Neoclerodane Diterpenes from Amoora stellato‐squamosa

From the twigs of Amoora stellato‐squamosa, five new neoclerodane diterpenes have been isolated and characterized, methyl (13E)‐2‐oxoneocleroda‐3,13‐dien‐15‐oate (=methyl (2E)‐3‐methyl‐5‐[(1S,2R,4aR,8aR)‐1,2,3,4,4a,7,8,8a‐octahydro‐1,2,4a,5‐tetramethyl‐7‐oxo‐naphthalen‐1‐yl]pent‐2‐enoate; 1 ), (13E)‐2‐oxoneocleroda‐3,13‐dien‐15‐ol (=(4aR,7R,8S,8aR)‐1,2,4a,5,6,7,8,8a‐octahydro‐8‐[(E)‐5‐hydroxy‐3‐methylpent‐3‐enyl]‐4,4a,7,8‐tetramethylnaphthalen‐2(1H)‐one; 2 ), (3α,4β,13E)‐neoclerod‐13‐ene‐3,4,15‐triol (=(1R,2R,4aR, 5S,6R,8aR)‐decahydro‐5‐[(E)‐5‐hydroxy‐3‐methylpent‐3‐enyl]‐1,5,6,8a‐tetramethylnaphthalene‐1,2‐diol; 3 ), (3α,4β,13E)‐4‐ethoxyneoclerod‐13‐ene‐3,15‐diol (=(1R,2R,4aR,5S,6R,8aR)‐1‐ethoxydecahydro‐5‐[(E)‐5‐hydroxy‐3‐methylpent‐3‐enyl]‐1,5,6,8a‐tetramethylnaphthalen‐2‐ol; 4 ), and (3α,4β,14RS)‐neoclerod‐13(16)‐ ene‐3,4,14,15‐tetrol (=(1R,2R,4aR,5S,6R,8aR)‐decahydro‐5‐[3‐(1,2‐dihydroxyethyl)but‐3‐enyl]‐1,5,6,8a‐tetramethylnaphthalene‐1,2‐diol; 5 ), together with two known compounds, (13E)‐neocleroda‐3,13‐diene‐15,18‐diol ( 6 ) and (13S)‐2‐oxoneocleroda‐3,14‐dien‐13‐ol ( 7 ).     

Two New Triterpene and a New Nortriterpene Glycosides from Phlomis viscosa

The isolation and structure elucidation of two new oleanane‐type triterpene glycosides, 29‐(β‐D ‐glucopyranosyloxy)‐2α,3β,23‐trihydroxyolean‐12‐en‐28‐oic acid (=(2α,3β,4α,29α)‐29‐(β‐D ‐glucopyranosyloxy)‐2,3,23‐trihydroxyolean‐12‐en‐28‐oic acid; 1 ) and its C(20)‐epimer, 30‐(β‐D ‐glucopyranosyloxy)‐2α,3β,23‐trihydroxyolean‐12‐en‐28‐oic acid (=(2α,3β,4α,29β)‐29‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyloxy)‐2,3,23‐trihydroxyolean‐12‐en‐28‐oic acid; 2 ), and a novel nortriterpene glycoside, (17S)‐2α,18β,23‐trihydroxy‐3,19‐dioxo‐19(18→17)‐ abeo‐28‐norolean‐12‐en‐25‐oic acid β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl ester (=(1R,2S,4aS,4bR,6aR,7R,9R,10aS,10bS)‐3,4,4a,4b,5,6,6a,7,8,9,10,10a,10b,11‐tetradecahydro‐1‐hydroxy‐7‐(hydroxymethyl)‐3′,4′,4a,4b,7‐pentamethyl‐2′,8‐ dioxospiro[chrysene‐2(1H),1′‐cyclopentane]‐10a‐carboxylic acid β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl ester; 3 ) from Phlomis viscosa (Lamiaceae) are reported. The structures of the compounds were asigned by means of spectroscopic (IR, 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR, and LC‐ESI‐MS) and chemical (acetylation) methods.     

