Megastigmane, aliphatic alcohol and benzoxazinoid glycosides from Acanthus ebracteatus.

From the aerial part of Acanthus ebracteatus, a megastigmane glycoside (ebracteatoside A), three aliphatic alcohol glycosides (ebracteatosides B-D), as well as 7-chloro-(2R)-2-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-4-hydroxy-2H-1,4-benzoxazin-3(4H)-one (7-Cl-DIBOA-Glc) were isolated together with 22 known compounds. Structural elucidations were based on analyses of spectroscopic data.     

Brasilicardins B-D, new tricyclic terpenoids [correction of terpernoids] from actinomycete Nocardia brasiliensis

Three new tricyclic terpenoids, brasilicardins B-D (2-4), were isolated together with brasilicardin A (1), a potent immunosuppressive compound, from the cultured broth of a pathogenic actinomycete Nocardia brasiliensis IFM0406, and the structures and stereochemistry were determined by spectroscopic data and a single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The immunosuppressive and cytotoxic activities of 2-4 were examined in the comparison with 1.     

Lycopladines B-D and lyconadin B, new alkaloids from Lycopodium complanatum

Four new alkaloids, lycopladines B-D (1-3) and lyconadin B (4), have been isolated from the club moss Lycopodium complanatum and the structures including the stereochemistry were elucidated on the basis of spectral data and modified Mosher's method. Lyconadin B (4) elevated NGF mRNA expression in 1321N1 human astrocytoma cells.     

Ornithosaponins A-D, four new polyoxygenated steroidal glycosides from the bulbs of Ornithogalumthyrsoides

By analyzing the steroidal glycoside content of fresh bulbs of Ornithogalum thyrsoides (Liliaceae), we were able to isolate four new polyoxygenated steroidal glycosides, which we named ornithosaponins A-D (1-4). The structures of 1-4 were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis, including that of 2D NMR data, and the results of acidic or alkaline hydrolysis. The aglycone structure of 1-4 has not been previously reported. It is also notable that ornithosaponins B-D (2-4) have been found to contain 6-deoxy-beta-D-gulopyranose as a sugar component, which is rarely encountered in plant glycosides.     

Comparison of the physical properties and assembly pathways of the related bacteriophages T7, T3 and phi II

To understand constraints on the evolution of bacteriophage assembly, the structures, electrophoretic mobilities (mu) and assembly pathways of the related double-stranded DNA bacteriophages T7, T3 and phi II, have been compared. The characteristics of the following T7, T3 and phi II capsids in these assembly pathways have also been compared: (1) a DNA-free procapsid (capsid I) that packages DNA during assembly; (b) a DNA packaging-associated conversion product of capsid I (capsid II). The molecular weights of the T3 and phi II genomes were 25.2 X 10(6) and 25.9 (+/- 0.2) X 10(6) (26.44 X 10(6) for T7, as previously determined), as determined by agarose gel electrophoresis of intact genomes. The radii of T7, T3 and phi II bacteriophages were indistinguishable by sieving during agarose gel electrophoresis (+/- 4%) and measurement of the bacteriophage hydration (+/- 2%) (30.1 nm for T7, as previously determined). Assuming a T = 7 icosahedral lattice for the arrangement of the major capsid subunits (p10A) of T7, T3 and phi II best explains these data and data previously obtained for T7. At pH 7.4 and an ionic strength of 1.2, the solid-support-free mu values (mu 0 values) of T7, T3 and phi II bacteriophages, obtained by extrapolation of mu during agarose gel electrophoresis to an agarose concentration of 0 and correction for electro-osmosis, were -0.71, -0.91 and -1.17(X 10(-4) cm2V-1 s-1. The mu 0 values of T7, T3 and phi II capsids I were -1.51, -1.58 and -2.07(X 10(-4] cm2V-1 s-1. For the capsids II, these mu 0 values were -0.82, -1.07 and -1.37(X 10(-4] cm2V-1 s-1. The tails of all three bacteriophages were positively charged and the capsid envelopes (heads) were negatively charged. In all cases the procapsid had a negative mu 0 value larger in magnitude than the negative mu 0 value for bacteriophage or capsid II. A trypsin-sensitive region in capsid I-associated, but not capsid II-associated, T3 p10A was observed (previously observed for T7). The largest fragment of trypsinized capsid I-associated p10A had the same molecular weight in T7 and T3, although the T3 p10A is 18% more massive than the T7 p10A. It is suggested that the trypsin-resistant region of capsid I-associated p10A determines the radius of the bacteriophage capsid.     

