Crotofolane‐ and Casbane‐Type Diterpenes from Croton argyrophyllus

Phytochemical analysis of Croton argyrophyllus led to the isolation of five new diterpenes named (5β,6β)‐5,6 : 13,16‐diepoxycrotofola‐4(9),10(18),13,15‐tetraen‐1‐one ( 1 ), (5β,6β)‐5,6 : 13,16‐diepoxy‐2‐epicrotofola‐4(9),10(18),13,15‐tetraen‐1‐one ( 2 ), (5β,6β)‐5,6 : 13,16‐diepoxy‐16‐hydroxy‐2‐epicrotofola‐4(9),10(18),13,15‐tetraen‐1‐one ( 3 ), (5β,6β)‐5,6 : 13,16‐diepoxy‐16‐hydroxy‐2‐epicrotofola‐4(9), 10(18),13,15‐tetraen‐1‐one ( 4 ) and (2E,5β,6E,12E)‐5‐hydroxycasba‐2,6,12‐trien‐4‐one ( 5 ), in addition to the known diterpenes crotonepetin and depressin, and acetylaleuritolic acid and spinasterol. The structures of the isolated compounds were established by a combination of spectroscopic methods, including HR‐ESI‐MS, 2D‐NMR, and X‐ray crystallography.     

Four New Podocarpane‐Type Trinorditerpenes from Aleurites moluccana

Four new podocarpane‐type trinorditerpenenes, (5β,10α)‐12,13‐dihydroxypodocarpa‐8,11,13‐trien‐3‐one ( 1 ), (5β,10α)‐12‐hydroxy‐13‐methoxypodocarpa‐8,11,13‐trien‐3‐one ( 2 ), (5β,10α)‐13‐hydroxy‐12‐methoxypodocarpa‐8,11,13‐trien‐3‐one ( 3 ), and (3α,5β,10α)‐13‐methoxypodocarpa‐8,11,13‐triene‐3,12‐diol ( 4 ), together with four known diterpenes, 12‐hydroxy‐13‐methylpodocarpa‐8,11,13‐trien‐3‐one ( 5 ), spruceanol ( 6 ), ent‐3α‐hydroxypimara‐8(14),15‐dien‐12‐one ( 7 ), and ent‐3β,14α‐hydroxypimara‐7,9(11),15‐triene‐12‐one ( 8 ), were isolated from the twigs and leaves of Aleurites moluccana. Their structures were elucidated by means of comprehensive spectroscopic analyses, including NMR and MS. Except 8 , all compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxicity; compound 4 exhibited moderate inhibitory activity against Raji cells with an IC₅₀ value of 4.24 μg/ml.     

New Patchoulol‐Type Sesquiterpenoids from Pogostemon cablin

Four new patchoulol derivatives, 8α,9α‐dihydroxypatchoulol ( 1 ), 3α,8α‐dihydroxypatchoulol ( 2 ), 6α‐hydroxypatchoulol ( 3 ), and 2β,12‐dihydroxypatchoulol ( 4 ), were isolated from the aerial part of Pogostemon cablin (Labiatae), together with nine known compounds, sesquiterpenoids 5 – 8 and flavonoids 9 – 13 . Their structures were elucidated by detailed spectroscopic analysis, using 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR techniques.     

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.     

Three New, 1‐Oxygenated ent‐8,9‐Secokaurane Diterpenes from Croton kongensis

Three new ent‐8,9‐secokaurane diterpenes, kongensins A–C ( 1 – 3 ), were isolated from the aerial parts of Croton kongensis, together with two known compounds, rabdoumbrosanin ( 4 ) and (7α,14β)‐7,14‐dihydroxy‐ent‐kaur‐16‐en‐15‐one ( 5 ). The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by HR‐MS as well as in‐depth 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR analyses. Compounds 1 – 3 showed an unusual oxygenation pattern, with an AcO or OH group at C(1), in combination with a Δ⁸⁽¹⁴⁾ unsaturation ( 1 ) or an 8,14‐epoxide function ( 2, 3 ).     

