Chromenone Glucosides Acylated with Monoterpene Acids from the Leaves of Eucalyptus camaldulensis var. obtusa

Three new chromenone glucosides acylated with monoterpene acids, eucamaldusides A ( 1 ), B ( 2 ), and C ( 3 ), were isolated from the leaves of Eucalyptus camaldulensis var. obtusa, together with the five known compounds ursolic acid lactone, obtusilin, β‐sitosterol glucoside, 4‐hydroxybenzoic acid, and cypellocarpin C. The structures of the new compounds were established by exhaustive 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR spectroscopic studies. Their configuration was determined by measuring the [α]_D of the known methyl esters of the monoterpene acids obtained by methanolysis of 1 – 3 .     

Arylethyl (= Phenylethanoid) Glycosides and Oligosaccharide from the Stem of Cistanche tubulosa

Three new analogues of the arylethyl (= phenylethanoid) glycoside echinacoside ( 5 ), namely cistantubulosides A ( 1 ), B₁/B₂ ( 2a / 2b ), and C₁/C₂ ( 3a / 3b ), and one new oligosaccharide, cistantubulose A₁/A₂ ( 4a / 4b ), were isolated from the stems of Cistanche tubulosa (Schenk ) R. Wight , together with five known compounds, i.e., campneoside I, campneoside II ( 6 ), echinacoside ( 5 ), tubuloside, and cistanoside F. Among the compounds isolated, 2a / 2b, 3a / 3b, 4a / 4b , campneoside I, campneoside II ( 6 ), and cistanoside F each consisted of a pair of epimers. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated on the basis of spectral data.     

Three New Chromanones from Calea clausseniana

Three new chromanones, uniflorol A acetate ( 1 ), uniflorol B acetate ( 2 ), and 2,2‐dimethyl‐6‐{1‐[(4′‐acetoxy)angeloyloxy]ethyl}chroman‐4‐one ( 3 ), together with the known chromanone 4 , and two known p‐hydroxyacetophenone derivatives, 5 and 6 , were isolated from the CH₂Cl₂ crude extract of the underground parts of Calea clausseniana Baker . The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic analyses, including 2D‐NMR techniques.     

Tocopherols and Triterpenoids from Sida acuta

A new tocopherol derivative, 7_a‐methoxy‐α‐tocopherol ( 1 ), and a new taraxastane triterpene, taraxast‐1,20(30)‐dien‐3‐one ( 5 ), together with four known compounds, β‐tocopherol ( 2 ), α‐tocopherol ( 3 ), α‐tocospiro B ( 4 ) and taraxasterone ( 6 ) were isolated from the whole plant of Sida acuta. Their structures were elucidated by spectral analysis including MS, 1D and 2D‐NMR spectroscopy. Among those compounds, compounds 1 , 2 , and 3 showed significant antioxidant effect (EC₅₀ = 86.9, 68.2, and 70.9 μM, respectively) in the DPPH radicals scavenging activity assay.     

Two New Cytotoxic Spirostane‐Steroidal Saponins from the Roots of Bletilla striata

Two new spirostane‐steroidal saponins, bletilnoside A ( 1 ) and bletilnoside B ( 2 ), together with five known compounds, 3 – 7 , were isolated from the roots of Bletilla striata (Thunb .) Reichb . F. The structures of the new compounds were determined based on their 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR spectral data. The isolated compounds 1 – 7 were tested for cytotoxicity against four human tumor cells (A549, SK‐OV‐3, SK‐MEL‐2, and HCT15) in vitro using a sulforhodamin B bioassay, and compounds 1, 2 , and 5 showed significant cytotoxicities against all tested tumor cell lines with IC₅₀ values ranging from 3.98±0.16 to 12.10±0.40 μM .     