Cytotoxic xanthones from Garcinia penangiana Pierre

Two new xanthones, characterized as 4-(1,1-dimethylprop-2-enyl)-1,3,5,8-tetrahydroxyxanthone (1) and penangianaxanthone (2), with three known xanthones, cudratricusxanthone H (3), macluraxanthone C (4) and gerontoxanthone C (5), as well as friedelin and stigmasterol were isolated from the leaves of Garcinia penangiana. Their structures were elucidated by analysis of spectroscopic data and comparison of the NMR data with the literature ones. Significant cytotoxicity against DU-145, MCF-7 and NCI-H460 cancer cell lines was demonstrated by compounds 1-5, with IC50 values ranging from 3.5 to 72.8 microM.     

Novel terpenoids of the fungus Aspergillus insuetus isolated from the Mediterranean sponge Psammocinia sp. collected along the coast of Israel

Three novel meroterpenoids, insuetolides A-C (1-3) and four drimane sesquiterpenes, the new (E)-6-(4'-hydroxy-2'-butenoyl)-strobilactone A (4) and the known 2α, 9α, 11-trihydroxy-6-oxodrim-7-ene (5), strobilactone A (6) and (E,E)-6-(6',7'-dihydroxy-2',4'-octadienoyl)-strobilactone A (7), were isolated from the EtOAc extract of the culture medium of the marine-derived fungus Aspergillus insuetus (OY-207), which was isolated from the Mediterranean sponge Psammocinia sp. The structures of the compounds were determined by spectroscopic methods. Insuetolides A-C reveal a new carbon skeleton derived from the cyclization of farnesyl and 3, 5-dimethylorsellinic acid. Compounds 1, 6, and 7 exhibited anti-fungal activity towards Neurospora crassa with MIC values of 140, 242, and 162 μM, respectively; and compounds 3, 4, and 7 exhibited mild cytotoxicity towards MOLT-4 human leukemia cells.     

Characterization of inhibitory effects of perfluorooctane sulfonate on human hepatic cytochrome P450 isoenzymes: focusing on CYP2A6

Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) is a chemically stable compound extensively used as oil and water repellent, surface active agents in our daily life. Accumulative research evidence gradually appears the toxicity of PFOS against mammals, but the whole figure remains to be elucidated. The present study was conducted to know the effects of PFOS on human hepatic drug metabolizing-type cytochrome P450 (CYP) isoenzymes such as CYP1A2 (7-ethoxyresorufin as a substrate), CYP2A6 (coumarin), CYP2B6 (7-ethoxy-4-trifluoromethylcoumarin), CYP2C8 (paclitaxel), CYP2C9 (diclofenac), CYP2C19 (S-mephenytoin), CYP2D6 (bufuralol), CYP2E1 (chlorzoxazone) and CYP3A4 (testosterone) in human livers employing their typical substrates. Although all of the oxidation reactions tested were more or less inhibited by PFOS, diclofenac 4'-hydroxylation mediated mainly by CYP2C9 was most strongly inhibited (K(i) value of 40 nM), followed by paclitaxel 6α-hydroxylation mediated mainly by CYP2C8 (K(i) value of 4 μM). The substrate oxidation reactions catalyzed by CYP2A6, CYP2B6, CYP2C19 and CYP3A4 were moderately (K(i) values of 35 to 45 μM), and those by CYP1A2, CYP2D6 and CYP2E1 were weakly inhibited by PFOS (K(i) values of 190-300 μM). The inhibition by PFOS for coumarin 7-hydroxylation mainly catalyzed by human liver microsomal CYP2A6 as well as by the recombinant enzyme was found to be enhanced by the preincubation of PFOS with human liver microsomes and NADPH as compared to the case without preincubation. The inhibition of the human liver microsomal cumarin 7-hydroxylation was PFOS concentration-dependent, and exhibited pseudo-first-order kinetics with respect to preincubation time, yielding K(inact) and K(I) values of 0.06 min(-1) and 23 μM, respectively. These results suggest that the metabolism of medicines which are substrates for CYP2C9 may be altered by PFOS in human bodies, and that PFOS is a mechanism-based inhibitor of CYP2A6.     

