Sesquiterpenoids from the Aerial Parts of Inula japonica

Fourteen sesquiterpenoids with an eudesmane C‐atom skeleton, including four new ones, (1β,5α,7β,8β,11β)‐5‐hydroperoxy‐1‐hydroxyeudesm‐4(15)‐eno‐12,8‐lactone ( 1 ), (1β,5α,7β,8β)‐8‐(acetyloxy)‐5‐hydroperoxy‐1‐hydroxycostic acid methyl ester ( 12 ), and a mixture of (1β,3β,4β,7β,8β)‐1,3‐dihydroxyeudesma‐5,11(13)‐dieno‐12,8‐lactone ( 7 ) and (1β,3β,4β,7β,8β,11β)‐1,3‐dihydroxyeudesm‐5‐eno‐12,8‐lactone ( 8 ), were isolated from the aerial parts of Inula japonica (Asteraceae). Their structures were determined by extensive spectroscopic methods, and those of 7 and 12 confirmed by means of single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis.     

A Novel Lanostanoid Lactone From the Alga Hypnea cerricornis

A novel lanostanoid lactone (1) was first isolated from the Alga Hypnea cerricornis collected from the Xisha Islands in the South China Sea. The structure of 1 was determined on spectral evidence as 5α‐lansta‐8‐en‐3β, 22°‐dihydroxy‐22 (R), 24 (S)‐lactone.     

Nonalkaloid Constituents from Stemona japonica

Five new nonalkaloid constituents, a neolignan, japonin A ( 1 ), a macrocyclic lactone, japonin B ( 2 ), a (phenylethyl)benzoquinone, japonin C ( 3 ), a phenanthraquinone, japonin D ( 4 ), as well as a dihydrostilbene, stilbostemin M ( 5 ), were isolated from the roots of Stemona japonica, together with eight known compounds. Their structures were established by spectroscopic analyses.     

Semisynthesis and absolute configuration of a novel rearranged 19,20‐δ‐lactone (9βH)‐pimarane diterpene

Annonalide (3β,20‐epoxy‐3α,16‐dihydroxy‐15‐oxo‐7‐pimaren‐19,6β‐olide, C₂₀H₂₆O₆, 1 ) is the major (9βH)‐pimarane diterpene isolated from tubers of Cassimirella ampla, and it exhibits cytotoxic properties upon interaction with ctDNA. We have prepared new derivatives of 1 by modification of the (9βH)‐pimarane backbone and report here the semisynthesis and absolute configuration of a novel rearranged 19,20‐δ‐lactone (9βH)‐pimarane. Our approach was the reduction of the carbonyl groups of 1 with sodium borohydride, at positions C15 (no stereoselectivity) and C3 (stereoselective reduction), followed by rearrangement of the 6,19‐γ‐lactone ring into the six‐membered 19,20‐δ‐lactone ring in 4a (3β,6β,16‐trihydroxy‐7‐pimaren‐19,20β‐olide monohydrate, C₂₀H₃₀O₆·H₂O). The absolute structure of the new compound, 4a , was determined unambiguously with a Flack parameter x of −0.01 (11), supporting the stereochemistry assignment of 1 redetermined here. Besides the changes in the pattern of covalent bonds caused by reduction and lactone rearrangement, the conformation of one of the three fused cyclohexane rings is profoundly different in 4a , adopting a chair conformation instead of the boat shape found in 1 . Furthermore, the intramolecular hydrogen bond present in 1 is lost in new compound 4a , due to hydrogen bonding between the 3‐OH group and the solvent water molecule.     

New Eremophilenolactones from Senecio nemorensis

Three new eremophilane sesquiterpenes were isolated from the MeOH extract of the roots of Senecio nemorensis. Their structures were identified as 8α‐hydroxy‐6β‐(isobutanoyloxy)‐1‐oxoeremophila‐7(11),9‐dieno‐12,8β‐lactone ( 1 ), 6β,8β‐dimethoxy‐1‐oxoeremophila‐7(11),9‐dieno‐12,8α‐lactone ( 2 ), and 10α‐hydroxy‐6β‐(isobutanoyloxy)‐1‐oxoeremophila‐7(11),8‐dieno‐12,8‐lactone ( 3 ), respectively, based on spectroscopic data, including IR, EI‐MS, HR‐ESI‐MS, and 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR data.     