Secondary Metabolites from the Stem Bark of Litsea akoensis and Their Cytotoxic Activity

Six new butanolides, litseadioxanins A and B ( 1 and 2 , resp.) bearing a 1,2‐dioxane moiety, litseatrinolides A and B ( 3 and 4 , resp.), and litseakolides D₁ and D₂ ( 5 and 6 , resp.), were isolated from the stem bark of Litsea akoensis, together with six known compounds. The structures of the new compounds were characterized by in‐depth NMR‐spectroscopic and mass‐spectrometric analyses. Butanolides 1 – 4 , and a mixture of 6 and litsenolide E₂, and litsenolide B₁ were tested against human tumor cells, including MCF‐7 (human breast adenocarcinoma), NCI‐H460 (non‐small‐cell lung cancer), and SF‐268 (glioblastoma) cell lines. Among the tested compounds, litsenolide B₁ exhibited marginal cytotoxic activity against MCF‐7, NCI‐H460, and SF‐268 cell lines in vitro.     

Structure Elucidation of Two New Diterpenoids from Isodon phyllostachys: Phyllostacins A and B

Two new ent‐kaurane‐derived diterpene derivatives, phyllostacins A ( 1 ) and B ( 2 ), were isolated from the aerial parts of Isodon phyllostachys, together with two known compounds, irroratin A ( 3 ) and serrin B ( 4 ). Both 1 and 2 were found to be present as diastereoisomers. In the case of 1 , the corresponding diastereoisomeric diacetates 5 and 6 were prepared and separated. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by extensive 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR spectroscopic methods, in combination with MS experiments. In (D₅)pyridine solution, the two epimers of 1 are present in equal amounts, but in CDCl₃ or CD₃OD, the (S)‐epimer predominates in the mixture of hemiacetals.     

New Diterpenoid Alkaloids from Aconitum liangshanicum

One new C₁₉‐diterpenoid alkaloid, named liangshantine ( 1 ), and three new C₂₀‐diterpenoid alkaloids, liangshansines A–C ( 2 – 4 , resp.), as well as eight known compounds, were isolated from the roots of Aconitum liangshanicum. The structures of these new alkaloids were elucidated by spectroscopic methods.     

A new triterpenoid saponin and a diterpene glucoside from the seeds of Orychophragmus violaceus

One new triterpenoid saponin orychoside A (1) and one new diterpene glucoside orychoside B (12), together with eleven known compounds, were isolated from the seeds of Orychophragmus violaceus. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analysis. The known compounds were identified by comparison with data reported in the literature. All compounds were tested for their cytotoxic activities against the HepG2 and A549 cell lines in vitro. The new compound 1 exhibited potent cytotoxicity against the two cell lines with IC₅₀ values of 7.13 and 8.77 μM, respectively. Compounds 2, 5, 8 and 9 were found to possess obvious cytotoxicity.     

New Steroids and a New Alkaloid from the Gorgonian Isis minorbrachyblasta: Structures,Cytotoxicity, and Antilarval Activity

Two new polyoxygenated steroids, (1α,3β,7α,11α,12β)‐gorgost‐5‐ene‐1,3,7,11,12‐pentol 12‐acetate ( 1 ) and 11‐O‐acetyl‐22‐epihippuristanol ( 2 ), and a new alkaloid, 2,3,5,6,11,11b‐hexahydro‐2‐hydroxy‐1H‐indolizino[8,7‐b]indole‐2‐carboxylic acid ( 3 ), together with three known compounds, 22‐epihippuristanol ( 4 ), hippuristanol ( 5 ), and tryptamine ( 6 ), were isolated from the EtOH/CH₂Cl₂ extracts of the South China Sea gorgonian Isis minorbrachyblasta. The structures of the new compounds were determined by spectroscopic methods. Compound 1 showed weak cytotoxicity against A549, HONE1, and HeLa cancer cell lines and strong antilarval activity towards Bugula neritina larvae with an EC₅₀ value of 5.8 μg/ml. Compound 5 showed moderate cytotoxicity against A549, HONE1, and HeLa cell lines, and the epimer mixture 4 / 5 (weight ratio 3 : 2) exhibited potent cytotoxicity against A549 and HONE1 cell lines with IC₅₀ values of 4.2 and 4.8 μg/ml, which indicated that epimers 4 and 5 might have a synergistic effect on their cytotoxicity against A549 and HONE1 cell lines.     

