Two New Diterpenoids from Callicarpa pedunculata

Two new diterpenoids, pedunculatic acid A (= (4R,5α,7α)‐7‐ethoxy‐9β,13β‐dioxyabiet‐8(14)‐en‐18‐oic acid; 1 ) and pedunculatic acid B (= (4S,5α,12β)‐8β,14β‐epoxy‐12‐hydroxy‐11‐oxototaran‐19‐oic acid; 2 ), together with three known sesquiterpenoids, were isolated from the Chinese medicinal herb Callicarpa pedunculata R. Brown . Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analyses, including 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR, and by high‐resolution mass spectrometry.     

Three New 24‐Noroleanane Triterpenoids from Quercus aliena var. acuteserrata

Three new 24‐noroleanane triterpenoids, i.e., 2α,19α‐dihydroxy‐3‐oxo‐24‐norolean‐12‐en‐28‐oic acid ( 1 ) and 19α‐hydroxy‐3‐oxo‐24‐norolean‐12‐en‐28‐oic acid ( 2 ), and 2α,3β,19α‐trihydroxy‐24‐norolean‐12‐en‐28‐oic acid ( 3 ) were isolated from Quercus aliena var. acuteserrata, together with three known compounds, bartogenic acid ( 4 ), ilexgenin A ( 5 ), and aophitolic acid ( 6 ). Their structures were established by spectroscopic methods, especially 2D‐NMR and MS analyses.     

Two New Triterpene and a New Nortriterpene Glycosides from Phlomis viscosa

The isolation and structure elucidation of two new oleanane‐type triterpene glycosides, 29‐(β‐D ‐glucopyranosyloxy)‐2α,3β,23‐trihydroxyolean‐12‐en‐28‐oic acid (=(2α,3β,4α,29α)‐29‐(β‐D ‐glucopyranosyloxy)‐2,3,23‐trihydroxyolean‐12‐en‐28‐oic acid; 1 ) and its C(20)‐epimer, 30‐(β‐D ‐glucopyranosyloxy)‐2α,3β,23‐trihydroxyolean‐12‐en‐28‐oic acid (=(2α,3β,4α,29β)‐29‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyloxy)‐2,3,23‐trihydroxyolean‐12‐en‐28‐oic acid; 2 ), and a novel nortriterpene glycoside, (17S)‐2α,18β,23‐trihydroxy‐3,19‐dioxo‐19(18→17)‐ abeo‐28‐norolean‐12‐en‐25‐oic acid β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl ester (=(1R,2S,4aS,4bR,6aR,7R,9R,10aS,10bS)‐3,4,4a,4b,5,6,6a,7,8,9,10,10a,10b,11‐tetradecahydro‐1‐hydroxy‐7‐(hydroxymethyl)‐3′,4′,4a,4b,7‐pentamethyl‐2′,8‐ dioxospiro[chrysene‐2(1H),1′‐cyclopentane]‐10a‐carboxylic acid β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl ester; 3 ) from Phlomis viscosa (Lamiaceae) are reported. The structures of the compounds were asigned by means of spectroscopic (IR, 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR, and LC‐ESI‐MS) and chemical (acetylation) methods.     

Withanolides from Physalis alkekengi var. francheti

Two new withanolides, namely (20S,22R)‐15α‐acetoxy‐5α‐chloro‐6β,14β‐dihydroxy‐1‐oxowitha‐2,24‐dienolide ( 1 ) and (22R)‐5β,6β : 14α,17 : 14β,26‐triepoxy‐2α‐ethoxy‐13,20,22‐trihydroxy‐1,15‐dioxo‐16α,24‐cyclo‐13,14‐secoergosta‐18,27‐dioic acid 18→20,27→22‐dilactone ( 2 ), along with six known compounds, physagulin B ( 3 ), withangulatin A ( 4 ), physalin I ( 5 ), withaminimin ( 6 ), physagulin J ( 7 ), and ergosta‐5,25‐diene‐3β,24ξ‐diol ( 8 ), were isolated from the whole plant of Physalis alkekengi var. francheti. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analyses.     

