Sesquiterpene coumarin and sesquiterpene chromone derivatives from Ferula ferulaeoides (Steud.) Korov.

Five novel compounds — three sesquiterpene coumarin derivatives, ferulin A (1), B (2), and C (3), and two sesquiterpene chromone derivatives, ferulin D (4) and E (5), together with eleven known compounds (6–16) have been isolated from the roots of Ferula ferulaeoides (Steud.) Korov. Their structures were established by comprehensive spectroscopic analysis. The biosynthetic pathways leading to these compounds were proposed. The cytotoxicity of all these isolates against HepG2, MCF-7, and C6 cancer cell lines was evaluated and compound 7 displayed the highest potency against HepG2, MCF-7, and C6 with IC₅₀ values 39.9 μM, 37.7 μM, and 16.0 μM, respectively.     

New cytotoxic diarylheptanoids from the rhizomes of Alpinia officinarum Hance

Two new dimeric diarylheptanoids, named Alpinin C (1) and D (2), a new natural product of diarylheptanoid (3) along with three known diarylheptanoids (4–6) were isolated from the rhizomes of Alpinia officinarum Hance. Their structures were elucidated based on extensive spectroscopic analyses (1D and 2D NMR, HRTOFMS, IR). The isolated compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxicity against human tumor cell lines HepG2, MCF-7, T98G and B16-F10. Compound 1 showed selective cytotoxicity against cell lines of MCF-7 and T98G, while compound 6 showed significant cytotoxicity to the all tested tumor cell lines with IC₅₀ in the range from 8.46 to 22.68 μmol/L.     

Three new phenolic compounds from the leaves of Rosa sericea

Two new flavonoids, quercetin-3-O-β-d-xylopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-α-d-ribopyranoside (1) and kaempferol-3-O-β-d-xylopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-α-d-ribopyranoside (2), and one new phenolic derivative, gallicin-p-O-(6′-O-caffeoyl)-β-d-glucoside (3), together with twelve known compounds were isolated from the leaves of Rosa sericea (Rosaceae family). The structures of the new compounds were established by means of spectroscopic analysis including one- and two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy. Some of the isolated compounds were tested for the cytotoxicity of a breast cancer cell (MCF-7) line. The results showed that rubanthrone A (4) has moderate cytotoxicity against the MCF-7 cell line.     

Bioactive cis-stilbenoids from the tubers of Scirpus yagara

Two new cis-stilbenoids, sciryagarol I (1) and II (2) were isolated from the EtOAc extract of the tubers of Scirpus yagara, together with four known compounds. The structures of all compounds were determined by comprehensive analyses of their spectroscopic data and comparison with literature information. The compounds 3, 4 and 6 were isolated for the first time from this genus. Some compounds were tested for their cytotoxicity against human tumor cell lines and antimicrobial activity. Compounds 1–4 showed significant cytotoxicity against the Hela cell lines with IC₅₀ values ranging from 7.21 to 61.21 μM. 1 and 2 exhibited some antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans with uniform MICs of 79.3 μl/ml for 2, and 152 μl/ml for 1, respectively.     

A new ganoderic acid from Ganoderma lucidum mycelia and its stability

A new ganoderic acid (GA), 3α,22β-diacetoxy-7α-hydroxyl-5α-lanost-8,24E-dien-26-oic acid (1), together with four known compounds GA-Mk (2), -Mc (3), -S (4) and -Mf (5), was isolated and characterized from Ganoderma lucidum mycelia. The structure of compound 1 was elucidated on the basis of interpretation of extensive spectroscopic data (HRMS, IR, UV, 1D and 2D NMR). Due to its apparent degradation during preparation procedures, the stability of compound 1 was assessed in several solvents in a short-term study that demonstrated the optimal stability in aproptic environment. A possible mechanism of acid-catalyzed degradation of compound 1 in methanol was proposed, consisting of a fast protonation, followed by a committed step of hydroxyl group removal. In addition, all isolated compounds were tested in vitro for their cytotoxic activities against 95D and HeLa tumor cell lines, with IC₅₀ values ranging from14.7 to 38.5 μM. The results may improve the understanding of chemical stability of GAs and provide valuable information on their separation, analysis and application.     

New cytotoxic compounds from flowers of Lawsonia inermis L.

