Three New ent‐Labdane Diterpenoids from the Wood of Excoecaria agallocha Linn.

An extensive study of metabolites present in Excoecaria agallocha Linn . led to the isolation of three new ent‐labdane‐type diterpenoids, named agallochaexcoerins A–C ( 1 – 3 ), besides three known compounds. The skeleton present in compound 1 is rather unusual, containing of a seven‐membered lactone. The structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic studies and comparison with known related compounds. The isolated compounds 1 – 6 were not active against Raw 264.7 (macrophage‐like), K 562 (leukemia), and COLO 205 (colon) human carcinoma cell lines.     

Itosides A – I,New Phenolic Glycosides from Itoa orientalis

Eight new benzoylated gentisyl alcohol (=2‐(hydroxymethyl)benzene‐1,4‐diol) glucosides, itosides A–H ( 1 – 8 ), together with the new pyrocatechol (=benzene‐1,2‐diol) glycoside itoside I ( 9 ) were isolated from the bark and twigs of Itoa orientalis (Flacourtiaceae). In itosides B–D ( 2 – 4 ), the gentisyl alcohol moiety was esterified by 1‐hydroxy‐6‐oxocyclohex‐2‐ene‐1‐carboxylic acid, while itosides E–H ( 5 – 8 ) contained instead an additional 2‐hydroxybenzoic acid moiety. The compounds were accompanied by the known derivatives 4‐hydroxytremulacin ( 10 ), poliothyrsoside ( 11 ), poliothyrsin ( 12 ), homaloside D ( 13 ), tremulacin, and pyrocatechol β‐D ‐glucopyranoside. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by spectral and chemical methods.     

Tricycloalternarenes A – E: Five New Mixed Terpenoids from the Endophytic Fungal Strain Alternaria alternata Ly83

Five new mixed terpenoids, tricycloalternarenes (TCAs) A–E ( 1 – 5 ), together with two known compounds, TCA 1b ( 6 ) and TCA 2b ( 7 ), were isolated from the solid‐state‐cultured endophytic fungus Alternaria alternata of Maytenus hookeri. Their structures were identified by extensive spectroscopic (especially 2D‐NMR) experiments. Compound 7 showed weak activity against human tumor cell lines by MTT assay.     

Three New Phenol Compounds from Iris dichotoma Pall.

Three new phenolic compounds, irisdichototins D, E, and F ( 1 – 3 , resp.) were isolated from the stems of Iris dichotoma. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic analyses, including 2D‐NMR techniques.     

Six New Dammarane Triterpenoids from Viburnum cylindricum

One new dammarane triterpenoid, cylindrictone A ( 1 ), as well as five new nor‐dammarane triterpenoids cylindrictone B–F ( 2 – 6 ) were isolated from the leaves of Viburnum cylindrium, together with three known compounds 3β‐hydroxy‐hexanordammaran‐20‐one ( 7 ), 3α‐hydroxyoctanordammar‐12‐en‐17‐one ( 8 ), and neoalsogenin B ( 9 ). Their structures were identified by extensive NMR‐spectroscopic (especially 2D‐NMR) and mass‐spectrometric experiments, and the structure of 3 was further confirmed by a single‐crystal X‐ray analysis. The compounds exhibited no activity against human promyelocytic leukemia HL60 cell.     

New Secoiridoid Glucosides from Swertia japonica

Four new secoiridoid glucosides, swertiajaposides C–F ( 1 – 4 , resp.), were isolated from the whole plant of Swertia japonica Makino together with two known compounds, 8‐hydroxy‐10‐hydrosweroside ( 5 ) and senburiside IV ( 6 ). The structures of 1 – 4 were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic, chemical, and physicochemical evidence.     

Xylocosides A – G,Phenolic Glucosides from the Stems of Xylosma controversum

Seven new phenolic glucosides, xylocosides A–G ( 1 – 7 ), together with 18 known compounds were isolated from the stems of Xylosma controversum Clos . In compounds 3 – 6 , the glucose residue is esterified at C(6) by 2‐hydroxycyclopentanecarboxylic acid. These new structures were established by spectroscopic‐data interpretation and chemical methods.     