New Dammarane‐Type Saponins from the Rhizomes of Panax japonicus

Phytochemical investigation of the rhizomes of Panax japonicus C. A. Meyer (Araliaceae) resulted in the isolation of two new dammarane‐type triterpenoid saponins, yesanchinoside R₁ ( 1 ) and yesanchinoside R₂ ( 2 ), together with one new natural product, 6′′′‐O‐acetylginsenoside Re ( 3 ). In addition, 25 known compounds, including 23 triterpenoid saponins, 4 – 26 , β‐sitosterol 3‐O‐β‐D ‐glucopyranoside ( 27 ), and ecdysterone ( 28 ), were also identified. The known saponins 12, 15 , and 18 – 22 were reported for the first time from the title plant. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of detailed spectroscopic analyses, including 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR techniques, as well as acidic hydrolysis.     

Amaryllidaceae Alkaloids from Lycoris radiata

A phytochemical investigation on bulbs of Lycoris radiata resulted in the isolation of three new Amaryllidaceae alkaloids, named 5,6‐dehydrodihydrolycorine ( 1 ), 6β‐acetoxycrinamine ( 2 ), and (+)‐8‐O‐acetylhomolycorine α‐N‐oxide ( 3 ), together with eleven known alkaloids, 4 – 14 . The structures of the new alkaloids were established by means of spectroscopic methods, and the known compounds were identified by comparison of their data with those in the literature. Compound 2 showed cytotoxicity against HL‐60, A‐549, and MCF‐7 cells, with IC₅₀ values of 8.1, 24.3, and 15.0 μM , respectively.     

Chemical Constituents from the Leaves of Litsea Acutivena

Continuous investigation of the CHCl₃‐soluble and n‐hexane fractions of the leaves of Litsea acutivena Hayata (Lauraceae) led to the isolation of one new butanolide, acutilactone ( 1 ), one new lactone, 4‐nonacosyl‐dihydrofuran‐2‐one ( 2 ), together with 15 known compounds. The known compounds included one butanolide, one norisoprenoid, one quinone, two steroids, one triterpenoid, one coumarin, two fatty acids, one amide, and five other compounds. The structures of these compounds were determined by means of spectral analyses.     

Pregnane‐Type Steroidal Alkaloids of Sarcococca saligna: a New Class of Cholinesterase Inhibitors

Phytochemical investigation of Sarcococca saligna by extensive bioassay‐guided fractionation resulted in the isolation of the pregnane‐type steroidal alkaloids 1 – 15 , i.e. of the five new compounds 1 – 5 and the ten known alkaloids 6 – 15 . The structures of the new alkaloids salignenamide C ( 1 ), salignenamide D ( 2 ), 2β‐hydroxyepipachysamine D ( 3 ), salignenamide E ( 4 ), and salignenamide F ( 5 ) were elucidated with the help of modern spectroscopic techniques, while the known alkaloids axillarine C ( 6 ), axillarine F ( 7 ), sarcorine ( 8 ), N³‐demethylsaracodine ( 9 ), saligcinnamide ( 10 ), salignenamide A ( 11 ), vaganine A ( 12 ), axillaridine A ( 13 ), sarsalignone ( 14 ), and sarsalignenone ( 15 ) were identified by comparing their spectral data with those reported earlier. Inhibition of electric‐eel acetylcholinesterase (EC 3.1.1.7) and horse‐serum butyrylcholinesterase (EC 3.1.1.8) by alkaloids 1 – 15 were investigated. These new cholinesterase inhibitors may act as potential leads in the discovery of clinically useful inhibitors for nervous‐system disorders, particularly by reducing memory deficiency in Alzheimer's disease patients by potentiating and effecting the cholinergic transmission process. These compounds were found to inhibit both enzymes in a concentration‐dependent fashion with the IC₅₀ values ranging from 5.21–227.92 μM against acetylcholinesterase and 2.18–38.36 μM against butyrylcholinesterase.     

