Antiproliferative compounds of Artabotrys madagascariensis from the Madagascar rainforest

Bioassay-guided fractionation of an ethanol extract of Artabotrys madagascariensis led to the isolation of the new compound artabotrene (1), two butenolides (2 and 3), and the tetracyclic triterpene polycarpol (4). Structure elucidation was determined on the basis of one and two-dimensional NMR, and absolute configuration of compounds 2-4 was verified by analysis of CD and optical rotation spectra. Two of the isolates, melodorinol (2) and acetylmelodorinol (3), were found to display antiproliferative activity against five different tumour cell lines with IC50 values ranging from 2.4 to 12 microM.     

Cytotoxic compounds of Physena madagascariensis from the Madagascar rain forest paragraph sign

Two new flavanones, remangiflavanones D and E (1 and 2), were isolated from an extract of the twigs, leaves, and flowers of Physena madagascariensis together with three known flavanones, remangiflavanones A-C (3-5), and (E)-N-feruloyltyramine (6). The structures of the new compounds 1 and 2 were established on the basis of one-dimensional and two-dimensional NMR spectroscopic data interpretation. All compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxicity in the A2780 human ovarian cancer cell line. Compound 5 was the most active with an IC50 value of 2.5 microg mL-1.     

Cytotoxic constituents from Podocarpus fasciculus

A new diterpene, 16-hydroxy communic acid (1), along with thirty one known compounds including five norditerpenes (2-6), twenty two flavonoids containing four biflavonoids (7-10), nine monoflavonoids (11-19) and nine flavanoid glycosides (20-28), as well as four phenolic constituents (29-32) were isolated from the 95% ethanolic extract of Podocarpus fasciculus. The structure of 1 was elucidated using spectral methods. Of these isolates, nagilactone C (2) showed the most significant inhibitory effects against DLD cells (human colon carcinoma) (ED(50)=2.57 microg/ml) and compounds 7, 8, 10, 11, and 12 had moderate cytotoxic activity against human KB (human oral epithelium carcinoma), Hela (human cervical carcinoma), Hepa (human hepatoma), DLD (colon carcinoma), and A-549 (human lung carcinoma) tumor cell lines. Preliminary structure-activity relationship studies of the isolated diterpenoids and biflavonoids are discussed.     

Cytotoxic ent-kaurane diterpenoids from Isodon henryi

Five new ent-kaurane diterpenoids, isodonhenrins A-E (1-5), together with thirteen known ones were isolated from the aerial parts of Isodon henryi. Their structures were identified by means of extensive spectroscopic analysis, and the absolute configurations of 1 were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Most of the diterpenoids were evaluated for their cytotoxicity against HL-60, SMMC-7721, A-549, MCF-7, and SW480 cell lines. Compound 17 showed significant inhibitory effects on five cell lines, and compounds 6, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 16 exhibited selective activity.     

Cytotoxic cassane diterpenoids from the seeds of Caesalpinia sappan

Phytochemical investigation on the seeds of Caesalpinia sappan led to the isolation of five new cassanetype diterpenoids, named 11-oxo-phanginin A(1), caesalsappanins O–Q(2–4) and phanginin U(5),together with five known compounds. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by extensive analysis of mass spectrometric and 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic data. All the new compounds showed moderate cytotoxic effects on human breast cancer MCF-7 and human colon cancer HCT116 cell lines.     