Three new compounds, a bicoumarin A (1), a biflavonoid A (2), and a biquinone A (3), as well as 12 other known compounds, were isolated from the flower of Lawsonia inermis L. The structures were elucidated by spectral analysis and new compounds 2 and 3 then were further confirmed by ECD calculations and single-crystal X-ray diffraction crystallography respectively. The cytotoxicity of the compounds against four cancer cell lines, including MCF-7, Hela, HCT-116, and HT-29 were evaluated using MTT assay. The IC₅₀ values of compounds 3 and 5 against MCF-7, Hela, HCT-116, and HT-29 were 2.24, 1.42, 24.29, and 7.02 μM and 6.1, 2.44, 5.58, and 10.21 μM respectively. The two compounds exhibited stronger inhibitory activities than the positive control 5-fluorouracil (IC₅₀ = 7.34, 11.50, 36.17, 18.83 μM) against the four tested cell lines. These results demonstrated that compounds from the flowers of L. inermis L. showed cytotoxic activity on MCF-7, Hela, HCT-116, and HT-29 cell lines.     

Cytotoxic and anti-inflammatory ent-kaurane diterpenoids from Isodon wikstroemioides

Seven new ent-kaurane diterpenoids, isowikstroemins A–G (1–7), were isolated from EtOAc extracts of the aerial parts of Isodon wikstroemioides. Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analysis. The isolates were evaluated for their cytotoxicity against five human tumor cell lines, and compounds 1–4 exhibited significant activity with IC₅₀ values ranging from 0.9 to 7.0 μM. In addition, compounds 1, 2, 3, 4, and 7 exhibited inhibitory activity against nitric oxide (NO) production in LPS-activated RAW264.7 macrophages.     

Two new steroidal saponins from Selaginella uncinata (Desv.) Spring and their protective effect against anoxia

Four steroidal saponins were isolated from the anti-anoxic fraction of the 60% EtOH extract of Selaginella uncinata, including two new compounds, (3β, 7β, 12β, 25R)-spirost-5-ene-3, 7, 12-triol-3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-O-[α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 4)]-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (1), (2α, 3β, 12β, 25R)-spirost-5-ene-2, 3, 12-triol-3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-O-[α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 4)]-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (2) and two known compounds, (3β, 12β, 25R)-spirost-5-ene-3,12-diol-3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-O-[α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 4)]-O-β-d-glucopyranoside, (3), (1α, 3β, 25R)-spirost-5-ene-2-diol-3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-O-[α-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1 → 4)]-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (4). The four compounds showed potent protective effect against anoxia in the anoxic PC12 cells assay, among which compounds 1 and 2 were the most active. To our knowledge, this is the first study to report the steroidal saponins in the plant S. uncinata and demonstrate their protective effect against anoxia in PC12 cell assay.     

Polyacetylenes and anti-hepatitis B virus active constituents from Artemisia capillaris

Three new polyacetylenes, 8-(Z)-decene-4, 6-diyne-1, 3, 10-triol (1), 1, 3S, 8S-trihydroxydec-9-en-4, 6-yne (2), 3S, 8S-dihydroxydec-9-en-4, 6-yne 1-O-β -D-glucopyranoside (3), and one new glucosyl caffeoate, 1-O-ethyl-6-O-caffeoyl-β -D-glucopyranose (4), together with 34 known compounds were isolated from Artemisia capillaris. The structures of the new compounds were determined by extensive spectroscopic analyses including 1D and 2D NMR, HRESIMS, [α]_D and CD experiments. Among them, 19 compounds showed activity inhibiting HBsAg secretion; 20 compounds showed activity inhibiting HBeAg secretion; and 25 compounds possessed inhibitory activity against HBV DNA replication according to our anti-HBV assay on HepG 2.2.15 cell line in vitro. The most active compound 12 could inhibit not only the secretions of HBsAg and HBeAg, but also HBV DNA replication with IC₅₀ values of 15.02 μM (SI = 111.3), 9.00 μM (SI = 185.9) and 12.01 μM (SI = 139.2).     