New Cadinane‐Type Sesquiterpenes from the Roots of Taiwania cryptomerioides Hayata

Six new cadinane‐type sesquiterpenes, (1β,4β,5α,10α)‐1,4‐epoxymuurolan‐5‐ol ( 1 ), (4α,10β)‐4,10‐dihydroxycadin‐1(6)‐en‐5‐one ( 2 ), (2β,3α,4β,6β)‐2,3‐dihydroxycadin‐1(10)‐en‐5‐one ( 3 ), (2β,3α)‐α‐corocalene‐2,3‐diol ( 4 ), (7S)‐α‐calacoren‐14‐ol ( 5 ), and (8β,9β,10β)‐8,9‐epoxycalamenene‐3,10‐diol ( 6 ) together with one known compound, (8β,9β,10β)‐8,9‐epoxycalamenen‐10‐ol ( 7 ), were isolated from the roots of Taiwania cryptomerioides. The structures of the new constituents were essentially elucidated by spectral evidence.     

New ent‐Pimarane Diterpenes from the Roots of Aralia dumetorum

Four new ent‐pimarane diterpenes were isolated from the EtOH extract of Aralia dumetorum, together with three known compounds involving ent‐pimar‐8(14),15‐dien‐19‐oic acid ( 5 ), ent‐pimar‐8(14),15‐dien‐19‐ol ( 6 ), and ent‐kaur‐16‐en‐19‐oic acid ( 7 ). By detailed analyses of the MS, IR, and NMR data, the structures of four new diterpenes were characterized as (5β,9β,10α,13α)‐pimara‐6,8(14),15‐trien‐18‐oic acid ( 1 ), (5β,7β,9β,10α,13α)‐7‐methoxypimara‐8(14),15‐dien‐18‐oic acid ( 2 ), (5β,9β,10α,13α,14β)‐14‐methoxypimara‐7,15‐dien‐18‐oic acid ( 3 ), and (5β,10α,13α,14α)‐14‐hydroxypimara‐7,9(11),15‐trien‐18‐oic acid ( 4 ). The cytotoxic activities of compounds 1  –  7 were assayed in vitro through MTT method.     

Microbial Transformation of Sesquiterpenes, (−)‐Ambrox® and (+)‐Sclareolide

The microbial transformation of (?)‐Ambrox^® ( 1 ), a perfumery sesquiterpene, by a number of fungi, by means of standard two‐stage‐fermentation technique, afforded ambrox‐1α‐ol ( 2 ), ambrox‐1α,11α‐diol ( 3 ), ambrox‐1α,6α‐diol ( 4 ), ambrox‐1α,6α,11α‐triol ( 5 ), ambrox‐3‐one ( 6 ), ambrox‐3β‐ol ( 7 ), ambrox‐3β,6β‐diol ( 8 ), 13,14,15,16‐tetranorlabdane‐3,8,12‐triol ( 9 ), and sclareolide ( 10 ) (Schemes 1 and 2). Further incubation of compound 10 with Cunninghamella elegans afforded 3‐oxosclareolide ( 11 ), 3β‐hydroxysclareolide ( 12 ), 2α‐hydroxysclareolide ( 13 ), 2α,3β‐dihydroxysclareolide ( 14 ), 1α,3β‐dihydroxysclareolide ( 15 ), and 3β‐hydroxy‐8‐episclareolide ( 16 ) (Scheme 3). Metabolites 2 – 5, 12, 13 , and 16 were found to be new compounds. The major transformations include a reaction path involving hydroxylation, ether‐bond cleavage and inversion of configuration. Metabolites 11 – 16 of sclareolide showed significant phytotoxicity (Table 1). The structures of the metabolites were characterized on the basis of spectroscopic techniques.     

Eremophilane‐Type Sesquiterpenes from the Roots of Ligularia virgaurea

From the roots of Ligularia virgaurea, five new eremophilane‐type sesquiterpenes were isolated, including three new eremophilenolides, 6β‐(angeloyloxy)‐1α,8β,10β‐trihydroxyeremophil‐7(11)‐en‐12,8α‐olide ( 1 ), 6β‐(angeloyloxy)‐1β,10β‐epoxy‐8β‐ethoxyeremophil‐7(11)‐en‐12,8α‐olide ( 2 ), and 1β,10β‐epoxy‐8β‐ethoxy‐6β‐[(2‐methylacryloyl)oxy]eremophil‐7(11)‐en‐12,8α‐olide ( 3 ), two new noreremophilanes, 3β‐[(2‐methylacryloyl)oxy]‐8‐oxo‐12‐noreremophil‐6‐en‐11‐one ( 9 ), and 9β‐hydroxy‐8‐oxo‐12‐noreremophil‐6‐en‐11‐one ( 10 ), and six known eremophilanes, namely 4 – 8 , and 11 . Their structures were elucidated by means of spectral methods, such as IR, HR‐ESI‐MS, and 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR, and by comparison of the spectral data with those reported for structurally related compounds.     