New Triterpenoid Glycosides from the Roots of Camellia oleifera Abel

Five new triterpenoid saponins, oleiferosides I–M ( 1 – 5 , resp.) were isolated from the roots of Camellia oleifera Abel . Their structures were elucidated by a combination of 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and chemical methods. All the compounds were identified as oleanane‐type saponins with sugar moieties linked to C(3) of the aglycone. In addition, cytotoxic activities of these saponins were evaluated against four human tumor cell lines (A549, B16, BEL‐7402, and MCF‐7) by using the 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) in vitro assay. All of the compounds showed significant cytotoxic activities against the tested cell lines.     

Three New Indole‐Containing Diketopiperazine Alkaloids from a Deep‐Ocean Sediment Derived Fungus Penicillium griseofulvum

Three new indole‐containing diketopiperazine alkaloids, named variecolorins M–O ( 1 – 3 ), together with the eight known analogues 4 – 11 , were isolated from a deep‐ocean sediment‐derived fungus, Penicillium griseofulvum. Their structures were determined by analysis of the spectroscopic data. The 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazinyl (DPPH) radical‐scavenging activities and the cell‐proliferation inhibitory activities of the three new compounds 1 – 3 were investigated.     

Tasumatrols P – T,Five New Taxoids from Taxus sumatrana

The phytochemical investigation of the more polar fractions from the leaves and twigs of Taxus sumatrana (Taxaceae) afforded five new taxane diterpene esters, tasumatrols P–T ( 1 – 5 ) possessing an 11(15→1),11(10→9)‐diabeotaxane skeleton. Compounds 1, 4 , and 5 contain an α‐hydroxy group at C(14), while 3 has no OH group at either C(13) or C(14). Compound 2 is a natural 4,5‐acetonide derivative, while 4 has an unusual spiro‐connected 2‐hydroxy‐2‐phenyl‐1,3‐dioxolane ring. Ten known taxoids, were also isolated in the course of the chromatographic fractionation. Five additional new O‐acetyl derivatives 3a, 4a, 4b, 5a , and 5b were prepared from the taxanes 3 – 5 . The structures of all new compounds were established on the basis of their spectroscopic analyses. Compound 1 showed mild cytotoxic activity against human Hela and Daoy tumor cells.     

Iridoids from the Roots of Valeriana jatamansi

Three new iridoids, jatamanins N–P ( 1 – 3 ), along with the seven known iridiods 4 – 10 , were isolated from the roots of Valeriana jatamansi. Compound 1 is an unusual iridoid bearing two epoxy bridges between C(3) and C(6) and between C(1) and C(10), forming a unique cage‐like rigid skeleton. The structures of the new compounds were assigned on the basis of spectroscopic methods.     

Further Daphniphyllum Alkaloids from the Leaves of Daphniphyllum macropodum Miq.

Five new polycyclic Daphniphyllum alkaloids, macropodumines F ( 1 ) and G ( 2 ), 17‐oxoyuzurimine ( 3 ), and macropodumines H ( 4 ) and I ( 5 ), were isolated from the leaves of D. macropodum Miq ., collected in Sichuan Province, China. The structures and relative configurations of the new compounds – as well as of four known, related alkaloids – were elucidated on the basis of in‐depth spectroscopic and mass‐spectrometric analyses, by chemical derivatization, and by comparison of spectroscopic data with those of known compounds.     

Vinmajorines C – E,Monoterpenoid Indole Alkaloids from Vinca major

Three new monoterpenoid indole alkaloids, vinmajorines C–E ( 1 – 3 ), along with 18 known analogues ( 4 – 21 ), were isolated from the whole plants of Vinca major. The new structures were elucidated as (5α,15β,16R,17α,19β,20α,21β)‐10,17‐dimethoxy‐21‐methyl‐18‐oxa‐5,16‐cycloyohimban‐19‐ol ( 1 ), (5α,15β,16R,17α,20α,21β)‐10‐methoxy‐21‐methyl‐18‐oxa‐5,16‐cycloyohimban‐17‐ol ( 2 ), and (5α,15β,16R,17α,20α,21β)‐10‐methoxy‐21‐methyl‐18‐oxa‐5,16‐cycloyohimban‐17‐yl acetate ( 3 ), respectively, by extensive NMR and MS analysis and comparison with known compounds. Compounds 1 – 3 were evaluated for their cytotoxic activities against five human cancer cell lines, compounds 1 and 3 showing moderate cytotoxic activities.     

Three New Phenylpropanoids from Inula nervosa Wall.

