a/8b were calculated using the TDDFT method at the B3LYP/6-311G(d) level to determine the absolute configuration. The computed ECD spectrum of (R_a)-8 matched the experimental curve for 8a. and the computed ECD spectrum of (S_a)-8 matched the experimental curve for 8b. Thus, the absolute configuration of 8a was defined as (R_a) and accordingly, 8b was defined as (S_a). (Figure S52, Supporting Information).

(±)-Microphyldine H (9) was obtained as a brown amorphous powder with a molecular formula of C₃₈H₃₈N₂O₅, as deduced from the ¹³C NMR and HRESIMS data (m/z 601.2692 [M − H]⁻, calcd for C₃₈H₃₇N₂O₅, 601.2702). The ¹H and ¹³C NMR data (Table 2 and Table 3) analysis revealed that the structure of 9 is a dimeric carbazole formed by a koenigine [12] and an isomurrayafoline B [17,18] unit. The 2D NMR data (Figure S60, Supporting Information) analysis indicated the linkage mode of 9 was C-8–C-1″ due to the absence of H-8 and H-1″ protons. Accordingly, the structure of 9 was determined as shown (Figure 1). A subsequent chiral HPLC isolation was performed to obtain the pure enantiomers of 9a and 9b in a ratio of 1:1. After ECD and specific rotation determination, the absolute configurations of 9a and 9b were established as (R_a) and (S_a), respectively, by comparison of their ECD (Figure S59, Supporting Information) and specific rotations with those of 2a and 2b [14].

(±)-Microphyldine I (10) was isolated as a brown amorphous powder. Its molecular formula was defined as C₂₆H₂₀N₂O₂ via its ¹³C NMR and HRESIMS data (m/z 391.1440 [M − H]⁻, calcd for C₂₆H₁₉N₂O₂, 391.1447). The ¹³C NMR data of 10 exhibited only 13 carbon signals, suggesting that it is a symmetrical carbazole dimer. The NMR data (Table 2 and Table 3) of the monomeric unit of 10 resembled those of 1-hydroxy-3-methylcarbazole [19], except for the absence of H-4 proton and a shift of the C-4 signal downfield to δ_C 125.0, indicating that the two units are linked through C-4–C-4′. Compound 10 was a pair of atropisomer mixtures inferred from its almost zero specific rotation and weak ECD Cotton effects. The pure enantiomers of 10a and 10b were obtained by a chiral HPLC separation. The absolute configurations of 10a and 10b were defined as (R_a) and (S_a), respectively, from their experimental ECD spectra and computed ECD spectra using the TDDFT method at the B3LYP/6-311 + G(d) level (Figure S66, Supporting Information).

(±)-Microphyldine J (11) was obtained as an amorphous powder. It has a molecular formula of C₂₆H₁₈N₂O₃ determined by the HRESIMS data showing a deprotonated molecular ion at m/z 405.1232 [M − H]⁻ (calcd for C₂₆H₁₇N₂O₃, 405.1239) and its ¹³C NMR data. Its 1D and 2D NMR data (Table 2 and Table 3) showed many similarities to those of murrayaquinone A [20], except for the replacement of a methoxy singlet in murrayaquinone A by a hydroxy singlet (δ_H 8.80 (1H, br s)) in 11. The 2D NMR analysis, especially of HMBC correlation from OH-1′ to C-9a, from CH₃-3 to C-2, and from CH₃-3′ to C-4′ proved the above deduction (Figure S74, Supporting Information). Compound 11 was separated by a chiral HPLC to give the enantiomers of 11a and 11b. The absolute configurations of 11a and 11b were defined as (R_a) and (S_a), respectively, from their experimental ECD and computed ECD spectra (Figure S73, Supporting Information).

(±)-Microphyldine K (12) was obtained as a brown amorphous powder with a molecular formula of C₃₂H₃₀N₂O₄ based on the HRESIMS (m/z 505.2125 [M − H]⁻, calcd. for C₃₂H₂₉N₂O₄, 505.2127) and ¹³C NMR data. The ¹H NMR data (

Table 4. ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR data of compounds 12–16 in acetone-d₆ (δ in ppm, J in Hz) ^a.