Furostane‐Type Steroidal Saponins from the Roots of Chlorophytum borivilianum

Four new furostanol steroid saponins, borivilianosides A–D ( 1 – 4 , resp.), corresponding to (3β,5α,22R,25R)‐26‐(β‐D ‐glucopyranosyloxy)‐22‐hydroxyfurostan‐3‐yl O‐β‐D ‐xylopyranosyl‐(1→3)‐O‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→4)‐O‐[α‐L ‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1→2)]‐β‐D ‐galactopyranoside ( 1 ), (3β,5α,22R,25R)‐ 26‐(β‐D ‐glucopyranosyloxy)‐22‐methoxyfurostan‐3‐yl O‐β‐D ‐xylopyranosyl‐(1→3)‐O‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→4)‐O‐[α‐L ‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1→2)]‐β‐D ‐galactopyranoside ( 2 ), (3β,5α,22R,25R)‐26‐(β‐D ‐glucopyranosyloxy)‐22‐methoxyfurostan‐3‐yl O‐β‐D ‐xylopyranosyl‐(1→3)‐O‐[β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→2)]‐O‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→4)‐β‐D ‐galactopyranoside ( 3 ), and (3β,5α,25R)‐26‐(β‐D ‐glucopyranosyloxy)furost‐20(22)‐en‐3‐yl O‐β‐D ‐xylopyranosyl‐(1→3)‐O‐[β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→2)]‐O‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→4)‐β‐D ‐galactopyranoside ( 4 ), together with the known tribuluside A and (3β,5α,22R,25R)‐26‐(β‐D ‐glucopyranosyloxy)‐22‐methoxyfurostan‐3‐yl O‐β‐D ‐xylopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐O‐[β‐D ‐xylopyranosyl‐(1→3)]‐O‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→4)‐O‐[α‐L ‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1→2)]‐β‐D ‐galactopyranoside were isolated from the dried roots of Chlorophytum borivilianum Sant and Fern . Their structures were elucidated by 2D ‐NMR analyses (COSY, TOCSY, NOESY, HSQC, and HMBC) and mass spectrometry.     

Chemical Constituents from the Roots of Schnabelia tetradonta

The new rearranged‐abietane diterpene 1 , the four new triterpenoids 2 – 5 , and the new aminoethylphenyl oligoglycoside 6 , besides 19 known compounds, were isolated from the roots of Schnabelia tetradonta, a Chinese endemic herb. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic evidence as 12,17‐epoxy‐11,14,16‐trihydroxy‐17(15→16)‐abeo‐abieta‐8,11,13,15‐tetraen‐7‐one ( 1 ), 21β‐(β‐D ‐glucopyranosyloxy)‐2α,3α‐dihydroxyolean‐12‐en‐28‐oic acid ( 2 ), 2β,3β,16β‐trihydroxy‐15‐oxo‐28‐norolean‐12‐en‐23‐oic acid ( 3 ), 3β‐[(4‐O‐acetyl‐β‐D ‐glucopyranuronosyl)oxy]‐2β,16β‐dihydroxy‐28‐norolean‐15‐oxo‐12‐en‐23‐oic acid ( 4 ), 3β‐[(4‐O‐acetyl‐6‐O‐methyl‐β‐D ‐glucopyranuronosyl)oxy]‐2β,16β‐dihydroxy‐15‐oxo‐28‐norolean‐12‐en‐23‐oic acid ( 5 ), and 4‐[2‐(acetylamino)ethyl]phenyl O‐6‐O‐[(Z)‐p‐methoxycinnamoyl]‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→2)]‐O‐[β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→3)]‐4‐O‐acetyl‐α‐L ‐rhamnopyranoside ( 6 ), respectively.     