New Cholinesterase‐Inhibiting Steroidal Alkaloids from Sarcococca saligna

Seven new steroidal alkaloids, 2‐hydroxysalignarine‐E (=(2′E,20S)‐20‐(dimethylamino)‐2β‐hydroxy‐3β‐(tigloylamino)pregn‐4‐ene; 1 ), 5,6‐dihydrosarconidine (=(20S)‐20‐(dimethylamino)‐3β‐(methylamino)‐5α‐pregn‐16‐ene; 2 ), salignamine (=(20S)‐20‐(methylamino)‐3β‐methoxypregna‐5,16‐diene; 3 ), 2‐hydroxysalignamine (=(20S)‐20‐(dimethylamino)‐2β‐hydroxy‐3β‐methoxypregna‐5,16‐diene; 4 ), salignarine‐F (=(2′E, 20S)‐20‐(dimethylamino)‐4β‐hydroxy‐3β‐(tigloylamino)pregn‐5‐ene; 5 ), salonine‐C (=(2′E,20S)‐20‐(dimethylamino)‐3β‐(tigloylamino)pregna‐4,14‐diene; 6 ), and N‐[formyl(methyl)amino]salonine‐B (=(20S)‐20‐[formyl(methyl)amino]‐3β‐methoxypregna‐5,16‐diene; 7 ) have been isolated from the MeOH extract of Sarcococca saligna, along with the six known alkaloids dictyophlebine ( 8 ), epipachysamine‐D ( 9 ), saracosine ( 10 ), iso‐N‐formylchonemorphine ( 11 ), sarcodinine ( 12 ), and alkaloid‐C ( 13 ). The structures of 1 – 7 were deduced from spectral data. Compounds 1 – 13 demonstrated significant activity against acetyl‐ and butyrylcholinesterase.     

Chemical and Cytotoxic Constituents from the Stem of Machilus zuihoensis

Five new compounds, including a novel lactone, machilactone (=rel‐(2R,3aR,6E,6aS)‐2‐heptadecyl‐3a‐methyl‐6‐octadecylidene‐6,6a‐dihydrofuro[2,3‐d][1,3]dioxol‐5(3aH)‐one; 1 ), a new sesquiterpene, 3,4‐dihydroxy‐β‐bisabolol (=rel‐(1R,2S,4R)‐1‐[(1R)‐1,5‐dimethylhex‐4‐enyl]‐1‐methylcyclohexane‐1,2,4‐triol; 2 ), a new secobutyrolactone, methyl (2E)‐2‐(1‐hydroxy‐2‐oxopropyl)eicos‐2‐enoate ( 3 ), two new butyrolactones, machicolide A ( 4 ) and machicolide B ( 5 ) (=3E,4R,5R)‐ and (3Z,4R,5R)‐4,5‐dihydro‐4‐hydroxy‐5‐methoxy‐5‐methyl‐3‐octadecylidenefuran‐2(3H)‐one, resp.) as a mixture, together with known caryophyllene oxide (=4,12,12‐trimethyl‐9‐methylene‐5‐oxatricyclo[8.2.0.0^4,6]dodecane), hexacosane, tetracosanoic acid, isomahubanolide‐23 (=(3E,4R)‐4,5‐dihydro‐4‐hydroxy‐5‐methylidene‐3‐octadecylidenefuran‐2(3H)‐one), and β‐bisabolol (=(1S)‐1‐[(1S)‐1,5‐dimethylhex‐4‐enyl]‐4‐methylcyclohex‐3‐en‐1‐ol) were isolated from the stem wood of Machilus zuihoensis. The structures of these compounds were established by spectroscopic studies. The eicos‐2‐enoate ( 3 ) and β‐bisabolol exhibited marginal cytotoxicity against NUGC and HONE‐1 cancer cell lines in vitro.     

Scyphiphorins A and B,Two New Iridoid Glycosides from the Stem Bark of a Chinese Mangrove Scyphiphora hydrophyllacea

