Two new xeniolides from a Taiwanese Xenia soft coral

Chromatographic investigation of an extract of the octocoral Xenia umbellata afforded two new diterpenes, xenibelatols A (1) and B (2), in addition to three known xenicane diterpenes, 7,8-oxidoisoxeniolide (3), 9-hydroxyxeniolide F (4), and florlide C, and a cadinene sesquiterpene, xenitorin A (5). The structures were elucidated through spectroscopic analysis, especially 2D NMR.     

Biogenetical related highly oxygenated macrocyclic diterpenes from sea spurge Euphorbia paralias

A new tricyclic diterpenoid, named pre-segetanin (1), and two new diterpenes, named segetanin A and B (2 and 3), the latter based on the rare segetane skeleton, have been identified from the whole plant of sea spurge along with four known segetane diterpenes (4-7). Among them, pre-segetanin (1) has an unprecedented carbon skeleton, whose isolation provides a first insight into the biosynthesis of diterpenoids with a segetane skeleton. The stereostructure elucidation of the isolated metabolites was determined by extensive spectroscopic analysis, including 1D and 2D NMR (COSY, TOCSY, HSQC, HMBC, and ROESY) and HRFABMS experiments.     

Diterpenes from the roots of Euphorbia kansui and their in vitro effects on the cell division of Xenopus (part 2)

Four new ingenane-type diterpenes, 3-O-(2,3-dimethylbutanoyl)-13-O-dodecanoyl-20-O-acetylingenol (1), 3-O-(2,3-dimethylbutanoyl)-13-O-dodecanoyl-20-deoxyingenol (2), 3-O-(2E,4Z-decadienoyl)-20-deoxyingenol (3), and 3-O-(2E,4E-decadienoyl)-20-deoxyingenol (4), two new jatrophane-type diterpenes, kansuinins D (9) and E (10), and four known ingenane-type diterpenes were isolated from the root of Euphorbia kansui. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic and chemical analysis, and individual Xenopus cells at the blastular stage were cultured with the diterpenes to test for biological activity. 20-Deoxyingenol diterpenes 3 and 4 induced the greatest cell cleavage arrest (0.5 micro g/ml of each compound resulted in >75% cleavage arrest), but cell cleavage inhibitory activity became weak when C-16 had an acyl residue. In contrast, the jatrophane diterpene kansuinin D (9) showed no activity.     

Rearranged vibsane-type diterpenes from Viburnum awabuki and photochemical reaction of vibsanin B

Nine new diterpenes, neovibsanin D (1), 7-epi-neovibsanin D (2), 15-O-methylneovibsanin F (3), 14-epi-15-O-methylneovibsanin F (4), 15-O-methyl-18-oxoneovibsanin F (5), 2-O-methylneovibsanin H (6), 2-O-methylneovibsanin I (7), neovibsanin G (8), and 14-epi-neovibsanin G (9), were isolated from a methanol extract of the leaves of Viburnum awabuki. Their structures were elucidated to be uniquely rearranged vibsane-type diterpenes by spectroscopic analyses and comparison of NMR data with those of previously reported vibsane-type diterpenes. In addition, irradiation of vibsanin B (12) in methanol with a high-pressure Hg lump led to the direct formation of neovibsanins A (14) and B (15). These results gave a clue to understanding of the biogenetic interconversion of 11-membered vibsanins into neovibsanins.     

Further eleganolone-derived diterpenes from the brown alga Bifurcaria bifurcata

Four new diterpenes (1–4) together with six known members of this family were isolated from the brown alga Bifurcaria bifurcata collected off the coast near Roscoff, France. The structures of the new compounds were established in a comprehensive study on the basis of 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic and mass spectrometric (ESI-MS) analyses. Our assignment is supported by a comparison of the ¹³C NMR chemical shifts to known compounds and predicted values. The new diterpenes are derivatives of the diterpene eleganolone (5). The structural relation and hypothetical metabolic pathway of the new diterpenes (1–4) with the co-isolated known diterpenes are discussed.     

Isolation and Stucture Elucidation of Diterpenes from Wedelia prostrata and Their Cytotoxicity Activities

In this paper, a new diterpene together with seven known diterpenes was isolated from Wedelia prostrata. The chemical structure of the new compound was elucidated via 1D and 2D nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR) techniques and mass spectrometry and identified to be 3α-phenylpropionoyloxy-ent-kaur-16-en-oic acid(1). The isolated diterpenes were tested for their cytotoxicity activities via 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide(MTT) assay. The results show that compounds 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6 exhibit different levels of cytotoxic activities. Especially, compound 2 shows significant cytotoxicity toward HeLa and A549 cell lines(IC₅₀=6.14 and 8.76 μmol/L).     

