A new C-methylated flavonoid glycoside from Pinus densiflora

A new C-methyl flavonol glycoside, 5,7,8,4'-tetrahydroxy-3-methoxy-6-methylflavone 8-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (1), has been isolated from the needles of Pinus densiflora, together with kaempferol 3-O-beta-(6"-acetyl)-galactopyranoside.     

A new norlignan from Taxodium ascendens

A new norlignan, (2R,3R,4S,5S)-2,4-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-3,5-dihydroxy-tetrahydropyran (1), together with 9 known compounds were isolated from the branches and leaves of Taxodium ascendens. Their structures were mainly determined on the basis of MS, IR, 1D and 2D NMR spectral evidences. Methanol extract showed inhibitory activity on carbonic anhydrase II with an IC₅₀ value of 4.27 µg/ml, acetone extract and methanol extract inhibited activity of cathepsin B with IC₅₀ values of 2.12 and 3.71 µg/ml, respectively.     

Two new furostanol saponins from Tribulus terrestris L.

Two new furostanol glycosides, named tribufurosides I (1) J (2), were isolated from the fruits of Tribulus terrestris L. by a combination of chemical and spectroscopic methods. Its structures were established as 26-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(25S)-5α-furost-12-one-2α,3β,22α,26-tetraol-3-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl (1 → 2)-β-d-glucopyranosyl (1 → 4)-β-d-galactopyranoside (1) and 26-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(25R)-5α-furost-20(22)-en-12-one-2α,3β,26-triol-3-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl (1 → 4)-β-d-galactopyranoside (2).     

A new triterpenoid from Azadirachta indica

A new triterpenoid, 1α,7α-diacetoxyapotirucall-14-ene-3α,21,22,24,25-pentaol (1), and the two known compounds odoratone (2) and 2β,3β,4β-trihydroxypregnan-16-one (3) were isolated from a methanolic extract of the seed kernels of Azadirachta indica. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectral methods.     

A new cerebroside from Gynura divaricata

A new cerebroside, 1-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(2S,3S,4R,10E)-2-[(2′R)-2′-hydroxyltricosanoyl-amino]-10-octadecene-1,3,4-triol was isolated from the aerial parts of Gynura divaricata DC.     

A new flavonoid from the aerial part of Thalictrum atriplex

A new flavone glycoside, identified as kaempferol 3-O-[3'"-acetyl-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl-(1'"-6")]-beta-D-gluco pyranoside (1), has been isolated from the aerial part of Thalictrum atriplex.     

A new arylnaphthalene lignan from Knema furfuracea

A new arylnaphthalene lignan, named furfuracin (1), was isolated from the leaves of Knema furfuracea (Myristicaceae), whereas 7 known compounds including (+)-trans-1,2-dihydrodehydroguaiaretic acid, fragransin A₂, biochanin A, gingkolic acid, anarcardic acid, 2-hydroxy-6-(12-phenyldodecyl)-benzoic acid and 2-hydroxy-6-(12-phenyldodecen-8′Z-yl)-benzoic acid were obtained from its stems. The structure of the new lignan was established by analysis of spectroscopic data (UV, IR, MS and NMR).     

A new ent-kaurane diterpenoid from Rabdosia pseudo-irrorata

A new kaurenoid, ent-3β,7α,14β-trihydroxykaur-16-ene-12,15-dione (1), named pseurata G, was isolated from the ethanol extract of the whole plant of Rabdosia pseudo-irrorata.     

Neolignans and flavonoids from the root bark of Illicium henryi

Two new neolignans (1 and 2) were isolated from the root bark of Illicium henryi, along with four known neolignans and seven known flavonoids (3–13). Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic and chemical methods. The absolute configurations of compounds 1 and 2 were determined by the CD spectrum.     

A new naphthalene glycoside from the roots of Smilax bockii

From the roots of Smilax bockii a new compound, 7-hydroxymethyl-1, 4, 5-trihydroxynaphthalene-4-O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl(1-->6)-beta-D-glucopyranoside, was isolated. The structure of the new compound was elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic methods.     

Two new flavonoids from Retama raetam

Two new flavones were isolated from the aerial parts of Retama raetam subsp. raetam. Their structures were established as luteolin 4′-O-neohesperidoside (1) and 5,4′-dihydroxy-(3″,4″-dihydro-3″,4″-dihydroxy)-2″,2″-dimethylpyrano-(5″,6″:7,8)-flavone (2) by means of spectroscopic methods. Also present was ephedroidin (4′,5,7-trihydroxy-8-(2-hydroxy-3-butenyl)-flavone).     