Position	12		13		14 b		15 b		16 b
	δH	δC	δH	δC	δH	δC	δH	δC	δH	δC
1		106.6, C		106.8, C		108.0, C		108.4, C		106.3, C
2		151.9, C		150.7, C		152.0, C		152.0, C		150.3, C
3		118.1, C		117.9, C		117.6, C		120.1, C		117.7, C
4	7.65, s	119.4, CH	7.62, s	118.5, CH	7.65, s	120.0, CH	7.63, s	119.5, CH	7.66, s	118.2, CH
4a		115.8, C		115.4, C		117.5, C		117.9, C		115.9, C
4b		124.4, C		116.5, C		117.0, C		116.8, C		115.3, C
5	7.32, d (2.0)	103.9, CH	7.47, s	101.8, CH	7.47, s	104.3, CH	7.48, s	103.3, CH	7.48, s	102.6, CH
6		150.6, C		145.0, C		145.7, C		143.8, C		143.9, C
7	6.61, dd (2.0, 8.0)	112.4, CH		142.4, C		149.6, C		146.4, C		147.9, C
8	6.87, d (8.0)	110.8, CH	6.55, d (8.0)	97.0, CH	6.69, s	96.7, CH	6.56, s	98.4, CH	6.70, s	94.9, CH
8a		134.0, C		134.8, C		135.7, C		136.2, C		133.9, C
9a		138.7, C		137.6, C		138.9, C		139.0, C		137.1, C
1′	4.94, dd (7.2, 10.0)	30.1, CH	4.93, dd (7.2, 10.0)	30.5, CH	4.93, dd (7.2, 10.0)	31.9, CH	4.94, dd (7.2, 10.0)	30.2, CH	4.95, dd (7.2, 10.0)	30.1, CH
2′a	2.07, dd (10.0, 14.0)	42.8, CH2	2.06, dd (10.0, 14.0)	43, CH2	2.08, dd (10.0, 14.0)	44.2, CH2	2.13, dd (10.0, 14.0)	44.4, CH2	2.05, dd (10.0, 14.0)	42.4, CH2
2′b	2.42, dd (7.2, 14.0)		2.39, dd (7.2, 14.0)		2.40, dd (7.2, 14.0)		2.41, dd (7.2, 14.0)		2.37, dd (7.2, 14.0)
3′		74.4, C		74.2, C		75.4, C		75.6, C		73.8, C
4′	1.37, s	23.9, CH3	1.35, s	23.8, CH3	1.36, s	25.1, CH3	1.37, s	25.2, CH3	1.38, s	23.3, CH3
5′	1.45, s	29.1, CH3	1.44, s	29.3, CH3	1.45, s	30.4, CH3	1.46, s	30.4, CH3	1.47, s	28, CH3
1″		145.3, C		104.5, C		105.7, C		105.7, C		103.8, C
2″	6.63, d (2.0)	106.4, CH		148.4, C		149.6, C		149.9, C		148.0, C
3″		128.5, C		117.0, C		118.3, C		118.1, C		116.3, C
4″	7.01, d (2.0)	111.6, CH	7.25, s	120, CH	7.27, s	121.3, CH	7.27, s	121.5, CH	7.28, s	119.6, CH
4a″		124.5, C		117.0, C		119.4, C		118.3, C		117.6, C
4b″		117.1, C		117.4, C		118.2, C		118.8, C		116.9, C
5″	7.46, s	119.6, CH	7.39, s	118.7, CH	7.42, s	119.9, CH	7.41, s	119.9, CH	7.42, s	118.2, CH
6″		122.2, C		122.2, C		123.4, C		123.6, C		121.7, C
7″		153.9, C		153.0, C		154.2, C		154.3, C		152.5, C
8″	7.13, s	97.1, CH	7.02, s	97.0, CH	7.04, s	98.3, CH	7.04, s	98.4, CH	7.05, s	96.6, CH
8a″		140.2, C		140.2, C		141.4, C		141.5, C		139.7, C
9a″		127.9, C		135.2, C		136.5, C		136.2, C		134.8, C
1‴			6.83, d (10.0)	118, CH	6.84, d (10.0)	119, CH	6.88, d (10.0)	119.3, CH	6.89, d (10.0)	117.6, CH
2‴			5.72, d (10.0)	128.9, CH	5.72, d (10.0)	130.2, CH	5.71, d (10.0)	129.4, CH	5.72, d (10.0)	127.6, CH
3‴				75.3, C		76.6, C		79.1, C		77.2, C
4‴			1.41, s	27, CH3	1.41, s	28.1, CH3	1.40, s	26.2, CH3	1.40, s	24.7, CH3
5‴			1.41, s	27, CH3	1.40, s	28.1, CH3	1.73, m	42.0, CH2	1.73, m	40.1, CH2
6‴							2.15, m	23.9, CH2	2.15, m	22.1, CH2
7‴							5.11, t (6.0)	125.7, CH	5.11, t (6.0)	123.8, CH
8‴								132.3, C		130.4, C
9‴							1.62, s	26.2, CH3	1.61, s	24.7, CH3
10‴							1.54, s	18.1, CH3	1.54, s	16.2, CH3
3-CH3	2.36, s	16.3, CH3	2.36, s	16.3, CH3	2.37, s	17.6, CH3	2.37, s	17.7, CH3	2.38, s	15.8, CH3
6-OH	7.66, br s
6-OCH3			3.88, s	56.2, CH3	3.82, s	57.4, CH3	3.89, s	57.6, CH3	3.83, s	55.7, CH3
7-OH			7.14, br s				7.12, br s
7-OCH3					3.64, s	56.5, CH3			3.66, s	54.8, CH3
9-NH	8.55, br s		8.43, br s		8.40, br s		8.43, br s		8.42, br s
1″-OCH3	3.91, s	54.8, CH3
3″-CH3	2.30, s	20.8, CH3	2.12, s	15.0, CH3	2.13, s	16.3, CH3	2.16, s	16.4, CH3	2.15, s	14.6, CH3
7″-OH	8.23, br s		8.18, br s		8.14, br s		8.16, br s		8.15, br s
9″-NH	9.88, br s		9.97, br s		9.97, br s		9.96, br s		9.98, br s

^a Assignments were based on HSQC and HMBC experiments. ^b1H NMR: 500 MHz; ¹³C NMR: 125 MHz. Others: ¹H NMR: 400 MHz; ¹³C NMR: 100 MHz.

) of 12 were found to be similar to those of murrafoline D [21]. The apparent differences were the replacement of two aromatic signals in murrafoline D by two active hydrogen signals in 12, suggesting that 12 is a dihydroxy derivative of murrafoline D [21]. The two hydroxy groups were deduced to be located at C-6 and C-7″, respectively, via the HMBC correlation of one hydroxy proton (δ_H 7.66 (1H, br s)) with C-5/C-7, and the other hydroxy proton (δ_H 8.23 (1H, br s) with C-6″ and C-8″ (Figure S80, Supporting Information). The optical inactivity of 12 indicated that it is a pair of enantiomer mixture, thus a chiral HPLC isolation was performed to obtain the pure enantiomers of 12a and 12b. The ECD spectra of 12a/12b were calculated using the TDDFT method at the B3LYP/6-311G(d) level to determine the absolute configuration. The computed ECD spectrum of (1′S)-12a matched the experimental curve for 12a (Figure 5). Thus, the absolute configuration of 12a was defined as (1′S) and, accordingly, 12b was defined as (1′R).

