A Benzofuranoid and Two Clerodane Diterpenoids from Pulicaria wightiana

Methyl 5‐formyl‐1‐benzofuran‐6‐carboxylate ( 1 ) and the two clerodane diterpenes, methyl 6‐oxocleroda‐3,13‐dien‐15,16‐olid‐18‐oate ( 2 ) and 2β‐(2‐methylbutanoyl)cleroda‐3,13‐dien‐15,16‐olid‐18‐oic acid ( 3 ), together with 15 known compounds, were isolated from the aerial parts of Pulicaria wightiana. The structures of the new compounds 1, 2 , and 3 were established by spectroscopic (mainly 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR) methods.     

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 diterpenoids from Leonurus japonicus

Phytochemical investigation of the aerial parts of Leonurus japonicus led to the isolation of one unusual clerodane diterpenoid,leojaponin A(1),characterized by a C4–C7oxa-bridge,and two new labdane diterpenoids,leojaponins B(2) and C(3).The structures of these new compounds were determined based on extensive 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic data.To the best of our knowledge,compound 1 is the first clerodane diterpenoid obtained from Leonurus.japonicus.All of them were evaluated for their cytotoxicity.     

Chemical constituents of malagasy liverworts, part V: prenyl bibenzyls and clerodane diterpenoids with nitric oxide inhibitory activity from Radula appressa and Thysananthus spathulistipus

3Beta,4beta:15,16-diepoxy-13(16),14-clerodadiene (1) and a new clerodane diterpenoid designated thysaspathone (2) were isolated from the liverwort Thysananthus spathulistipus, while Radula appressa produced radulannin A (3), radulannin L (4), 2-geranyl-3,5-dihydroxybibenzyl (5), 2(S)-2-methyl-2-(4-methyl-3-pentenyl)-7-hydroxy-5-(2-phenylethyl) chromene (o-cannabichromene) (6), 6-hydroxy-4-(2-phenylethyl) benzofuran (7), and o-cannabicyclol (8). All of the isolated compounds inhibited nitric oxide (NO) production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells and the greatest inhibition was attributed to compound 5, with an IC50 value of 4.5 microM.     

Clerodane diterpenoids from Ajuga bracteosa Wall

The whole plant of Ajuga bracteosa afforded five compounds including one new clerodane diterpenoid designated as Bracteonin-A (1) 6alpha-acetoxy, 15 (R&S)-methoxy, 18-(4'-hydroxy, 3'-beta-methyl, 3'-alpha-acetoxy, butyryloxy) neoclerodane. The other compounds identified were 14,15-dihydroajugapitin, 14-hydro-15-hydroxy ajugapitin, beta-sitosterol, and stigmasterol. The structural elucidation was carried out by spectroscopic techniques.     

New clerodane diterpenoid from the bulbils of Dioscorea bulbifera

A new clerodane diterpenoid has been isolated from the acetone extract of bulbils of Dioscorea bulbifera. The structure of compound 1 was established as 15,16-epoxy-6alpha-O-acety1-8beta-hydroxy- 9-nor-clero-13(16),14-diene-17,12;18,2-diolide on the basis of comprehensive spectroscopic techniques.     

Clerodane Diterpenoids from an Edible Plant Justicia insularis: Discovery,Cytotoxicity, and Apoptosis Induction in Human Ovarian Cancer Cells

Objectives: The toxicity of chemotherapeutic anticancer drugs is a serious issue in clinics. Drug discovery from edible and medicinal plants represents a promising approach towards finding safer anticancer therapeutics. Justicia insularis T. Anderson (Acanthaceae) is an edible and medicinal plant in Nigeria. This study aims to discover cytotoxic compounds from this rarely explored J. insularis and investigate their underlying mechanism of action. Methods: The cytotoxicity of the plant extract was evaluated in human ovarian cancer cell lines and normal human ovarian surface epithelia (HOE) cells using a sulforhodamine B assay. Bioassay-guided isolation was carried out using column chromatography including HPLC, and the isolated natural products were characterized using GC-MS, LC-HRMS, and 1D/2D NMR techniques. Induction of apoptosis was evaluated using Caspase 3/7, 8, and 9, and Annexin V and PI based flow cytometry assays. SwissADME and SwissTargetPrediction web tools were used to predict the molecular properties and possible protein targets of identified active compounds. Key finding: The two cytotoxic compounds were identified as clerodane diterpenoids: 16(α/β)-hydroxy-cleroda-3,13(14)Z-dien-15,16-olide (1) and 16-oxo-cleroda-3,13(14)E-dien-15-oic acid (2) from the Acanthaceous plant for the first time. Compound 1 was a very abundant compound (0.7% per dry weight of plant material) and was shown to be more potent than compound 2 with IC₅₀ values in the micromolar range against OVCAR-4 and OVCAR-8 cancer cells. Compounds 1 and 2 were less cytotoxic to HOE cell line. Both compounds induced apoptosis by increasing caspase 3/7 activities in a concentration dependent manner. Compound 1 further increased caspase 8 and 9 activities and apoptosis cell populations. Compounds 1 and 2 are both drug like, and compound 1 may target various proteins including a kinase. Conclusions: Clerodane diterpenoids (1 and 2) in J. insularis were identified as cytotoxic to ovarian cancer cells via the induction of apoptosis, providing an abundant and valuable source of hit compounds for the treatment of ovarian cancer.     

