A new lupene triterpenetriol and anticholinesterase activity of Salvia sclareoides

A new lupene triterpenetriol was isolated from the acetone extract of the aerial parts of Salvia sclareoides and characterised as (1beta,3beta)-lup-20(29)-ene-1,3,30-triol (1). In addition, nepetidin (2), nepeticin (3), lupendiol (4), (1beta,11alpha)-dihydroxy-lup-20(29)-en-3-one (5), ursolic acid (6), sumaresinolic acid (7) and hederagenin (8), were identified in this Salvia sp. To the best of our knowledge, the compounds 2 and 7 are new constituents in Salvia spp. The acetone, ethanol, butanol and water extracts of the plant were screened for the in vitro inhibitory activity of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrilcholinesterase (BChE), enzymes which play a role in the Alzheimer disease. All extracts inhibited acetylcholinesterase activity at 10 microg/ml, a remarkable activity since the standard drug rivastigmine does not inhibit acetylcholinesterase at the same concentration. Regarding the butyrilcholinesterase, the acetone extract at 1000 microg/ml was able to inhibit completely the enzyme activity and the butanol and ethanol extracts, at this concentration, produced a potent inhibition of BchE.     

Furanoeremophilanes from Ligularia atroviolacea

A new furanoeremophilane, 1alpha-chloro-6beta-isobutyroxy-9-oxo-10beta-hydroxy-furanoeremophilane (1) was isolated from the root of Ligularia atroviolacea and identified mainly on the basis of detailed spectral analyses including X-ray. Moreover, five known furanoeremophilanes,1alpha-hydroxy-6beta-isobutyroxy-9-oxo-10beta-H-furanoeremophilane (2), 1alpha-hydroxy-6beta-isobutyroxy-9-oxo-10alpha-H-furanoeremophilane (3), 1alpha,10beta-dihydroxy-6beta-angeloyloxy-9-oxo-furanoeremophilane (4), furanoeremophil-3-en-15,6alpha-olide (5) and furanoeremophil-15beta,6alpha-olide (6) were isolated from the same source.     

Two new diterpenes from Euphorbia kansuensis

Two new lathyrane diterpenes, 3beta,5alpha-dihydroxy-15beta-cinnamoyloxy-14-oxolathyra-6Z,12E -diene (1) and 3beta,5alpha,20-trihydroxy-15beta-cinnamoyloxy-14-oxolathyra-6Z,12E-diene (2), were isolated from the roots of Euphorbia kansuensis. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic methods.     

A new diglycosyl megastigmane from Carallia brachiata

A new megastigmane diglycoside was isolated from the leaves of Carallia brachiata. The structure was determined by spectroscopic methods as 3-hydroxy-5,6-epoxy-beta-ionol -3-O-beta-apiofuranosyl-(1-->6)-beta-glucopyranoside (1). Additionally, 29 known compounds consisting of two megastigmanes, one 1,2-dithiolane derivative, seven aromatic compounds, five condensed tannins, 12 flavonoids, and two glyceroglycolipids were isolated and identified.     

A new alpha-methylene gamma-lactone sesquiterpene from Hedyosmum arborescens

A new sesquiterpene lactone, 7alpha,10alpha-epoxy-1alpha(H),5alpha(H)-guaia-3,11(13)-dien-8alpha,12-olide, was isolated from the leaves of Hedyosmum arborescens. The structure of this unusual 7,10-epoxy-guaianolide was determined by spectroscopic methods, particularly one- and two-dimensional 1H and 13C NMR.     

Chemical composition of the green alga Codium Divaricatum Holmes

A new sterol, 24-R-stigmasta-4,25-diene-3β,6β-diol (1), along with three known compounds (2–3), was isolated from the green alga Codium divaricatum Holmes, a traditional Chinese medicine, which is efficacious against cancer. All structures were determined by spectroscopic methods and comparison with related known compounds. Single-crystal X-ray crystallography allowed us to confirm the structure of 1. To our knowledge, the compound 1 is reported as the first from natural source, and compounds 2, 4 have not been isolated from green algae before.     

