Caesalpanins A–C,Three Dimeric Cassane Diterpenoids from the Seeds of Caesalpinia sappan L.

Three dimeric cassane diterpenoids, caesalpanins A–C, were isolated from the seeds of Caesalpinia sappan L., as well as three known compounds. Their structures were determined via analysis of 1D‐, 2D‐NMR, and HR‐ESI‐MS data. Caesalpanins A and B were the second and third compounds that presented a nitrogen‐containing cassane diterpenoid dimer linked through one ether bond between C‐19 and C‐20′. Caesalpanin B exhibited moderate cytotoxic activity against MCF‐7 cell lines with IC₅₀ value of 29.98 μm . Caesalpanins A and B had weak inhibitory effects against LPS‐induced nitric oxide (NO) production in RAW 264.7 macrophages at 50 μm with inhibitory rate of 36.01 % and 32.93 %, respectively.     

Insecticidal Metabolites from the Rhizomes of Veratrum album against Adults of Colorado Potato Beetle,Leptinotarsa decemlineata

The dried rhizomes of Veratrum album were individually extracted with CHCl₃, acetone, and NH₄OH/benzene to test the toxic effects against the Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata, which is an important agricultural pest. Fifteen compounds in various amounts were isolated from the extracts using column and thin‐layer chromatography. The chemical structures of 14 compounds were characterized as octacosan‐1‐ol ( 1 ), β‐sitosterol ( 2 ), stearic acid ( 3 ), diosgenin ( 4 ), resveratrol ( 5 ), wittifuran X ( 6 ), oxyresveratrol ( 7 ), β‐sitosterol 3‐O‐β‐D ‐glucopyranoside ( 8 ), diosgenin 3‐O‐α‐L ‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐β‐D ‐glucopyronoside ( 9 ), oxyresveratrol 3‐O‐β‐D ‐glucopyranoside ( 10 ), jervine ( 11 ), pseudojervine ( 13 ), 5,6‐dihydro‐1‐hydroxyjervine ( 14 ), and saccharose ( 15 ) using UV, IR, MS, ¹H‐ and ¹³C‐NMR, and 2D‐NMR spectroscopic methods. However, the chemical structure of 12 , an oligosaccharide, has not fully been elucidated. Compounds 4, 6, 9 , and 10 were isolated from V. album rhizomes for the first time in the current study. The toxic effects of three extracts (acetone, CHCl₃, and NH₄OH/benzene) and six metabolites, 2, 2 + 4, 5, 7, 8 , and 11 , were evaluated against the Colorado potato beetle. The assay revealed that all three extracts, and compounds 7, 8 , and 11 exhibited potent toxic effects against this pest. This is the first report on the evaluation of the toxic effects of the extracts and secondary metabolites of V. album rhizomes against L. decemlineata. Based on these results, it can be concluded that the extracts can be used as natural insecticides.     

Chemical Constituents from a Soil‐Derived Actinomycete,Actinomadura miaoliensis BCRC 16873, and Their Inhibitory Activities on Lipopolysaccharide‐Induced Tumor Necrosis Factor Production

An investigation on the secondary metabolites from the BuOH extract of the fermentation broth of the thermotolerant polyester‐degrading actinomycete Actinomadura miaoliensis BCRC 16873 was carried out. One previously undescribed α‐pyrone (=pyran‐2‐one) derivative, designated as miaolienone ( 1 ), and a new butanolide, miaolinolide ( 2 ), together with 13 known compounds, 3 – 15 , were obtained. Their structures were established on the basis of extensive 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR analyses in combination with HR‐MS experiments. In addition, the isolated compounds 1 – 15 were evaluated for the inhibitory effects of the isolates on the production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF‐α) induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Among the isolates, 1 and 2 significantly inhibited TNF‐α production in U937 cells in vitro, and the IC₅₀ values were 0.59 and 0.76 μM , respectively. Compounds 3 – 5 displayed moderate inhibitory activities on LPS‐induced TNF‐α production.     