Bioactive saponins from Astragalus suberi L. growing in Yemen

From the aerial parts of Astragalus suberi L., Fabaceae, seven saponins were isolated. Based on spectral data (IR, 1H and 13C NMR and HR-FABMS), the structures were established as 3-O-(beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-soyasapogenol B (1); 3-O-(beta-D-glucuronopyranosyl)-soyasapogenol B (2); 3-O-[beta-D-galactopyranosyl (1-->2)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl]-soyasapogenol B (3); 3-O-[alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl (1-->2)-beta-D-galactopyranosyl (1-->2)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl]-soyasapogenol B (4); 3-O-[beta-L-rhamnopyranosyl (1-->2)-beta-D-galactopyranosyl (1-->2)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl]-11-hydroxy-soyasapogenol B (5); 3-O-[alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl (1-->2)-beta-D-galactopyranosyl (1-->2)-beta-D-glucuronopyranosyl]-soyasapogenol B (6) and 3-O-[alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl (1-->2)-beta-D-galactopyranosyl (1-->2)-beta-D-glucuronopyranosyl]-complogenin (7). The isolated saponins exhibited antibacterial activities against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria with minimum inhibitory concentration values >100 microg/ml, antifungal activity against all the strains tested with minimum fungicidal concentration values between 25 and 50 microg/ml and inhibited the growth of Hep-2 (human carcinoma of larynx), with IC50 values between 50 microg/ml (compounds 5-7) and 100 microg/ml (compounds 1-4), and Hela (human carcinoma of cervix) cell lines in culture with different IC50 values [74 (compound 7), 98 (compound 5) and 180 microg/ml (compounds 1-4 and 6)].     

中华青荚叶的一个新果糖酯

从山茱萸科中华青荚叶( Helwingia chinensis )的乙醇提取物中分离得到一个新果糖酯和十个已知化合物.通过现代波谱技术分别鉴定为:2- O -(E)-咖啡酰-3- O -(3, 5-二甲氧基香豆酰)-α-D-呋喃果糖甙(1),2- O -β-D-呋喃果糖基α-D-异吡喃糖酯(2),甘草甜素(3),4′-羟基-7- O -葡萄糖-2, 3-二羟黄酮甙(4),黄豆甙(5),5-葡萄糖芹菜甙(6),7- O -葡萄糖芹菜甙(7),4- O -葡萄糖香豆酸(8), 葡萄糖咖啡酸(9), 3β-赤杨醇(10), 薯蓣皂甙3- O -{α-L-鼠李糖吡喃糖基(1→2)-[α-L-阿拉伯呋喃糖基(1→3)]-β-D-葡萄糖吡喃糖} (11).     

Inhibition selectivity of grapefruit juice components on human cytochromes P450

Five compounds including furanocoumarin monomers (bergamottin, 6', 7'-dihydroxybergamottin (DHB)), furanocoumarin dimers (4-??6-hydroxy-71-?(1-hydroxy-1-methyl)ethyl-4-methyl-6-(7-oxo-7H- furo?3,2-g1benzopyran-4-yl)-4-hexenyl]oxy]-3,7-dimethyl- 2-octenyl]oxy]-7H-furo[3,2-g]?1benzopyran-7-one (GF-I-1) and 4-??6-hydroxy-7??4-methyl-1-(1-methylethenyl)-6-(7-oxo-7H-furo?3, 2-g1benzopyran-4-yl)-4-hexenyl?xy-3, 7-dimethyl-2-octenyl?xy-7H-furo?3,2-g1benzopyran-7-one (GF-I-4)), and a sesquiterpene nootkatone have been isolated from grapefruit juice and screened for their inhibitory effects toward human cytochrome P450 (P450) forms using selective substrate probes. Addition of ethyl acetate extract of grapefruit juice into an incubation mixture resulted in decreased activities of CYP3A4, CYP1A2, CYP2C9, and CYP2D6. All four furanocoumarins clearly inhibited CYP3A4-catalyzed nifedipine oxidation in concentration- and time-dependent manners, suggesting that these compounds are mechanism-based inhibitors of CYP3A4. Of the furanocoumarins investigated, furanocoumarin dimers, GF-I-1 and GF-I-4, were the most potent inhibitors of CYP3A4. Inhibitor concentration required for half-maximal rate of inactivation (K(I)) values for bergamottin, DHB, GF-I-1, and GF-I-4 were calculated, respectively, as 40.00, 5. 56, 0.31, and 0.13 microM, whereas similar values were observed on their inactivation rate constant at infinite concentration of inhibitor (k(inact), 0.05-0.08 min(-1)). Apparent selectivity toward CYP3A4 does occur with the furanocoumarin dimers. In contrast, bergamottin showed rather stronger inhibitory effect on CYP1A2, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, and CYP2D6 than on CYP3A4. DHB inhibited CYP3A4 and CYP1A2 activities at nearly equivalent potencies. Among P450 forms investigated, CYP2E1 was the least sensitive to the inhibitory effect of furanocoumarin components. A sesquiterpene nootkatone has no significant effect on P450 activities investigated except for CYP2A6 and CYP2C19 (K(i) = 0.8 and 0.5 microM, respectively).     