Two new iridoid glycosides, named scyphiphorins A ( 1 ) and B ( 2 ), together with four known compounds, geniposidic acid (=(1S,4aS,7aS)‐1‐(β‐D ‐glucopyranosyloxy)‐1,4a,5,7a‐tetrahydro‐7‐(hydroxymethyl)cyclopenta[c]pyran‐4‐carboxylic acid; 3 ), 4‐(4‐hydroxy‐3‐methoxybenzyl)butan‐2‐one, oleanolic acid (=(3β)‐3‐hydroxyolean‐12‐en‐28‐oic acid), and stigmasterol β‐D ‐glucoside (=(3β,22E)‐stigmasta‐5,22‐dien‐3‐yl β‐D ‐glucopyranoside), were isolated for the first time from the stem bark of a Chinese mangrove, Scyphiphora hydrophyllacea Gaertn . f. The structures of compounds 1 and 2 were determined as 10‐O‐benzoylgeniposidic acid and 10‐O‐[(2E,6R)‐8‐hydroxy‐2,6‐dimethyl‐1‐oxooct‐2‐en‐1‐yl]geniposidic acid, respectively, on the basis of spectroscopic data and chemical methods, including 2D NMR techniques.     

A Guaianolide Sesquiterpene,a Chromenone,and a Flavanone from Ligularia macrophylla

Three new compounds, (5β,9β)‐guaia‐6,10(14)‐dien‐9‐ol (=rel‐(1R,3aS,5R,8aR)‐1,2,3,3a,4,5,6,8a‐octahydro‐1‐methyl‐4‐methylene‐7‐(1‐methylethyl)azulen‐5‐ol; 1 ), 6‐acetyl‐8‐methoxy‐2,3‐dimethylchromen‐4‐one (=6‐acetyl‐8‐methoxy‐2,3‐dimethyl‐4H‐1‐benzopyran‐4‐one; 2 ), and (2S)‐3′‐hydroxy‐5′,7‐dimethoxyflavanone (=(2S)‐2,3‐dihydro‐2‐(3‐hydroxy‐5‐methoxyphenyl)‐7‐methoxy‐4H‐1‐benzopyran‐4‐one; 3 ) were isolated from the roots and rhizomes of Ligularia macrophylla, together with seven known compounds. Their structures and configurations were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, including 2D‐NMR techniques.     

Two New Iridoid Glycosides from Hedyotis tenelliflora Blume

Two new iridoid glycosides, teneoside A (=(2aR,5S)‐5‐[(β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl)oxy]‐2a,4a,5,7b‐tetrahydro‐4‐{[(α‐L ‐rhamnopyranosyl)oxy]methyl}‐1H‐2,6‐dioxacyclopenta[cd]inden‐1‐one; 1 ) and teneoside B (=methyl (1S,5R)‐1‐[(β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl)oxy]‐1,4a,5,7a‐tetrahydro‐5‐hydroxy‐7‐{[(α‐L ‐rhamnopyranosyl)oxy]methyl}cyclopenta[c]pyran‐4‐carboxylate; 2 ), were isolated from the roots of Hedyotis tenelliflora Blume , along with two known compounds, deacetylasperuloside ( 3 ) and scandoside methyl ester ( 4 ). Their structures were elucidated by chemical methods (acid hydrolysis) and spectroscopic analyses.     

A New Alkaloid from the Seeds of Sophora alopecuroides L.

Alopecurin A, an alkaloid with an unprecedented skeleton, was isolated from the seeds of Sophora alopecuroides L. The absolute configuration and structure of this compound was identified as (3S,12R)‐3‐hydroxy‐1,7‐diazatricyclo[10.4.0.1^3,7]heptadecane‐11,16,17‐trione (=(7S,15aR)‐decahydro‐7‐hydroxy‐6H‐7,11‐methano‐4H‐pyrido[1,2‐a][1,7]diazacyclododecine‐4,15,16(12H)‐trione). The structure and absolute configuration was elucidated by spectroscopic methods, mainly HR‐ESI‐TOF‐MS, IR, 1D‐NMR (¹H‐ and ¹³C‐NMR), 2D‐NMR (COSY, NOESY, HSQC, HMBC), and particularly X‐ray crystal‐diffraction and CD spectral analysis.     

Two New Ceramides from the Marine Sponge Ircinia fasciculata

A new 4‐sulfated ceramide, ircisulfamide (=N‐[(1S*,2S*,3R*)‐2‐hydroxy‐1‐(hydroxymethyl)‐3‐(sulfooxy)heptadecyl]hexadecanamide; 1 ), and a new glycosphingolipid, ircicerebroside (=(2R*)‐N‐{(1S*,2R*,3E,7E)‐1‐[(β‐D ‐glucopyranosyloxy)methyl]‐2‐hydroxy‐8‐methylheptadeca‐3,7‐dienyl}‐2‐hydroxyeicosanamide; 2 ), were isolated from the aqueous EtOH extract of the marine sponge Ircinia fasciculata (Pallas ). The structures of the new compounds were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analysis and by means of chemical methods.     