Sesquiterpenoids and Phenylpropane Derivatives from Sonchus uliginosus

Six new compounds were isolated from the whole plant of Sonchus uliginosus, including three eudesmane‐type sesquiterpenoids (1β,6α)‐1,6,14‐trihydroxyeudesm‐3‐en‐12‐oic acid γ‐lactone ( 1 ), (1β,6α)‐1,6,14‐trihydroxyeudesma‐3,11(13)‐dien‐12‐oic acid γ‐lactone ( 2 ), and (1β,6α)‐1,6‐dihydroxy‐14‐O‐[(4‐hydroxyphenyl)acetyl]eudesma‐3,11(13)‐dien‐12‐oic acid γ‐lactone ( 3 ), and three phenylpropane derivatives, 4‐hydroxy‐γ,3,5‐trimethoxybenzenepropanol ( 6 ), γ,3,4,5‐tetramethoxybenzenepropanol ( 7 ), and γ,3,4,5‐tetramethoxybenzenepropanol acetate ( 8 ), together with the two known compounds 4 and 5 . The new structures were elucidated by means of spectroscopic methods, such as IR, EI‐MS, HR‐ESI‐MS, 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR, and by comparison of the spectroscopic data with those reported for structurally related compounds.     

Novel Sesquiterpenoids from Siegesbeckia orientalis

Five new sesquiterpenoids, namely, 8β‐(angeloyloxy)‐4β,6α,15‐trihydroxy‐14‐oxoguaia‐9,11(13)‐dien‐12‐oic acid 12,6‐lactone ( 1 ), 4β,6α,15‐trihydroxy‐8β‐(isobutyryloxy)‐14‐oxoguaia‐9,11(13)‐dien‐12‐oic acid 12,6‐lactone ( 2 ), 11,12,13‐trinorguai‐6‐ene‐4β,10β‐diol ( 3 ), (1(10)E,4E,8Z)‐8‐(angeloyloxy)‐6α,15‐dihydroxy‐14‐oxogermacra‐(1(10),4,8,11(13)‐tetraen‐12‐oic acid 12,6‐lactone ( 9 ), and (1(10)E,4β)‐8β‐(angeloyloxy)‐6α,14,15‐trihydroxygermacra‐1(10),11(13)‐dien‐12‐oic acid 12,6‐lactone ( 11 ), and three new artifacts, (1(10)E,4Z)‐8β‐(angeloyloxy)‐9α‐ethoxy‐6α,15‐dihydroxy‐14‐oxogermacra‐1(10),4,11(13)‐trien‐12‐oic acid 12,6‐lactone ( 6 ), (1(10)E,4Z)‐8β‐(angeloyloxy)‐9α,13‐diethoxy‐6α,15‐dihydroxy‐14‐oxogermacra‐1(10),4‐dien‐12‐oic acid 12,6‐lactone ( 7 ), and (1(10)E,4Z)‐8β‐(angeloyloxy)‐9α‐ethoxy‐6α,15‐dihydroxy‐13‐methoxy‐14‐oxogermacra‐1(10),4‐dien‐12‐oic acid 12,6‐lactone ( 8 ), together with the three known sesquiterpenoids 4, 5 , and 10 , were isolated from the aerial parts of Siegesbeckia orientalis L. Their structures were established by spectral methods, especially 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR spectral methods.     

Unusual Guaiane Sesquiterpenoids from Artemisia rupestris

Two new guaiane sesquiterpenoids, (1β,5β)‐1‐hydroxyguaia‐4(15),11(13)‐dieno‐12,5‐lactone ( 1 ) and 1,5‐epoxy‐4‐hydroxyguai‐11(13)‐en‐12‐oic acid ( 2 ), together with five known compounds, rupestonic acid ( 3 ), strobilactone A ( 4 ), antiquorin ( 5 ), isosclerone ( 6 ), and 5‐hydroxy‐2′,3′,4′,7,8‐pentamethoxyflavone ( 7 ), were isolated from a 95% EtOH extract of Artemisia rupestris. Compounds 1 and 2 are rare examples of guaiane sesquiterpenoids, incorporating a 12,5‐lactone group or featuring a 1,5‐epoxy ring, respectively. The structures of 1 and 2 were identified by various spectroscopic methods. Compounds 1, 4 , and 5 exhibited moderate cytotoxic activities against the human lung cancer 95‐D cell line with IC₅₀ values of 11.3, 19.8, and 34.5 μM , respectively.     

