Vinmajorines C – E,Monoterpenoid Indole Alkaloids from Vinca major

Three new monoterpenoid indole alkaloids, vinmajorines C–E ( 1 – 3 ), along with 18 known analogues ( 4 – 21 ), were isolated from the whole plants of Vinca major. The new structures were elucidated as (5α,15β,16R,17α,19β,20α,21β)‐10,17‐dimethoxy‐21‐methyl‐18‐oxa‐5,16‐cycloyohimban‐19‐ol ( 1 ), (5α,15β,16R,17α,20α,21β)‐10‐methoxy‐21‐methyl‐18‐oxa‐5,16‐cycloyohimban‐17‐ol ( 2 ), and (5α,15β,16R,17α,20α,21β)‐10‐methoxy‐21‐methyl‐18‐oxa‐5,16‐cycloyohimban‐17‐yl acetate ( 3 ), respectively, by extensive NMR and MS analysis and comparison with known compounds. Compounds 1 – 3 were evaluated for their cytotoxic activities against five human cancer cell lines, compounds 1 and 3 showing moderate cytotoxic activities.     

New Furostanol Glycosides from the Roots of Digitalis ciliata Trautv.

Three new furostanol glycosides, named ciliatasides A, B, and C ( 1 – 3 , resp.), have been isolated from the roots of Digitalis ciliata, along with two known furostanol glycosides. The structures of the new compounds were identified as (2α,3β,5α,14β,25R)‐26‐(β‐D ‐glucopyranosyloxy)‐2‐hydroxyfurost‐20(22)‐en‐3‐yl β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐[β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→3)]‐β‐D ‐galactopyranoside ( 1 ), (2α,3β,5α,14β,22R)‐26‐(β‐D ‐glucopyranosyloxy)‐2‐hydroxy‐22‐methoxyfurost‐25(27)‐en‐3‐yl β‐D ‐galactopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐[β‐D ‐xylopyranosyl‐(1→3)]‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→4)‐β‐D ‐galactopyranoside ( 2 ), and (2α,3β,5α,14β,22R,25R)‐26‐(β‐D ‐glucopyranosyloxy)‐2,22‐dihydroxyfurostan‐3‐yl β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐[β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→3)]‐β‐D ‐galactopyranoside ( 3 ).     

Huangqiyenins G – J,Four New 9,10‐Secocycloartane (=9,19‐Cyclo‐9,10‐secolanostane) Triterpenoidal Saponins from Astragalus membranaceus Bunge Leaves

Four new 9,10‐secocycloartane (=9,19‐cyclo‐9,10‐secolanostane) triterpenoidal saponins, named huangqiyenins G–J ( 1 – 4 , resp.), were isolated from Astragalus membranaceus Bunge leaves. The acid hydrolysis of 1 – 4 with 1M aqueous HCl yielded D ‐glucose, which was identified by GC analysis after treatment with L ‐cysteine methyl ester hydrochloride. The structures of 1 – 4 were established by detailed spectroscopic analysis as (3β,6α,10α,16β,24E)‐3,6‐bis(acetyloxy)‐10,16‐dihydroxy‐12‐oxo‐9,19‐cyclo‐9,10‐secolanosta‐9(11),24‐dien‐26‐yl β‐D ‐glucopyranoside ( 1 ), (3β,6a,10α,24E)‐3,6‐bis(acetyloxy)‐10‐hydroxy‐12,16‐dioxo‐9,19‐cyclo‐9,10‐secolanosta‐9(11),24‐dien‐26‐yl β‐D ‐glucopyranoside ( 2 ), (3β,6α,9α,10α,16β,24E)‐3,6‐bis(acetyloxy)‐9,10,16‐trihydroxy‐9,19‐cyclo‐9,10‐secolanosta‐11,24‐dien‐26‐yl β‐D ‐glucopyranoside ( 3 ), and (3β,6α,10α,24E)‐3,6‐bis(acetyloxy)‐10‐hydroxy‐16‐oxo‐9,19‐cyclo‐9,10‐secolanosta‐9(11),24‐dien‐26‐yl β‐D ‐glucopyranoside ( 4 ).     

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.     

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.     

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.     