Phenolic compounds from the whole plants of Gentiana rhodantha (Gentianaceae)

Gentiana rhodantha Franch. ex Hemsl. (Gentianaceae), an annual herb widely distributed in the southwest of China, has been medicinally used for the treatment of inflammation, cholecystitis, and tuberculosis by the local people of its growing areas. Chemical investigation on the whole plants led to the identification of eight new phenolic compounds, rhodanthenones A–D ( 1 – 4 , resp.), apigenin 7‐O‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→3)‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→3)‐glucopyranoside ( 5 ), 1,2‐dihydroxy‐4‐methoxybenzene 1‐O‐α‐L ‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1→6)‐β‐D ‐glucopyranoside ( 6 ), 1,2‐dihydroxy‐4,6‐dimethoxybenzene 1‐O‐α‐L ‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1→6)‐β‐D ‐glucopyranoside ( 7 ), and methyl 2‐O‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐2,4,6‐trihydroxybenzoate ( 8 ), together with eleven known compounds, 9 – 19 . Their structures were determined on the basis of detailed spectroscopic analyses and chemical methods. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition and cytotoxicity tests against five human cancer cell lines showed that only rhodanthenone D ( 4 ) and mangiferin ( 12 ) exhibited 18.4 and 13.4% of AChE inhibitory effects at a concentration of 10⁻⁴ M , respectively, while compounds 1 – 5 and the known xanthones lancerin ( 11 ), mangiferin ( 12 ), and neomangiferin ( 13 ) displayed no cytotoxicity at a concentration of 40 μM .     

New Constituents from the Low Polar Fraction of the Fruits of Crataegus dahurica and Their Anti‐Inflammatory Activity in RAW264.7 Cells

The fruit of Crataegus dahurica Koehne was used to treat the disease of infantile indigestion and dyspepsia as an ethnic medicine and food. As a continuous work on finding the active constituents from the edible herbs, four new biphenyl derivatives ( 1 – 4 ), together with two known compounds ( 5 and 6 ), were obtained from the petroleum ether fraction of the fruits of C. dahurica. Their structures were determined by the extensive 1D and 2D NMR spectra and HR‐MS spectrometry. Furthermore, the anti‐inflammatory activities of all the isolated compounds were investigated, in which compound 4 showed moderately inhibitory effects on NO production in RAW264.7 cells without inducing cytotoxicity.     

Oplopane Sesquiterpenes from Ligularia knorringiana and Their Anti‐Complementary Activity

Three new oplopane sesquiterpenes, knorringianalarins D – F ( 1 – 3 , respectively), and five known analogues ( 4 – 8 , respectively), were isolated from the roots and rhizomes of Ligularia knorringiana. The structures of three new compounds were identified as 4‐acetoxy‐11α,12‐epoxy‐2β‐hydroxy‐3β‐(2‐methylbutyryloxy)‐9α‐(4‐methylsenecioyloxy)oplop‐10(14)‐ene ( 1 ), 3β,4‐diacetoxy‐9α‐(4‐acetoxy‐4‐methylsenecioyloxy)‐11α,12‐epoxy‐8α‐(2‐methylbutyryloxy)oplop‐10(14)‐ene ( 2 ), and (1R,5R,6R,7R,9R)‐5,9,11‐trihydroxy‐4,15‐dinoroplop‐10(14)‐en‐3‐one ( 3 ) based on spectroscopic methods including 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR, mass spectrometry, and CD spectroscopy techniques. All compounds were evaluated for their anti‐complementary activity on the classical pathway of the complement system in vitro. Among which, three oplopane sesquiterpenes ( 3 , 7 , and 8 ) exhibited better anti‐complementary effects with CH₅₀ values ranging from 0.33 to 0.89 mm , which are plausible candidates for developing potent anti‐complementary agents.     

Two New Abietane Diterpenoids from Selaginella moellendorffii Hieron.