Biochanin A triglycoside from Andira inermis

A new isoflavonol triglycoside, biochanin A 7-O-β- -apiofuranosyl-(1→5)-β- -apiofuranosyl-(1→6)-β- -glucopyranoside (1), was isolated from Andira inermis roots in addition to the known compounds genistein 7-O-β- -apiofuranosyl-(1→6)-β- -glucopyranoside and lanceolarin.     

A new kaurane diterpene dimer from Parinari campestris

A new kaurane diterpene dimer, 15-oxozoapatlin-13alpha-yl-10'alpha,16'alpha-dihydroxy-9'alpha-methyl-20'-nor-kauran-19'-oic acid gamma-lactone-17'-oate (1), together with the known 13-hydroxy-15-oxozoapatlin (2), 10alpha,13alpha,16alpha,17-tetrahydroxy-9alpha-methyl-15-oxo-20-nor-kauran-19-oic acid gamma-lactone (3), 2alpha,10alpha,13alpha,16alpha,17-pentahydroxy-9alpha-methyl-15-oxo-20-nor-kauran-19-oic acid (19,10)-lactone (4), 3alpha,10alpha,13alpha,16alpha,17-pentahydroxy-9alpha-methyl-15-oxo-20-nor-kauran-19-oic acid gamma-lactone (5), and 1beta,16alpha,17-trihydroxy-ent-kaurane (6) were isolated from the leaves of Parinari campestris and identified on the basis of detailed spectral analysis, including 2D NMR spectrometry and ESI-MS.     

Cycloartane saponins from Astragalus peregrinus as modulators of lymphocyte proliferation.

From Astragalus peregrinus, four cycloartane-type saponins have been isolated and their structures elucidated by spectral means as 20(R),24(S)-epoxy-9 beta,19-cyclolanostane-3 beta,6 alpha,16 beta,25-tetrol 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (1), 20(R),24(S)-epoxy-9 beta,19-cyclolanostane-3 beta,6 alpha,16 beta,25-tetrol 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->4)-beta-D-glucopyranoside (2), 20(R),24(S)-epoxy-9 beta,19-cyclolanostane-3 beta,6 alpha,16 beta,25-tetrol 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-beta-D-glucopyranoside (3) and 20(R),25-epoxy-9 beta,19-cyclolanostane-3 beta,6 alpha,16 beta,24(S)-tetrol (24-O-acetyl)- 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-(6'-O-acetyl)-beta-D-glucopyranoside (4). Compounds 2 and 3 showed to stimulate the proliferation of mouse splenocytes and were not significantly cytotoxic.     

A new flavone glycoside from the seeds of Shorea robusta

A new flavonoid, 3,7-dihydroxy-8-methoxyflavone 7-O-α- -rhamnopyranosyl-(1→4)-α- -rhamnopyranosyl-(1→6)-β- -glucopyranoside (1), was isolated from the seeds of Shorea robusta.     

A new cytotoxic casbane diterpene from Euphorbia pekinensis

A new cytotoxic casbane diterpene, named pekinenal, was isolated from the roots of Euphorbia pekinensis. Its structure was elucidated as 5α-hydroxy-1βH,2αH-casba-3Z,7E,11E-triene-18-al by a combination of 1D- and 2D-NMR techniques and confirmed by X-ray crystallography. Pekinenal showed cytotoxic activity against all four human cancer cell lines tested.     