Constituents of the Endophytic Fungus Annulohypoxylon boveri var. microspora BCRC 34012

A new azaphilone metabolite with a new substitution pattern, named annulohypoxylin ( 1 ), together with twelve known compounds, were isolated from the BuOH‐soluble fraction of the 95% EtOH extract of long‐grain rice (Oryza sativa) fermented with the endophytic fungus Annulohypoxylon boveri var. microspora (BCRC 34012). Annulohypoxylin ( 1 ) contains a dihydrobenzofuran‐2,4‐dione backbone, 1‐hydroxyoctyl side chain, and one γ‐lactone ring. Its structure was determined on the basis of extensive 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR analyses in combination with HR‐ESI‐MS. The relative configuration of 1 was confirmed by NOESY experiment. Other known compounds were identified by comparing their spectral data with those in the literature. All known compounds were isolated from this species for the first time.     

Dendocarbin A: a sesquiterpene lactone from Drimys winteri

The natural compound dendocarbin A, C₁₅H₂₂O₃, is a sesquiterpene lactone isolated for the first time from Drimys winteri for var chilensis. The compound crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group P2₁2₁2₁ and its X‐ray crystal structure confirmed the S/R character of the chiral centres at C‐5/C‐10 and C‐9/C‐11, respectively. The α‐OH group at C‐11 was found to be involved in intermolecular hydrogen bonding, defining chains along the <100> 2₁ screw axis.     

New Monoterpenoids from Fruits of Gardenia jasminoides var. radicans

One new lactone, cyclopentanepyrone A ( 1 ), and two new monoterpenoids, gardeterpenone A ( 2 ) and jasminoside V ( 3 ), were isolated from the fruits of Gardenia jasminoides var. radicans, along with four known monoterpenoids, 4 – 7 , which were isolated from this plant for the first time. The structures of the isolates were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic studies, including UV, IR, 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR, ESI‐MS, HR‐ESI‐MS, and CD experiments.     

New Lactone and Xanthone Derivatives Produced by a Mangrove Endophytic Fungus Phoma sp. SK3RW1M from the South China Sea

A new lactone, 1,8‐dihydroxy‐10‐methoxy‐3‐methyldibenzo[b,e]oxepine‐6,11‐dione ( 1 ), and two new xanthones, 1‐hydroxy‐8‐(hydroxymethyl)‐6‐methoxy‐3‐methyl‐9H‐xanthen‐9‐one ( 2 ) and 1‐hydroxy‐8‐(hydroxymethyl)‐3‐methoxy‐6‐methyl‐9H‐xanthen‐9‐one ( 3 ), were isolated from a mangrove endophytic fungus Phoma sp. SK3RW1M collected from the South China Sea. This is the first report on xanthone derivatives isolated as secondary metabolites from Phoma species. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, mainly 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR techniques, and the structure of compound 2 was confirmed by X‐ray crystallography. Cytotoxicity assays showed that compounds 1 – 3 were inactive against KB and KBv200 cells.     

Isomeric ent‐Labdane‐Type Diterpenoids from the Stems of Rhizophora mucronata

Two new constitutional isomers of ent‐labdane‐type diterpenoids, 1 and 2 , with an unusual seven‐membered lactone moiety (i.e., 1 ), together with two known compounds, 3 and 4 , were isolated from the acetone extract of Rhizophora mucronata. Their structures were elucidated as rhizomucronol A and B ( 1 and 2 , resp.) by spectroscopic analyses and chemical evidence. The absolute configuration of 2 was established by applying the Mosher ester procedure.     

Menverins A–D,New Highly Oxygenated Guaiane Lactones from Hainan Gorgonian Menella verrucosa (Brundin)

Four new highly oxygenated guaiane lactones, menverins A–D ( 1 – 4 ), were isolated from the gorgonian Menella verrucosa (Brundin ) from the South China Sea. Their structures and relative configurations were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic data. All compounds contain a conjugated α‐methyl‐substituted α, β‐unsaturated γ‐lactone moiety, a C(8)?C(9) conjugated with the γ‐lactone moiety, and an exocyclic methylene group at C(4) (trivial numbering).     

Ypsilactosides A and B,Two New C22‐Steroidal Lactone Glycosides from Ypsilandra thibetica

Two new C₂₂‐steroidal lactone glycosides, ypsilactosides A ( 1 ) and B ( 2 ), were isolated from the EtOH extract of the whole plant of Ypsilandra thibetica. Their structures were established as (3β,5α,16β,20S)‐3,16‐dihydroxy‐6‐oxopregnane‐20‐carboxylic acid γ‐lactone 3‐(β‐D ‐glucopyranoside) ( 1 ) and (3β,16β)‐3,16‐dihydroxypregna‐5,20‐diene‐20‐carboxylic acid γ‐lactone 3‐{O‐α‐L ‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1→4)‐O‐α‐L ‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1→4)‐O‐[α‐L ‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1→2)]‐β‐D ‐glucopyranoside} ( 2 ) on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analyses and chemical degradations.     