Sterols from the Stems of Momordica charantia

A new sterol, 5α,6α‐epoxy‐3β‐hydroxy‐(22E,24R)‐ergosta‐8,22‐dien‐7‐one ( 1 ), together with eight known sterols, 5α,6α‐epoxy‐(22E,24R)‐ergosta‐8,22‐diene‐3β,7α‐diol ( 2 ), 5α,6α‐epoxy‐(22E,24R)‐ergosta‐8,22‐diene‐3β,7β‐diol ( 3 ), 5α,6α‐epoxy‐(22E,24R)‐ergosta‐8(14),22‐diene‐3β,7α‐diol ( 4 ), 3β‐hydroxy‐(22E,24R)‐ergosta‐5,8,22‐trien‐7‐one ( 5 ), ergosterol peroxide ( 6 ), clerosterol ( 7 ), decortinol ( 8 ), and decortinone ( 9 ), were isolated from the stems of Momordica charantia. Their structures were elucidated by mean of extensive spectroscopic methods, including ¹H, ¹³C, 2D‐NMR and HR‐EI‐MS, as well as comparison with the literature data. Compounds 1 , 4 , 5 , 8 , and 91 were not cytotoxic against the SK‐Hep 1 cell line.     

Three New Sesquiterpenoids from Echinops ritro L.

From the whole plants of E. ritro L., the three new sesquiterpenoids (3α,4α,6α)‐3,13‐dihydroxyguaia‐7(11),10(14)‐dieno‐12,6‐lactone ( 1 ), (3α,4α,6α,11β)‐3‐hydroxyguai‐1(10)‐eno‐12,6‐lactone ( 2 ), and (11α)‐11,13‐dihydroarglanilic acid methyl ester (=(4β,6α,11α)‐4,6‐dihydroxy‐1‐oxoeudesm‐2‐en‐12‐oic acid methyl ester; 3 ), together with eight known sesquiterpenoids, were isolated. Their structures were elucidated through analysis of spectroscopic data including extensive 2D‐NMR.     

Two New Highly Oxidized Humulane Sesquiterpenes from the Basidiomycete Lactarius mitissimus

Two new highly oxidized humulane sesquiterpenes, mitissimols F ( 1 ) and G ( 2 ), were isolated from the fruiting bodies of Lactarius mitissimus. Their structures were elucidated by using extensive spectroscopic techniques including 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR experiments. The absolute configuration of mitissimol F ( 1 ) was determined by ¹H‐NMR resolution of its diastereoisomeric α‐methoxy‐α‐(trifluoromethyl)benzeneacetates (MTPA). It was shown to be (1S,3E,6S,8R,9R,10S,11R)‐8,9 : 10,11‐diepoxy‐1,6‐dihydroxyhumul‐3‐en‐5‐one (=(1S,2R,4R,6S,8E,11S,12R)‐6,11‐dihydroxy‐1,6,10,10‐tetramethyl‐3,13‐dioxatricyclo[10.1.0.0^2,4]tridec‐8‐en‐7‐one).     

Hydrolytic Reaction of Plant Extracts to Generate Molecular Diversity: New Dammarane Glycosides from the Mild Acid Hydrolysate of Root Saponins of Panax notoginseng

