Unusual Nortriterpenoid Saponins from Stauntonia chinensis

Four new saponins, yemuosides YM₁₇–YM₂₀ ( 1 – 4 , resp.), were isolated from the rattan of Stauntonia chinensis DC. (Lardizabalaceae) along with a known saponin, nipponoside D ( 5 ). Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analysis and chemical evidence as 20,30‐dihydroxy‐29‐noroleanolic acid 28‐O‐α‐L ‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1→4)‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→6)‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl ester ( 1 ), 20,29‐dihydroxy‐30‐noroleanolic acid 28‐O‐α‐L ‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1→4)‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→6)‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl ester ( 2 ), 29‐hydroxy‐30‐norolean‐20(21)‐enolic acid 28‐O‐α‐L ‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1→4)‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→6)‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl ester ( 3 ), 29‐hydroxyoleanolic acid 28‐O‐α‐L ‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1→4)‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→6)‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl ester ( 4 ), and 23,29‐dihydroxyoleanolic acid 28‐O‐α‐L ‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1→4)‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→6)‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl ester ( 5 ). Yemuoside YM₁₇–YM₁₉ ( 1 – 3 , resp.) contain novel unusual nortriterpene aglycones.     

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 .     

Kadsufolins A – D and Related Cytotoxic Lignans from Kadsura oblongifolia

Kadsufolins A–D ( 1 – 4 , resp.), four new dibenzocyclooctane‐type lignans, were isolated from the roots and stems of Kadsura oblongifolia, together with eleven known lignans. Their structures and configurations were elucidated by spectroscopic methods including 2D‐NMR techniques. The compounds were also evaluated for cytotoxic activity against human tumor cell lines A549 (lung carcinoma), DU145 (prostate carcinoma), KB (epidermoid carcinoma of the nasopharynx), and HCT‐8 (ileocecal carcinoma). Kadsufolin A ( 1 ), kadsufolin D ( 4 ), angeloylbinankadsurin A, and heteroclitin B were found to show cytotoxic activities against A549, DU145, KB and HCT‐8 with GI₅₀ values of 5.1–20.0 μg/ml.     

Three New Triterpenes from Xylarialean sp. A45, an Endophytic Fungus from Annona squamosa L.

From the fermentation extract of Xylarialean sp. A45, an endophytic fungus of Annona squamosa L., three new triterpenes, namely xylariacins A–C ( 1 – 3 , resp.) were obtained. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic analyses, including 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR experiments and HR‐ESI‐Q‐TOF mass spectrometry. The in vitro cytotoxic activities of compounds 1 – 3 were tested against human tumor cell line HepG2, and these compounds showed modest cytotoxic activity.     

Five New C19‐Diterpenoid Alkaloids from Aconitum hemsleyanum

Five new C₁₉‐diterpenoid alkaloids, named hemsleyaconitines A–E ( 1 – 5 , resp.), were isolated from Aconitum hemsleyanum Pritz. By UV, IR, MS, 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR analyses, their structures were elucidated as 18‐dehydroxygeniculatine D ( 1 ), 6‐hydroxy‐14‐O‐veratroylneoline ( 2 ), 14‐O‐acetyl‐8‐ethoxysachaconitine ( 3 ), 18‐veratroylkaracoline ( 4 ) and 8‐O‐ethylaustroconitine B ( 5 ).     

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.     

New Minor Spirostane Glycosides from Ypsilandra thibetica

A further phytochemical investigation on the whole plants of Ypsilandra thibetica yielded three new spirostane glycosides, named ypsilandrosides M–O ( 1 – 3 ). Their structures were established as (3β,11α,25R)‐3,11‐dihydroxyspirost‐5‐en‐12‐one 3‐{O‐α‐L ‐rhanmopyranosyl‐(1→4)‐O‐L ‐rhanmopyranosyl‐(1→4)‐O‐[α‐L ‐rhanmopyranosyl‐(1→2)]‐β‐D ‐glucopyranoside} ( 1 ), (3β,7β,25R)‐spirost‐5‐ene‐3,7‐diol 3‐{O‐α‐L ‐rhanmopyranosyl‐(1→4)‐O‐α‐L ‐rhanmopyranosyl‐(1→4)‐O‐[α‐L ‐rhanmopyranosyl‐(1→2)]‐β‐D ‐glucopyranoside} ( 2 ), and (3β,7α,25R)‐spirost‐5‐ene‐3,7,17‐triol 3‐{O‐α‐L ‐rhanmopyranosyl‐(1→4)‐O‐α‐L ‐rhanmopyranosyl‐(1→4)‐O‐[α‐L ‐rhanmopyranosyl‐(1→2)]‐β‐D ‐glucopyranoside} ( 3 ) by means of a combination of MS, 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR spectroscopic methods, and chemical degradation. Among them, compound 3 is the first pennogenin (=(3β,25R)‐spirost‐5‐ene‐3,17‐diol) saponin whose aglycone contains an OH group at C(7). Compounds 1 – 3 were evaluated for the inhibition of the growth of five tumor cell lines, but all of them proved to be inactive.     

