Lignans from the Bark of Magnolia kobus

The Et₂O‐soluble fraction from the bark of Magnolia kobus led to the isolation of two new lignans, (+)‐(7α,7′α,8α,8′α)‐3′,4,4′,5,5′‐pentamethoxy‐7,9′: 7′,9‐diepoxylignan‐3‐ol ( 1 ) and (+)‐(7α,7′α,8α,8′α)‐4,5‐dimethoxy‐3′,4′‐(methylenedioxy)‐7,9′: 7′,9‐diepoxylignan‐3‐ol ( 2 ), along with five known lignans 3 – 7 . Their structures were established on the basis of various spectroscopic analyses including 1D‐ (¹H, ¹³C, and DEPT) and 2D‐NMR (COSY, NOESY, HMQC, and HMBC) and by comparison of their spectral data with those of related compounds.     

Sesquiterpenoids from Ligularia dentata

Five new compounds were isolated from the roots of Ligularia dentata, including four bisabolane‐type sesquiterpenoids, 1 – 4 , as well a new eudesmane, 5 . The previously isolated 3α,6α,9‐tris(angeloyloxy)‐2α,4β‐dihydroxy‐7,11‐epoxybisabol‐10(15)‐en‐5‐one ( 6 ), when left as an oil in a refrigerator over nine months, gave rise to a mixture of two positional isomers, 7 and 8 . Their formation is rationalized by means of epoxide ring opening and shift of an angeloyl (Ang) group. The structures of compounds 1 – 5, 7 , and 8 were established by in‐depth spectroscopic (UV, CD, IR, 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR) as well as mass‐spectrometric methods.     

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 ).     

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.     

Five New Tetranortriterpenoids from the Seeds of Toona ciliata

Five new tetranortriterpenoids, toonaciliatones B–F ( 1 – 5 , resp.), together with four known compounds, dihydrocedrelone ( 6 ), cedrelone ( 7 ), 6α‐acetoxyazadirone ( 8 ), and 6α‐acetoxy‐14β,15β‐epoxyazadirone ( 9 ), were isolated from the seeds of Toona ciliata. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, including 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR spectroscopy.     

Eupatozansins A – C,Sesquiterpene Lactones from Eupatorium chinense var. tozanense

Phytochemical investigation of Eupatorium chinense var. tozanense has resulted in the isolation of three new germacranolides, designated as eupatozansins A–C ( 1 – 3 ), along with five known compounds, (5S,6R,7R,8R)‐8‐angeloyloxy‐2‐oxoguaia‐1(10),3,11(13)‐trien‐12,6‐olide ( 4 ), costunolide ( 5 ), leptocarpin ( 6 ), 2α‐hydroxyeupatolide 8‐O‐angelate ( 7 ), and quercetin ( 8 ). The structures of the new compounds were identified by 1D and 2D NMR experiments, as well as high‐resolution mass spectrometry. The in vitro cytotoxic activities of compounds 1 – 8 were evaluated.     

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.     

A Hydroxylated Lupeol‐Based Triterpenoid Ester Isolated from the Scurrula parasitica Parasitic on Nerium indicum

(3β,7β)‐7‐Hydroxylup‐20(29)‐en‐3‐yl hexadecanoate ( 1 ), a new lupeol‐based triterpenoid ester, along with sixteen known compounds, 7β,15α‐dihydroxylup‐20(29)‐ene‐3β‐O‐palmitate ( 2 ), lupeol palmitate ( 3 ), lupeol ( 4 ), 3‐oxolup‐20(29)‐ene ( 5 ), ursolic acid ( 6 ), cycloeucalenol ( 7 ), stigmasterol ( 8 ), β‐sitosterol ( 9 ), β‐daucosterol ( 10 ), quercetin ( 11 ), quercetin 3‐O‐α‐L ‐arabinoside ( 12 ), quercetin 3‐O‐α‐L ‐rhamnoside ( 13 ), catechin ( 14 ), gitoxigenin 3‐O‐α‐L ‐rhamnoside ( 15 ), gitoxigenin 3‐O‐α‐D ‐glucoside ( 16 ), and digitoxigenin 3‐O‐α‐L ‐rhamnoside ( 17 ), was isolated from the leaves of the Southern China mistletoe, Scurrula parasitica Linn parasitic on Nerium indicum Mill . Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analyses, including 2D‐NMR techniques. Cytotoxic activities of compounds 1 – 7 and 11 – 17 were evaluated against three cancer cell lines, PANC‐1, HL‐60, and SGC‐7901, revealing that compounds 4, 6, 11 , and 15 – 17 exhibited effective cytotoxicities, while others were inactive. A structure? activity relationship study of compounds 1 – 5 indicated that the 3‐OH group in lupeol‐based triterpenoids is essential for antitumor activity.     