Molecular diversity was generated by hydrolyzing the crude root saponins of Panax notoginseng (Burk .) F. H. Chen under mild acidic condition (AcOH/EtOH 1 : 1). From the acid hydrolysate, five new dammarane glycosides, named notoginsenoside T₁ (=(3β,6α,12β,20E,23RS)‐24,25‐epoxy‐6‐[(β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl)oxy]‐dammar‐20(22)‐ene‐3,12,23‐triol; 1 ), notoginsenoside T₂ (=(3β,6α,12β,20E,23RS)‐24,25‐epoxy‐6‐[(β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl)oxy]‐23‐methoxydammar‐20(22)‐ene‐3,12‐diol; 2 ), notoginsenoside T₃ (=(3β,6α,12β,20S)‐6‐[(β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl)oxy]‐20‐ethoxydammar‐24‐ene‐3,12‐diol; 3 ), notoginsenoside T₄ (=(3β,6α,12β,20S,22E,24RS)‐6‐[(β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl)oxy]dammar‐22‐ene‐3,12,20,24,25‐pentol; 4 ), and notoginsenoside T₅ (=(3β,6α,12β, 24E)‐6‐[(β‐D ‐xylopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl)oxy]dammara‐20(21),24‐diene‐3,12‐diol; 5 ), were isolated, together with 15 known dammarane glycosides, and their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic evidence. Among the known compounds, ginsenosides Rg₃ and Rh₁ were isolated as major constituents, in addition to ginsenosides Rg₅, Rh₄, and a mixture of (20R)‐ and (20S)‐25‐hydroxyginsenoside Rh₁, all of which were obtained from P. notoginseng for the first time.     

Cyclopeptide and Terpenoids from Tripterygium wilfordii Hook. f.

The EtOH extract of dried root bark of Tripterygium wilfordii Hook. f. (Celastraceae) afforded a novel macrolactone cyclopeptide named triptotin L (=cyclo[L ‐alanyl‐L ‐alanyl‐3‐(4,4,9‐trimethyldecyl‐3‐hydroxypropanoylglycyl‐L ‐valyl‐L ‐leucyl; 1 ), the new triterpene 2β,6α,22β‐trihydroxy‐24,29‐dinor‐D:A‐friedoolean‐4‐ene‐3,21‐dione named 6α‐hydroxytriptocalline A (=(2β,6α,8α,9β,10α,13α,14β,20β,22β)‐2,6,22‐trihydroxy‐9,13‐dimethyl‐24,25,26,30‐tetranorolean‐4‐ene‐3,21‐dione; 2 ), the new diterpenoid 11,16‐dihydroxy‐14‐methoxy‐18(4→3) abeo‐abieta‐3,8,11,13‐tetraene‐18‐oic acid named 16‐hydroxytriptobenzene H (=(4aS,10aS)‐3,4,4a,9,10,10a‐hexahydro‐5‐hydroxy‐7‐(2‐hydroxy‐1‐methylethyl)‐8‐methoxy‐1,4a‐dimethylphenanthrene‐2‐carboxylic acid; 3 ), and the abietane diterpenoid alkaloid named triptotin J (=(7aS,11aS,11bS)‐7,7a,8,9,10,11,11a,11b‐octahydro‐11b‐hydroxy‐α,α,8,8,11a‐pentamethyl‐6H‐naphth[1,2‐d]azepine‐4‐methanol; 4 ). Their structures were established on the basis of spectroscopic studies.     

Three Terpenoids and a Tocopherol‐Related Compound from Ricinus communis

Four new compounds named (3E,7Z,11E)‐19‐hydroxycasba‐3,7,11‐trien‐5‐one ( 1 ), 6α‐hydroxy‐10β‐methoxy‐7α,8α‐epoxy‐5‐oxocasbane‐20,10‐olide ( 2 ), 15α‐hydroxylup‐20(29)‐en‐3‐one ( 3 ), and (2R,4aR, 8aR)‐3,4,4a,8a‐tetrahydro‐4a‐hydroxy‐2,6,7,8a‐tetramethyl‐2‐(4,8,12‐trimethyltridecyl)‐2H‐chromene‐5,8‐dione ( 4 ) were isolated from the MeOH extracts of the aerial parts of Ricinus communis L. by chromatographic methods. Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic experiments.     

Baimantuoluosides A – C,Three New Withanolide Glucosides from the Flower of Datura metel L.