Four New Nor‐Diterpenoid Alkaloids from Aconitum brachypodum

Four new C₁₉‐nor‐diterpenoid alkaloids, named brachyaconitines A–D ( 1 – 4 ), were isolated from the roots of Aconitum brachypodum Diels. Their structures were elucidated as 3‐O‐acetyl‐20‐deethyl‐20‐formylaconitine ( 1 ), 3‐O‐acetyl‐19,20‐didehydro‐20‐deethylaconitine ( 2 ), 3‐O‐acetyl‐8‐de(acetyloxy)‐7,8,17,20‐tetradehydro‐20‐deethyl‐7,17‐secoaconitine ( 3 ), and 1‐O‐methylflavaconitine ( 4 ) by means of MS, IR, 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR analyses. The structure of compound 1 was confirmed by an X‐ray diffraction experiment.     

Phenolic Glycosides from the Chinese Liverwort Reboulia hemisphaerica

Four new phenolic glycosides, named rebouosides A–D ( 1 – 4 , resp.), along with three known ones 2‐(3,4‐dihydroxyphenyl)ethyl 2‐O‐α‐L ‐rhamnopyranosyl‐β‐D ‐allopyranoside ( 5 ), 2‐(3,4‐dihydroxyphenyl)ethyl β‐D ‐allopyranoside ( 6 ), 2‐(3,4‐dihydroxyphenyl)ethyl β‐D ‐glucopyranoside ( 7 ), and a nucleoside, inosine ( 8 ), were isolated from Chinese liverwort Reboulia hemisphaerica. Their structures were elucidated by acidic hydrolysis and extensive spectroscopic methods, including 2D‐NMR techniques.     

Flavonoid Constituents from Spiraea brahuica

Sparins A–C ( 1 – 3 , resp.), three new flavonoids, were isolated from the CHCl₃ subfraction of the EtOH extract of the whole plant of Spiraea brahuica, along with 3′,7‐di‐O‐methylquercetin ( 4 ) and luteolin 7‐β‐D ‐glucopyranoside ( 5 ), reported for the first time from this species. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic techniques including MS and 2D‐NMR spectroscopy.     

Triterpene Saponins from Entada phaseoloides

Four oleanane‐type triterpene saponins, phaseoloideside A–D ( 1 – 4 ), were isolated from the seed kernels of Entada phaseoloides, along with rheediinoside B. The structures of the four new compounds were established by 2D‐NMR spectroscopic methods, HR‐ESI‐MS analysis, and chemical degradation. Phaseoloideside D ( 4 ) showed cytotoxic activity against the Eca‐109 cell line with an IC₅₀ value of 28.0 μM .     

Phenylpropanoid Esters of Rhamnose from Buddleja asiatica

Four new phenylpropanoid esters of rhamnose, asiatisides A–D, along with the known compounds, buergeriside C₁ ( 5 ), p‐methoxycinnamic acid, ferulic acid, and O‐methylferulic acid were obtained from the aerial parts of Buddleja asiatica Lour by chromatographic methods. The new compounds were elucidated as 3‐O‐acetyl‐4‐O‐(p‐methoxycinnamoyl)‐α‐L ‐rhamnopyranose ( 1 ), 3‐O‐acetyl‐4‐O‐feruloyl‐α‐L ‐rhamnopyranose ( 2 ), 2‐O‐acetyl‐4‐O‐(O‐methylferuloyl)‐α‐L ‐rhamnopyranose ( 3 ), 2‐O‐acetyl‐4‐O‐(p‐methoxycinnamoyl)‐α‐L ‐rhamnopyranose ( 4 ) by spectral data (1D‐, 2D‐NMR, and MS), respectively.     

