Unrestrained conformational characterization of Stenocereus eruca saponins in aqueous and nonaqueous solvents

J Nat Prod. 2012 Jun 22;75(6):1196-200. doi: 10.1021/np3000393. Epub 2012 Jun 13.

Abstract

Saponins are secondary metabolites that have a plethora of biological activities. However, the absence of knowledge of their 3D structures is a major drawback for structural-based strategies in medicinal chemistry. To address this problem, the current work presents structural models of Stenocereus eruca saponins, named erucasaponin A and stellatoside B. These compounds were constructed on the basis of a combination of unrestrained molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and NOESY data, in both pyridine and water. The models obtained in this way offer a robust description of the saponin dynamics in solution and support the use of submicrosecond MD simulations in describing and predicting glycoconjugate conformations.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Algorithms
  • Cactaceae / chemistry*
  • Computer Simulation
  • Macrolides
  • Models, Molecular*
  • Molecular Conformation
  • Saponins / chemistry*
  • Solutions
  • Solvents / chemistry
  • Water / chemistry

Substances

  • Macrolides
  • Saponins
  • Solutions
  • Solvents
  • erucasaponin A
  • stellatoside B
  • Water