New Polyoxygenated Triterpenoids from Stachyurus himalaicus var. himalaicus

Two new polyoxygenated triterpenoids, stachlic acid A (= (2α,3β)‐2,3,23,29‐tetrahydroxyolean‐12‐en‐28‐oic acid; 1 ) and stachlic acid B (= (2α,3α)‐2,29‐dihydroxy‐3,23‐[(1,1‐dimethylmethylene)dioxy]olean‐12‐ene‐28‐oic acid; 2 ), were isolated from Stachyurus himalaicus var. himalaicus. Their structures were established by means of extensive spectroscopic studies and chemical evidence. The purified product 1 was found to have moderate in vitro cytotoxic activity against human Hela cells.     

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.     

Triterpenoids and Iridoid Glycosides from Gentiana dahurica

One new and six known pentacyclic triterpenoids, 1 and 4 – 9 , resp., along with two new and three known iridoid glycosides, 2 and 3 , and 10 – 12 , resp., were isolated from the roots of Gentiana dahurica (‘Qin‐Jiao’). The new structures were elucidated by means of spectroscopic and chemical methods as 1β,2α,3α,24‐tetrahydroxyursa‐12,20(30)‐dien‐28‐oic acid ( 1 ), 6′‐O‐acetylgentiopicroside ( 2 ), and 3′‐acetylgentiopicroside ( 3 ). Isolated compounds were tested for their cytotoxicity against the MCF‐7 human breast cancer cell line using the MTT assay. Among them, triterpenoids 2α,3β,24‐trihydroxyurs‐12‐en‐28‐oic acid ( 6 ) and 3β,24‐dihydroxyurs‐12‐en‐28‐oic acid ( 9 ) were found to have moderate cytotoxic effects with IC₅₀ values of 20.9 and 21.7 μg/ml, respectively. Additionally, the chemotaxonomic significance of the identified secondary metabolites is briefly discussed.     

Synthesis of Nitrogen‐Containing Derivatives of (18α,19β)‐19‐Hydroxy‐2,3‐secooleanane‐2,3,28‐trioic Acid 28,19‐Lactone

The object of this study is the interaction of the cyclic anhydride 2 of (18α,19β)‐19‐hydroxy‐2,3‐secooleanane‐2,3,28‐trioic acid 28,19‐lactone ( 1 ) with primary and secondary amines. It was shown that the products of steric control (the corresponding 2‐amino‐2‐oxo‐3‐oic acids=2‐amides) were formed solely upon the opening of the anhydride cycle by secondary amines (Scheme 2), whereas the interaction with primary amines yielded a mixture of isomeric amides (Scheme 10). In the latter case, the solvent provided a noticeable effect on the reaction selectivity, which was demonstrated in the case of 4‐methoxybenzylamine. The interaction between the resulting 3‐amides and oxalyl chloride yielded the corresponding cyclic imides, whereas under these conditions, 2‐amides formed spiropyrrolidinetriones (Scheme 4).     

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 ent‐Trachylobane Diterpenoids from Co‐cultures of the Calli of Trewia nudiflora and Fusarium sp. WXE

Five diterpenoids, including three new ent‐trachylobane diterpenoids, i.e., (3α)‐3‐hydroxy‐ent‐trachylobane‐17,19‐dioic acid 19‐methyl ester ( 1 ), ent‐trachylobane‐17,19‐dioic acid 19‐methyl ester ( 2 ), ent‐trachylobane‐17,19‐dioic acid ( 3 ), and two known atisane‐type ones, i.e., (16α)‐16,17‐dihydroxy‐ent‐atisan‐19‐oic acid methyl ester ( 4 ), and 17‐hydroxy‐ent‐atisan‐19‐oic acid methyl ester ( 5 ), were isolated from the co‐culture extract of the calli of Trewia nudiflora and its endophytic fungus Fusarium sp. WXE. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analyses, including 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR experiments, and HR‐Q‐TOF mass spectrometry. The antitumor and antibacterial properties of the new compounds were evaluated.     