A new lupane caffeoyl ester from Hippocratea volubilis

The extract of the rootbark of Hippocratea volubilis afforded a new triterpene caffeoyl ester, lupeol caffeate (1). Its structure was determined by means of spectroscopic evidence.     

A new biflavonoid from Daphniphyllum angustifolium Hutch

An investigation of the flavonoids in Daphniphyllum angustifolium Hutch. resulted in the identification of a new biflavonoid, 5,7,4′-trihydroxyflavan (2α→O→7, 4α→8) kaempferol (1), together with five known flavonoids. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic method.     

A new abietane diterpene from Glyptostrobus pensilis

A new abietane diterpene, glypensin A (1) and four known compounds, 12-acetoxy-ent-labda-8(17), 13E-dien-15-oic acid (2), quercetin 3-O-α-L-arabinofuranoside (3), quercetin 3-O-β-D-galactopyranoside (4), β-sitosterol (5) were isolated from the branches and leaves of Glyptostrobus pensilis (Staut.) Koch. Their structures were determined by MS, 1D- and 2D-NMR means. Compound 1 showed cytotoxicity on human chronic myeloid leukemia cell line K562 (IC₅₀ = 21.2 μM).     

A new seco-friedelolactone acid from the bark and twigs of Itoa orientalis

A new seco-friedelolactone, named itoaic acid, together with 5 known compounds was isolated from the bark and twigs of Itoa orientalis. The structure was elucidated by means of MS, 1D and 2D NMR techniques. Anti-inflammatory activity against COX-2 was evaluated for several compounds from I. orientalis and another Flacourtiaceae plant Xylosma controversum.     

Anxiolytic activity of aerial and underground parts of Passiflora incarnata

The petroleum ether, chloroform, methanol, and water extracts of Passiflora incarnata whole plant and sorted out plant parts have been evaluated for their anxiolytic activity using the elevated plus-maze model in mice. The methanol extracts of leaves, stems, flowers, and whole plant exhibited anxiolytic effects at 100, 125, 200 and 300 mg/kg, respectively. The roots were practically devoid of anxiolytic effects. These results show that roots and flowers of P. incarnata act as natural adulterants by causing a significant increase in the anxiolytic dose. Therefore, separation of these parts is recommended prior to any pharmacological, phytochemical and standardization studies on P. incarnata.     

A new iridoid from Adenosma caeruleum R. Br.

A new iridoid glycoside, adenosmoside (1), together with five known phenylpropanoids, crenatoside, verbascoside, cistanoside F, campneoside I, and campneoside II and two known flavonoids, apigenin 7-O-β-d-glucuronopyranoside and apigenin 7-O-β-d-glucopyranoside, were isolated from the aerial parts of Adenosma caeruleum R. Br. Their structures were elucidated by spectral evidence.     

Senna alata

A review is made of chemical, ethnopharmacological and pharmacological papers dealing with Senna alata (L.) Roxb., a plant that belongs to the Creole traditional system of medicine and that has recently been introduced in the French Pharmacopoeia. The proofs existing for its various usages are presented. The species is mainly used against constipation and skin diseases. The laxative activity is supported by scientific findings. In contrast the dermatologic use requires further investigation. The species can be considered as safe for short-term or topical use.     

A new chiratane type triterpenoid from the rhizomes of Drynaria fortunei

Chiratone (1), a rare new chiratane type triterpenoid, together with five known triterpenoids were isolated from the rhizomes of Drynaria fortunei (Kunze) J. Sm. The structure was characterized as 20β-hydroxychiratan-22-one on the basis of extensive 1D and 2D NMR, and MS spectroscopic analyses, and was further confirmed by X-ray crystal diffraction. Primary bioassays showed that compound 1 had significant cytotoxic activity against Hela, PC3 and HepG2 cells, with IC₅₀ of 2.92 μM, 1.08 μM and 2.45 μM, respectively.     

Two new chalcone glycosides from the stems of Entada phaseoloides

Two new chalcone glycosides 4′-O-(6″-O-galloyl-β-d-glucopyranosyl)-2′,4-dihydroxychalcone (1) and 4′-O-(6″-O-galloyl-β-d-glucopyranosyl)-2′-hydroxy-4-methoxychalcone (2) together with one known chalcone glycoside 4′-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-2′-hydroxy-4-methoxychalcone (3) were isolated from the stems of Entada phaseoloides. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis, including HSQC, HMBC, ¹H–¹H COSY, and chemical evidences. This is the first report of chalcone-type compounds isolated from the genus Entada.