(±)-Microphyldine L (13) gave a molecular formula of C₃₇H₃₆N₂O₅ on the basis of its ¹³C NMR and HRESIMS (m/z 587.2543 [M − H]⁻, calcd. for C₃₇H₃₅N₂O₅, 587.2546). The UV and NMR data (Table 4) of 13 were closely comparable to those of microphyldine K (12), indicating that it also has a biscarbazole skeleton like 12. The difference between them is that 13 is a dimeric carbazole formed by koenigine [12] and murrayamine A [16] units, which were further deduced from the 2D NMR data. The linkage of these two units was determined to be via the C-1′-C-6″ bond, supported by the HMBC correlations of H-2′ and C-6″, and H-1′ and C-5″/C-7″ (Figure S87, Supporting Information). Accordingly, the structure of 13 was determined as shown (Figure 1). A subsequent chiral HPLC isolation was performed to obtain the pure enantiomers of 13a and 13b in a ratio of 1:1. The absolute configurations of 13a and 13b were defined as (1′S) and (1′R), respectively, by comparison of the experimental and calculated ECD spectra (Figure S86, Supporting Information).

(±)-Microphyldine M (14) gave a molecular formula of C₃₈H₃₈N₂O₅ based on the ¹³C NMR and a deprotonated ion at m/z 601.2712 [M − H]⁻ (calcd. for C₃₈H₃₇N₂O₅, 601.2702) in the negative-ion HRESIMS. Its 1D (Table 4) and 2D NMR data showed many similarities to those of 13, except for the replacement of a hydroxy singlet (δ_H 7.14 (1H, br s)) in 13 by a methoxy singlet (δ_H 3.64 (3H, s)) in 14. This suggested that 14 is a 7-methoxy derivative of 13, as deduced from the HMBC correlation of the methoxy protons with C-7 (δ_C 149.6) (Figure S94, Supporting Information). Hence, the structure of 14 was defined as shown (Figure 1). The pure enantiomers of 14a and 14b were obtained by a chiral HPLC separation. A comparison of the experimental and calculated ECD spectra facilitated the assignment of the absolute configurations of 14a and 14b as (1′S) and (1′R), respectively (Figure S93, Supporting Information).

(±)-Microphyldine N (15) gave a molecular formula of C₄₂H₄₄N₂O₅, as determined from its ¹³C NMR and HRESIMS data (m/z 655.3156 [M − H]⁻, calcd. for C₄₂H₄₃N₂O₅, 655.3172). Its 1D (Table 4) and 2D NMR data showed many similarities to those of 13 and the apparent difference was the presence of a set of resonances for the isopentenyl group (δ_H 1.54 (3H, s, H-10‴), 1.62 (3H, s, H-9‴), 2.15 (2H, m, H-6‴), 5.11 (1H, t, J = 6.0 Hz, H-7‴), δ_C 18.1 (C-10‴), 23.9 (C-6‴), 26.2 (C-9‴), 125.7 (C-7‴), 132.3 (C-8‴)) in 15. The HMBC correlations from H-5‴ to C-2‴, C-6‴, and C-7‴ and from H-6‴ to C-3‴ and C-5‴ suggested that the isopentenyl moiety is located at C-5‴(Figure 2). Hence, the planar structure of 15 was assigned as shown (Figure 1). The following chiral HPLC resolution and ECD determination defined the absolute configurations of 15a and 15b as (1′S) and (1′R), respectively (Figure S100, Supporting Information).

(±)-Microphyldine O (16) was isolated as an amorphous powder with a molecular formula of C₄₃H₄₆N₂O₅, as deduced from the ¹³C NMR and HRESIMS data (m/z 669.3328 [M − H]⁻, calcd for C₄₃H₄₅N₂O₅, 669.3328). The ¹H and ¹³C NMR data (Table 4) of 16 were found to be similar to those of 14. The obvious difference was the presence of a set of resonances for the isopentenyl group (δ_H 1.54 (3H, s, H-10‴), 1.61 (3H, s, H-9‴), 2.15 (2H, m, H-6‴), 5.11 (1H, t, J = 6.0 Hz, H-7‴), δ_C 16.2 (C-10‴), 22.1 (C-6‴), 24.7 (C-9‴), 123.8 (C-7‴), 130.4 (C-8‴)) in 16. The HMBC correlations from H-5‴ to C-6‴ and C-7‴ and from H-6‴ to C-3‴ and C-5‴ suggested that the isopentenyl moiety is located at C-5‴ (Figure S107, Supporting Information). Thus, the planar structure of 16 was assigned as shown (Figure 1). Compound 16 is also a racemate and was then separated by a chiral HPLC to give the enantiomers of 16a and 16b. By comparison of the experimental and calculated ECD spectra, the absolute configurations of 16a and 16b were established as (1′S) and (1′R), respectively (Figure S106, Supporting Information).

Microphyldine P (17) was obtained as an amorphous powder. Its molecular formula was determined as C₃₂H₂₈N₂O₃ base on its ¹³C NMR and HRESIMS data (m/z 487.2016 [M − H]⁻, calcd for C₃₂H₂₇N₂O₃, 487.2022). The ¹H and ¹³C NMR data (Table 2 and Table 3) analysis revealed that the structure of 17 is a dimeric carbazole formed by murrayamine A [16] and murrayafoline A [22,23] units. Additionally, the HMBC correlations from the 3″-CH₂ protons to C-5/C-6/C-7/C-2″/C-3″/C-4″, and H-5/H-2″/H-4″ to 3″-CH₂ revealed a C-6–C-3″-methyl linkage between the two carbazole moieties (Figure 2). Thus, the structure of microphyldine P (17) was defined as shown (Figure 1).