Thrombin Inhibitory Constituents from Duranta repens

The C‐alkylated flavonoids 3,7,4′‐trihydroxy‐3′‐(4‐hydroxy‐3‐methylbutyl)‐5,6‐dimethoxyflavone ( 1 ), 3,7‐dihydroxy‐3′‐(4‐hydroxy‐3‐methylbutyl)‐5,6,4′‐trimethoxyflavone ( 2 ) and the trans‐clerodane diterpenoids 6β‐hydroxy‐15,16‐epoxy‐5β,8β,9β,10α‐cleroda‐3,13(16),14‐trien‐18‐oic acid ( 3 ) and 2β‐hydroxy‐15,16‐epoxy‐5β,8β,9β,10α‐cleroda‐3,13(16),14‐trien‐18‐oic acid ( 4 ) were isolated from Duranta repens. Their structures and the relative configuration of 3 and 4 were determined by spectroscopic methods (¹H‐ and ¹³C‐NMR, IR, and MS) and 2D‐NMR experiments. The known flavonoid 5 is also reported for the first time from this species. The compounds 1 , 3 , and 5 showed significant enzyme‐inhibitory activity against thrombin.     

Three New Triterpene Saponins from Gynostemma pentaphyllum

Three new dammarane‐type triterpene saponins, 1 – 3 , together with three known compounds, 4 – 6 , were isolated from the aerial parts of Gynostemma pentaphyllum (Thunb.) Makino . By means of chemical and spectroscopic methods, their structures were established as (20S)‐3β,20,21‐trihydroxydammara‐23,25‐diene 3‐O‐[α‐L ‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1→2)] [β‐D ‐xylopyranosyl‐(1→3)]‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐21‐O‐β‐D ‐glucopyranoside ( 1 ), (20R,23R)‐3β,20‐dihydroxy‐19‐oxodammar‐24‐en‐21‐oic acid 21,23‐lactone 3‐O‐[α‐L ‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1→2)] [β‐D ‐xylopyranosyl‐(1→3)]‐α‐L ‐arabinopyranoside ( 2 ), and (21S,23S)‐3β,20ξ,21,26‐tetrahydroxy‐19‐oxo‐21,23‐epoxydammar‐24‐ene 3‐O‐[α‐L ‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1→2)] [β‐D ‐xylopyranosyl‐(1→3)]‐α‐L ‐arabinopyranoside ( 3 ).     

New α‐Glucosidase Inhibitors from the Mongolian Medicinal Plant Ferula mongolica

The four new and four known sesquiterpenoid derivatives 1 – 4 and 5 – 8 , respectively, were isolated from the air‐dried roots of Ferula mongolica. The structures of these compounds were determined by spectroscopic methods and found to be rel‐(2R,3R)‐2‐[(3E)‐4,8‐dimethylnona‐3,7‐dienyl]‐3,4‐dihydro‐3,8‐dihydroxy‐2‐methyl‐2H,5H‐pyrano[2,3‐b][1]benzopyran‐5‐one ( 1 ), rel‐(2R,3R)‐2‐[(3E)‐4,8‐dimethylnona‐3,7‐dienyl]‐2,3‐dihydro‐7‐hydroxy‐2,3‐dimethyl‐4H‐furo[2,3‐b][1]benzopyran‐4‐one ( 2 ), rel‐(2R,3R)‐2‐[(3E)‐4,8‐dimethylnona‐3,7‐dienyl]‐2,3‐dihydro‐7‐hydroxy‐2,3‐dimethyl‐4H‐furo[3,2‐c][1]benzopyran‐4‐one ( 3 ), rel‐(2R,3R)‐2‐[(3E)‐4,8‐dimethylnona‐3,7‐dienyl]‐2,3‐dihydro‐7‐methoxy‐2,3‐dimethyl‐4H‐furo[3,2‐c][1]benzopyran‐4‐one ( 4 ), (4E,8E)‐1‐(2‐hydroxy‐4‐methoxyphenyl)‐5,9,13‐trimethyltetradeca‐4,8,12‐trien‐1‐one ( 5 ), the rel‐(2R,3S) diastereoisomer 6 of 2 , the rel‐(2R,3S) diastereoisomer 7 of 4 , and (4E,8E)‐1‐(2,4‐dihydroxyphenyl)‐5,9,13‐trimethyltetradeca‐4,8,12‐trien‐1‐one ( 8 ). These compounds were tested as inhibitors against the enzyme α‐glucosidase. The compounds 1 – 6 and 8 exhibited significant inhibitory activity and, therefore, represent a new class of α‐glucosidase inhibitors.     