Three new phenylpropanoid compounds, named nervolans A–C ( 1 – 3 , resp.), together with two other known phenylpropanoids, coniferyl diangelate and sinapyl diangelate, were isolated from the aerial parts of Inula nervosa Wall . (Asteraceae), a traditional Chinese medicinal plant. The structures of 1 – 3 were elucidated by detailed spectroscopic analyses, including HR‐ESI‐MS data and 2D‐NMR spectroscopy. Compounds 1 – 5 exhibited mild inhibitory effects against NO production in LPS‐stimulated RAW264.7 cells.     

Four New Nortriterpenoids from Schisandra lancifolia

Four new highly oxygenated nortriterpenoids, lancifodilactones O–R ( 1 – 4 ), together with six known ones, i.e., 5 – 10 , were isolated from the leaves and stems of Schisandra lancifolia. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analyses, including 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR experiments and mass spectrometry. Compounds 1 – 3 were evaluated for their cytotoxicity against NB4, A549, SHSY5Y, PC‐3, and MCF‐7 cell lines. No compounds exhibited significant cytotoxicity, the IC₅₀ values being above 50 μM .     

Three New Diterpenoids from Isodon nervosus

Three new ent‐kaurane diterpenoids, rabdonervosins D–F ( 1 – 3 ), were isolated from the leaves and stems of Isodon nervosus. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic methods including 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR analyses. Compounds 1 – 3 were evaluated for their cytotoxicity against HepG2, CNE2, PC‐9/ZD, HeLa, MCF‐7, and HCT116 cell lines. No compounds exhibited potent cytotoxicity.     

Iridoid Glycosides from Hedyotis corymbosa

Three new iridoid glycosides, hedycorysides A–C ( 1 – 3 , resp.), were isolated from the whole plant of Hedyotis corymbosa (Linn .) Lam ., along with four known compounds. Their structures were elucidated by extensive 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR analysis, as well as by HR‐ESI‐MS experiments. The three new compounds are the first benzoylated geniposide derivatives from Hedyotis.     

Five New β‐Carboline‐Type Alkaloids from Stellaria dichotoma var. lanceolata

Five new β‐carboline‐type alkaloids, dichotomines F–J ( 1 – 5 , resp.), along with nine known compounds, dichotomides I, III, V, and VII ( 6 – 9 , resp.), stellarines A and C ( 10 – 11 , resp.), dichotomine B ( 12 ), glucodichotomine B ( 13 ), and 1‐acetyl‐3‐carboxy‐β‐carboline ( 14 ), were isolated from the roots of Chinese medicinal plant Stellaria dichotoma L. var. lanceolata. Their structures were determined by chemical and spectroscopic means. Compounds 12 and 13 exhibited moderate cytotoxicity.     

Norlignans and Phenylpropanoids from Metasequoia glyptostroboides Hu et Cheng

Five new compounds, i.e., the three new norlignans metasequirins G–I ( 1 – 3 ) and the two new phenylpropanoids 7‐(3‐ethoxy‐5‐methoxyphenyl)propane‐7,8,9‐triol (=1‐(3‐ethoxy‐5‐methoxyphenyl)propane‐1,2,3‐triol; 4 ) and 7‐(3‐hydroxy‐5‐methoxyphenyl)propane‐7,8,9‐triol (=1‐(3‐hydroxy‐5‐methoxy‐phenyl)propane‐1,2,3‐triol; 5 ), were isolated from the branches and stems of Metasequoia glyptostroboides Hu et Cheng . Their structures were elucidated by physical, chemical, and spectroscopic methods, including 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR and HR‐ESI‐MS. The cytotoxicites of the five compounds were tested against A549 and Colo 205 cell lines by the MTT method.     

Five New Aromatic Glycosides from Carthamus tinctorius

Five new aromatic glycosides, 1 – 5 , named as carthamosides B₄–B₈, together with three known compounds, 4′‐(hydroxyphenacyl)‐β‐D ‐glucopyranoside ( 6 ), benzyl‐O‐α‐L ‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1→6)‐β‐D ‐glucopyranoside ( 7 ), and 4‐(methoxybenzyl)‐O‐β‐D ‐glucopyranoside ( 8 ), have been isolated from the air‐dried flower of Carthamus tinctorius. Their structures were identified on the basis of chemical and spectroscopic methods.