Two new abietane diterpenoids, (3S,5R,10S)‐3‐hydroxy‐12‐O‐demethyl‐11‐deoxy‐19(4→3)‐abeo‐cryptojaponol, 12,19‐dihydroxyabieta‐8,11,13‐trien‐7‐one, were isolated from Selaginella moellendorffii Hieron., together with one known abietane diterpenoid and four known tetracyclic triterpenoids. Their structures were characterized by their 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR, ECD and mass spectral studies. All compounds were tested for their inhibitory effects on proliferation of three human cancer cells (human non‐small‐cell lung carcinoma cell lines A549 and human breast adenocarcinoma cell lines MDA‐MB‐231 and MCF‐7) in vitro. Among them, three compounds displayed modest cytotoxic activities against the above three human cancer cell lines with IC₅₀ values ranging from 16.28 to 40.67 μM.     

Two New Dolabrane Diterpenes from the Chinese Mangrove Ceriops tagal

Two new dolabrane diterpenes, tagalenes J and K ( 1 and 2 ), together with eleven known analogues ( 3 – 13 ), were isolated from the ethanolic extract of the Chinese mangrove Ceriops tagal. The structures of these compounds were determined by extensive spectroscopic analysis, including 1D‐, 2D‐NMR and HR‐ESI‐MS, as well as the comparison with data in the literatures. Cytotoxicities of isolated compounds against MCF‐7, SW480, HepG2, HeLa, PANC‐1, and A2058 cancer cell lines were also evaluated. Compound 4 exhibited weak cytotoxic activity against SW480, HeLa, and PANC‐1 cell lines with IC₅₀ values of 27.7, 22.2, and 17.6 μm , respectively.     

An Unusual Tetrahydrofuran Lignan from the Roots of Zanthoxylum planispinum and the Potential Anti‐inflammatory Effects

An unusual tetrahydrofuran lignin, zanthplanispine ( 1 ), together with 14 known lignans ( 2 – 15 ) were isolated from the AcOEt‐soluble fraction from the MeOH extract of Z. planispinum roots. The structures of 1 was elucidated on the basis of 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR experiments as well as HR‐ESI‐MS analysis. The known compounds were identified by the comparison of their NMR data with previously reported in the literatures. Bioassay showed that compounds 1 – 4 could inhibit nitric oxide (NO) production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. In particular, compound 1 showed significant inhibitory activity with an IC₅₀ value of 36.8 μm .     

Bergamotane Sesquiterpenes with Alpha‐Glucosidase Inhibitory Activity from the Plant Pathogenic Fungus Penicillium expansum

Two new bergamotane sesquiterpene lactones, named expansolides C and D ( 1 and 2 ), together with two known compounds expansolides A and B ( 3 and 4 ), were isolated from the plant pathogenic fungus Penicillium expansum ACCC37275. The structures of the new compounds were established by detailed analyses of the spectroscopic data, especially 1D‐, 2D‐NMR, and HR‐ESI‐MS. In an in vitro bioassay, the epimeric mixture of expansolides C and D ( 1 and 2 ) (in a ratio of 2:1 at the temprature of the bioassay) exhibited more potent α‐glucosidase inhibitory activity (IC₅₀ =0.50 ± 0.02 mm ) as compared with the positive control acarbose (IC₅₀ = 1.90 ± 0.05 mm ). To the best of our knowledge, it was the first report on the α‐glucosidase inhibitory activity of bergamotane sesquiterpenes.     

Novel 3‐Oxo‐ and 3,24‐Dinor‐2,4‐secooleanane‐Type Triterpenes from Terminalia ivorensis A. Chev.

Two new oleanane‐type triterpenes named ivorengenin A (=3‐oxo‐2α,19α,24‐trihydroxyolean‐12‐en‐28‐oic acid; 1 ) and ivorengenin B (=4‐oxo‐19α‐hydroxy‐3,24‐dinor‐2,4‐secoolean‐12‐ene‐2,28‐dioic acid; 2 ), together with five known compounds, arjungenin, arjunic acid, betulinic acid, sericic acid, and oleanolic acid, were isolated from the barks of Terminalia ivorensis A. Chev . (Combretaceae). Their structures were established on the basis of 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR data, and mass spectrometry. A biogenetic pathway to the formation of these compounds from sericic acid, isolated as the major compound from this plant, was proposed. The antioxidant activities of different compounds were investigated by means of the 2,2‐azinobis(3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulfonic acid) (ABTS) and 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assays, and IC₅₀ values were calculated and compared with Trolox activity. Antiproliferative activities of the isolated compounds were also evaluated against MDA‐MB‐231, PC3, HCT116, and T98G human cancer cell lines, against which the compounds showed significant cytotoxic activities.     