Three New Cytotoxic ent‐Kaurane Diterpenoids from Isodon weisiensis C. Y. Wu

Three new cytotoxic ent‐kaurane diterpenoids, (1α,7α,14β)‐1,7,14‐trihydroxy‐ent‐kaur‐16‐en‐15,18‐dione ( 1 ), (1α,7α,14β)‐1,7,14,18,20‐pentahydroxy‐ent‐kaur‐16‐en‐15‐one ( 2 ), and (3β,7α,14β)‐3,7,14‐tris(acetyloxy)‐ent‐kaur‐16‐en‐15‐one ( 3 ), were isolated from Isodon weisiensis C. Y. Wu. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, including 2D‐NMR techniques, and the crystal structure of 1 was determined by single‐crystal X‐ray‐diffraction analysis. The chosen crystal of 1 was orthorhombic, space group P2₁2₁2₁, and there were two molecules with little difference in bond length and bond angle in the least‐asymmetry unit. Compounds 1–3 showed significant cytotoxic activities against human‐cancer cell lines Bel‐7402 and HO‐8910.     

Lycopodine‐Type Lycopodium Alkaloids from Huperzia serrata

Eleven Lycopodium alkaloids with a lycopodine‐type skeleton were isolated from the basic material of the whole plant of Huperzia serrata (Thunb .) Trev. (Huperziaceae). Among them, 12‐epilycodoline N‐oxide (=(12α,15R)‐12‐hydroxy‐15‐methyllycopodan‐5‐one N‐oxide; 1 ), 7‐hydroxylycopodine (=(15S)‐7‐hydroxy‐15‐methyllycopodan‐5‐one; 2 ), and 4,6α‐dihydroxylycopodine (=(6α,15R)‐4,6‐dihydroxy‐15‐methyllycopodan‐5‐one; 3 ) are new compounds. Their structures were identified spectroscopically, especially by means of 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR.     

Triterpenoids from the Roots of Camellia oleifera C.Abel and Their Cytotoxic Activities

Three new triterpenoids, 21β,22α‐diangeloyloxy‐3β,15α,16α,28‐tetrahydroxyolean‐12‐en‐23‐al ( 1 ), 21β‐angeloyloxy‐3β,15α,16α,28‐tetrahydroxy‐22α‐(2‐methylbutanoyloxy)olean‐12‐en‐23‐al ( 2 ), and 21β‐angeloyloxy‐3β,16α,28‐trihydroxy‐22α‐(2‐methylbutanoyloxy)olean‐12‐en‐23‐al ( 3 ), along with six known triterpenoids, were isolated from the roots of Camellia oleifera C.Abel . The structures of compounds 1 – 3 were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analyses. Moreover, all compounds isolated were evaluated for their cytotoxic activities by MTT (=3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyl‐2H‐tetrazolium bromide) assay.     

Two New C(20)‐Oxygenated ent‐Kaurene Diterpenoids from Isodon henryi

Two new C(20)‐oxygenated ent‐kaurene diterpenoids, taibaihenryiins A ( 1 ) and B ( 2 ), along with five known compounds, shikokianin ( 3 ), longikaurin D, 2α‐hydroxyursolic acid, longikaurin F, and lasiodin, were isolated from the EtOH extract of the leaves and tender branches of Isodon henryi (Hemsl .) Kudo . The structures of the new compounds were determined as 11α‐acetoxy‐7,20‐epoxy‐1α,6β,7β‐trihydroxy‐ent‐kaur‐16‐en‐15‐one ( 1 ) and 7,20‐epoxy‐3β,6β,7β,11α‐tetrahydroxy‐ent‐kaur‐16‐en‐15‐one ( 2 ) on the basis of detailed spectroscopic analyses.     