Two New Megastigmane Glycosides and a New Iridoid Glycoside from Gelsemium elegans

Two new megastigmane glycosides, eleganosides A and B ( 1 and 3 , resp.), and one new iridoid glycoside, gouwenoside A ( 4 ), together with two known compounds, foliasalacioside B₁ ( 2 ) and loganin ( 5 ), were isolated from the aerial parts of Gelsemium elegans (Gardn. et Champ.) Benth. (Loganiaceae). Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods including 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR techniques. The absolute configuration of 1 was determined by CD spectroscopy.     

Three New Eudesmanolactones (=Eudesmanolides) from Camchaya loloana

Three new eudesmanolactones (=eudesmanolides), loloanolide A ( 1 ), loloanolide B ( 2 ), and 1‐O‐acetylloloanolide B ( 3 ), together with five known compounds, were isolated from the CHCl₃ extract of the aerial parts of Camchaya loloana. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analysis. This type of eudesmanolactones bearing a 2‐(hydroxymethyl)acryloyloxy group at C(8) was discovered for the first time. Compounds 1 – 3 exhibited cytotoxicity against the HepG2 cell line, with GI₅₀ values of 22.9, 18.1, and 12.8 nmol/ml, respectively.     

Cytotoxic 5‐Hydroxyindole Alkaloids from the Marine Sponge Scalarispongia sp.

Three new 5‐hydroxyindole alkaloids ( 1 , 2 , 3 ) along with seven known analogs ( 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 ) were isolated from a Dokdo marine sponge Scalarispongia sp. The elucidation of the structures of the new compounds by spectroscopic analyses indicated that these compounds were an indole glyoxylate ( 1 ), a mono‐indole analog of hyrtinadine A ( 2 ), and a symmetrical bis‐indole with pyridine linker ( 3 ). The comparison of IC₅₀ values for obtained compounds against a human leukemia cell line revealed that the bis‐indole structure is a requirement for cytotoxicity.     

Three New Homologous 3‐Alkyl‐1,4‐benzoquinones from the Fruiting Bodies of Daldinia concentrica

A new homologous series of 3‐alkyl‐5‐methoxy‐2‐methyl‐1,4‐benzoquinones ( 1 – 3 ), with chain lengths of C₂₁ to C₂₃, were isolated from the fruiting bodies of Daldinia concentrica, together with five known compounds. The molecular structures were established by spectroscopic methods.     

A New Tetracyclic Diterpene from Jatropha curcas

Jatrophodione A ( 1 ), a new diterpene with four rings, together with nine known compounds, caniojane ( 2 ), jatropholone A ( 3 ), jatropholone B ( 4 ), jatrogrossidione ( 5 ), 2‐epijatrogrossidione ( 6 ), heudelotinone ( 7 ), gossweilone ( 8 ), (3α)‐3‐hydroxy‐ent‐pimara‐8(14),15‐dien‐12‐one ( 9 ), and 12‐hydroxy‐13‐methylpodocarpa‐8,11,13‐trien‐3‐one ( 10 ), was isolated from the aerial parts of Jatropha curcas. Compounds 5, 6, 9 , and 10 were found for the first time in this plant. Their structures were established by spectroscopic analysis, including 2D‐NMR spectroscopic techniques. Cytotoxicities of compounds 1, 2, 7, 8 , and 9 were tested on the three cancer cell lines A549, Hela, and SMMC‐7721. Results showed that 7 exhibited cytotoxicity against SMMC‐7721 with an IC₅₀ value of 21.68 μM , whereas 7 and 8 were active against A549 with the IC₅₀ values of 16.04 and 20.47 μM , and against Hela with the IC₅₀ values of 10.67 and 22.83 μM , respectively.     

Bioactive furanocoumarins from the stems and leaves of Clausena hainanensis

A new furanocoumarin, clauhainanin A (1), together with seven known furanocoumarins (2–8), were isolated from the stems and leaves of Clausena hainanensis. The structure of 1 was elucidated by extensive spectroscopic methods and the known compounds were identified by comparisons with data reported in the literature. All known compounds (2–8) were isolated from C. hainanensis for the first time. All isolated compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxicities against five human cancer cell lines: HL-60, SMMC-7721, A-549, MCF-7 and SW480 in vitro. Compounds 1–8 exhibited significant inhibitory effects with IC₅₀ values ranging from 1.36 to 18.96 μM.