A New 30‐Noroleanane Saponin from Wedelia chinensis

A novel 30‐nortriterpenoid saponin, (3β)‐3‐hydroxy‐30‐noroleana‐12,20(29)‐dien‐28‐oic acid 3‐(β‐D ‐glucopyranosiduronic acid 6‐methyl ester) ( 1 ), and a known compound, (3β)‐oleanolic acid 3‐(β‐D ‐glucopyranosiduronic acid 6‐methyl ester) ( 2 ), were isolated from the aerial parts of Wedelia chinensis. The structures were established by their spectral data including ¹H‐ and ¹³C‐NMR, ¹H,¹H‐COSY, HMBC, HSQC, NOESY, and HR‐FAB‐MS data.     

Triterpenoids from the Mangrove Plant Hibiscus tiliaceus

Three new triterpenoids with the rarely occurring nigrum skeleton, namely (20E)‐22‐hydroxynigrum‐20‐en‐3‐one ( 1 ), 21β‐hydroxynigrum‐22(29)‐en‐3‐one ( 2 ), and 21α‐hydroxynigrum‐22(29)‐en‐3‐one ( 3 ), were isolated from the mangrove plant Hibiscus tiliaceus. Additionally, five known triterpenoids including friedelin ( 4 ), 12‐oleanen‐3β‐ol ( 5 ), 3β‐hydroxy‐12‐oleanen‐28‐oic acid ( 6 ), 20(29)‐lupen‐3β,28‐diol ( 7 ), and cucurbita‐5,23‐dien‐3β,25‐diol ( 8 ) were also isolated and identified. The latter structures were elucidated by a detailed NMR and MS analyses, as well as by comparison with reported literature data.     

Three New 24‐Nortriterpenoids from the Roots of Ilex asprella

Asprellols A–C ( 1 – 3 , resp.), three new 24‐nortriterpenoids, were isolated from the CHCl₃‐soluble fraction of 95% EtOH extract of the roots of Ilex asprella, together with a known nortriterpenoid. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated as 2,6β,20β‐trihydroxy‐3‐oxo‐11α,12α‐epoxy‐24‐norursa‐1,4‐dien‐28,13β‐olide ( 1 ), 2,6β‐dihydroxy‐3‐oxo‐11α,12α‐epoxy‐24‐norursa‐1,4,20(30)‐trien‐28,13β‐olide ( 2 ), and 2,6β‐dihydroxy‐3‐oxo‐11α,12α‐epoxy‐24‐noroleana‐1,4‐dien‐28,13β‐olide ( 3 ) on the basis of spectroscopic analyses.     

Four New Lanostane Triterpenoids from Euphorbia humifusa

Four new lanostane triterpenoids, namely (3β)‐3‐hydroxy‐24‐methylenelanost‐8‐ene‐7,11‐dione ( 1 ), (3β)‐3‐hydroxylanosta‐8,24‐diene‐7,11‐dione ( 2 ), (3β,7α)‐3,7‐dihydroxylanosta‐8,24‐dien‐11‐one ( 3 ), and (3β,11β)‐3,11‐dihydroxylanosta‐8,24‐dien‐7‐one ( 4 ) were isolated from Euphorbia humifusa, together with 2 known compounds. The structures of these new compounds were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis and comparison with the related known compounds.     

Sterols from the Stems of Momordica charantia

A new sterol, 5α,6α‐epoxy‐3β‐hydroxy‐(22E,24R)‐ergosta‐8,22‐dien‐7‐one ( 1 ), together with eight known sterols, 5α,6α‐epoxy‐(22E,24R)‐ergosta‐8,22‐diene‐3β,7α‐diol ( 2 ), 5α,6α‐epoxy‐(22E,24R)‐ergosta‐8,22‐diene‐3β,7β‐diol ( 3 ), 5α,6α‐epoxy‐(22E,24R)‐ergosta‐8(14),22‐diene‐3β,7α‐diol ( 4 ), 3β‐hydroxy‐(22E,24R)‐ergosta‐5,8,22‐trien‐7‐one ( 5 ), ergosterol peroxide ( 6 ), clerosterol ( 7 ), decortinol ( 8 ), and decortinone ( 9 ), were isolated from the stems of Momordica charantia. Their structures were elucidated by mean of extensive spectroscopic methods, including ¹H, ¹³C, 2D‐NMR and HR‐EI‐MS, as well as comparison with the literature data. Compounds 1 , 4 , 5 , 8 , and 91 were not cytotoxic against the SK‐Hep 1 cell line.     