Clintoniosides A – C,New Polyhydroxylated Spirostanol Glycosides from the Rhizomes of Clintonia udensis

Phytochemical analyses were carried out on the rhizomes of Clintonia udensis (Liliaceae) with particular attention paid to the steroidal glycoside constituents, resulting in the isolation of three new polyhydroxylated spirostanol glycosides, named clintonioside A ( 1 ), B ( 2 ), and C ( 3 ). On the basis of their spectroscopic data, including 2D‐NMR spectroscopy, in combination with acetylation and hydrolytic cleavage, the structures of 1 – 3 were determined to be (1β,3β,23S,24S,25R)‐1,23,24‐trihydroxyspirost‐5‐en‐3‐yl O‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→4)‐O‐[α‐L ‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1→2)]‐β‐D ‐glucopyranoside ( 1 ), (1β,3β,23S,24S)‐3,21,23,24‐tetrahydroxyspirosta‐5,25(27)‐dien‐1‐yl O‐α‐L ‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐O‐[β‐D ‐xylopyranosyl‐(1→3)]‐β‐D ‐glucopyranoside ( 2 ), and (1β,3β,23S,24S)‐21‐(acetyloxy)‐24‐[(6‐deoxy‐β‐D ‐gulopyranosyl)oxy]‐3,23‐dihydroxyspirosta‐5,25(27)‐dien‐1‐yl O‐α‐L ‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐O‐[β‐D ‐xylopyranosyl‐(1→3)]‐β‐D ‐glucopyranoside ( 3 ).     

Tirucallane Triterpenoid Saponins from Munronia delavayi Franch

Four new tirucallane triterpenoid saponins, named munronosides I–IV ( 2 – 5 ), along with three known triterpenoids, sapelin B ( 1 ), melianodiol, and (3β)‐22,23‐epoxytirucall‐7‐ene‐3,24,25‐triol, were isolated from the EtOH extract of the whole plants of Munronia delavayi Franch by chromatographic methods. On the basis of spectroscopic evidences, the structures of 2 – 5 were elucidated as (20S,23R,24S)‐21,25‐epoxy‐29‐{{O‐β‐d‐ glucopyranosyl‐(1→3)‐O‐[α‐l‐ rhamnopyranosyl‐(1→6)]‐β‐d‐ glucopyranosyl}oxy}‐23,24‐dihydroxytirucall‐7‐ene‐3,21‐dione ( 2 ), (3β,20S,23R,24S)‐21,25‐epoxy‐29‐{{O‐β‐d‐ glucopyranosyl‐(1→3)‐O‐[α‐l‐ rhamnopyranosyl‐(1→6)]‐β‐d‐ glucopyranosyl}oxy}‐3,23,24‐trihydroxytirucall‐7‐en‐21‐one ( 3 ), (20S,23R,24S)‐24‐(acetyloxy)‐21,25‐epoxy‐29‐{{O‐β‐d‐ glucopyranosyl‐(1→3)‐O‐[α‐l‐ rhamnopyranosyl‐(1→6)]‐β‐d‐ glucopyranosyl}oxy}‐23‐hydroxytirucall‐7‐ene‐3,21‐dione ( 4 ), and (3β,20S,23R,24S)‐24‐(acetyloxy)‐21,25‐epoxy‐29‐{{O‐β‐d‐ glucopyranosyl‐(1→3)‐O‐[α‐l‐ rhamnopyranosyl‐(1→6)]‐β‐d‐ glucopyranosyl}oxy}‐3,23‐dihydroxytirucall‐7‐en‐21‐one ( 5 ).     

Three New Triterpene Saponins from Hemsleya chinensis

Three new triterpenoid saponins, xuedanglycosides A–C ( 1 – 3 , resp.), along with six known ones, were isolated from the rhizomes of Hemsleya chinensis. By detailed analysis of the NMR spectra, by chemical methods, and by comparison with spectral data of known compounds, the structures of new compounds were determined to be 16α,23α‐epoxy‐2β,3α,20β‐trihydroxy‐10α,23α‐cucurbita‐5,24‐dien‐11‐on‐2‐yl β‐D ‐glucopyranoside ( 1 ), 2β,3α,16α,20β‐tetrahydroxycucurbita‐5,25‐diene‐11,22‐dion‐2‐yl β‐D ‐glucopyranoside ( 2 ), and oleanolic acid 28‐O‐β‐xylopyranosyl‐(1→6)‐O‐β‐glucopyranoside ( 3 ). In addition, hemslecin A 2‐O‐β‐D ‐glucopyranoside ( 6 ), hemsamabilinin B ( 7 ), and hemslonin A ( 9 ) were obtained for the first time from this plant.     

