Bioactive 9,11‐Secosteroids from Gorgonian Subergorgia suberosa Collected from the South China Sea

Five new 9,11‐secosteroids 1, 2 , and 4 – 6 , and seven known analogs, 3 and 7 – 12 , with the same steroid skeleton, (5αH)‐3β,6α,11‐trihydroxy‐9,11‐secocholest‐7‐en‐9‐one, were isolated from the South China Sea gorgonian Subergorgia suberosa. Among them, 2 / 3 and 4 / 5 are C(24)‐epimeric mixtures, and 6 / 7 is an (E)/(Z) mixture of (C(24)?C(28)). Their structures and relative configurations were elucidated by using comprehensive spectroscopic methods including NOESY spectra. The absolute configuration of the steroidal nucleus was established by the modified Mosher method applied to 10 and on the basis of a common biogenesis for all of these compounds. All isolated compounds, 1 – 12 , and five synthetic acetylated derivatives, 12a – 12e , were evaluated for their cytotoxicities in vitro. Compounds 4 / 5, 11, 12 , and 12b – 12d showed cytotoxic activities against K562 cell line with the IC₅₀ values ranging from 1.09 to 8.12 μM .     

Sesquiterpene Lactones from Centaurea zuccariniana and Their Antimicrobial Activity

Twenty‐nine compounds were isolated from the aerial parts of the Greek plant C. zuccariniana DC. The structures of the isolated compounds were established by means of NMR‐ (¹H,¹H‐COSY, ¹H,¹³C‐HSQC, HMBC, NOESY, and ROESY) and mass‐spectral analyses. These compounds comprise 13 sesquiterpene lactones, 14 flavonoids, two lignans, and one simple lactone. Among the isolated sesquiterpene lactones, three are new, namely one heliangolide, (1E,4Z)‐15‐hydroxy‐8α‐O‐(4′‐acetoxy‐3′‐hydroxy‐2′‐methylidenebutanoyl)‐6βH,7αH‐germacra‐1,4,11(13)‐trien‐6,12‐olide; and two eudesmanolides, 8α‐(4′,5′‐diacetoxyangeloyl)sonchucarpolide and one unusual eudesmanolide with an oxygenated bridge linking C(1) and C(4), named zuccarinin. The main sesquiterpene lactones were malacitenolide, cnicin, and 4′‐O‐acetylcnicin. These results are in agreement with those obtained from the previously studied Greek Centaurea sp. belonging to the section Acrolophus (Cass .) DC.; this finding could be of chemotaxonomic significance for the genus Centaurea. The in vitro antimicrobial activities of the isolated new sesquiterpene lactones were against eight bacteria and eight fungal species. A 96‐well microbioassay procedure for fast and easy evaluation of antibacterial and antifungal activities was applied to compare these compounds with commercial antibiotic and fungicide standards, and with previously isolated analogous sesquiterpene lactones tested by the same bioassay. All of the compounds tested showed moderate antibacterial, but significant antifungal activities; the present results corroborate with previous data, indicating that these types of compounds exhibit low or moderate antibacterial, but potent antifungal activities. The unusual eudesmanolide zuccarinin proved to be the most potent among the present tested sesquiterpene lactones, as well as among all previously tested eudesmanolides isolated from Greek Centaurea sp.     

Two New Furanoeremophilanes from Senecio santelisis

From an Argentine collection of Senecio santelisis Phil ., the new furanoeremophilanoids, (10βH)‐6β‐acetoxy‐1α‐hydroxyfuranoeremophilan‐9‐one ( 1 ) and (10βH)‐1α‐hydroxy‐6β‐(propanoyloxy)furanoeremophilan‐9‐one ( 2 ), together with the known (10αH)‐6β‐acetoxy‐1α‐hydroxyfuranoeremophilan‐9‐one ( 3 ), (10αH)‐1α,6β‐diacetoxyfuranoeremophilan‐9‐one ( 4 ), and (10αH)‐1α‐hydroxy‐6β‐(propanoyloxy)furanoeremophilan‐9‐one ( 5 ) were isolated. Their structures and relative configurations were established on the basis of spectroscopic analysis. CHCl₃ Extract and pure compounds were evaluated for their antifungal activity. Compound 5 exhibited remarkable mycelial growth inhibition against B. cinerea with an IC₅₀ value of 21.4 μg/ml.     

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.     