Foetidissimosides C–F,Novel Glycosides from the Roots of Cucurbita foetidissima

Two novel echinocystic acid (=(3β,16α)‐3,16‐dihydroxyolean‐12‐en‐28‐oic acid) glycosides, foetidissimosides C ( 1 ), and D ( 2 ), along with new cucurbitane glycosides, i.e., foetidissimosides E/F ( 3 / 4 ) as an 1 : 1 mixture of the (24R)/(24S) epimers, were obtained from the roots of Cucurbita foetidissima. Their structures were elucidated by means of a combination of homo‐ and heteronuclear 2D‐NMR techniques (COSY, TOCSY, NOESY, ROESY, HSQC, and HMBC), and by FAB‐MS. The new compounds were characterized as (3β,16α)‐28‐{[O‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→3)‐O‐β‐D ‐xylopyranosyl‐(1→4)‐O‐6‐deoxy‐α‐L ‐mannopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐α‐L ‐arabinopyranosyl]oxy}‐16‐hydroxy‐28‐oxoolean ‐12‐en‐3‐yl β‐D ‐glucopyranosiduronic acid ( 1 ), (3β,16α)‐16‐hydroxy‐28‐oxo‐28‐{{O‐β‐D ‐xylopyranosyl‐(1→3)‐O‐[β‐D ‐xylopyranosyl‐(1→4)]‐O‐6‐deoxy‐α‐L ‐mannopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐α‐L ‐arabinopyranosyl}oxy}olean‐12‐en‐3‐yl β‐D ‐glucopyranosiduronic acid ( 2 ), and (3β,9β,10α,11α,24R)‐ and (3β,9β,10α,11α,24S)‐25‐(β‐D ‐glucopyranosyloxy)‐9‐methyl‐19‐norlanost‐5‐en‐3‐yl 2‐O‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐β‐D ‐glucopyranoside ( 3 and 4 , resp.).     

Chemical Constituents from Craibiodendron yunnanense

A new triterpene, (3β,12β)‐taraxast‐20(30)‐ene‐3,12‐diol (=(3β,12β,18α,19α)‐urs‐20(30)‐ene‐3,12‐diol; 1 ), together with the known compounds ursolic acid, α‐amyrin, β‐amyrin, (2α,3β)‐2,3‐dihydroxyursa‐5,12‐dien‐28‐oic acid, (2α,3β)‐2,3,23‐trihydroxyurs‐12‐en‐28‐oic acid, (2S,3S,4R,8Z)‐1‐O‐(β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl)‐2‐{[(2R)‐2‐hydroxydocosanoyl]amino}octadec‐8‐ene‐1,3,4‐triol, and (2S,3S,4R,8Z)‐1‐O‐(β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl)‐2‐[(palmitoyl)amino]octadec‐8‐ene‐1,3,4‐triol, and quercetin 3‐(β‐D ‐glucopyranoside) were isolated from the leaves of Craibiodendron yunnanense. Their structures were established on the basis of spectral evidence. The last four compounds were identified for the first time in this plant.     

Chemical Constituents from Myrsine africana L.

Three new compounds, myrsinoside A (=2,4‐dihydroxy‐6‐methylphenyl β‐D ‐(6′‐galloyl)glucopyranoside; 1 ), myrsinoside B (2,4‐dihydroxy‐6‐methylphenyl β‐D ‐glucopyranoside; 2 ), and (3β,16α,20α)‐3,16,28‐trihydroxyolean‐12‐en‐29‐oic acid 3‐{O‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐O‐[β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→4)]‐α‐L ‐arabinopyranoside} ( 3 ), along with four known compounds, were isolated from the stems of Myrsine africana L. The structures of these new compounds were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analysis, including 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR and ESI‐MS techniques, and chemical methods.     

