Phenolic constituents ofTaxus cuspidata I: lignans from the roots

The phenolic constituents of the roots ofTaxus cuspidata (Japanese yew) were investigated. Four lignans, (+)-taxiresinol (1), (+)-lariciresinol (2), (–)-secoisolariciresinol (3), and (+)-pinoresinol (4)] were isolated and identified. The assignment of proton and carbon atoms for the lignans were finally solved by one- and twodimensional-nuclear magnetic resonance spectra. The enantiomeric excess of these lignans were determined by chiral high-performance liquid Chromatographic analyses. (+)-Lariciresinol and (–)-secoisolariciresinol were optically pure; (+)-taxiresinol was also suggested to be optically pure, although (+)-pinoresinol was not (77% enantiomeric excess).