Three New Phthalides from Gnaphalium adnatum

Three new phthalides, gnaphalides A–C ( 1 – 3 , resp.), together with three known phthalides, were isolated from the aerial part of Gnaphalium adnatum. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated as 6‐(1,1‐dimethylprop‐2‐en‐1‐yl)‐5,7‐dihydroxy‐2‐benzofuran‐1(3H)‐one ( 1 ), 5‐hydroxy‐7‐[(2‐hydroxy‐3‐methylbut‐3‐en‐1‐yl)oxy]‐2‐benzofuran‐1(3H)‐one ( 2 ), and 1,3‐dihydro‐7‐[(3‐methylbut‐2‐en‐1‐yl)oxy]‐1‐oxo‐2‐benzofuran‐5‐yl β‐D ‐glucopyranoside ( 3 ) on the basis of spectral analyses. The structure of 1 was also confirmed by X‐ray crystallographic analysis. The three known phthalides, identified as 5,7‐dihydroxyisobenzofuran‐1(3H)‐one ( 4 ), anaphatol ( 5 ), and 7‐O‐(β‐glucopyranosyl)‐5‐hydroxyisobenzofuran‐1(3H)‐one ( 6 ), were isolated from the genus Gnaphalium for the first time.     

Six New Triterpenoid Glycosides from Gynostemma pentaphyllum

Six new triterpenoid glycosides, gynosaponins I–VI ( 1 – 6 , resp.), together with three known compounds, ginseng Rb₁ ( 7 ), gypenoside XLIX ( 8 ), and gylongiposide I ( 9 ), were isolated from the aerial parts of Gynostemma pentaphyllum. Based on ESI‐MS, IR, 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR data (HMQC, HMBC, COSY, and TOCSY), the structures of the new compounds were determined as (3β,12β,20S)‐trihydroxydammar‐24‐ene 20‐O‐[α‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1→2)]‐β‐glucopyranoside ( 1 ), (3β,12β,20S)‐trihydroxydammar‐24‐ene 20‐O‐[α‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1→2)] [α‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1→3)]‐β‐glucopyranoside ( 2 ), (3β,12β,20S)‐trihydroxydammar‐24‐ene 3‐O‐β‐glucopyranosyl‐20‐O‐[α‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1→2)]‐β‐glucopyranoside ( 3 ), (3β,12β,20S)‐trihydroxydammar‐24‐ene 3‐O‐β‐glucopyranosyl‐20‐O‐[α‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1→2)] [α‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1→3)]‐β‐glucopyranoside ( 4 ), (3β,12β,20S)‐trihydroxydammar‐24‐ene 3‐O‐{[β‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→2)]‐β‐glucopyranosyl}‐20‐O‐[α‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1→2)]‐β‐glucopyranoside ( 5 ), and (3β,12β,20S)‐trihydroxydammar‐24‐ene 3‐O‐{[β‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→2)]‐β‐glucopyranosyl}‐20‐O‐[α‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1→2)] [α‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1→3)]‐β‐glucopyranoside ( 6 ).     

Six New Dammarane Triterpenoids from Viburnum cylindricum

One new dammarane triterpenoid, cylindrictone A ( 1 ), as well as five new nor‐dammarane triterpenoids cylindrictone B–F ( 2 – 6 ) were isolated from the leaves of Viburnum cylindrium, together with three known compounds 3β‐hydroxy‐hexanordammaran‐20‐one ( 7 ), 3α‐hydroxyoctanordammar‐12‐en‐17‐one ( 8 ), and neoalsogenin B ( 9 ). Their structures were identified by extensive NMR‐spectroscopic (especially 2D‐NMR) and mass‐spectrometric experiments, and the structure of 3 was further confirmed by a single‐crystal X‐ray analysis. The compounds exhibited no activity against human promyelocytic leukemia HL60 cell.     