Two New Ring A‐Cleaved Lanostane‐Type Triterpenoids and Four Known Steroids Isolated from Endophytic Fungus Glomerella sp. F00244

Two new ring A‐cleaved lanostane‐type triterpenoids, glometenoid A ( 1 ) and glometenoid B ( 2 ), together with four known steroids, (20S,22E,24R)‐ergosta‐7,22‐dien‐3β,5α,6β‐triol ( 3 ), (3β,5α,8α,22E)‐ergosta‐6,22‐diene‐3,5,8‐triol ( 4 ), 5α,8α‐epidioxy‐22E‐ergosta‐6,22‐dien‐3β‐ol ( 5 ), and ergosterol ( 6 ), were isolated from the endophytic fungus Glomerella sp. F00244. Their structures were elucidated by comprehensive spectroscopic analyses of NMR and MS data. Their antimicrobial activities were evaluated against pathogenic bacteria Bacillus subtilis ATCC 9372, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, Bacillus pumilus CMCC (B) 63202, Micrococcus luteus CMCC28001, and pathogenic fungi Candida albicans AS2.538 and Aspergillus niger ACCC30005, but no inhibition was observed at a concentration of 20 μg/ml. Further cytotoxicity assessment revealed that compound 1 exhibited weak antiproliferative activity against ovarian cancer HeLa cell.     

Eudesmane‐Type Sesquiterpene Derivatives from Saussurea conica

Four new eudesmane‐type sesquiterpene derivatives, 3β‐[(β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl)oxy]‐11αH‐eudesm‐4(14)‐en‐12,8β‐olide ( 1 ), (3β)‐eudesma‐4(14),11(13)‐diene‐3,12‐diol ( 2 ), 3β‐[(β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl)oxy]eudesma‐4(14),11(13)‐dien‐12‐ol ( 3 ), and 3β‐[(β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl)oxy]eudesm‐4(14)‐en‐11‐ol ( 4 ), together with the known (3β)‐eudesm‐4(14)‐ene‐3,11‐diol ( 5 ) were isolated from Saussurea conica, and their structures were elucidated both spectroscopically and by chemical methods.     

New Dammarane‐Type Saponins from the Roots of Panax notoginseng

Three new dammarane‐type triterpenoid saponins, 1 – 3 , were isolated and identified as (20S)‐20‐O‐[β‐D ‐xylopyranosyl‐(1→6)‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→6)‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl]dammar‐24‐ene‐3β,6α,12β, 20‐tetrol ( 1 ), (20S)‐6‐O‐[(E)‐but‐2‐enoyl‐(1→6)‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl]dammar‐24‐ene‐3β,6α,12β,20‐tetrol ( 2 ), and (20S)‐6‐O‐[β‐D ‐xylopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐β‐D ‐xylopyranosyl]dammar‐24‐ene‐3β,6α,12β,20‐tetrol ( 3 ) from the roots of Panax notoginseng (Burkill ) F.H.Chen (Araliaceae). Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analyses, including 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR techniques and HR‐ESI‐MS, as well as by acidic hydrolysis.     

New Polyunsaturated Amino Ketones from a Guangxi Sponge Haliclona sp.

Two new uncommon polyunsaturated amino ketones, (6Z,9Z,12Z,15Z)‐1‐[(2‐phenylethyl)amino]octadeca‐6,9,12,15‐tetraen‐3‐one ( 1 ) and (6Z,9Z,12Z,15Z)‐1‐(diethylamino)octadeca‐6,9,12,15‐tetraen‐3‐one ( 2 ), were isolated from the Gangxi sponge Haliclona sp. The structures of new compounds 1 and 2 were determined by detailed analysis of their 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR spectra, and high‐resolution mass spectrometry.     

A Novel Dimeric Podophyllotoxin‐Type Lignan and a New Withanolide from Withania coagulans

A novel dimeric lignan, bispicropodophyllin glucoside ( 1 ) and a highly oxygenated new withanolide, coagulin S ( 2 ) were isolated from the ethanolic extract of Withania coagulans. The structures were established on the basis of the spectroscopic data and have been identified as (5S*,5aR*,8aR*,9S*,15S*,15aS*,18aS*,19S*)‐9,19‐di‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐5,8a,9,15,15a,18,18a,19‐octahydro‐5,15‐bis(3,4,5‐trimethoxyphenyl)bis([1,3]dioxolo[4′,5′:6,7]naphtho)[2,3‐c:2,3‐h][1,6]dioxecin‐6,16(5aH,8H)‐dione ( 1 ) and (20S*,22R*)‐5α,6β,14α,15α,17β,20,27‐heptahydroxy‐1‐oxowith‐24‐enolide ( 2 ), respectively.