Alpha-glucosidase inhibitory constituents from Duranta repens

Three C-alkylated flavonoids 7-O-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl-3,5-dihydroxy-3'-(4"-acetoxyl-3"-methylbutyl)-6,4'-dimethoxyflavone (1), 7-O-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl-3,4'-dihydroxy-3'-(4"-acetoxyl-3"-methylbutyl)-5,6-dimethoxyflavone (2), 3,7,4'-trihydroxy-3'-(8"-acetoxy-7"-methyloctyl)-5,6-dimethoxyflavone (3) and a trans-clerodane type diterpenoid (-)-6beta-hydroxy-5beta,8beta,9beta,10alpha-cleroda-3,13-dien-16,15-olid-18-oic acid (4) are reported from Duranta repens along with (+)-hardwickiic acid (5) and (+)-3,13-clerodadien-16,15-olid-18-oic acid (6), isolated for the first time from this species. Their structures were established on the basis of the spectral methods, especially two dimensional (2D) NMR spectroscopy.     

A new ent-clerodane diterpenoid from Crassocephalum bauchiense Huch. (Asteraceae)

A phytochemical investigation of the whole plant of Crassocephalum bauchiense Huch. resulted in the isolation of a new clerodane diterpenoid, ent-2β,18,19-trihydroxycleroda-3,13-dien-16,15-olide (1), together with two known flavonoids 3′,5-dihydroxy-4′,5′,6,7,8-pentamethoxyflavone (2) and 4′,5-dihydroxy-3′,5′,6,7,8-pentamethoxyflavone (3). The compounds were tested against the chloroquine-sensitive 3D7 strain of Plasmodium falciparum. Compound 2 showed weak activity (IC₅₀ = 10.1 g/mL) whilst compounds 1 and 3 were inactive. The structures of the compounds were elucidated by using detailed spectral analyses, especially ¹H and ¹³C NMR, ¹H–¹H COSY, NOESY, HMBC and HR-ESI-MS.     

First total synthesis of (+)-pentandranoic acid A

The first total synthesis of (+)-pentandranoic acid A (1) was accomplished in 14 steps, starting from alcohol 3. Our synthesis features several key transformations, such as an ozonolysis-aldol cyclization-dehydration ring contraction sequence and a selective 1,4-diol oxidation, and provides an efficient synthetic route to this rare clerodane diterpenoid.     

Splendidins A – C,Three New Clerodane Diterpenoids from Salvia splendens

Three new clerodane diterpenoids, splendidins A–C ( 1 – 3 , resp.), were isolated from Salvia splendens, together with six known ones. Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analysis. Splendidin C ( 3 ) was the first diterpenoid glucoside reported from this plant. These compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxic activity; however, none of them were cytotoxic.     

Three New Clerodane Diterpenoids from the Bulbils of Dioscorea bulbifera L. var. sativa

From the bulbils of Dioscorea bulbifera L. var. sativa, three new clerodane diterpenoids, bafoudiosbulbin C (=methyl (2β,8α,12S)‐17‐oxo‐2,19 : 8,19 : 12,17 : 15,16‐tetraepoxycleroda‐3,13(16), 14‐triene‐18‐carboxylate; 1 ), bafoudiosbulbin D (=methyl (2β,6β,12R)‐17,19‐dioxo‐2,19 : 6,17 : 8,12 : 15,16‐tetraepoxycleroda‐13(16),14‐diene‐18‐carboxylate; 2 ), and bafoudiosbulbin E (=methyl (2β,3α,4α,6β,12R)‐17,19‐dioxo‐2,19 : 3,4 : 6,17 : 8,12 : 15,16‐pentaepoxycleroda‐13(16),14‐diene‐18‐carboxylate; 3 ) were isolated, together with the known compounds bafoudiosbulbins A and B, 3‐O‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐β‐sitosterol, and 6′‐stearoyl‐3‐O‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐β‐sitosterol. Their structures were established by high‐field NMR techniques (¹H,¹H‐COSY, ¹³C‐DEPT, HSQC, HMBC, and NOESY), MS analyses, as well as by comparison of their spectral data with those of related compounds.     

Diterpenoids from the Wood of Cunninghamia konishii

Investigation of the wood of Cunninghamia konishii resulted in the isolation and characterization of one new abietane diterpenoid, (6α,7β)‐7,8‐epoxy‐6‐hydroxyabieta‐9(11),13‐dien‐12‐one ( 1 ), and two new labdane diterpenoids, (12R)‐12‐hydroxylabda‐8(17),13(16),14‐trien‐19‐oic acid ( 2 ) and (12R)‐12‐hydroxylabda‐8(17),13(16),14‐trien‐18‐oic acid ( 3 ). The structures of these new compounds were elucidated by analysis of their spectroscopic data.     