Tri‐ and Bicyclic Taxoids from the Taiwanese Yew Taxus sumatrana

Five new taxoids, including a new 2(3→20)‐abeo‐taxane with a 6/10/6‐membered ring system and four 3,8‐seco‐taxanes having a 6/12‐membered ring system, were isolated from an acetone extract of the leaves and twigs of the Taiwanese yew (Taxus sumatrana, Taxaceae). The structures were established as 2α,7β,10α‐triacetoxy‐5α‐hydroxy‐2(3→20)‐abeo‐taxa‐4(20),11‐dien‐9,13‐dione ( 1 ), (3E,8E)‐2α,9,10β, 13α,20‐pentaacetoxy‐7β‐hydroxy‐3,8‐secotaxa‐3,8,11‐trien‐5‐one ( 2 ), (3E,8E)‐2α,9,10β,13α,20‐pentaacetoxy‐5α,7β‐dihydroxy‐3,8‐secotaxa‐3,8,11‐triene ( 3 ), (3E,8E)‐9,10β,13α‐triacetoxy‐2α,7β,20‐trihydroxy‐5α‐[(2E)‐cinnamoyloxy]‐3,8‐secotaxa‐3,8,11‐triene ( 4 ), and (3E,8E)‐2α,5α,7β,9,10β,13α‐hexaacetoxy‐20‐hydroxy‐3,8‐secotaxa‐3,8,11‐triene ( 5 ), respectively, on the basis 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR spectral analyses. The in vitro cytotoxic activity of compounds 1 – 5 against four human tumor cell lines, including HeLa (cervical epitheloid), WiDr (colon), Daoy (medulloblastoma), and Hep2 (liver carcinoma) tumor cells was evaluated. Whereas compounds 1 – 3 were inactive, the novel taxanes 4 and 5 showed significant cytotoxicity.     

Three New Sesquiterpenes from Laggera pterodonta

A new eremophilane sesquiterpene, (2β)‐2‐deoxo‐2‐methoxytessaric acid ( 1 ), and two new eudesmane sesquiterpenes, (3β,10α)‐3‐methoxyleudesma‐4,11(13)‐dien‐12‐oic acid ( 2 ) and (3α,4β,8α)‐4‐(acetyloxy)‐3‐(2,3‐dihydroxy)‐2‐methyl‐1‐oxobutoxy‐8‐hydroxyeudesm‐7(11)‐eno‐12,8‐lactone ( 3 ), along with the ten known compounds 4 – 13 were isolated from the aerial parts of Laggera pterodonta. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic analyses, including 2D‐NMR data.     

Three New Atisane Diterpenoids from Spiraea japonica

Three new atisane diterpenoids, spiratisanins A – C ( 1  –  3 , resp.), featuring a phenylacryloxyl substituted ent‐atisane skeleton, were isolated from Spiraea japonica together with two known atisine diterpene alkaloids, spiramine A ( 4 ) and spiradine F ( 5 ). The structures of these new compounds were elucidated as (5β,7α,8α,9β,10α,12α,16β)‐16‐hydroxyatisan‐7‐yl (2E)‐3‐phenylprop‐2‐enoate ( 1 ), (5β,7α,8α,9β,10α,12α,16α)‐16‐hydroxyatisan‐7‐yl (2E)‐3‐phenylprop‐2‐enoate ( 2 ), and (5β,8α,9β,10α,12α,16β)‐16‐hydroxyatisan‐20‐yl (2E)‐3‐phenylprop‐2‐enoate ( 3 ) on the basis of spectroscopic analysis.     