2.2. Bioactivity

All of these isolates (1–17) were subjected to an evaluation of their inhibition on nitric oxide (NO) production stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in BV-2 microglial cells and RAW 264.7 macrophages in reference to the traditional anti-inflammation use of Murraya genera [24,25]. Moreover, we tested their cytotoxic activities on HepG2, Du145, HCT116, and HeLa cells. However, none of these isolates displayed significant NO inhibitory or cytotoxic activities at 50 μM. Further testing of the biological activities of these isolates is under progress.

3. Discussion

Seventeen previously undescribed carbazole alkaloids were isolated and identified from the 95% aqueous EtOH extract of M. microphylla. (±)-Microphyltrine A (1) is a racemate of a pair of novel trimeric carbazole atropisomers from a natural source. (±)-Microphyldines A–P (2–17) are new carbazole dimeric racemates, among which, (±)-microphyldines A–J (2–11) are 10 pairs of biphenyl-type carbazole atropisomers, and (±)-microphyldines K–O (12–16) are five pairs of C1′−C6″-linked pyranocarbazole dimeric enantiomers. The chirally pure isomers of carbazole alkaloids (1a/1b–16a/16b) were obtained by chiral HPLC separation, and their absolute configurations were determined by electronic circular dichroism (ECD) data analysis. Unfortunately, none of the isolated alkaloids demonstrated significant NO inhibition or cytotoxicity at 50 μM.

4. Materials and Methods

4.1. General Experimental Procedures

UV spectra were recorded on a Shimadzu UV-2450 spectrophotometer (Shimadzu Co., Tokyo, Japan). Optical rotations were measured on a Rudolph Autopol IV automatic polarimeter (NJ, USA). ECD data were acquired on a J-810 CD spectrophotometer (JASCO, Japan). IR spectra were recorded on a Thermo Nicolet Nexus 470 FT-IR spectrometer (MA, USA). The NMR spectra were measured with a Bruker Plus-400 NMR spectrometer (Bruker Co., Switzerland) or a Varian INOVA-500 NMR spectrometer (Varian Co., USA), using acetone-d₆ or CDCl₃ as solvent, and the chemical shifts were referenced to the solvent residual peak. HRESIMS experiments were measured on a Waters Xevo G2 Q-TOF mass spectrometer (Waters Co., Milford, MA, USA). Column chromatography (CC) was performed on silica gel (100−200 mesh or 200−300 mesh, Qingdao Marine Chemical Co. Ltd., Qingdao, China). Semipreparative HPLC was carried out using a ZORBAX Eclipse XDB-C18 column (10 mm × 250 mm, 5 μm) on an Agilent 1200 series LC instrument with a DAD detector (Agilent Technologies, Palo Alto, CA, USA). Preparative TLC and TLC analyses were carried out on the pre-coated silica gel GF254 plates (Qingdao Marine Chemical Co. Ltd., Qingdao, China). Spots were visualized under the UV lights (254 and 365 nm) or by heating after spraying with 2% vanillin-H₂SO₄ solution. All the solvents used for isolation were of analytical grade and the solvents used for HPLC were of HPLC grade.

4.2. Plant Material

The dry leaves and stems of Murraya microphylla were collected from the Hainan Province, People’s Republic of China, in July 2015. The plant material was identified by one of the authors (P.F. Tu). A voucher specimen (no. MM201507) has been deposited at the Herbarium of the Peking University Modern Research Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine.

4.3. Extraction and Isolation

Air-dried and finely powdered leaves and stems of M. microphylla (16 kg) were refluxed three times with 95% aqueous EtOH (160 L × 2 h) and concentrated under reduced pressure to obtain a dry extract (730 g). The extract was suspended in H₂O and extracted with CH₂Cl₂ and n-BuOH, successively. The CH₂Cl₂ extract (410 g) was subjected to a silica gel column and eluted with a stepwise gradient of petroleum ether–acetone (98:2, 96:4, 90:10, 80:20, 60:40, and 40:60, v/v) to obtain eight fractions (A−H). Fraction F (8.0 g) was subjected to a Sephadex LH-20 column eluted with MeOH–CH₂Cl₂ (1:1, v/v) and produced three subfractions (F1–F3). Subfraction F2 (2.2 g) was separated into three fractions (F2a–F2c) using an ODS column eluted with a stepwise gradient of MeOH–H₂O (40:60, 50:50, 70:30, and 100:0, v/v). Fraction F2b (230 mg) was purified by semipreparative HPLC (3.0 mL/min, 0–25 min MeCN/H₂O (75:25)) to yield 1 (8.0 mg, t_R 11.8 min), 5 (11.0 mg, t_R 14.4 min), 7 (5.0 mg, t_R 17.9 min), and 12 (4.0 mg, t_R 20.1 min). Fraction G (12.0 g) was subjected to a Sephadex LH-20 column eluted with MeOH–CH₂Cl₂ (1:1, v/v) and produced three subfractions (G1–G3). Fraction G2 (132 mg) was purified by semipreparative HPLC (3.0 mL/min, 0–25 min MeCN/H₂O (60:40)) to yield 2 (6.0 mg, t_R 13.4 min), 3 (5.0 mg, t_R 15.4 min), and 4 (4.0 mg, t_R 19.1 min). Subfraction G3 (4.2 g) was separated into five fractions (G3a–G3e) using an ODS column eluted with a stepwise gradient of MeOH–H₂O (40:60, 60:40, and 80:20, v/v). Fraction G3a (230 mg) was purified by semipreparative HPLC (3.0 mL/min, 0–25 min MeCN/H₂O (60:40)) to yield 6 (9.0 mg, t_R 9.8 min), 8 (8.0 mg, t_R 13.4 min), 9 (5.0 mg, t_R 16.9 min), and 14 (7.0 mg, t_R 22.1 min). Fraction G3e (60 mg) was purified by semipreparative HPLC (3.0 mL/min, 0–25 min MeCN/H₂O (60:40)) to yield 10 (8.0 mg, t_R 12.8 min), 13 (7.0 mg, t_R 15.4 min), 15 (9.0 mg, t_R 18.9 min), and 17 (5.0 mg, t_R 21.1 min). Fraction H (5.0 g) was subjected to a Sephadex LH-20 column eluted with MeOH–CH₂Cl₂ (1:1, v/v) and produced three subfractions (H1–H3). Fraction H2 (132 mg) was purified by semipreparative HPLC (3.0 mL/min, 0–25 min MeCN/H₂O (60:40)) to yield 16 (7.0 mg, t_R 15.4 min) and 11 (9.0 mg, t_R 19.1 min).