Cyclisation of farnesyl pyrophosphate into sesquiterpenoids in ginger rhizomes (Zingiber officinale)

The atomic ratios (¹⁴C/³H) obtained in ar-curcumene, α-zingiberene, β-bisabolene obtained from the essential oil of rhizomes of Zingiber officinale which were fed with [2-¹⁴C, 2-³H₂], [2-¹⁴C, 4R-³H₁] and [2-¹⁴C, 5-³H₂]mevalonic acid and [1-³H₂]farnesylpyrophosphate (FPP) revealed that (a) (2E,6E)-isomer of FPP is isomerised to (2Z,6E)-isomer without loss of epimeric hydrogen that means without a redox process; (b) (2Z,6E)-FPP is cyclised to bisabolyl cation which is the penultimate precursor of α-zingiberene, ar-curcumene and β-bisabolene; and (c) two 1,2-hydrogen shifts take place during the formation of α-zingiberene whereas one 1,2 shift has been observed during the formation of ar-curcumene.     

A new phenolic glucoside from the leaves of Heliciopsis lobata

A new phenolic glucoside ester, 6'-E-(2'-methyl-2'-butenoyl) arbutin (1), was isolated from the leaves of Heliciopsis lobata. Its structure was elucidated by spectral analysis.     

Eudesmanoids from Sphaeranthus indicus

Three new eudesmanoids have been isolated from Sphaeranthus indicus and their structures were established as 11alpha,13-dihydro-3alpha,7alpha-dihydroxy-4,5-epoxy-6beta,7-eudesmanolide, 11alpha,13-dihydro-7alpha-acetoxy-3beta-hydroxy-6beta,7-eudesm-4-enolide and 3-keto-beta-eudesmol by comparison of spectral data with those of other 7alpha-hydroxyeudesmanolides.     

A new triterpenoid from Azadirachta indica

A new triterpenoid, 1 alpha,7 alpha-diacetoxyapotirucall-14-en e-3 alpha, 21,22,24,25-pentaol (1), and the two known compounds odoratone (2) and 2 beta,3 beta,4 beta-trihydroxypregnan-16-o ne (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 phytosterone from the roots of Achyranthes bidentata

A new phytosterone, (20R, 22R)-2beta, 3beta, 20, 22, 26-pentahydroxy-cholestan-7,12-dien-6-one (1), was isolated from the roots of Achyranthes bidentata. The structure was elucidated on the basis of spectral data.     

Two new diterpenoid acids from Pinus koraiensis

Two new diterpenoid acids were obtained from the traditional Chinese medicinal herb Pinus koraiensis. By spectral evidence, the structure of the new compounds were elucidated as 7-oxo-13beta,15-dihydroxyabiet-8(14)-en-18-oic acid (1) and 7-oxo-12alpha, 13beta,15-trihydroxyabiet-8(14)-en-18-oic acid (2), respectively.     

Sesquiterpenoids and phenolics from roots of Cichorium endivia var. crispum

Twelve known sesquiterpene lactones and the new guaianolide 10beta-methoxy-1alpha, 11beta,13-tetrahydrolactucin (10), together with three known phenolic acid esters were isolated from roots of Cichorium endivia var. crispum. The compounds were characterized by spectral methods.     

Triterpenes from Adiantum lunulactum

The petrol extract of the whole plant of Adiantum lunuactum yielded a new hopane triterpenoid characterized as 6 alpha-acetoxy-16 beta,22-dihydroxy-3-ketoisohopane, along with the known 3beta,6 alpha,16 beta,22-tetrahydroxyisohopane (mollugogenol A). The structures were elucidated by spectral as well as chemical studies.     

In vivo hypoglycemic effects of phenolics from the root bark of Morus alba

Moracin M (1), Steppogenin-4′-O-β-D-glucosiade (2), Mullberroside A (3) were isolated from the root bark of Morus alba L. and identified by spectral evidence. Compounds 1, 2 and 3 were studied in hypoglycemic effects on alloxan-diabetic mice. The results showed that compounds 1, 2 and 3 all produced hypoglycemic effects. The compound 2 in a dose of 50 mg/kg exerted significant effect (p < 0.05), 2 and 3 in a dose of 100 mg/kg exerted obviously effect (p < 0.01). Meantime, the compound 1 in a dose of 100 mg/kg can make the fasting blood glucose level have decreasing tendency.