Nine New Sesquiterpenes from Dendrobium nobile

Nine new sesquiterpenes, i.e., dendronobilins A–I ( 1 – 9 ), with copacamphane‐type ( 1 ), picrotoxane‐type ( 2 – 6 ), muurolene‐type ( 7 ), alloaromadendrane‐type ( 8 ), and cyclocopacamphane‐type ( 9 ) skeletons, were isolated from the 60% EtOH extract of the stems of Dendrobium nobile. Their structures were established as (1R,2R,4S,5S,6S,8S,9R)‐2,8‐dihydroxycopacamphan‐15‐one ( 1 ), (2β,3β,4β,5β)‐2,4,11‐trihydroxypicrotoxano‐3(15)‐lactone ( 2 ), (2β,3β,5β,9α,11β)‐2,11‐epoxy‐9,11,13‐trihydroxypicrotoxano‐3(15)‐lactone ( 3 ), (2β,3β,5β,12R*)‐2,11,13‐trihydroxypicrotoxano‐3(15)‐lactone ( 4 ), (2β,3β,5β,12S*)‐2,11,13‐trihydroxypicrotoxano‐3(15)‐lactone ( 5 ), (2β,3β,5β,9α)‐9,10‐cyclo‐2,11,13‐trihydroxypicrotoxano‐3(15)‐lactone ( 6 ), (9β,10α)‐muurol‐4‐ene‐9,10,11‐triol ( 7 ), (10α)‐alloaromadendrane‐10,12,14‐triol ( 8 ), and (5β)‐cyclocopacamphane‐5,12,15‐triol ( 9 ) on the basis of spectroscopic analysis. The absolute configuration of compound 1 was tentatively assigned as (1R,2R,4S,5S,6S,8S,9R) according to its CD spectrum and the octant rule. Compounds 1 and 4 – 9 were inactive in our preliminary in vitro immunomodulatory bioassay.     

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.     

Guaiane Sesquiterpenoids Isolated from the Fruits of Torilis japonica and Their Cytotoxic Activity

Two new guaiane sesquiterpenoids, 11‐(acetyloxy)‐1,8‐dihydroxyguai‐4‐en‐3‐one ( 5 ) and (1α,6β)‐1,6‐dihydroxytorilin ( 6 ), were isolated from the fruits of Torilis japonica (Umbelliferae), along with four known sesquiterpenes, torilin ( 1 ), torilolone ( 2 ), (1β)‐1‐hydroxytorilin ( 3 ), and (1α)‐1‐hydroxytorilin ( 4 ). During the phytochemical investigation, daucosterol, friedelin, and epifriedelanol were also isolated from the plant for the first time. The structures of the new sesquiterpenoids 5 and 6 were determined by comprehensive analyses of MS and NMR spectroscopic data. These isolates were evaluated against human breast cancer cells (MCF‐7) and Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) cells. Compounds 1, 3 , and 4 exhibited cytotoxic activity against the LLC cells with IC₅₀ values of 31.3, 32.5, and 34.0 μg/ml, respectively. However, no significant cytotoxicity was found against the MCF‐7 cells for any of the compounds tested.     

New Limonoids from the Seeds of Xylocarpus granatum

Three novel limonoids, 2,3‐dideacetylxyloccensin S ( 1 ), 30‐deacetylxyloccensin W ( 2 ), and 7‐hydroxy‐21β‐methoxy‐3‐oxo‐24,25,26,27‐tetranortirucalla‐1,14‐diene‐23(21)‐lactone ( 3 ), were isolated from the seeds of the Chinese mangrove, Xylocarpus granatum. The structures were elucidated on the basis of 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR (including ¹H‐ and ¹³C‐NMR, DEPT, ¹H,¹H‐COSY, HSQC, HMBC, and NOESY) data and confirmed by HR‐MS.     

Musellactone,A New Lactone From Musella Lasiocarpa

A new lactone ( 1 ), named musellactone, was isolated from the aerial parts of Musella lasiocarpa, along with eight known compounds. The structures were chemically characterized by spectroscopic methods. Musellactone ( 1 ), and 2‐methyl‐9‐(4′‐hydroxyphenyl)‐phenalen‐1‐one ( 2 ), showed different effects against five bacteria strains, and 1,2,3,4‐tetrahydro‐1,2‐dimethyl‐6,7‐isoquinolinediol ( 3 ), showed significant cytotoxic activities in vitro against KB, HL‐60 and BEL‐7404 human carcinoma cell lines.