Cancer Chemopreventive Activity of Oleanane‐Type Triterpenoids from the Stem Bark of Betula ermanii

In search for cancer chemopreventive agents from natural sources, three oleanane‐ and four known lupane‐type triterpenoids, and sitosterol from the stem bark of Betula ermanii were tested for their inhibitory effects on Epstein–Barr virus early antigen (EBV‐EA) activation induced by 12‐O‐tetradecanoylphorbol‐13‐acetate (TPA). Among them, 3β‐acetoxy‐12α‐hydroxyoleanan‐13β,28‐olide ( 1 ) and 3β‐acetoxy‐11α,12α‐epoxyoleanan‐13β,28‐olide ( 2 ) were investigated for the inhibitory effect in a two‐stage carcinogenesis test on mouse skin using 7,12‐dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) as an initiator and TPA as a promoter. 3β‐Acetoxy‐11α,12α‐epoxyoleanan‐13β,28‐olide ( 2 ) was found to exhibit the potent antitumor promoting activity in the in vivo carcinogenesis test.     

Two New Steroids from an Endophytic Fungus Phomopsis sp.

Two new steroids, (14β,22E)‐9,14‐dihydroxyergosta‐4,7,22‐triene‐3,6‐dione ( 1 ) and (5α,6β,15β,22E)‐6‐ethoxy‐5,15‐dihydroxyergosta‐7,22‐dien‐3‐one ( 2 ), together with three known steroids, calvasterols A and B ( 3 and 4 , resp.), and ganodermaside D ( 5 ), were isolated from the culture broth of an endophytic fungus Phomopsis sp. isolated from Aconitum carmichaeli. The structures of these compounds were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analysis, and their inhibitory activities against six pathogenic fungi were evaluated. Most of the compounds showed moderate or weak antifungal activities in a broth‐microdilution assay.     

Effect of polyacetylenic acids from Prunella vulgaris on various plant pathogens

Aims: This study is aiming at characterizing antifungal substances from the methanol extract of Prunella vulgaris and at investigating those substances’ antifungal and antioomycete activities against various plant pathogens. Methods and Results: Two polyacetylenic acids were isolated from P. vulgaris as active principles and identified as octadeca‐9,11,13‐triynoic acid and trans‐octadec‐13‐ene‐9,11‐diynoic acid. These two compounds inhibited the growth of Magnaporthe oryzae, Rhizoctonia solani, Phytophthora infestans, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. raphani, and Phytophthora capsici. In addition, these two compounds and the wettable powder‐type formulation of an n‐hexane fraction of P. vulgaris significantly suppressed the development of rice blast, tomato late blight, wheat leaf rust, and red pepper anthracnose. Conclusions: These data show that the extract of P. vulgaris and two polyacetylenic acids possess antifungal and antioomycete activities against a broad spectrum of tested plant pathogens. Significance and Impact of the Study: This is the first report on the occurrence of octadeca‐9,11,13‐triynoic acid and trans‐octadec‐13‐ene‐9,11‐diynoic acid in P. vulgaris and their efficacy against plant diseases. The crude extract containing the two polyacetylenic acids can be used as a natural fungicide for the control of various plant diseases.     

Sesquiterpenoids and Diterpenoids from Chloranthus anhuiensis

A phytochemical investigation of the roots of Chloranthus anhuiensis afforded three new sesquiterpene lactones, chloraniolide A ( 1 ), (3R)‐3‐hydroxyatractylenolide III ( 2 ), and 8β‐hydroxy‐1‐oxoeudesma‐3,7(11)‐dien‐12,8α‐olide ( 3 ), and two new diterpenoids, (12R,13E)‐15‐(acetoxy)‐12‐hydroxylabda‐8(20),13‐dien‐19‐oic acid ( 4 ) and (12S,13E)‐15‐(acetoxy)‐12‐dihydroxylabda‐8(20),13‐dien‐19‐oic acid ( 5 ), as well as 17 known sesquiterpenoid and diterpenoid compounds. Their structures were established on the basis of 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR, and other spectroscopic analyses.     

New Steroids from the South China Sea Soft Coral Lobophytum sp.