New 9,10‐Secosteroids from Biotransformations of Hyodeoxycholic Acid with Rhodococcus spp.

The biotransformations of hyodeoxycholic acid with various Rhodococcus spp. are reported. Some strains (i.e., Rhodococcus zopfii, Rhodococcus ruber, and Rhodococcus aetherivorans) are able to partially degrade the side chain at C(17) to afford 6α‐hydroxy‐3‐oxo‐23,24‐dinor‐5β‐cholan‐22‐oic acid ( 2 ; 23%) and 6α‐hydroxy‐3‐oxo‐23,24‐dinorchol‐1,4‐dien‐22‐oic acid ( 3 ; 23–30%), together with two new 9,10‐secosteroids 4 and 5 (10–45%), still bearing the partial side chain at C(17) and adopting an intramolecular hemiacetal form. In addition, the 9,10‐secosteroid 5 showed an unprecedented C(4)‐hydroxylation. The new secosteroids were fully characterized by MS, IR, NMR, and 2D‐NMR analyses.     

Tetranortriterpenoids from Clausena excavata

Five new tetranortriterpenoids, (11β)‐21,23‐dihydro‐11,21‐dihydroxy‐23‐oxoobacunone (=21,23‐dihydro‐21‐hydroxy‐23‐oxozapoterin; 2 ), (11β)‐21,23‐dihydro‐11,23‐dihydroxy‐21‐oxoobacunone (=21,23‐dihydro‐23‐hydroxy‐21‐oxozapoterin; 3 ), (1α,11β)‐1,2,21,23‐tetrahydro‐1,11,23‐trihydroxy‐21‐oxoobacunone (=21,23‐dihydro‐23‐hydroxy‐21‐oxoclausenarin; 4 ), (1α,11β)‐23‐ethoxy‐1,2,21,23‐tetrahydro‐1,11‐dihydroxy‐21‐oxoobacunone (=23‐ethoxy‐21,23‐dihydro‐21‐oxoclausenarin; 5 ); (11β)‐1,2,21,23‐tetrahydro‐11,23‐dihydroxy‐21‐oxoobacunoic acid; 6 ), were isolated from the aerial part of Clausena excavata Burm. f. (Rutaceae). All compounds possessed 3,4‐seco skeletons. Their structures were established by spectroscopic studies. Tetranortriterpenoids with a 4‐hydroxybut‐2‐eno‐4‐lactone moiety are rarely found in the genus Clausena.     

Triterpenoids from the Leaves of Ilex hainanensis

Phytochemical investigation on the leaves of Ilex hainanensis Merr . led to the isolation of four new ursane‐ and oleanane‐based triterpenoids, ilexhainanins A–D ( 1 – 4 ), as well as two known compounds, 2α,3β,19α‐trihydroxyurs‐12‐ene‐23,28‐dioic acid and 2α,3β,19α‐trihydroxyolean‐12‐ene‐23,28‐dioic acid. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of chemical and spectroscopic evidence, and by comparison with literature data.     

New Cytotoxic Triterpenoids from the Aerial Parts of Euphorbia sieboldiana

Phytochemical investigation of the EtOH extract of Euphorbia sieboldiana led to the isolation of four new oleanane‐type triterpenoids, (1β,2α,3β,19β)‐1,2,3,19‐tetrahydroxyolean‐12‐en‐28‐oic acid, (1β,3β,19β)‐1,3,19‐trihydroxyolean‐12‐en‐28‐oic acid, (1β,2α,3β,16β,19β)‐1,2,3,16,19‐pentahydroxyolean‐12‐en‐28‐oic acid, and (1β,2α,3β,19β,23)‐1,2,3,19,23‐pentahydroxyolean‐12‐en‐28‐oic acid, along with 16 known compounds. Their structures were established by extensive 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR, as well as other spectral analyses. Biological evaluation of the four new triterpenoids revealed potent cytotoxic activities against HeLa and Hep‐G2 cells.