Flavonoids from two Lonchocarpus species of the Yucatan Peninsula

Leaves, stem bark and root of Lonchocarpus xuul and Lonchocarpus yucatanensis were studied separately. A chalcone, 2',4-dimethoxy-6'-hydroxylonchocarpin (), and the flavones 5,4'-dihydroxy-3'-methoxy-(6:7)-2,2-dimethylpyranoflavone (2) and 5,4'-dimethoxy-(6:7)-2,2-dimethylpyrano-flavone (3), together with the known carpachromene (4), were isolated from the leaves of both species. Similarly, the previously reported flavans xuulanin (5) and 3beta-methoxyxuulanin (6), together with the novel 3beta,4beta,5-trimethoxy-4'-hydroxy-(6:7)-2,2-dimethylpyranoflavan (7), 3-hydroxy-4,5-dimethoxy-(6:7)-2,2-dimethyl-pyranoflavan (8), and 3,4-dihydroxy-5-methoxy-(6:7)-2,2-dimethylpyranoflavan (10), were isolated from the stem bark and root of both species. Finally, the known 2',4'-dihydroxy-3'-(3-methylbut-2-enyl) chalcone (13) was obtained from the root of L. xuul only. The structures of the various metabolites were established by interpretation of their spectroscopic data.     

Transmembrane helix 5 is critical for the high water permeability of aquaporin

Aquaporin-2 (AQP2), a vasopressin-regulated water channel, plays a major role in urinary concentration. AQP2 and the major intrinsic protein (MIP) of lens fiber are highly homologous (58% amino acid identity) and share a topology of six transmembrane helices connected by five loops (loops A-E). Despite the similarities of these proteins, however, the water channel activity of AQP2 is much higher than that of MIP. To determine the site responsible for this gain of activity in AQP2, several parts of MIP were replaced with the corresponding parts of AQP2. When expressed in Xenopus oocytes, the osmotic water permeability (P(f)) of MIP and AQP2 was 48 and 245 x 10(-)(4) cm/s, respectively. Substitutions in loops B-D failed to increase P(f), whereas substitution of loop E significantly increased P(f) 1.5-fold. A similar increase in P(f) was observed with the substitution of the front half of loop E. P(f) measurements taken in a yeast vesicle expression system also confirmed that loop E had a complementary effect, whereas loops B-D did not. However, P(f) values of the loop E chimeras were only approximately 30% of that of AQP2. Simultaneous exchanges of loop E and a distal half of transmembrane helix 5 just proximal to loop E increased P(f) to the level of that of AQP2. Replacement of helix 5 alone stimulated P(f) 2.7-fold. Conversely, P(f) was decreased by 73% when helix 5 of AQP2 was replaced with that of MIP. Moreover, P(f) was stimulated 2.6- and 3.3-fold after helix 5 of AQP1 and AQP4 was spliced into MIP, respectively. Our findings suggested that the distal half of helix 5 is necessary for maximum water channel activity in AQP. We speculate that this portion contributes to the formation of the aqueous pore and the determination of the flux rate.     

多根乌头中二萜生物碱成分

为研究多根乌头(AconitumkarakolicumRapaics)中二萜生物碱成分,本研究采用正反相硅胶柱和高效液相等色谱分离方法,从中分离得到15个二萜生物碱;通过多种波谱手段以及文献对比的方法鉴定其结构分别为aconitine(1),3-deoxyaconitine(2),16-epipyroaconine(3),neoline(4),indaconitine(5),14-benzoyl-8-O-methylaconitine(6),spicatineA(7),15-α-hydroxyneoline(8),taurenine(9),14-benzoylaconine(10),14-benzoylaconine-8-oleate(11),lappaconitine(12),beiwudine(13),13-hydroxyfranchetine(14)和8-O-linoleoyl-14-benzoylaconine(15),化合物3~15为首次从该植物中分离得到。采用MTT法和叶碟法分别考察了部分化合物的抗肿瘤和拒食活性,化合物14-benzoylaconine-8-oleate(11)对人乳腺癌MCF-7细胞、人肺癌H460细胞、肝癌HepG2细胞的IC50值分别为11.9、27.6和31.8μM。乌头碱型的二萜生物碱aconitine(1)、3-deoxyaconitine(2)、indaconitine(5)和beiwudine(13)表现出一定的拒食活性的活性(EC50<2mg/cm^2)。     