Triterpenoids from the fruits of Azadirachta indica (Meliaceae)

Four new triterpenoids, indicalilacols A-D (1–4), were isolated from the MeOH extract of the fruits of Azadirachta indica, including a new 19(10 → 9β)abeo-tirucallane derivative, two new tirucallane-type triterpenoids, and a new euphane-type triterpenoid, along with three known tirucallane-type triterpenoids. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analyses. The absolute configuration of 2 was elucidated by the chemical conversion of 2 into 21-oxo-melianodiol 24,25-acetonide. Compounds 2, 6–8 exhibited moderate cytotoxicity against three human cancer cell lines, including multidrug-resistant (MDR) cancer cells (KB-C2). Although compound 5 was not cytotoxic against any of the tested cancer cell lines, 5 showed cytotoxicity against KB-C2 cells in the presence of 2.5 μM colchicine, suggesting that 5 might have an MDR-reversal effect.     

Five new prenylated chalcones from Desmodium renifolium

Five unusual new prenylated chalcones, renifolins D–H (1–5), were isolated from whole Desmodium renifolium plants. All of their structures were determined by spectroscopic methods including 1D and 2D NMR. All of the isolates were evaluated for cytotoxicity using five tumor cell lines. Compounds 2 and 3 exhibited cytotoxicity against A549 cells, with IC₅₀ values of 2.8 and 2.2 μM, respectively.     

8-9′ linked neolignans with cytotoxicity from Alpinia conchigera

Five new 8-9′ linked neolignans conchigeranals A–E (1–5), together with three known compounds galanganal (6), galanganols A (7) and B (8), were isolated from the whole plant of Alpinia conchigera. Their structures were established by spectroscopic analysis, including 2D-NMR spectroscopic techniques. Cytotoxicities of compounds 1–8 were tested against two cancer cell lines A549 and Hela. Results showed that 4, 5, 7 and 8 exhibited cytotoxicity against A549 with the IC₅₀ values of 12.36, 9.72, 10.26, 13.05 μg/ml, respectively, and 1–8 against Hela with the IC₅₀ values from 1.53 to 5.29 μg/ml.     

Cytotoxic cucurbitane triterpenoids isolated from the rhizomes of Hemsleya amabilis

Two new cucurbitane triterpenoids, 7β-hydroxycucurbitacin F-25-O-acetate (1) and 2β,3β,20(S),26,27-pentahydroxy-16α,23(S)-epoxycucurbita-5,24-dien-11-one (2) along with eleven known cucurbitane triterpenoids (3–13, resp.) were isolated from the rhizomes of Hemsleya amabilis Diels. The chemical structures of the new isolated compounds were elucidated unambiguously by spectroscopic data analysis. The cytotoxic activities of the isolated cucurbitane triterpenoids were evaluated against the HeLa human cancer cell lines. Hemslecin A (5), the main ingredient of H. amabilis, exhibited the significant cytotoxicity with IC₅₀ value of 0.389 μM.     

New cytotoxic triterpenoid saponins from the whole plant of Clematis lasiandra Maxim

Four new oleanane type triterpenoid saponins (1–4) and three known saponins (5–7) were isolated from the whole plant of Clematis lasiandra Maxim. The structures of the four new compounds were elucidated as 3-O-β-d-ribopyranosyl-(1 → 3)-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-[β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 4)]-β-d-xylopyranosyl hederagenin (1), 3-O-β-d-ribopyranosyl-(1 → 3)-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-β-d-xylopyranosyl oleanolic acid 28-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl ester (2), 3-O-β-d-ribopyranosyl-(1 → 3)-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-β-d-xylopyranosyl hederagenin (3) and 3-O-β-d-ribopyranosyl-(1 → 3)-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-[β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 4)]-α-l-arabinopyranosyl hederagenin (4) on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis and chemical evidence. Compounds 1–7 were evaluated for their cytotoxicity against human tumor cell lines HL-60, Hep-G2 and SGC-7901, and all of the evaluated saponins showed significant cytotoxicity to those three tumor cell lines with IC₅₀ in the range from 1.40 to 19.50 μmol/L except for compounds 2 and 6.     

Lycojaponicuminol A–F: Cytotoxic serratene triterpenoids from Lycopodium japonicum

Six new serratene triterpenoids (1–6), together with nine known triterpenoid compounds were isolated from the extract of club moss Lycopodium japonicum. The structures of isolated compounds were established by spectroscopic methods. The cytotoxic activities of all compounds were evaluated against three human cancer cell lines in vitro by MTT assay. Compounds 2, 6–8 and 11 exhibited moderate activities against all three cell lines with IC₅₀ values of 2.28–11.81 μg/mL.     