Sarcophytonolides A–D,Four New Cembranolides from the Hainan Soft Coral Sarcophyton sp.

Four new cembranolide diterpenes, sarcophytonolides A–D ( 1 – 4 ), were isolated from a Hainan soft coral Sarcophyton sp. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of detailed spectroscopic analysis and by comparison with related model compounds.     

Three new dimeric diterpenes from Rhododendron molle

Birhodomolleins A-C (1-3), three novel diterpenoids dimerized from two grayanane diterpenes through an oxygen bridge, were isolated from the flowers of Rhododendron molle. Their structures were elucidated by interpretation of their 1D and 2D NMR and other spectroscopic data. Birhodomollein A (1) contains a rare chloro-substitution on one of the grayanane moieties. These are the first examples of dimeric diterpenes from the Ericaceae family.     

New labdane diterpenes from Solidago canadensis

The ethanol extract of roots of Solidago canadensis yielded eight labdane-type diterpenes. Five of those were new natural compounds (9,13,15,16-bisepoxy-labdane-7-ene-6,15-dione (3a), 13-epi-9,13,15,16-bisepoxy-labdane-7-ene-6,15-dione (3b), 15,16-epoxy-labdane-7,13-diene-6,16-dione (5), 15-ethoxy-9,13,15,16-bisepoxy-labdane-7-ene-6-one (6a) and 13-epi-15-ethoxy-9,13,15,16-bisepoxy-labdane-7-ene-6-one (6b). The known labdane diterpenes deoxysolidagenone (1), solidagenone (2) and 15,16-epoxy-labdane-7,13-diene-6,15-dione (4) were also isolated. Chemical structures were determined using 1D and 2D NMR techniques and MS analysis.     

Novel terpenoids from the West Indian sea whip Pseudopterogorgia elisabethae (Bayer). Elisapterosins A and B: rearranged diterpenes possessing an unprecedented cagelike framework

Four diterpenes and a nor-diterpenoid, all of which possess unusual carbocyclic skeletons, were isolated from the hexane solubles of the West Indian gorgonian Pseudopterogorgia elisabethae. The structures and relative configurations of novel metabolites elisabethin D (2), elisabethin D acetate (3), 3-epi-elisabanolide (5), elisapterosin A (6), and elisapterosin B (7) were elucidated by interpretation of overall spectral data, which included 2D NMR correlation methods, IR, UV, and accurate mass measurements (HREI-MS and HRFAB-MS), chemical reactions, and X-ray diffraction analyses. The tetracyclic carbon skeleton of the elisapterosins is undescribed and constitutes a new class of C(20) rearranged diterpenes. Elisapterosin B displays strong in vitro anti-tuberculosis activity.     

Three novel 5(6-->7)abeoabietane-type diterpenes from the bark of Taiwania cryptomerioides

Three new 5(6-->7)abeoabietane diterpenes with the uncommon skeleton of fused 6-5-6 rings were isolated from the bark of Taiwania cryptomerioides designated as taiwaniaquinone F (8), taiwaniaquinol C (9) and taiwaniaquinol D (10). Meanwhile, two known compounds, taiwaniaquinones A (1) and D (4), were also obtained. Their structures were determined principally from spectral evidence.     

Two novel aconane-type diterpenes derived from C-nor-C_(19)-diterpenoid alkaloid

Two novel C-nor-B-homo aconane-type diterpenes 4 and 5.featuring a unique eight-membered ring system,were obtained by the treatment of C-nor-C19-diterpenoid alkaloid 3 with HNO2 in 8%and 21%yields,respectively.Structures of these two compounds were established based on the combination of spectroscopic data,including HRESIMS,1D and 2D NMR data.A plausible mechanism for the formation of 4 and 5 is also presented.     

Diterpenes from Sideritis trojana

Six known ent-kaurene, a new ent-kaurane and a new pimarane diterpenes were isolated from Sideritis trojana. The structures of new compounds were determined as ent-7alpha-15beta,16beta-epoxykaurane (1), and ent-2alpha-hydroxy-8(14),15-pimaradiene (2) along with the known compounds siderol (3), sideridiol (4), 7-epicandicandiol (5), isocandol B (6), candol A acetate (7) ent-7alpha-acetoxykaur-15-ene (8) by IR, 1D and 2D NMR techniques and HRMS.     

Negombins A-I, new chlorinated polyfunctional diterpenoids from the marine sponge Negombata species

Nine novel compounds designated negombins A-I (1-9) were isolated, together with latrunculin, from the Tanzanian sponge Negombata sp. The nine are sacculatane type diterpenes, previously only known from liverworts. The structures of the compounds were elucidated by interpretation of MS and 1D and 2D NMR spectra. A possible biogenesis initiated by the naturally rare chloronium ion is suggested, possibly hinting to a guest microorganism as the source of the compounds. Compound 4 is toxic to brine shrimp larvae.     