In search for bioactive compounds from the flower of Datura metel L., three new withanolide glucosides, namely baimantuoluosides A, B, and C ( 1 – 3 , resp.) were isolated. Enzymatic hydrolysis of 1 – 3 afforded the corresponding aglycones 1a, 2a , and 3a , respectively. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated as (5α,6α,7α,12β,22R)‐5,12‐dihydroxy‐1,26‐dioxo‐6,7 : 22,26‐diepoxyergosta‐2,24‐dien‐27‐yl β‐D ‐glucopyranoside ( 1 ), (5α,6α,7α,12α,22R)‐5,12‐dihydroxy‐1,26‐dioxo‐6,7 : 22,26‐diepoxyergosta‐2,24‐dien‐27‐yl β‐D ‐glucopyranoside ( 2 ), (5α,6α,7α,22R)‐5‐hydroxy‐1,26‐dioxo‐6,7 : 22,26‐diepoxyergosta‐2,24‐dien‐27‐yl β‐D ‐glucopyranoside ( 3 ) on the basis of chemical and physicochemical evidence, and are further confirmed by the structure determination by X‐ray diffraction of withanolide aglycone 1a .     

Foetidissimosides C–F,Novel Glycosides from the Roots of Cucurbita foetidissima

Two novel echinocystic acid (=(3β,16α)‐3,16‐dihydroxyolean‐12‐en‐28‐oic acid) glycosides, foetidissimosides C ( 1 ), and D ( 2 ), along with new cucurbitane glycosides, i.e., foetidissimosides E/F ( 3 / 4 ) as an 1 : 1 mixture of the (24R)/(24S) epimers, were obtained from the roots of Cucurbita foetidissima. Their structures were elucidated by means of a combination of homo‐ and heteronuclear 2D‐NMR techniques (COSY, TOCSY, NOESY, ROESY, HSQC, and HMBC), and by FAB‐MS. The new compounds were characterized as (3β,16α)‐28‐{[O‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→3)‐O‐β‐D ‐xylopyranosyl‐(1→4)‐O‐6‐deoxy‐α‐L ‐mannopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐α‐L ‐arabinopyranosyl]oxy}‐16‐hydroxy‐28‐oxoolean ‐12‐en‐3‐yl β‐D ‐glucopyranosiduronic acid ( 1 ), (3β,16α)‐16‐hydroxy‐28‐oxo‐28‐{{O‐β‐D ‐xylopyranosyl‐(1→3)‐O‐[β‐D ‐xylopyranosyl‐(1→4)]‐O‐6‐deoxy‐α‐L ‐mannopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐α‐L ‐arabinopyranosyl}oxy}olean‐12‐en‐3‐yl β‐D ‐glucopyranosiduronic acid ( 2 ), and (3β,9β,10α,11α,24R)‐ and (3β,9β,10α,11α,24S)‐25‐(β‐D ‐glucopyranosyloxy)‐9‐methyl‐19‐norlanost‐5‐en‐3‐yl 2‐O‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐β‐D ‐glucopyranoside ( 3 and 4 , resp.).     

Further Prenylated Bi‐ and Tricyclic Phloroglucinol Derivatives from Hypericum papuanum