Five New Eremophilane Sesquiterpenes from Ligularia przewalskii

Five new eremophilane‐type sesquiterpenes, 3β‐(acetyloxy)‐7‐hydroxynoreremophila‐6,9‐dien‐8‐one ( 1 ), 8β‐hydroxy‐2‐dehydroxyliguhodgsonal ( 2 ), 3β‐(acetyloxy)‐11‐methoxy‐8‐oxoeremophila‐6,9‐dien‐12‐oic acid ( 3 ), 3β‐(acetyloxy)‐11‐(2′‐methylbutanoyloxy)‐8‐oxoeremophila‐6,9‐dien‐12‐oic acid ( 4 ), and 3β‐(acetyloxy)‐6α‐hydroxyligularenolide ( 5 ), along with the three known compounds 6 – 8 , were isolated from the roots of Ligularia przewalskii. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated through spectral studies including HR‐EI‐MS, IR, and NMR data.     

New Sesquiterpenes from Ligulariopsis Shichuana

A thorough investigation of Ligulariopsis shichuana afforded five new sesquiterpenes, including 1β,10β‐epoxy‐3α‐angeloyloxy‐9β‐acetoxy‐8α,11β‐dihydroxybakkenolide ( 1 ), 1β,7‐dihydroxy‐3β‐acetoxy‐noreremophil‐6(7),9(10)‐dien‐8‐one ( 2 ), 8α‐hydroxy‐3‐oxoeremophil‐1(2),7(11),9(10)‐trien‐8β(12)‐olide ( 3 ), 1β,10β‐dihydroxy‐3β‐acetoxyeremophil‐7(11),8(9)‐dien‐8(12)‐olide ( 4 ) and 1β,10β‐epoxy‐8,12‐dihydroxy‐3β‐acetoxy‐9β‐angeloyloxyeremophil‐7(11)‐en‐8,12‐disemiketal ( 5 ). Their structures were established by spectroscopic methods and 2D NMR techniques. In addition, bakkenolide ( 1 ) and eremophilenolides ( 5 ) showed antibacterial and cytotoxic activities.     

Bruceines K and L from the Ripe Fruits of Brucea javanica

Bruceine K ( 1 ), a pentacyclic C₂₀‐quassinoid bearing a unique 12,20‐epoxy moiety, and bruceine L ( 2 ), along with the ten known compounds (6S,7E)‐6,9,10‐trihydroxy‐ and (6S,7E)‐6,9‐dihydroxymegastigma‐4,7‐dien‐3‐one ( 3 and 4 , resp.), cleomiscosins A–C, luteoline, quercetine, bruceantinol, pinoresinol, and thevetiaflavone, were isolated from the ripe fruits of Brucea javanica. Bruceines K ( 1 ) and L ( 2 ) were determined to be (1β,2α,11β,12β,14ξ,15β)‐12,20‐epoxy‐1,2,11,13,14,15‐hexahydroxypicras‐3‐en‐16‐one and (1β,2α,11β,12β,15β)‐13,20‐epoxy‐1,2,11,12‐tetrahydroxy‐16‐oxo‐15‐(senecioyloxy)picras‐3‐en‐21‐oic acid methyl ester (senecioic acid=3‐methylbut‐2‐enoic acid), respectively, on the basis of NMR (¹H‐ and ¹³C‐NMR, DEPT, ¹H,¹H‐COSY, NOESY, HMQC, and HMBC) and ESI‐MS data. Among the known compounds, (6S,7E)‐6,9,10‐trihydroxy‐ and (6S,7E)‐6,9‐dihydroxymegastigma‐4,7‐dien‐3‐one ( 3 and 4 , resp.), cleomiscosin C, luteoline, quercetine, and thevetiaflavone were isolated for the first time from the Brucea plants.     

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.     

Eudesmanolides and Guaianolides from Carpesium triste

A new eudesmanolide, 1‐oxo‐11αH‐eudesma‐2,4(14)‐dien‐12,8β‐olide ( 1 ), and four new guaianolides, 9β,10β‐epoxy‐4α‐hydroxy‐1βH,11αH‐guaian‐12,8α‐olide ( 2 ), 9β,10β‐epoxy‐4α‐hydroxy‐1βH,11βH‐guaian‐12,8α‐olide ( 3 ), 4α,9α‐dihydroxy‐1βH,11αH‐guai‐10(14)‐en‐12,8α‐olide ( 4 ), and 4α,9α‐dihydroxy‐1βH,11βH‐guai‐10(14)‐en‐12,8α‐olide ( 5 ), together with one known eudesmanolide and two known germacranolides, were isolated from the whole plants of Carpesium triste. Their structures and relative configurations were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic methods, including 2D‐NMR techniques.     