Two New Diterpenes from Solidago canadensis

Two new clerodane‐type diterpenes, solidagocanins A and B ( 1 and 2 , resp.), as well as two known compounds, mellein ( 3 ) and physcion ( 4 ), were isolated from the aerial parts of Solidago canadensis. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic analyses, including 2D‐NMR techniques.     

Omriolide A and B; two new rearranged spongian diterpenes from the marine sponge Dictyodendrilla aff. retiara

Two new rearranged spongian diterpenes designated omriolide A and B were isolated from the southern Kenyan sponge Dictyodendrilla aff. retiara collected at Wasini Is., Shimoni Channel. Omriolide A possesses an octalin linked to a unique trioxatricyclo[5.2.1.0^4,10]decane ring system, forming a tricyclic ‘cap’. Omriolide B comprised a tricyclo[5.4.0.0^2,4]undecane linked to a dioxabicyclo[3.3.0]octane. The structures of both diterpenes were elucidated by interpretation of MS results and, mainly, 1D and 2D NMR spectra.     

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 ).     

Constituents of the Vietnamese medicinal plant Orthosiphon stamineus

From the MeOH extract of the aerial part of Vietnamese Orthosiphon stamineus, five new isopimarane-type diterpenes [orthosiphols F-J (1-5)] and two new diterpenes [staminols A (6) and B (7)] with a novel carbon-framework, to which we proposed the name "staminane", and three new highly-oxygenated staminane-type diterpenes [staminolactones A (8) and B (9) and norstaminol A (10)1 were isolated. Moreover, staminolactone A (8) is 8,14-secostaminane-type and staminolactone B (9) is 13,14-secostaminane-type, while norstaminol A (10) is 14-norstaminen-type. Together with these new diterpenes, sixteen known compounds were also isolated and identified to be: 7,3',4'-tri-O-methylluteolin (11), eupatorin (12), sinensetin (13), 5-hydroxy-6,7,3',4'-tetramethoxyflavone (14), salvigenin (15), ladanein (16), tetramethylscutellarein (17), 6-hydroxy-5,7,4'-trimethoxyflavone (18), vomifoliol (19), aurantiamide acetate (20), rosmarinic acid (21), caffeic acid (22), oleanolic acid (23), ursolic acid (24), betulinic acid (25), and beta-sitosterol (26). All the isolated compounds were tested for their cytotoxicity towards highly liver metastatic murine colon 26-L5 carcinoma cells, and the new diterpenes, except for 4, and flavonoids (11, 12, 16, 18) showed cytotoxicity with an ED50 value between 10 and 90 microg/ml.     

Genkwalathins A and B,new lathyrane-type diterpenes from Daphne genkwa

Screening for new natural anti-neuroinflammatory compounds was performed with the traditional folk medicine Genkwa Flos, which potently inhibited nitric oxide (NO) production by LPS-activated microglial BV-2 cells. Two new lathyrane-type diterpenes, genkwalathins A (1) and B (2), and 14 known daphnane-type diterpenes (3–16) were isolated. The lathyrane-type diterpenes were isolated for the first time from the Thymelaeaceae family in this study. Compounds 1 and 2 moderately inhibited LPS-induced NO production in BV-2 cells without affecting cell viability, while six daphnane-type diterpenes (3, 4, 6, 7, 9 and 10) potently reduced NO production with IC₅₀ values less than 1 μM, although they did display weak cytotoxicity. A structure–activity relationship study on the daphnane-type diterpenes indicated that the stereochemistry at C-19, the benzoate group at C-20, and the epoxide moiety could be important for their anti-neuroinflammatory effects.     

The cumbiasins, structurally novel diterpenes possessing intricate carbocyclic skeletons from the West Indian sea whip Pseudopterogorgia elisabethae (Bayer)

From the hexane extract of the West Indian gorgonian Pseudopterogorgia elisabethae, two diterpenes, cumbiasins A (1) and B (2), having a novel tetracyclic carbon skeleton named cumbiane, have been isolated. In addition, we have isolated cumbiasin C (3), a ring cleavage product of cumbiasin B that possesses an unusual carbocyclic framework named seco-cumbiane. The structures and relative configurations of metabolites 1-3 were elucidated by interpretation of overall spectral data, which included 2D NMR correlation methods, IR, UV, and accurate mass measurements (HREI-MS and HRFAB-MS). The carbocyclic skeletons of the cumbiasins are unprecedented and represent new classes of C20 rearranged diterpenes. Cumbiasins A and B display mild in vitro anti-tuberculosis activity.