Terpenoids from the Stems of Drypetes congestiflora

Two new eremophilane‐type sesquiterpenoids, 1α‐hydroxyeremophila‐6,9,11‐trien‐8‐one ( 1 ), 4α‐hydroxyeremophila‐1,9‐diene‐3,8‐dione ( 2 ), and a new friedelane‐type triterpenoid, friedelane‐3α,16β‐diol ( 4 ), along with six known terpenoids, 3 and 5 – 9 , have been isolated from the stems of Drypetes congestiflora. Their structures and relative configurations were elucidated on the basis of detailed spectroscopic analyses and by comparison of their NMR data with those reported in the literature. All of the compounds, 1 – 9 , were isolated for the first time from this species. Compound 3 exhibited moderate cytotoxic activities against the A549 and B16F10 cell lines.     

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.     

Diterpenes from Xylopia langsdorffiana

The phytochemical investigation of Xylopia langsdorffiana A.St.‐Hil. & Tul . led to the isolation of eight diterpenes, i.e., of the four new compounds (5β,7β,8α,9β,10α,12α)‐atisane‐7,16‐diol 7‐acetate ( 1 ), named xylodiol 7‐acetate, (5β,8α,9β,10α,12α)‐16‐hydroxyatisan‐7‐one ( 2 ), named xylopinone, (3α,12Z)‐3‐hydroxy‐ent‐labda‐8(20),12,14‐trien‐18‐oic acid ( 3 ), named labdorffianic acid A, and 8,20‐epoxy‐13‐hydroxy‐ent‐labd‐14‐en‐18‐oic acid ( 4 ), named labdorffianic acid B, and of the four known compounds 5 – 8 , i.e., ent‐kauran‐16‐ol, ent‐kaur‐16‐en‐19‐oic acid, ent‐kaur‐16‐en‐19‐ol, and ent‐trachyloban‐18‐oic acid. The structures were established by IR, HR‐ESI‐MS, and NMR data analysis with the aid of 2D techniques.     

Four New Pregnane Steroids from Aglaia abbreviata and Their Cytotoxic Activities

Four new pregnane steroids, aglaiasterols A–D ( 1 – 4 ), have been isolated from the EtOH extract of stems of Aglaia abbreviata. They were identified as (3α,5α,17Z)‐3‐hydroxypregn‐17‐en‐16‐one ( 1 ), (3β,5α,17E)‐3‐hydroxypregn‐17‐en‐16‐one ( 2 ), (3β,5α,17Z)‐3‐hydroxypregn‐17‐en‐16‐one ( 3 ), and (3α,5α,20S*)‐3‐hydroxy‐16‐oxopregnan‐20‐yl acetate ( 4 ) on the basis of spectroscopic methods, including 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR techniques. Compounds 1 – 4 were evaluated for their cytotoxic activities against K562 (human leukemia), MCF‐7 (human breast cancer), and KB (human oral epithelium cancer) cells, and drug‐resistant cells of K562/A02, MCF‐7/ADM, and KB/VCR. These isolates showed weak to moderate inhibitory effects on the growth of the tested cell lines.     