Chiral separations of 1–16 were performed on a semipreparative NP-HPLC using a Chiralpak AD-H column (4.6 mm × 250 mm, 5 mm, Daicel, Nanning, China), eluting with n-hexane-isopropanol in a ratio of 85:15 (v/v), 75:25 (v/v), 75:25 (v/v), 75:25 (v/v), 75:25 (v/v), 75:25 (v/v), 75:25 (v/v), 70:30 (v/v), 75:25 (v/v), 75:25 (v/v), 78:22 (v/v), 60:40 (v/v), 60:40 (v/v), 60:40 (v/v), 60:40 (v/v), and 60:40 (v/v), respectively. The detection wavelength was 238 nm and the flow rate was 1 mL/min. Finally, compounds 1a (3.8 mg, t_R 6.0 min), 1b (3.8 mg, t_R 8.0 min), 2a (2.6 mg, t_R 6.2 min), 2b (2.9 mg, t_R 8.0 min), 3a (2.4 mg, t_R 4.4 min), 3b (2.3mg, t_R 5.8 min), 4a (1.8 mg, t_R 4.3 min), 4b (1.9 mg, t_R 6.8 min), 5a (4.7 mg, t_R 6.3 min), 5b (5.0 mg, t_R 7.8 min), 6a (3.9 mg, t_R 6.1 min), 6b (4.2 mg, t_R 7.6 min), 7a (2.3 mg, t_R 3.4 min), 7b (2.5 mg, t_R 5.4 min), 8a (3.6 mg, t_R 4.8 min), 8b (3.8 mg, t_R 7.1 min), 9a (2.4 mg, t_R 4.0 min), 9b (2.4 mg, t_R 6.8 min), 10a (3.8 mg, t_R 3.9 min), 10b (3.8 mg, t_R 6.3 min), 11a (4.3 mg, t_R 5.4 min), 11b (4.5 mg, t_R 7.5 min), 12a (1.9 mg, t_R 2.6 min), 12b (2.0 mg, t_R 7.5 min), 13a (3.3 mg, t_R 4.2 min), 13b (3.5 mg, t_R 8.3 min), 14a (3.4 mg, t_R 2.6 min), 14b (3.4 mg, t_R 7.8 min), 15a (4.3 mg, t_R 5.4 min), 15b (4.5 mg, t_R 7.6 min), 16a (3.3 mg, t_R 4.4 min), and 16b (3.5 mg, t_R 7.9 min) were yielded, respectively.

4.3.1. (±)-. Microphyltrine A (1)

White amorphous powder; UV (MeOH) λ_max (log ε) 227 (4.64), 252 (4.63), 293 (2.60), 332 (2.06) nm; IR (KBr) ν_max 3421, 1633, 1454, 1259, 1129, 1025, 670 cm⁻¹; ¹H and ¹³C NMR data, see Table 1; HRESIMS m/z 824.3330 [M − H]⁻ (calcd. for C₅₂H₄₆N₃O₇, 824.3336).

(−)-Microphyltrine A (1a): White amorphous powder, ${\left[\alpha \right]}_{\mathrm{D}}^{25}$ −74 (c 0.1, MeOH); ECD (MeOH) λ_max (Δε) 218 (+13.79), 245 (−10.01) nm.

(+)-Microphyltrine A (1b): White amorphous powder, ${\left[\alpha \right]}_{\mathrm{D}}^{25}$ +84 (c 0.1, MeOH); ECD (MeOH) λ_max (Δε) 218 (−13.68), 245 (+10.30) nm.

4.3.2. (±)-. Microphyldine A (2)

Brown amorphous powder; UV (MeOH) λ_max (log ε) 224 (3.85), 247 (3.86), 305 (3.33), 340 (2.73) nm; IR (KBr) ν_max 3413, 2968, 1720, 1628, 1462, 1301, 1128, 1025, 890, 838, 728 cm⁻¹; ¹H and ¹³C NMR data, see Table 2 and Table 3; HRESIMS m/z 585.2387 [M − H]⁻ (calcd for C₃₇H₃₃N₂O₅, 585.2389).

(−)-Microphyldine A (2a): Brown amorphous powder, ${\left[\alpha \right]}_{\mathrm{D}}^{25}$ −20 (c 0.01, MeOH); ECD (MeOH) λ_max (Δε) 224 (+14.81), 252 (−7.66) nm.

(+)-Microphyldine A (2b): Brown amorphous powder, ${\left[\alpha \right]}_{\mathrm{D}}^{25}$ +20 (c 0.01, MeOH); ECD (MeOH) λ_max (Δε) 224 (−14.73), 252 (+7.68) nm.

4.3.3. (±)-. Microphyldine B (3)

Brown amorphous powder; UV (MeOH) λ_max (log ε) 229 (4.37), 301 (2.16) nm; IR (KBr) ν_max 3552, 2968, 2919, 1642, 1453, 1375, 1168, 1128, 1023, 891, 577, 451 cm⁻¹; ¹H and ¹³C NMR data, see Table 2 and Table 3; HRESIMS m/z 615.2486 [M − H]⁻ (calcd for C₃₈H₃₅N₂O₆, 615.2495).