Cytotoxic diterpenoids from Vietnamese medicinal plant Croton tonkinensis GAGNEP

Six new ent-kaurane-type diterpenoids were isolated from the leaves of the endemic Vietnamese medicinal plant Croton tonkinensis GAGNEP. (Euphorbiaceae) together with three known ent-11alpha-acetoxy-7beta,14alpha-dihydroxykaur-16-en-15-one (1), ent-kaur-16-en-15-one 18-oic acid (5) and ent-18-hydroxykaur-16-ene (7). Their structures were determined by spectroscopic analyses to be ent-7beta-acetoxy-11alpha-hydroxykaur-16-en-15-one (2), ent-18-acetoxy-11alpha-hydroxykaur-16-en-15-one (3), ent-11alpha-acetoxykaur-16-en-18-oic acid (4), ent-15alpha,18-dihydroxykaur-16-ene (6), ent-11alpha,18-diacetoxy-7beta-hydroxykaur-16-en-15-one (8), and ent-(16S)-1alpha,14alpha-diacetoxy-7beta-hydroxy-17-methoxykauran-15-one (14). ent-Kaurane-type diterpenoids from Croton tonkinensis 2-4, 6, and 9-13, were tested for toxicity in the brine shrimp lethality assay. Compounds 9, 10, and 12 demonstrated significant activity, compounds 2, 3, 6, and 11 showed weak activity, and compounds 4 and 13 were inactive.     

Cytotoxic and apoptosis-inducing ent-kaurane-type diterpenoids from the Japanese liverwort Jungermannia truncata NEES

Five new ent-kaurane-type diterpenoids and a new gymnomitrane (=barbatane)-type sesquiterpenoid have been isolated from the Japanese liverwort Jungermannia truncata NEES, together with twelve previously known ent-kaurane-type diterpenoids. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by two-dimensional (2D) NMR experiments and chemical reaction. Some of the isolated compounds showed cytotoxicity against human leukemia cell lines and induced apoptosis.     

Cytotoxic and anti-inflammatory diterpenoids from the Dongsha Atoll soft coral Sinularia flexibilis

Seven new diterpenoids, namely, flexibilisolides C–G (1–5), flexibilisin C (6), and a novel 11,12-secoflexibillin (7), along with seven known compounds, 8–14, were isolated from the Dongsha Atoll soft coral Sinularia flexibilis. The structures of the new metabolites were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analysis and comparison of the NMR data with those of known analogues. Compounds 1, 8, and 11 were shown to exhibit moderate cytotoxic activity against HeLa and B16 cancer cell lines, and compound 10 was found to exhibit more potent cytotoxic activity against SK-Hep1 and B16 cancer cell lines. Moreover, compounds 1, 2, 8, 9, and 11–14 could significantly inhibit the accumulation of the pro-inflammatory iNOS protein and 1, 8, 11, and 14 could reduce the accumulation of COX-2 protein in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophage cells.     

Molluscicidal Saponins from Swartzia madagascariensis DESVAUX

The phytochemical investigation of the dried fruits of Swartzia madagascariensis (Leguminosae) afforded the five triterpenoid saponins 1–5 . They were shown to be glucuronides of oleanolic acid and of gypsogenin by chemical and spectral means ( FAB-MS , ¹³ C-NMR , GC / MS ). One of the isolated compounds, identified as 3-O-[O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→3)-(β-D-glucopyranosyluronic acid)]oleanolic acid, was responsible for the high molluscicidal activity of Swartzia madagascariensis fruits against the schistosomiasis-transmitting snails Biomphalaria glabrata and Bulinus globosus.     

New calamenene sesquiterpenes from Tarenna madagascariensis

Four calamenene sequiterpenes, (+)-(7R,10S)-15-hydroxycalamenene (3), (+)-(7R,10S)-2,15-dihydroxycalamenene (4), (+)-(7R,10S)-2-hydroxy-15-calamenal (5), (+)-(7R,10S)-15-calamenal (6), along with the amorphane sesquiterpene (+)-(1S,6R,7R,10S)-1-hydroxy-3-oxo-amorph-4-ene (16), have been isolated from the Madagascan shrub Tarenna madagascariensis (Rubiaceae) and their structures determined by spectroscopic methods and chemical correlations. Furthermore, five known related sesquiterpenes [(+)-(7R,10S)-2-hydroxycalamenene (1), (+)-(7R,10S)-3-hydroxycalamenene (2), (-)-alpha-cadinol (13), cadinenal (14), 6-epicadinenal (15)], and three known lignans [(-)-hinokinin, (-)-dihydrocubebin, (-)-cubebin] were also isolated from the same plant. This is the first report of compounds 3, 4, 5, 6, and 16 from a natural source.     