Triterpenoid Saponins from the Spikes of Prunella vulgaris

Three new oleanane‐skeleton triterpenoid saponins, 3β,4β,16α‐17‐carboxy‐16,24‐dihydroxy‐28‐norolean‐12‐en‐3‐yl 4‐O‐β‐D ‐xylopyranosyl‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosiduronic acid ( 1 ), (3β,4β,16α)‐17‐carboxy‐16,24‐dihydroxy‐28‐norolean‐12‐en‐3‐yl β‐D ‐glucopyranosiduronic acid methyl ester ( 2 ), and (3β,4β)‐24‐hydroxy‐16‐oxo‐28‐norolean‐12‐en‐3‐yl 4‐O‐β‐D ‐xylopyranosyl‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosiduronic acid ( 3 ), together with eight known constituents, i.e., the oleanane‐type triterpenoids 4 – 6 , and the ursane‐type triterpenoids 7 – 11 , were isolated from the spikes of Prunella vulgaris. The new structures were established by means of detailed spectroscopic analysis (IR, HR‐ESI‐MS, 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR experiments). Compounds 1 – 3 were tested for their inhibition activity against the growth of tumor cell lines; only compound 3 displayed marginal inhibition activity.     

Two New Tetracyclic Triterpenoids and Other Constituents from Aster Ageratoides var. Oophyllus

Two new tetracyclic triterpenoids shiona‐19(E),21‐dien‐3β‐ol ( 1 ), and shiona‐22(29)‐en‐3β,21‐diol ( 2 ), together with four known compounds shiona‐21‐en‐3β‐ol ( 3 ), friedelinol ( 4 ), β‐sitosterol ( 5 ), and (24R)‐stigmast‐7,22(E)‐dien‐3a‐ol ( 6 ) were isolated from Aster ageratoides var. oophyllus. The structures of two new compounds were established on the basis of IR, MS, ¹H, ¹³C and 2D NMR spectroscopic 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.     

Cucurbitane Triterpenoids from the Fruit Pulp of Momordica charantia and Their Cytotoxic Activity

Two new cucurbitane‐type triterpenes, 25‐methoxycucurbita‐5,23(E)‐diene‐3β,19‐diol ( 1 ) and 7β‐ethoxy‐3β‐hydroxy‐25‐methoxycucurbita‐5,23(E)‐dien‐19‐al ( 2 ), together with three known cucurbitane‐type triterpenes, 3β,7β,25‐trihydroxycucurbita‐5,23(E)‐dien‐19‐al ( 3 ), (23E)‐3β‐hydroxy‐7β,25‐dimethoxycucurbita‐5,23‐dien‐19‐al ( 4 ), and 3β‐hydroxy‐25‐methoxycucurbita‐6,23(E)‐dien‐19,5β‐olide ( 5 ), were isolated from the fruit pulp of Momordica charantia. The structures of two new compounds were elucidated on the basis of 1D and 2D NMR, MS, IR, optical rotation. Among these isolates, compounds 1 , 2 , and 5 showed slight cytotoxic activity against the SK‐Hep 1 cell line with IC₅₀ values of 33.1, 24.3, and 38.7 μM, respectively.     

Scyphiphorins A and B,Two New Iridoid Glycosides from the Stem Bark of a Chinese Mangrove Scyphiphora hydrophyllacea

Two new iridoid glycosides, named scyphiphorins A ( 1 ) and B ( 2 ), together with four known compounds, geniposidic acid (=(1S,4aS,7aS)‐1‐(β‐D ‐glucopyranosyloxy)‐1,4a,5,7a‐tetrahydro‐7‐(hydroxymethyl)cyclopenta[c]pyran‐4‐carboxylic acid; 3 ), 4‐(4‐hydroxy‐3‐methoxybenzyl)butan‐2‐one, oleanolic acid (=(3β)‐3‐hydroxyolean‐12‐en‐28‐oic acid), and stigmasterol β‐D ‐glucoside (=(3β,22E)‐stigmasta‐5,22‐dien‐3‐yl β‐D ‐glucopyranoside), were isolated for the first time from the stem bark of a Chinese mangrove, Scyphiphora hydrophyllacea Gaertn . f. The structures of compounds 1 and 2 were determined as 10‐O‐benzoylgeniposidic acid and 10‐O‐[(2E,6R)‐8‐hydroxy‐2,6‐dimethyl‐1‐oxooct‐2‐en‐1‐yl]geniposidic acid, respectively, on the basis of spectroscopic data and chemical methods, including 2D NMR techniques.     