(−)-Microphyldine B (3a): Brown amorphous powder, ${\left[\alpha \right]}_{\mathrm{D}}^{25}$ −100 (c 0.01, MeOH); ECD (MeOH) λ_max (Δε) 226 (+13.87), 250 (−7.95) nm.

(+)-Microphyldine B (3b): Brown amorphous powder, ${\left[\alpha \right]}_{\mathrm{D}}^{25}$ +100 (c 0.01, MeOH); ECD (MeOH) λ_max (Δε) 226 (−14.23), 250 (+8.39) nm.

4.3.4. (±)-. Microphyldine C (4)

Brown amorphous powder; UV (MeOH) λ_max (log ε) 228 (4.86), 303 (3.26) nm; IR (KBr) ν_max 3418, 2969, 2922, 1715, 1640, 1444, 1423, 1377, 1186, 1128, 1024, 663 cm⁻¹; ¹H and ¹³C NMR data, see Table 2 and Table 3; HRESIMS m/z 585.2389 [M − H]⁻ (calcd for C₃₇H₃₃N₂O₅, 585.2389).

(−)-Microphyldine C (4a): Brown amorphous powder, ${\left[\alpha \right]}_{\mathrm{D}}^{25}$ −80 (c 0.01, MeOH); ECD (MeOH) λ_max (Δε) 226 (+81.61), 252 (−32.80) nm.

(+)-Microphyldine C (4b): Brown amorphous powder, ${\left[\alpha \right]}_{\mathrm{D}}^{25}$ +80 (c 0.01, MeOH); ECD (MeOH) λ_max (Δε) 226 (−79.45), 254 (+32.11) nm.

4.3.5. (±)-. Microphyldine D (5)

Brown amorphous powder; UV (MeOH) λ_max (log ε) 227 (4.86), 248 (4.83), 307 (3.26) nm; IR (KBr) ν_max 3444, 2922, 1746, 1644, 1454, 1428, 1185, 1020, 578 cm⁻¹; ¹H and ¹³C NMR data, see Table 2 and Table 3; HRESIMS m/z 653.3023 [M − H]⁻ (calcd for C₄₂H₄₁N₂O₅, 653.3015).

(−)-Microphyldine D (5a): Brown amorphous powder, ${\left[\alpha \right]}_{\mathrm{D}}^{25}$ −80 (c 0.01, MeOH); ECD (MeOH) λ_max (Δε) 222 (+9.61), 252 (−6.80), 296 (−2.78) nm.

(+)-Microphyldine D (5b): Brown amorphous powder, ${\left[\alpha \right]}_{\mathrm{D}}^{25}$ +80 (c 0.01, MeOH); ECD (MeOH) λ_max (Δε) 222 (−9.45), 254 (+7.11), 298 (+2.63) nm.

4.3.6. (±)-. Microphyldine E (6)

Brown amorphous powder; UV (MeOH) λ_max (log ε) 217 (4.86), 224 (4.43), 300 (3.26) nm; IR (KBr) ν_max 3445, 2979, 2901, 2123, 1646, 1454, 1383, 1160, 1044, 577 cm⁻¹; ¹H and ¹³C NMR data, see Table 2 and Table 3; HRESIMS m/z 653.3023 [M − H]⁻ (calcd for C₄₂H₄₁N₂O₅, 653.3015).

(−)-Microphyldine E (6a): Brown amorphous powder, ${\left[\alpha \right]}_{\mathrm{D}}^{25}$ −80 (c 0.01, MeOH); ECD (MeOH) λ_max (Δε) 218 (+3.31), 272 (−0.50) nm.

(+)-Microphyldine E (6b): Brown amorphous powder, ${\left[\alpha \right]}_{\mathrm{D}}^{25}$ +80 (c 0.01, MeOH); ECD (MeOH) λ_max (Δε) 218 (−3.15), 272 (+0.50) nm.

4.3.7. (±)-. Microphyldine F (7)

Brown amorphous powder; UV (MeOH) λ_max (log ε) 227 (4.86), 248.8 (4.83), 296.6 (2.80) nm; IR (KBr) ν_max 3646, 3612, 3361, 2921, 2851, 1713, 1642, 1503, 1458, 1379, 1143, 1019, 576 cm⁻¹; ¹H and ¹³C NMR data, see Table 2 and Table 3; HRESIMS m/z 585.2390 [M − H]⁻ (calcd for C₃₇H₃₃N₂O₅ 585.2389).

(−)-Microphyldine F (7a): Brown amorphous powder, ${\left[\alpha \right]}_{\mathrm{D}}^{25}$ −80 (c 0.01, MeOH); ECD (MeOH) λ_max (Δε) 218 (+7.11), 248 (−3.10) nm.

(+)-Microphyldine F (7b): Brown amorphous powder, ${\left[\alpha \right]}_{\mathrm{D}}^{25}$ +80 (c 0.01, MeOH); ECD (MeOH) λ_max (Δε) 218 (−7.45), 248 (+2.91) nm.

4.3.8. (±)-. Microphyldine G (8)

Brown amorphous powder; UV (MeOH) λ_max (log ε) 227 (4.86), 296.6 (4.80), 334 (4.26) nm; IR (KBr) ν_max 3647, 3420, 2966, 2920, 2851, 1728, 1608, 1448, 1428, 1185, 1018, 578 cm⁻¹; ¹H and ¹³C NMR data, see Table 2 and Table 3; HRESIMS m/z 653.3007 [M − H]⁻ (calcd for C₄₂H₄₁N₂O₅, 653.3015).

(−)-Microphyldine G (8a): Brown amorphous powder, ${\left[\alpha \right]}_{\mathrm{D}}^{25}$ −80 (c 0.01, MeOH); ECD (MeOH) λ_max (Δε) 200 (+8.61), 242 (−1.80) nm.