Sesquiterpenoids and Lactone Derivatives from Ligularia dentata

Seven new compounds were isolated from the roots of Ligularia dentata, including five bisabolane‐type sesquiterpenoids (bisabolane=1‐(1,5‐dimethylhexyl)‐4‐methylcyclohexane), namely (8β,10α)‐8‐(angeloyloxy)‐5,10‐epoxybisabola‐1,3,5,7(14)‐tetraene‐2,4,11‐triol ( 1 ), (8β,10α)‐8‐(angeloyloxy)‐5,10‐epoxythiazolo[5,4‐a]bisabola‐1,3,5,7(14)‐tetraene‐4,11‐diol ( 2 ), (1α,2α,3β,5α,6β)‐1,5,8‐tris(angeloyloxy)‐10,11‐epoxy‐2,3‐dihydroxybisabol‐7(14)‐en‐4‐one ( 3 ), (1α,2α,3β,5α,6β)‐2,5,8‐tris(angeloyloxy)‐10,11‐epoxy‐1,3‐dihydroxybisabol‐7(14)‐en‐4‐one ( 4 ), and (1α,2β,3β,5α,6β)‐1,8‐bis(angeloyloxy)‐2,3‐epoxy‐5,10‐dihydroxy‐11‐methoxybisabol‐7(14)‐en‐4‐one ( 5 ) (angeloyloxy=[(2Z)‐2‐methyl‐1‐oxobut‐2‐enyl]oxy), and two lactone derivatives, (2α,3β,5α)‐2‐(acetyloxy)‐9‐methoxy‐5‐(methoxycarbonyl)‐2,3‐dimethylheptano‐5‐lactone ( 6 ), and (2β,4β)‐2‐ethyl‐5‐hydroxy‐5‐(methoxycarbonyl)‐4,5‐dimethylpentano‐4‐lactone ( 7 ) (α/β denote relative configurations), together with (2E,4R,5S)‐2‐ethylidene‐5‐(methoxycarbonyl)‐4‐methylhexano‐5‐lactone ( 8 ), a known synthetic compound. Compound 2 is the first sesquiterpenoid derivative containing the uncommon benzothiazole moiety. The structures of 1 – 8 were established by spectroscopic methods, especially 2D‐NMR and MS analyses.     

Terpenoids from the Roots of Ligularia muliensis

Three new eremophilane‐type sesquiterpenes, (6β,8α)‐6‐(acetyloxy)‐8‐hydroxyeremophil‐7(11)‐en‐12,8‐olide ( 1 ), (6α,8α)‐6‐hydroxyeremophil‐7(11)‐en‐12,8‐olide ( 2 ), and (6α,8α)‐6‐(acetyloxy)eremophil‐7(11)‐en‐12,8‐olide ( 3 ) ((8α)‐eremophil‐7(11)‐en‐12,8‐olide = (4aR,5S,8aR,9aS)‐4a,5,6,7,8,8a,9,9a‐octahydro‐3,4a,5‐trimethylnaphtho[2,3‐b]furan‐2(4H)‐one), besides the recently elucidated eremoligularin ( 4 ) and bieremoligularolide ( 5 ), as well as a new highly oxygenated monoterpene, rel‐(1R,2R,3R,4S,5S)‐p‐menthane‐1,2,3,5‐tetrol ( 12 ), together with six known constituents, i.e., the sesquiterpenes 6 and 7 , the norsesquiterpenes 8 – 10 , and the monoterpene 13 , were isolated from the roots of Ligularia muliensis. In addition, an attempt to dimerize 1 to a bieremophilenolide (Scheme) resulted in the generation of the new derivative (6β,8β)‐6‐(acetyloxy)‐8‐chloroeremophil‐7(11)‐en‐12,8‐olide ( 11 ). The new structures were established by means of detailed spectroscopic analysis (IR, FAB‐, EI‐, or HR‐ESI‐MS as well as 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR experiments). Compounds 4 and 5 were evaluated for their antitumor effects in vitro (Table 3).     

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 ).     

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.     

Diterpene Glycosides from the Dry Fronds of Conyza japonica

Phytochemical investigation of the 95% EtOH extract of the dry fronds of Conyza japonica (Thunb .) Less. resulted in the isolation of three new labdane diterpene glycosides, (3β,13S)‐13‐O‐α‐L ‐rhamnopyranosyllabda‐8(17),14‐dien‐3‐yl α‐L ‐rhamnopyranoside ( 1 ), (3β,13S)‐13‐O‐α‐L ‐rhamnopyranosyllabda‐8(17),14‐diene‐3‐yl 2‐O‐acetyl‐α‐L ‐rhamnopyranoside ( 2 ), and (3β,13S)‐13‐O‐α‐L ‐rhamnopyranosylabda‐8(17),14‐dien‐3‐yl 6‐O‐acetyl‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐α‐L ‐rhamnopyranoside ( 3 ), together with their aglycone, (13S)‐labda‐8(17),14‐diene‐3,13‐diol ( 4 ). Their structures were characterized by spectroscopic analyses and chemical correlations, including 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR, and HR‐ESI‐MS. Furthermore, compounds 1 – 3 appeared to be promising as active agents against the tested pathogen fungi and oral pathogens as they possessed moderate cytotoxic properties.