Artabotryols A – E,New Lanostane Triterpenes from the Seeds of Artabotrys odoratissimus

Six new lanostane triterpenes, artabotryols A, B, C1, C2, D, and E ( 1, 2, 3a, 3b, 4 , and 5 , resp.) have been isolated from the seeds of Artabotrys odoratissimus (Annonaceae). Their structures have been established as (3α,22S,25R)‐3‐hydroxy‐22,26‐epoxylanost‐8‐en‐26‐one ( 1 ), (3α,22S,25R)‐22,26‐epoxylanost‐8‐ene‐3,26‐diol ( 2 ), (3α,22S,25R,26R)‐26‐methoxy‐22,26‐epoxylanost‐8‐en‐3‐ol ( 3a ), (3α,22S,25R, 26S)‐26‐methoxy‐22,26‐epoxylanost‐8‐en‐3‐ol ( 3b ), (3α,22S,25R)‐3,22‐dihydroxylanost‐8‐en‐26‐oic acid ( 4 ) and (3α,7α,11α,22S,25R)‐3,7,11‐trihydroxy‐22,26‐epoxylanost‐8‐en‐26‐one ( 5 ) by spectroscopic studies and chemical correlations.     

Photooxygenation of Pregnanes

The course of the singlet‐oxygen reaction with pregn‐17(20)‐enes and pregn‐5,17(20)‐dienes was studied to compare the reactivity of the two alkene moieties present in some steroid families. Thus, from commercially available (3β,5α)‐hydroxy‐androstan‐17‐one and (3β)‐3‐hydroxyandrost‐5‐en‐17‐one, the following 3‐{[(tert‐butyl)dimethylsilyl]oxy}‐substituted, 17(20)‐unsaturated pregnanes were prepared (see Fig. 1): (3β,5α)‐21‐norpregn‐17(20)‐ene 1 ; (3β,5α,17Z)‐pregn‐17(20)‐ene 2 , (3β,5α,16α,17E)‐pregn‐17(20)‐en‐16‐ol 3 , (16β,5α,17E)‐pregn‐17(20)‐en‐16‐ol 4 , (3β,5α,16β,17E)‐pregn‐17(20)‐en‐16‐ol acetate 5 , (3β,16α)‐21‐norpregna‐5,17(20)‐dien‐16‐ol 6 , (3β,16α,17E)‐pregna‐5,17(20)‐dien‐16‐ol 7 , (3β,17Z)‐pregna‐5,17(20)‐diene 8 , (3β,17E)‐pregna‐5,17(20)‐dien‐21‐ol 9 and (3β,17E)‐5,17(20)‐dien‐21‐ol acetate 10 . The oxygenated products (see Fig. 2) obtained from 1 – 10 and ¹O₂, generated by irradiation of Rose Bengal in ³O₂‐saturated pyridine solution, were characterized by ¹H‐, ¹³C‐NMR, and MS (EI, FAB, HR‐EI, ESI‐ and UV‐MALDI‐TOF) data. Major products were those formed by the ene reaction involving as intermediates the corresponding hydroperoxides and the cyclic tautomers of the allylic hydroperoxides, i.e., the corresponding oxiranium oxide‐like intermediate (Scheme 5).     

Verticillane and Norverticillane Diterpenoids from the Formosan Soft Coral Cespitularia hypotentaculata

Five new diterpenes, cespihypotins W–Z ( 1 – 4 , resp.) and cespihypotone ( 5 ) have been isolated from the AcOEt‐soluble fraction of the Formosan soft coral Cespitularia hypotentaculata. Two of them having the norverticillane skeleton, i.e., 1 and 2 , and the other three, 3 – 5 , possessing a verticillane skeleton. The structures were established as (+)‐(1βH,7E)‐6β,11β‐dihydroxynorverticilla‐4(18),7‐diene‐10,12‐dione ( 1 ), (+)‐(1βH,7E)‐6β‐acetoxy‐11β‐hydroxynorverticilla‐4(18),7‐diene‐10,12‐dione ( 2 ), (?)‐(1βH,7E)‐6β‐acetoxyverticilla‐4(18),7,11‐triene‐10,12‐γ‐lactone ( 3 ), (+)‐(1βH,7E)‐6β‐acetoxy‐10‐hydroxyverticilla‐4(18),7,11‐triene‐10,12‐γ‐lactone ( 4 ), and (+)‐(1βH,3Z)‐10β‐hydroxy‐6‐oxoverticilla‐3,11‐diene‐10,12‐γ‐lactone ( 5 ), respectively, on the basis of 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR spectroscopic analyses.     

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.     