Antibacterial diterpenoids from Cedrus atlantica

Four diterpene alcohols were isolated from the neutral hexane extract of the cones of Cedrus atlantica, and their structures were confirmed after comparing their spectral data with literature values. These products exhibited significant antibacterial activity against gram (+/-) bacteria.     

ent-Kaurene diterpenoids from Isodon phyllostachys

Four new ent-kaurene diterpenoids, phyllostachysins M–P (1–4) have been isolated from the aerial parts of Isodon phyllostachys. Compound 1 features a novel dihydro-2H-pyran ring motif, which was formed by an unusual cleavage in ring-A. 2 and 3 bear a rare 20-nor-ent-kaurene structure, but 4 has a rare 7,20-cyclo-ent-kaurene skeleton. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analyses. Compounds 1, 3, and 4 were evaluated for their cytotoxic activity against five human tumor cell lines.     

Minor diterpenoids from Halimium viscosum

Two new diterpenic acids with an ent-halimane skeleton have been isolated from the aerial parts of Halimium viscosum (Villarino de los Aires chemotype) and separated as methyl esters. These diterpenes were 13-oxo-14, 15-dinor-1(10),11E-ent-halimadien-18-oic acid and 15-hydroxy-1(10),13Z-ent-halimadien-18-oic acid.     

New diterpenoids from Calceolaria polifolia

Four new and seven known diterpenes have been isolated from the dichloromethane extract of the aerial parts of Calceolaria polifolia. The structures of the new compounds were established by spectroscopic evidence.     

Neoclerodane diterpenoids from Ajuga taiwanensis

Phytochemical investigation of Ajuga taiwanensis resulted in the isolation of seven neoclerodane diterpenes, four of which ajugalide-A (1), -B (2), -C (3), and -D (4), are new and the remaining three are known diterpenes, ajugamacrin B (5), ajugapantin A (6), and ajugamarin C1 (7). Their structures were elucidated in spectral and chemical transformation studies.     

Spongian diterpenoids from marine sponges

This review presents the structure, biological activity and, where applicable, references to the syntheses of 154 spongian and rearranged spongian diterpenoids isolated from marine sponges of the orders Dictyoceratida and Dendroceratida. There have been no studies of the biosynthesis of either spongian diterpenoids or their rearranged derivatives reported in the literature. The potential chemotaxonomic significance of spongian and rearranged spongian ditepenoids is discussed.     

New diterpenoids from Isodon excisoides

<正>Two new ent-kaurane diterpenoids,taihangexcisoidesin C(1) and its acetonide,taihangexcisoidesin D(2) were isolated from the leaves of Isodon excisoides.Their structures were determined by 1D and 2D spectroscopic analysis.     

New hydroperoxybriarane diterpenoids from the octocoral Briareum violaceum

A known briarane, brianthein W (1), along with four new hydroperoxybriaranes, briaviolides R–U (2–5), have been obtained from the octocoral Briareum violaceum. The absolute configuration of 1 was determined by X-ray analysis for the first time and the structures of briaranes 2–5 were established by spectroscopic methods. Bioactivity study showed that briarane 3 decreased the production of superoxide anions from human neutrophils.     

ent-pimarane-type diterpenoids from Siegesbeckia orientalis L

A new ent-pimarane glucoside, named hythiemoside B (4), was isolated from the aerial part of Siegesbecikia orientalis L. (Asteraceae) together with four known ent-pimarane-type diterpenoids: darutigenol (1), darutoside (2), hythiemoside A (3), and ent-(15R),16,19-trihydroxypimar-8(14)-ene 19-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (5). The structure of the new compound was elucidated by spectroscopic analyses and chemical transformation. The NMR data of compounds 1 (1H-) and 5 (1H- and 13C-) were also compiled in this study on the basis of 2D experiments.