A Novel Flavonoid Glucoside from Anoectochilus roxburghii （Wall,） Lindl.

Eight compounds were isolated from the ethyl acetate- and n-butanol-soluble fractions of the ethanollc extract of the whole plant of Anoectochllus roxburghll（Wali.） Lindi. （Orchidaceee）. On the basis of spectroscopic methods, the structures of these compounds were elucidated as quercetin-7-O-β-D-[6＂-O-（trans-feruloyi）]- giucopyranosids （compound 1）, 8-C-p-HydroxybenzyiquerceUn （compound 2）, isorhamnetin-7-O-β-D- giucopyranoside （compound 3）, isorhamnetin-3-O-β-D-giucopyranoside （compound 4）, kaempferoi-3-O-β-D- giucopyranoside （compound 5）, kaempferoi-7-O-β-D-giucopyranoside （compound 6）, 5-hydroxy-3＇,4＇,7- trimethoxyfiavonoi-3-O-β-D-rutinoside （compound 7）, and isorhamnetin-3-O-β-D-rutinoside （compound 8）. Of the compounds isoisted, compound 1 was a new flavonoid giucoside and exhibited strong scavenging activity against the 1,1-diphenyi-2-picryihydrazyi free radical, whereas the ethanolic extract showed weak activity. Compounds 2-8 were obtained from this family for the first time.     

Constituents from the Roots of Actinidia chinensis and Their Cytochrome P450 Enzyme Inhibitory Activities

A newly discovered triterpenoid, (2α,3β)‐2,3,23‐trihydroxyurs‐13(18)‐en‐28‐oic acid ( 1 ), along with twelve known compounds ( 2  –  13 ), were isolated from the roots of Actinidia chinensis Planch (Actinidiaceae). Their chemical structures were determined by 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR spectra and mass spectrometry (MS). The crude extracts and six main constituents ( 8  –  13 ) were tested for cytochrome P450 (CYPs) enzyme inhibitory activity. The results showed that, except for compound 8 , compounds 9  –  13 had different inhibitory effects on the cytochrome P450 (CYPs) enzyme, and compound 9 significantly inhibited the catalytic activities of CYP3A4 to < 10% of its control activities.     

Flavanone glycosides from viscum coloratum and their inhibitory effects on osteoclast formation

Two novel flavanone glycosides, homoeriodictyol 7‐O‐β‐D ‐[6‐(3‐hydroxybutanoyl)glucopyranoside] (viscumneoside IX; 1 ) and homoeriodictyol 7‐O‐β‐D ‐[6‐(3‐hydroxybutanoyl)glucopyranosyl](1→2)‐β‐D ‐glucopyranoside (viscumneoside X; 2 ), together with four known flavanoids, 2‐homoeriodictyol 7‐O‐β‐D ‐glucopyranoside ( 3 ), viscumneoside I ( 4 ), viscumneoside III ( 5 ), and 4′,5‐dihydroxy‐3′‐methoxy‐7‐(2‐O‐α‐L ‐rhamnopyranosyl‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyloxy)flavanone ( 6 ) were isolated from stems and leaves of Viscum coloratum. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of their NMR spectra, HR‐FAB‐MS data, and acid hydrolysis. Inhibitory effects of the four compounds 1 – 4 on the formation of osteoclast‐like multinucleated cells were investigated. As a result, all the four flavanoids showed significant inhibitory effects on the formation of osteoclast‐like multinuclear cells even at a low concentration of 2 μg/ml. The activities of 1 – 4 at such a concentration exceeded or approximated to that of elcitonin, the positive control drug at a concentration of 2 U/ml, suggesting that they may be of interest for the development of new anti‐osteoporosis drugs.     

Four New Diterpenoid Alkaloids from The Roots of Aconitum coreanum

Four new hetisine‐type C₂₀‐diterpenoid alkaloids, named as coreanines A–D ( 1 – 4 ), were isolated from the roots of Aconitum coreanum, together with thirteen known alkaloids ( 5 – 17 ). Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic methods including IR, HR‐ESI‐MS and NMR techniques. All the isolated compounds were screened for the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory effects, and none of them showed considerable inhibitory activity.     