(+)-Microphyldine G (8b): Brown amorphous powder, ${\left[\alpha \right]}_{\mathrm{D}}^{25}$ +80 (c 0.01, MeOH); ECD (MeOH) λ_max (Δε) 200 (−8.45), 244 (+2.11) nm.

4.3.9. (±)-. Microphyldine H (9)

Brown amorphous powder; UV (MeOH) λ_max (log ε) 238.8 (4.83), 309 (4.80), 334 (4.26) nm; IR (KBr) ν_max 3712, 3444, 2920, 1729, 1610, 1454, 1419, 1175, 1019, 575 cm⁻¹; ¹H and ¹³C NMR data, see Table 2 and Table 3; HRESIMS m/z 601.2692 [M − H]⁻ (calcd for C₃₈H₃₇N₂O₅, 601.2702).

(−)-Microphyldine H (9a): Brown amorphous powder, ${\left[\alpha \right]}_{\mathrm{D}}^{25}$ −80 (c 0.01, MeOH); ECD (MeOH) λ_max (Δε) 218 (+23.61), 254 (−13.80) nm.

(+)-Microphyldine H (9b): Brown amorphous powder, ${\left[\alpha \right]}_{\mathrm{D}}^{25}$ +80 (c 0.01, MeOH); ECD (MeOH) λ_max (Δε) 218 (−23.45), 254 (+13.11) nm.

4.3.10. (±)-. Microphyldine I (10)

Brown amorphous powder; UV (MeOH) λ_max (log ε) 234 (4.86), 248 (4.83), 291 (4.80), 334 (4.26) nm; IR (KBr) ν_max 3419, 2969, 2920, 1714, 1613, 1453, 1387, 1174, 1019, 582 cm⁻¹; ¹H and ¹³C NMR data, see Table 2 and Table 3; HRESIMS m/z 391.1440 [M − H]⁻ (calcd for C₂₆H₁₉N₂O₂, 391.1447).

(−)-Microphyldine I (10a): Brown amorphous powder, ${\left[\alpha \right]}_{\mathrm{D}}^{25}$ −80 (c 0.01, MeOH); ECD (MeOH) λ_max (Δε) 203 (+11.61), 275 (−24.80) nm.

(+)-Microphyldine I (10b): Brown amorphous powder, ${\left[\alpha \right]}_{\mathrm{D}}^{25}$ +80 (c 0.01, MeOH); ECD (MeOH) λ_max (Δε) 204 (−19.45), 275 (+25.11) nm.

4.3.11. (±)-. Microphyldine J (11)

Brown amorphous powder; UV (MeOH) λ_max (log ε) 226 (4.85), 243 (4.81), 294 (4.76), 334 (4.26) nm; IR (KBr) ν_max 3404, 1746, 1633, 1470, 1453, 1111, 1019, 579 cm⁻¹; ¹H and ¹³C NMR data, see Table 2 and Table 3; HRESIMS m/z 405.1232 [M − H]⁻ (calcd for C₂₆H₁₇N₂O₃, 405.1239).

(−)-Microphyldine J (11a): Brown amorphous powder, ${\left[\alpha \right]}_{\mathrm{D}}^{25}$ −80 (c 0.01, MeOH); ECD (MeOH) λ_max (Δε) 218 (−12.61), 272 (+25.20), 266 (−16.28) nm.

(+)-Microphyldine J (11b): Brown amorphous powder, ${\left[\alpha \right]}_{\mathrm{D}}^{25}$ +80 (c 0.01, MeOH); ECD (MeOH) λ_max (Δε) 218 (+19.45), 274 (−24.11), 268 (+16.63) nm.

4.3.12. (±)-. Microphyldine K (12)

Brown amorphous powder; UV (MeOH) λ_max (log ε) 238 (4.83), 306 (4.80), 324 (4.26) nm; IR (KBr) ν_max 3601, 3425, 2969, 2917, 2855, 1720, 1631, 1464, 1135, 1025, 584 cm⁻¹; ¹H and ¹³C NMR data, see Table 4; HRESIMS m/z 505.2125 [M − H]⁻ (calcd for C₃₂H₂₉N₂O₄, 505.2127).

(−)-Microphyldine K (12a): Brown amorphous powder, ${\left[\alpha \right]}_{\mathrm{D}}^{25}$ −80 (c 0.01, MeOH); ECD (MeOH) λ_max (Δε) 214 (+19.61), 252 (−8.80), 296 (−5.78) nm.

(+)-Microphyldine K (12b): Brown amorphous powder, ${\left[\alpha \right]}_{\mathrm{D}}^{25}$ +80 (c 0.01, MeOH); ECD (MeOH) λ_max (Δε) 213 (−19.45), 254 (+9.11), 298 (+5.63) nm.

4.3.13. (±)-. Microphyldine L (13)

Brown amorphous powder; UV (MeOH) λ_max (log ε) 243 (4.76), 300 (4.30), 334 (4.26) nm; IR (KBr) ν_max 3525, 3459, 3363, 2969, 2923, 2855, 1706, 1622, 1450, 1420, 1186, 1047, 580 cm⁻¹; ¹H and ¹³C NMR data, see Table 4; HRESIMS m/z 587.2543 [M − H]⁻ (calcd for C₃₇H₃₅N₂O₅, 587.2546).

(−)-Microphyldine L (13a): Brown amorphous powder, ${\left[\alpha \right]}_{\mathrm{D}}^{25}$ −80 (c 0.01, MeOH); ECD (MeOH) λ_max (Δε) 222 (−4.61), 296 (−3.78) nm.