Isolation, Structure elucidation, and antimycobacterial properties of dimeric naphtho-gamma-pyrones from the marine-derived fungus Aspergillus carbonarius

Two new dimeric naphtho-gamma-pyrones, compounds 1 and 2, were isolated from the AcOEt extract of the fungal strain WZ-4-11 of Aspergillus carbonarius, together with eight known analogues, including 10,10'-bifonsecin B (3), 6'-O-demethylnigerone (4), nigerone (5), isonigerone (6), fonsecin (7), rubrofusarin B (8), TMC 256A1 (9), and flavasperone (10). Their structures were elucidated by means of UV, CD, IR, and 1D- and 2D-NMR spectroscopy, in combination with HR-MS analysis. The fully assigned (1)H- and (13)C-NMR data of 3, and the (13)C-NMR data of 6 are reported for the first time. Compounds 1 and 2 showed weak antimycobacterial activities against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv, with MIC values of 43.0 and 21.5 microM, resp.     

Sesquiterpenoids and diarylheptanoids from Nidus vespae and their inhibitory effects on nitric oxide production

Two coriamyrtin-type sesquiterpenes, fengfangin A (1) and tutin (2), and six diarylheptanoids, namely alnusone (3), centrolobol (4), muricarpone B (5), 1-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-7-(4-hydroxyphenyl)heptan-3-one (6), (3S)-1-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-7-(4-hydroxyphenyl)heptan-3-ol (7), and (3S)-1-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-7-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)heptan-3-ol (8), were isolated from the 95% EtOH extract of nidus vespae, the nest of Polistes species. Their structures were identified by spectroscopic methods. Compounds 1 and 8 are new products. The absolute configuration of 1 was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis using Flack parameter. The biological tests showed that compounds 5, 6, and 8 could inhibit nitric oxide (NO) production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells with IC(50) values in the range of 13-17 μM, whereas the sesquiterpenes were inactive in this assay (>25 μM). In addition, the ecological significance of the presence of neurotoxic sesquiterpene lactones in nidus vespae is briefly discussed.     

Inhibitory effects of terpenoids from the fermented broth of the ascomycete Stilbohypoxylon elaeicola YMJ173 on nitric oxide production in RAW264.7 macrophages

A series of six isopimarane-type diterpene glycosides, along with an eremophilane-type sesquiterpene, i.e., elaeicolasides A-C (1-3, resp.), 16-(α-D-mannopyranosyloxy)isopimar-7-en-19-oic acid (4), hymatoxin K (5), hymatoxin L (6), and elaeicolalactone (7), were isolated from the AcOEt extract of the fermented broth of Stilbohypoxylon elaeicola YMJ173. Among these, 1-3 and 7 are new compounds based on their spectroscopic data and sugar composition analysis. The effects of 1-7 on the inhibition of nitric oxide (NO) production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated murine macrophage RAW264.7 cells were evaluated. All these compounds inhibited NO production, detected as nitrite in the culture medium, in activated macrophages without any cytotoxicity at a concentration of 100?μM. Among these compounds, 2 showed a significant activity with the average maximum inhibition (E(max)) and median inhibitory concentration (IC(50)) values of 93.3±0.5% and 79.3±0.4?μM, respectively.     

Mapping of the regulatory subunits RI beta and RII beta of cAMP-dependent protein kinase genes on human chromosome 7.