New Triterpenoids from the Fruiting Bodies of Ganoderma lucidum and Their Bioactivities

Phytochemical investigation of the AcOEt extract of G. Lucidum has led to the isolation of two new triterpenoids, 1 and 2 , together with five known ones, 3 – 7 . The structures of the new compounds were identified as 12β‐acetoxy‐3β,7β‐dihydroxy‐11,15,23‐trioxolanost‐8‐en‐26‐oic acid butyl ester ( 1 ) and 12β‐acetoxy‐3,7,11,15,23‐pentaoxolanost‐8‐en‐26‐oic acid butyl ester ( 2 ) on the basis of detailed spectroscopic analysis (mass spectrometry, and 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR experiments). The antimicrobial activities of 1 and 2 were also evaluated.     

Six New Pentacyclic Triterpenoids from the Fruit of Camptotheca acuminata

Six new pentacyclic triterpenoids were isolated from the fruit of Camptotheca acuminata. The chemical structures of the new compounds were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analysis including HR‐ESI‐MS, IR, UV, 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR. Moreover, the antibacterial activities of compounds 1 , 2 , 4 , 5 , and 6 were evaluated against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis and Dickeya zeae. All these tested compounds showed moderate antibacterial activity against Bacillus subtilis and Dickeya zeae.     

Secondary metabolites from the root wood of Zanthoxylum wutaiense and their antitubercular activity

Bioassay‐guided fractionation of the root wood of Zanthoxylum wutaiense led to the isolation of five new compounds, wutaipyranol A ( 1 ), 8‐methoxywutaipyranol A ( 2 ), demethoxywutaiensal ( 3 ), demethoxywutaiensol ( 4 ), and dihydrodemethoxywutaiensol ( 5 ), together with six known compounds. Their structures were elucidated by 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR, as well as MS analyses. Among the isolates, wutaipyranol A ( 1 ), 8‐methoxywutaipyranol A ( 2 ), and demethoxywutaiensal ( 3 ) exhibited antitubercular activities against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H₃₇Rv in vitro, with MIC values of 52.4, 55.6, and 45.8 μg/ml, respectively.     

Novel Flavones from the Root of Phytolacca acinosa Roxb.

Two new flavones, 6,7‐methylenedioxy‐4‐hydroxypeltogynan‐7′‐one ( 1 ), cochliophilin B ( 2 ), as well as two known ones, cochliophilin A ( 3 ) and 6‐methoxy‐7‐hydroxy flavone ( 4 ), were isolated from the ethanol extract of the root of Phytolacca acinosa Roxb . Compound 1 is a flavanol framework with one δ‐lactone unit, which is rather rare in nature. The structures of the new compounds were determined on the basis of extensive spectroscopic (IR, MS, 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR) analyses, the absolute configuration of 1 was established by comparing experimental and calculated electronic circular dichroism spectra. The structures of known compounds were fixed by comparison with literatures data. Compounds 2 and 4 showed modest inhibitory activities against BEL‐7402 cell line, with IC₅₀ values of 28.22 and 39.16 μmol/L, respectively.     

Cytotoxic Mannopyranosides of Indole Alkaloids from Zanthoxylum nitidum

Three new mannopyranosides of indole alkaloids, methyl 7‐(β‐D ‐mannopyranosyloxy)‐1H‐indole‐2‐carboxylate ( 1 ), methyl 7‐[(3‐O‐acetyl‐β‐D ‐mannopyranosyl)oxy]‐1H‐indole‐2‐carboxylate ( 2 ), and 2‐methyl‐1H‐indol‐7‐yl β‐D ‐mannopyranoside ( 3 ), were isolated from an EtOH extract of the roots of Zanthoxylum nitidum. Their structures were identified as new compounds on the basis of the spectroscopic analyses. Bioactivity evaluation revealed that these alkaloids possess significant cytotoxicities against all the tested tumor cell lines with IC₅₀ values of less than 30 μM .