Four New Cuparene‐Type Sesquiterpenes from Flammulina velutipes

Flamvelutpenoids A–D ( 1 – 4 ), four new cuparene‐type sesquiterpenes, were isolated from the solid culture of Flammulina velutipes. Their structures were elucidated by NMR experiments. The absolute configurations of 1 and 2 were assigned via the circular dichroism data of the [Rh₂(OCOCF₃)₄] complex, whereas that of C(3) of 3 was determined by applying the octant rule for the α,β‐unsaturated ketone moiety. Compounds 1 – 4 showed weak antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, and methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus with MIC values larger than 100 μM .     

New Benzofuranylpropanoids from the Roots of Codonopsis lanceolata

Three new benzofuranylpropanoids, lanceolunes A–C ( 1 – 3 ), were isolated from the roots of Codonopsis lanceolata. Their structures were determined by means of HR‐ESI‐MS, extensive 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR spectroscopic, and chemical evidence.     

Dapholidins A – C,New Isomeric Biisoflavonoids From Daphne oleoides

Three new isomeric biisoflavonoids, dapholidins A–C ( 1 – 3 , resp.), have been isolated from the AcOEt‐soluble fraction of the MeOH‐soluble extract of the roots of Daphne oleoides, along with the known compounds daphwazirin ( 4 ), daphnetin 8‐O‐β‐D ‐glucopyranoside ( 5 ), daphnin ( 6 ), daphneticin 4″‐O‐β‐D ‐glucopyranoside ( 7 ), and 6,7‐dihydroxy‐3‐methoxy‐8‐[2‐oxo‐2H‐1‐benzopyran‐7‐(O‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl)‐8‐yl]‐2H‐1‐benzopyran‐2‐one ( 8 ). The structures of the new compounds were determined by spectroscopic analyses, including 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR.     

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.     

New Isoprenylated Aurones from the Flowers of Rosa damascena

A phytochemical investigation of the flowers of Rosa damascena resulted in the isolation of three new isoprenylated aurones, damaurones C–E ( 1 – 3 , resp.), together with six known compounds, 4 – 9 . The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, including extensive 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR experiments.     

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.     

C21 Steroidal Glycosides from Cynanchum wilfordii

Eight new C₂₁ steroidal glycosides, named wilfosides A–H ( 1 – 8 , resp.), along with one known compound wilfoside KIN ( 9 ), were isolated from the roots of Cynanchum wilfordii. The structures of the new glycosides were determined on the basis of spectroscopic analysis, including 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR, and ESI‐MS techniques, as well as by comparison of the spectral data with those of related compounds.     

Three New Medicagenic Acid Saponins from Polygala micrantha Guill. & Perr.

Three new medicagenic acid saponins, micranthosides A–C ( 1 – 3 ), were isolated from the roots of Polygala micrantha Guill . & Perr ., along with six known presenegenin saponins. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of extensive 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR experiments (¹H, ¹³C, DEPT, COSY, TOCSY, NOESY, HSQC, and HMBC) and mass spectrometry as 3‐O‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosylmedicagenic acid 28‐[O‐β‐D ‐galactopyranosyl‐(1→4)‐O‐β‐D ‐xylopyranosyl‐(1→4)‐O‐α‐L ‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐β‐D ‐fucopyranosyl] ester ( 1 ), 3‐O‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosylmedicagenic acid 28‐[O‐6‐O‐acetyl‐β‐D ‐galactopyranosyl‐(1→4)‐O‐β‐D ‐xylopyranosyl‐(1→4)‐O‐α‐L ‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐β‐D ‐fucopyranosyl] ester ( 2 ), and 3‐O‐{O‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→3)‐O‐[β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→6)]‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl}medicagenic acid 28‐{O‐β‐D ‐apiofuranosyl‐(1→3)‐O‐β‐D ‐xylopyranosyl‐(1→4)‐O‐[β‐D ‐apiofuranosyl‐(1→3)]‐O‐α‐L ‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐β‐D ‐fucopyranosyl} ester ( 3 ). Compounds 1 – 3 were evaluated against HCT 116 and HT‐29 human colon cancer cells, but they did not show any cytotoxicity.