The genes encoding the regulatory subunits RI beta (locus PRKAR1B) and RII beta (locus PRKAR2B) of human cAMP-dependent protein kinase have been mapped in the basic CEPH (Centre d'Etude du Polymorphisme Humain) family panel of 40 families to chromosome 7p and 7q, respectively, using the enzymes HindIII and BanII recognizing the corresponding restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs). Previous data from the CEPH database and our present RFLP data were used to construct a six-point local framework map including PRKAR1B and a seven-point framework map including PRKAR2B. The analysis placed PRKAR1B as the most distal of the hitherto mapped 7p marker loci and resulted in an unequivocal order of pter-PRKAR1B-D7S21-D7S108-D7S17-D7S149- D7S62-cen, with a significantly higher rate of male than female recombination between PRKAR1B and D7S21. The 7q regulatory gene locus, PRKAR2B, could also be placed in an unambigous order with regard to the existing CEPH database 7q marker loci, the resulting order being cen-D7S371-(COL1A2,D7S79)-PRKAR2B-MET-D7S87++ +-TCRB-qter. Furthermore, in situ hybridization to metaphase chromosomes physically mapped PRKAR2B to band q22 on chromosome 7.     

Binding analysis of 1alpha- and 17alpha-dihydrotestosterone derivatives to homodimeric sex hormone-binding globulin

Binding studies of the interaction of immobilized 1alpha- and 17alpha-aminoalkyl derivatives of 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) with purified N-deglycosylated homodimeric human sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) were performed using a surface plasmon resonance biosensor. These 1alpha- and 17alpha-derivatives with spacers of appropriate lengths between the amine function and the steroid ring skeleton enabled privileged, sterically undisturbed, interactions of either the 17- or 3-characteristic functional groups of DHT with SHBG. The association constants (K(a)1) for the binding of these immobilized DHT derivatives to the first binding site of SHBG, determined by SPR measurements, were 0.16 x 10(7) M(-1) for 17alpha-aminopropyl-17beta-hydroxy-5alpha-androstan-3-one (1), 1.64 x 10(7) M(-1) for 17alpha-aminocaproyl-17beta-hydroxy-5alpha-androstan-3-one (2), and 1.2 x 10(8) M(-1) for 1alpha-aminohexyl-17beta-hydroxy-5alpha-androstan-3-one (3). These values were compared with global K(a) data for the corresponding nonimmobilized DHT derivatives from equilibrium measurements using competitions with a tritiated testosterone tracer: the K(a) values were 1.25 x 10(7) M(-1) for 1, 1.50 x 10(7) M(-1) for 2, and 140 x 10(7) M(-1) for 3, confirming a remarkably high binding affinity of this latter compound for SHBG. A global fitting analysis of the biosensor data revealed that the interaction of the three immobilized steroids with SHBG was best described by a kinetic model assuming two structurally independent binding sites. This hypothesis of a bivalent binding model was also directly suggested by a dual fluorescent signal observed by the flow cytometry analysis of SHBG immobilized as a hybrid complex binding simultaneously two 1alpha-aminohexyl DHT ligands, one formed by 3, covalently coupled to phycoerythrin-labeled latex microspheres, and the other by the same DHT derivative, coupled to a fluorescein derivative (4).     

Neolignan glycosides from Symplocos caudata

A phytochemical investigation of the roots of Symplocos caudata Wall (Symplocaceae) resulted in isolation and characterization of four optical isomers of a neolignan glycoside (1-4), a lignan lactone glycoside (5), a phenylpropanoid glycoside (6), as well as two known compounds (7, 8). Their structures were elucidated as (7S,8S)-threo-7,9,9'-trihydroxy-3,3'-dimethoxy-8-O-4'-neolignan-4-O-beta-d-glucopyranoside (1), (7R,8R)-threo-7,9,9'-trihydroxy-3,3'-dimethoxy-8-O-4'-neolignan-4-O-beta-d-glucopyranoside (2), (7R,8S)-erythro-7,9,9'-trihydroxy-3,3'-dimethoxy-8-O-4'-neolignan-4-O-beta-d-glucopyranoside (3), (7S,8R)-erythro-7,9,9'-trihydroxy-3,3'-dimethoxy-8-O-4'-neolignan-4-O-beta-d-glucopyranoside (4), 8R,8'R-matairesinol-4-O-beta-d-xylopyranosyl-(1-->2)-O-beta-d-glucopyranoside (5), 1-O-[beta-d-xylopyranosyl-(1-->6)-O-beta-d-glucopyranosyl]-2,6-dimethoxy-4-propenyl-phenol (6), matairesinoside (7), and (R)-1-O-(beta-d-glucopyranosyl)-2-[2-methoxy-4-(omega-hydroxypropyl)-phenoxyl]-propan-3-ol (8) on the basis of spectroscopic data (1D and 2D NMR, MS and CD) and chemical evidence.