Cytotoxic steroidal glycosides from Allium flavum

Three new spirostane-type glycosides (1–3) were isolated from the whole plant of Allium flavum. Their structures were elucidated mainly by 2D NMR spectroscopic analysis and mass spectrometry as (20S,25R)-2α-hydroxyspirost-5-en-3β-yl O-β-d-xylopyranosyl-(1 → 3)-[β-d-galactopyranosyl-(1→2)]-β-d-galactopyranosyl-(1→4)-β-d-galactopyranoside (1), (20S,25R)-2α-hydroxyspirost-5-en-3β-yl O-β-d-xylopyranosyl-(1 → 3)-[β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→2)]-β-d-galactopyranosyl-(1→4)-β-d-galactopyranoside (2), and (20S,25R)-spirost-5-en-3β-yl O-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 4)-[β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→2)]-β-d-glucopyranoside (3). The three saponins were evaluated for cytotoxicity against a human cancer cell line (colorectal SW480).     

New flavonoids from Campylotropis hirtella with immunosuppressive activity

In an effort to identify natural compounds with immunosuppressive activity, nine new flavonoids, including one isoflav-3-ene derivative (1), one coumaronochromone (2), two isoflavanones (3, 4), one isoflavone derivative (6), one isoflavone (7), three flavonols (8, 9, 10), as well as one known compound, hydroisoflavone C (5), were isolated from the roots of Campylotropis hirtella. The structures of these compounds were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic measurements. All of the compounds were assessed for immunosuppressive activity. Among the isolates, compound 2 showed good inhibitory activity against mitogen-induced splenocyte proliferation with an IC₅₀ of 0.28 μM and relatively low cytotoxicity.     

Xanthone derivatives from the fermentation products of an endophytic fungus Phomopsis sp.

Three new xanthones, 1,5-dihydroxy-3-hydroxyethyl-6-methoxycarbonylxanthone (1), 1-hydroxy-5- methoxy-3-hydroxyethyl-6-methoxycarbonylxanthone (2), and 1-hydroxy-3-hydroxyethyl- 8-ethoxycarbonylxanthone (3), along with seven known xanthones (4–10) were isolated from the fermentation products of an endophytic fungus Phomopsis sp.. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods including extensive 1D- and 2D-NMR techniques. Compounds 1–10 were also tested for their cytotoxicity against five human tumor cell lines (NB4, A549, SHSY5Y, PC3, and MCF7) by MTT method using paclitaxel as positive control. Compounds 1 and 3 showed cytotoxicity against A549 cell lines with IC50 values of 3.6 and 2.5 μM, respectively. In addition, 1 was cytotoxic to MCF7 cells with IC50 value of 2.7 μM.     

Andirolides Q–V from the flower of andiroba (Carapa guianensis,Meliaceae)

Two new gedunins, an andirobin, two mexicanolides, and a phragmalin-type limonoid, named Andirolides Q (1), R (2), S (3), T (4), U (5), and V (6), were isolated from an oil of the flower of Carapa guianensis AUBLET (Meliaceae). Their structures have been elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analyses using 1D and 2D NMR spectra and FABMS. Andirolide S (3) and Andirolide T (4) showed significant cytotoxic activity against the murine P388 leukemia cell line (IC₅₀ of 1.4 μM for 3; 1.8 μM for 4) and the human HL-60 leukemia cell line (IC₅₀ of 1.3 μM for 3 and 4).     

Four new diterpenoids from the roots of Euphorbia fischeriana

Four new diterpenoids (1,4,5,9), together with 7 known diterpenoids (2,3,6–8,10,11), were isolated from the roots to Euphorbia fischeriana. On the basis of 1D and 2D NMR, HR-ESI-MS spectroscopic analysis, structures of the new compounds were elucidated as 11β-hydroxy-8,14-epoxy-ent-abieta-13(15)-en-16,12-olide (1), 3,20-dihydroxy-ent-1(10), 15-rosadiene (4), 3,7-dihydroxy-ent-1(10), 15-rosadiene (5), ingenol 6,7-epoxy-3- tetradecanoate (9). The compounds isolated were evaluated for their cytotoxicity against four cancer cell lines (A549, BEL7402, HCT116, and MDA-MB-231). Three ingenol diterpenoids (9–11) showed significant cytotoxicity against A549 with IC₅₀ value of 3.35, 2.85, 2.88 μg/mL, respectively.