Three New Triterpenoid Saponins from Ardisia crenata

Three new triterpenoid saponins, ardisicrenoside I ( 1 ), ardisicrenoside J ( 2 ), and ardisicrenoside M ( 3 ), along with eight known compounds, were isolated from the roots of Ardisia crenata Sims . Their structures were elucidated as 16α‐hydroxy‐30,30‐dimethoxy‐3β‐O‐{β‐D ‐xylopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→4)‐[β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→2)]‐α‐L ‐arabinopyranosyl}‐13β,28‐epoxyoleanane ( 1 ), 16α‐hydroxy‐30,30‐dimethoxy‐3β‐O‐{α‐L ‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→4)‐[β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→2)]‐α‐L ‐arabinopyranosyl}‐13β,28‐epoxyoleanane ( 2 ), 30,30‐dimethoxy‐16‐oxo‐3β‐O‐{β‐D ‐xylopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→4)‐[β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→2)]‐α‐L ‐arabinopyranosyl}‐13β,28‐epoxyoleanane ( 3 ), ardisiacrispin A ( 4 ), ardisiacrispin B ( 5 ), ardisicrenoside B ( 6 ), ardisicrenoside A ( 7 ), ardisicrenoside H ( 8 ), ardisicrenoside G ( 9 ), cyclamiretin A‐3β‐O‐β‐D ‐xylopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→4)‐α‐L ‐arabinopyranoside ( 10 ), and cyclamiretin A‐3β‐O‐α‐L ‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→4)‐α‐L ‐arabinopyranoside ( 11 ) by means of chemical and spectral analysis, and their cytotoxicities were evaluated in vitro.     

Further Withaphysalin Derivatives from Acnistus arborescens

Two new epimeric chlorinated withaphysalins, rel‐(4β,5β,6α,18S,22R)‐ and rel‐(4β,5β,6α,18R,22R)‐6‐chloro‐18,20‐epoxy‐18‐ethoxy‐4,5‐dihydroxy‐1‐oxowitha‐2,24‐diene‐26,22‐lactone ( 1 and 2 resp.), together with the new rel‐(4β,5β,6α,18R,22R)‐6‐chloro‐18,20‐epoxy‐4,5‐dihydroxy‐18‐methoxy‐1‐oxowitha‐2,24‐diene‐26,22‐lactone ( 3 ) and rel‐(3β,4β,5β,6β,18R,22R)‐5,6:18,20‐diepoxy‐3,18‐diethoxy‐4‐hydroxy‐1‐oxowith‐24‐ene‐26,22‐lactone ( 4 ) were isolated from the leaves of Acnistus arborescens and named withaphysalins T–W, respectively. The final structures and the complete ¹H‐ and ¹³C‐NMR assignments of the three chlorowithaphysalins 1 – 3 were performed by means of HR‐ESI‐MS and 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR experiments, including COSY, HSQC, and HMBC, beside comparison with spectral data of analogous compounds from the literature. The structure of 4 was also confirmed by means of a single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis.     

Baimantuoluolines D – F,Three New Withanolides from the Flower of Datura metel L.

Three new withanolide compounds, named baimantuoluolines D–F, along with three known withanolides and a lignan were isolated from the flower of Datura metel L., the parts effective against psoriasis. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated as (5α,6β,12β,20R,22R,24R,25S)‐21,24‐epoxy‐5,6,12‐trihydroxy‐27‐methoxy‐1‐oxowith‐2‐enolide ( 1 ), (5α,6β,12β,20R,22R,24R,25S)‐21,24‐epoxy‐5,6,12,27‐tetrahydroxy‐1‐oxowith‐2‐enolide ( 2 ), and (5α,6β,12β,22R)‐5,6,12,21‐tetrahydroxy‐1‐oxowith‐24‐enolide( 3 ) on the basis of physicochemical evidence.     

Three New Lanostane Triterpenoids from Inonotus obliquus

Three new lanostane‐type triterpenoids, inonotsulides A, B, and C ( 1 – 3 , resp.) were isolated from the sclerotia of Inonotus obliquus (Pers .: Fr.) (Japanese name: Kabanoanatake; Russian name: Chaga). Their structures were determined to be (20R,24S)‐3β,25‐dihydroxylanost‐8‐en‐20,24‐olide ( 1 ), (20R,24R)‐3β,25‐dihydroxylanost‐8‐en‐20,24‐olide ( 2 ), and (20R,24S)‐3β,25‐dihydroxylanosta‐7,9(11)‐dien‐20,24‐olide ( 3 ) on the basis of chemical transformation, NMR spectroscopy including 1D and 2D (¹H,¹H‐COSY, NOESY, HMQC, HMBC), EI‐MS, and single‐crystal X‐ray analysis.