Clerodane diterpenoids and flavonoids with NGF-potentiating activity from the aerial parts of Baccharis gaudichaudiana

A new clerodane diterpene, 15-hydroxy-16-acetoxy-ent-clerod-3-en-18-oic acid (1), together with three known clerodane diterpenes (2-4) and three known flavones (5-7), were isolated from the aerial parts of Baccharis gaudichaudiana. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analysis. Compounds 2, 3, and 5 showed enhancing activity of nerve growth factor (NGF)-induced neurite outgrowth in PC 12D cells.     

Structures of two new diterpenoids from Teucrium polium

Two new acids of the neoclerodane series have been isolated fromTeucrium polium L. (Lamiaceae); they have been called tepolin A and tepolin B and their structures have been established on the basis of spectral characteristics as 7,12,19-trihydroxy-6,18:15,16-diepoxycleroda-3,13(16),14-triene-9-carboxylic acid and 12,19-dihydroxy-6,18:15,16-diepoxycleroda-3,13(16)-14-triene-9-carboxylic acid, respectively. Institute of Fine Organic Chemistry, Armenian Academy of Sciences, Erevan. Translated from Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 5, pp. 503–508, September–October, 1992.     

Structures of two new diterpenoids from Teucrium polium

Two new acids of the neoclerodane series have been isolated fromTeucrium polium L. (Lamiaceae); they have been called tepolin A and tepolin B and their structures have been established on the basis of spectral characteristics as 7,12,19-trihydroxy-6,18:15,16-diepoxycleroda-3,13(16),14-triene-9-carboxylic acid and 12,19-dihydroxy-6,18:15,16-diepoxycleroda-3,13(16)-14-triene-9-carboxylic acid, respectively.Institute of Fine Organic Chemistry, Armenian Academy of Sciences, Erevan. Translated from Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 5, pp. 503–508, September–October, 1992.     

New norditerpenoids and a diterpenoid from a sponge that inhibit the lyase activity of DNA polymerase β

Using an assay to detect inhibitors of the lyase activity of DNA polymerase β, bioassay-directed fractionation of a CHCl₃ extract of an unidentified sponge of the family Demospongiae resulted in the isolation of the new diterpenoid 1, the new bis-norditerpenoids 2-3, and the two known compounds spongia-13(16),14-dien-19-oic acid (4), and methylspongia-13(16),14-dien-19-oate (5). The structures of the new compounds were established on the basis of extensive 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic interpretation. All five compounds inhibited the lyase activity of DNA polymerase β.     

A new sesquiterpenoid from Polyalthia petelotii

A new sesquiterpenoid (?)-ethyl dihydrophaseate (1) was isolated from the stems and leaves of Polyalthia petelotii, together with two clerodane diterpenoids, 16α-hydroxycleroda-3,13(14)Z-dien-15,16-olide (2), 15-hydroxy-cis-ent-cleroda-3,13(E)-diene (3), a eudesmane sesquiterpenoid, eudesm-4(15)-ene-7α,11-diol (4), an aromatic aldehyde, vanillin (5), a bisisoquinolines alkaloid, spinosine (6) and an aporphine alkaloid, (?)-oliveroline-β-N-oxide (7). Their structures were established by extensive spectroscopic analysis, including 2D-NMR techniques. Compounds 3, 4 and 6 were isolated from the genus Polyalthia for the first time and the others obtained originally from P. petelotii. The isolates were assessed for their cytotoxicity against five human tumour lines (HL-60, SMMC-7721, A-549, MCF-7 and SW-480), and the result showed that only 2 displayed weak inhibitory activity.     

Labdane diterpenes from the rhizomes of Hedychium coronarium

A new labdane diterpenoid, (E)-labda-8(17),12-dien-15,16-olide (1) together with eight known compounds, coronarin D (2), coronarin D methyl ether (3), coronarin D ethyl ether (4), isocoronarin D (5), coronarin B (6), labda-8(17),11,13-trien-15,16-olide (7), (E)-labda-8(17),12-diene-15,16-dial (8) and 16-hydroxylabda-8(17),11,13-trien-15,16-olide (9), are isolated from the rhizomes of Hedychium coronarium. Compounds 2-4, 5 and 9 are isolated as mixtures of C-15, C-14 and C-16 epimers, respectively. Their structures are determined on the basis of their spectroscopic data. The epimeric mixtures of 2 and 3 have not been reported before. Some of them were evaluated for their cytotoxicity.     

A New Anti-Endometrial Cancer Diterpenoid Glucoside from Sheareria nana

Chemistry of Natural Compounds - A new diterpenoid glucoside, 15,16-dihydroxy-4-formyl-neo-clerodane-3,13 (Z)-dien-17-O-β-Dglucopyranosyl (1), was isolated from Sheareria nana S. Moore. The...