A New 18(13 → 12β)‐abeo‐Lanostadiene Triterpenoid from Ganoderma fornicatum

A new triterpenoid, fornicatin C (= (3β)‐3‐hydroxy‐18(13 → 12β)‐abeo‐lanosta‐13(17),24‐dien‐18‐oic acid; 1 ), was isolated from the fruiting bodies of Ganoderma fornicatum, together with the known compounds fornicatin A ( 2 ) and fornicatin B ( 3 ), among other constituents. The structure of 1 was elucidated by means of spectroscopic techniques, and those of 2 and 3 were identified by comparing their spectroscopic data with those reported in the literature.     

Cucurbitane‐Type Triterpenoids from Momordica charantia

The six new cucurbitane‐type triterpenoids 1 – 6 , along with the ten known triterpenoids 7 – 16 , were isolated from the vines and leaves of Momordica charantia. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated as (3β,7β,15β,23E)‐3,7,15,25‐tetrahydroxycucurbita‐5,23‐dien‐19‐al ( 1 ), (3β,7β)‐3,7,22,23‐tetrahydroxycucurbita‐5,24‐dien‐19‐al ( 2 ), (3β,7β)‐3,7,23,24‐tetrahydroxycucurbita‐5,25‐dien‐19‐al ( 3 ), (3β,7β,23S)‐3,7,23‐trihydroxycucurbita‐5,24‐dien‐19‐al 7‐β‐D ‐glucopyranoside ( 4 ), (3β,7β,23E)‐cucurbita‐5,23‐diene‐3,7,19,25‐tetrol 7‐β‐D ‐glucopyranoside ( 5 ), and (3β,7β,23E)‐3,7‐dihydroxy‐25‐methoxy‐cucurbita‐5,23‐dien‐19‐al 3‐β‐D ‐allopyranoside ( 6 ), by extensive analyses of their spectral data, as well as by chemical methods.     

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.     

Five New Sesquiterpenoids from Parasenecio petasitoides

From the whole plants of Parasenecio petasitoides, five new sesquiterpenoids were isolated, (E,E)‐3α,9β‐dihydroxy‐6βH,11βH‐13‐norgermacra‐1(10),4‐dien‐11,6‐carbolactone ( 2 ), (E,E)‐2α,9β‐dihydroxy‐6βH,11βH‐13‐norgermacra‐1(10),4‐dien‐11,6‐carbolactone ( 3 ), (E,E)‐2α,9β‐dihydroxy‐6βH,11αH‐13‐norgermacra‐1(10),4‐dien‐11,6‐carbolactone ( 4 ), (E)‐15‐hydroxy‐2‐oxo‐6βH,11αH‐13‐norguaia‐3‐ene‐11,6‐carbolactone ( 7 ), and (E)‐11β,15‐dihydroxy‐2‐oxo‐6βH‐13‐norguaia‐3‐ene‐11,6‐carbolactone ( 8 ), together with three known compounds, deacetyl herbolide A ( 1 ), jacquilenin ( 5 ), and (E)‐15‐hydroxy‐2‐oxo‐6βH,11βH‐13‐norguaia‐3‐ene‐11,6‐carbolactone ( 6 ). The structures of these natural products were elucidated spectroscopically, especially by 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR techniques, in combination with high‐resolution mass spectroscopy.     

Sesquiterpenoids from the Resinous Exudates of Commiphora opobalsamum (Burseraceae)

Phytochemical investigation of the exudates of Commiphora opobalsamum led to the isolation of three new sesquiterpenoids, 2α‐methoxy‐6‐oxogermacra‐1(10),7(11)‐dien‐8,12‐olide ( 1 ), 5β‐10α‐hydroxy‐2α‐methoxy‐6‐oxoguaia‐7(11),8‐dien‐8,12‐olide ( 2 ), and furanocadina‐1(10),6,8‐triene‐4‐ol ( 3 ), together with six known compounds. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic methods.