From the petroleum‐ether extract of the dried aerial parts of Hypericum papuanum, three new prenylated tricyclic and four new bicyclic acylphloroglucinol derivatives were isolated by bioactivity‐guided fractionation. The structures of the bicyclic compounds enaimeone A, B, and C ( 1 / 1a , 2 / 2a , and 3 / 3a , resp.) were elucidated as rel‐(1R,5R,6S)‐4‐hydroxy‐6‐(1‐hydroxy‐1‐methylethyl)‐5‐methyl‐1‐(3‐methylbut‐2‐enyl)‐3‐(2‐methylpropanoyl)‐bicyclo[3.2.1]oct‐3‐ene‐2,8‐dione ( 1 / 1a ), rel‐(1R,5R,6R)‐4‐hydroxy‐6‐(1‐hydroxy‐1‐methylethyl)‐5‐methyl‐1‐(3‐methylbut‐2‐enyl)‐3‐(2‐methylpropanoyl)bicyclo[3.2.1]oct‐3‐ene‐2,8‐dione ( 2 / 2a ), rel‐(1R,5R,6R)‐4‐hydroxy‐6‐(1‐hydroxy‐1‐methylethyl)‐5‐methyl‐3‐(2‐methylbutanoyl)‐1‐(3‐methylbut‐2‐enyl)bicyclo[3.2.1]oct‐3‐ene‐2,8‐dione ( 3 / 3a ). The tricyclic isolates 8‐hydroxy‐3β‐(1‐hydroxy‐1‐methylethyl)‐4,4,7‐trimethyl‐9‐(2‐methylpropanoyl)‐5βH‐tricyclo[5.3.1.0^1,5]undec‐8‐ene‐10,11‐dione ( 4 ), 8‐hydroxy‐3α‐(1‐hydroxy‐1‐methylethyl)‐4,4,7‐trimethyl‐9‐(2‐methylpropanoyl)‐5βH‐tricyclo[5.3.1.0^1,5]undec‐8‐ene‐10,11‐dione ( 5 ), and 8‐hydroxy‐3α‐(1‐hydroxy‐1‐methylethyl)‐4,4,7‐trimethyl‐9‐(2‐methylbutanoyl)‐5βH‐tricyclo[5.3.1.0^1,5]undec‐8‐ene‐10,11‐dione ( 6 ), and their corresponding tautomers 4a , 5a , and 6a , were named 1′‐hydroxyialibinones A, B, and D, respectively. Oxidative decomposition of furonewguinone A (=2,3,3a,5‐tetrahydro‐3a‐hydroxy‐2‐(1‐hydroxy‐1‐methylethyl)‐5‐methyl‐5‐(3‐methylbut‐2‐enyl)‐7‐(2‐methylpropanoyl)‐benzofuran‐4,6‐dione; 7 ) led to furonewguinone B (=3,3a,7,7a‐tetrahydro‐3a,6,7a‐trihydroxy‐2‐(1‐hydroxy‐1‐methylethyl)‐7‐methyl‐7‐(3‐methylbut‐2‐enyl)‐5‐(2‐methylpropanoyl)benzofuran‐4(2H)‐one; 8 / 8a ). Structure elucidation was based on extensive 1D and 2D NMR studies, as well as on data derived from mass spectrometry. Furthermore, the cytotoxicity towards KB nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells and the antibacterial activity were determined.     

Two New Diterpenoids from Callicarpa pedunculata

Two new diterpenoids, pedunculatic acid A (= (4R,5α,7α)‐7‐ethoxy‐9β,13β‐dioxyabiet‐8(14)‐en‐18‐oic acid; 1 ) and pedunculatic acid B (= (4S,5α,12β)‐8β,14β‐epoxy‐12‐hydroxy‐11‐oxototaran‐19‐oic acid; 2 ), together with three known sesquiterpenoids, were isolated from the Chinese medicinal herb Callicarpa pedunculata R. Brown . Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analyses, including 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR, and by high‐resolution mass spectrometry.     

Chemical Constituents of the Flowers of Azadirachta indica

Studies on the chemical constituents of the flowers of Azadirachta indica have led to the isolation of two new flavanones, flowerine (=5‐hydroxy‐7,4′‐dimethoxy‐8‐(3‐methylbut‐2‐enyl)flavan‐4‐one; 1 ) and flowerone (=5,7,8,4′‐tetrahydroxy‐3′‐(3‐methylbut‐3‐enyl)flavan‐4‐one; 2 ), and two new triterpenoids, O‐methylazadironolide (=7α‐(acetoxy)‐23ξ‐methoxy‐21,23‐epoxy‐24,25,26,27‐tetranorapotirucalla‐1,14,20(22)‐trien‐3,21‐dione; 3 ) and diepoxyazadirol (=(20S,23S,24R)‐7‐α‐(acetoxy)‐25‐hydroxy‐21,24 : 23,24‐diepoxyapotirucalla‐1,14‐dien‐3‐one; 4 ) along with the known triterpenoid trichilenone acetate (=7α‐(acetoxy)‐14,15 : 21,23‐diepoxy‐24,25,26,27‐tetranorapotirucalla‐1,20,22‐trien‐3‐one; 5 ), two known flavanones, nimbaflavone (=5,7‐dihydroxy‐4′‐methoxy‐8,3′‐bis(3‐methylbut‐2‐enyl)‐flavan‐4‐one; 6 ) and 3′‐prenylnaringenin (=5,7,4′‐trihydroxy‐3′‐(3‐methylbut‐2‐enyl) flavan‐4‐one; 7 ), and 4‐(2‐hydroxyethyl)phenol ( 8 ). Their structures have been elucidated through spectral studies, including 2D‐NMR experiments, and chemical transformation. Compounds 5, 7 and 8 are heretofore unreported from any part of tree, while 6 has been isolated earlier from leaves.