(+)-Microphyldine L (13b): Brown amorphous powder, ${\left[\alpha \right]}_{\mathrm{D}}^{25}$ +80 (c 0.01, MeOH); ECD (MeOH) λ_max (Δε) 222 (+4.45), 298 (+3.63) nm.

4.3.14. (±)-. Microphyldine M (14)

Brown amorphous powder; UV (MeOH) λ_max (log ε) 224 (4.86), 238.8 (4.83), 296.6 (4.80), 334 (4.26) nm; IR (KBr) ν_max 3525, 3459, 3363, 2969, 2923, 2855, 1706, 1622, 1450, 1420, 1186, 1047, 580 cm⁻¹; ¹H and ¹³C NMR data, see Table 4; HRESIMS m/z 601.2712 [M − H]⁻ (calcd for C₃₈H₃₇N₂O₅, 601.2702).

(−)-Microphyldine M (14a): Brown amorphous powder, ${\left[\alpha \right]}_{\mathrm{D}}^{25}$ −80 (c 0.01, MeOH); ECD (MeOH) λ_max (Δε) 208 (+6.81), 242 (−7.20), 296 (−2.78) nm.

(+)-Microphyldine M (14b): Brown amorphous powder, ${\left[\alpha \right]}_{\mathrm{D}}^{25}$ +80 (c 0.01, MeOH); ECD (MeOH) λ_max (Δε) 208 (−6.45), 244 (+7.11), 296 (+2.63) nm.

4.3.15. (±)-. Microphyldine N (15)

Brown amorphous powder; UV (MeOH) λ_max (log ε) 224 (4.86), 245 (4.83), 301 (4.80), 334 (4.26) nm; IR (KBr) ν_max 3725, 3600, 3383, 2964, 2917, 2850, 1721, 1617, 1494, 1475, 1259, 1025, 580 cm⁻¹; ¹H and ¹³C NMR data, see Table 4; HRESIMS m/z 655.3156 [M − H]⁻ (calcd for C₄₂H₄₃N₂O₅, 655.3172).

(−)-Microphyldine N (15a): Brown amorphous powder, ${\left[\alpha \right]}_{\mathrm{D}}^{25}$ −80 (c 0.01, MeOH); ECD (MeOH) λ_max (Δε) 214 (+1.21), 248 (−1.10), 326 (−0.78) nm.

(+)-Microphyldine N (15b): Brown amorphous powder, ${\left[\alpha \right]}_{\mathrm{D}}^{25}$ +80 (c 0.01, MeOH); ECD (MeOH) λ_max (Δε) 213 (−1.45), 247 (+1.11), 328 (+0.63) nm.

4.3.16. (±)-. Microphyldine O (16)

Brown amorphous powder; UV (MeOH) λ_max (log ε) 226 (4.86), 238.8 (4.83), 302 (4.80), 334 (4.26) nm; IR (KBr) ν_max 3725, 3624, 3383, 2920, 2849, 1719, 1617, 1476, 1438, 1162, 1028, 580 cm⁻¹; ¹H and ¹³C NMR data, see Table 4; HRESIMS m/z 669.3328 [M − H]⁻ (calcd for C₄₃H₄₅N₂O₅, 669.3328).

(−)-Microphyldine O (16a): Brown amorphous powder, ${\left[\alpha \right]}_{\mathrm{D}}^{25}$ −80 (c 0.01, MeOH); ECD (MeOH) λ_max (Δε) 218 (+5.91), 252 (−5.80), 296 (−0.78) nm.

(+)-Microphyldine O (16b): Brown amorphous powder, ${\left[\alpha \right]}_{\mathrm{D}}^{25}$ +80 (c 0.01, MeOH); ECD (MeOH) λ_max (Δε) 218 (−5.85), 254 (+5.71), 298 (+0.93) nm.

4.3.17. Microphyldine P (17)

Brown amorphous powder; UV (MeOH) λ_max (log ε) 245 (4.83), 294 (4.80), 334 (4.26) nm; IR (KBr) ν_max 3442, 2954, 2920, 2850, 1734, 1656, 1494, 1458, 1214, 1024, 578 cm⁻¹; ¹H and ¹³C NMR data see, Table 2 and Table 3; HRESIMS m/z 487.2016 [M − H]⁻ (calcd for C₃₂H₂₇N₂O₃, 487.2022).

4.4. Computational Methods

The R_a/S_a configurations of compounds 1, 2, 6, 8, 10, 11 and the (1′S)/(1′R) configurations of compounds 12–16 were submitted to random conformational analysis, respectively, with the MMFF94s force field using the Sybyl-X 2.0 software package. The conformers were further optimized by using the TDDFT method at the B3LYP/6-31G(d) level, and the frequency was calculated at the same level of theory. The stable conformers without imaginary frequencies were subjected to ECD calculation by the TDDFT method at the B3LYP/6-31+G(d) level with the CPCM model in MeOH. ECD spectra of different conformers were simulated using SpecDis v1.51 with a half-band width of 0.3 eV, and the final ECD spectra were computed according to the Boltzmann-calculated contribution of each conformer. The calculated ECD spectra were compared with the experimental data. All calculations were performed with the Gaussian 09 program package [26,27].

4.5. Anti-Inflammatory Activity Assay

The murine BV-2 microglial cells or the monocytic RAW 264.7 macrophages were purchased from Peking Union Medical College (PUMC) Cell Bank (Beijing, China). Cell maintenance, experimental procedures, and data determination for the inhibition of NO production are the same as previously described [15,28]. Cell viability was evaluated by MTT assay. Dexamethasone was used as a positive control.

4.6. Cytotoxicity Assay

HepG2, Du145, HCT116, and HeLa cells (PUMC Cell Bank, Beijing, China) were used for the cytotoxicity assays. Cytotoxic activities were determined using the MTT method. Cell culture, experimental procedures, and data processing were performed according to the literature report [29], with taxol serving as a positive control.