Two new steroids, (22R,23S)‐3β‐hydroxy‐23‐methyl‐17,20‐epoxyergost‐5‐en‐22‐yl acetate and (22R,23S)‐5‐hydroperoxy‐23‐methyl‐5α‐17,20‐epoxyergost‐6‐ene‐3β,22‐diol, were isolated from the South China Sea soft coral Lobophytum sp., together with two related known ones. The structures of all compounds were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analysis and by comparing their spectral data with those previously reported. The structure of (22R,23S)‐3β‐hydroxy‐23‐methyl‐17,20‐epoxyergost‐5‐en‐22‐yl acetate was further confirmed through chemical correlation. All the isolates were evaluated for the in vitro inhibitory activity against NF‐κB, a potential target for the treatment of cancer, and (22R,23S)‐5‐hydroperoxy‐23‐methyl‐5α‐17,20‐epoxyergost‐6‐ene‐3β,22‐diol exhibited moderate inhibition activity with IC₅₀ value of 8.96 μg/mL.     

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.     

New (9βH)‐Lanostanes and Lanostanes from Mikania aff. jeffreyi (Asteraceae)

Four new (9βH)‐lanostanes, i.e., (9βH)‐3β‐acetoxylanosta‐7,24‐diene, (9βH)‐3‐oxolanosta‐7,24‐diene, (9βH,24R)‐3β‐acetoxy‐24‐hydroxylanosta‐7,25‐diene, and (9βH,24S)‐3β‐acetoxy‐24‐hydroxylanosta‐7,25‐diene, two new lanostanes, i.e., (24R)‐3β‐acetoxy‐24‐hydroxylanosta‐8,25‐diene and (24S)‐3β‐acetoxy‐24‐hydroxylanosta‐8,25‐diene, and two known lanostanes, i.e., 3β‐acetoxylanosta‐8,24‐diene and 3‐oxolanosta‐8,24‐diene, were obtained from a new Mikania species (Asteraceae) besides pentacyclic triterpenes, steroids, and diterpenes. The structures of the compounds were determined by spectroscopic methods. This is the second study about acetyl‐lanosterols from higher plants. Moreover, (9βH)‐lanostanes are very rare metabolites from dicotyledone angiosperms. The occurrence of these terpenes together in the same plant makes the species a good source for lanostane‐ and (9βH)‐lanostane‐biosynthesis studies.     

Triterpene Saponins from the Roots of Ilex asprella

Six new triterpene saponins, ilexasprellanosides A–F ( 1 – 6 , resp.), together with eleven known compounds were isolated from the roots of Ilex asprella. The new saponins were characterized as ursa‐12,18‐dien‐28‐oic acid 3‐O‐β‐D ‐xylopyranoside ( 1 ), 19α‐hydroxyursolic acid 3‐O‐β‐D ‐(2′‐O‐acetylxylopyranoside) ( 2 ), 19α‐hydroxyursolic acid 3‐O‐β‐D ‐glucuronopyranoside ( 3 ), 3β,19α‐dihydroxyolean‐12‐en‐23,28‐dioic acid 28‐O‐β‐D ‐glucopyranoside ( 4 ), 19α‐hydroxyoleanolic acid 3‐O‐β‐D ‐(2′‐O‐acetylxylopyranoside) ( 5 ), 19α‐hydroxyoleanolic acid 3‐O‐β‐D ‐glucuronopyranoside ( 6 ). The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by analysis of their spectroscopic data and chemical degradation. Compounds 2, 4 , oleanolic acid 3‐O‐β‐D ‐glucuronopyranoside, 3‐β‐acetoxy‐28‐hydroxyurs‐12‐ene, and pomolic acid showed significant cytotoxic activities against human tumor cell line A549 (IC₅₀ values of 1.87, 2.51, 1.41, 3.24, and 5.63 μM , resp.).     

New C-secosteroids from the gorgonian Tripalea clavaria

Seven new C-secosteroids were isolated from the gorgonian Tripalea clavaria collected from the South Atlantic. These compounds have a Delta(5), 9,11-secosteroid nucleus together with a 22S hydroxyl group. The absolute configuration of the 22-hydroxyl group was determined with the help of COSY spectra of the Mosher esters of the compounds.     

Cytotoxic Steroidal Saponins from the Rhizomes of Tacca integrifolia

Three new steroid saponins (3β,25R)‐spirost‐5‐en‐3‐yl 6‐deoxy‐α‐L ‐mannopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐[β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→4)‐6‐deoxy‐α‐L ‐mannopyranosyl‐(1→3)]‐β‐D ‐glucopyranoside ( 1 ), (3β,22R,25R)‐26‐(β‐D ‐glucopyranosyloxy)‐22‐hydroxyfurost‐5‐en‐3‐yl 6‐deoxy‐α‐L ‐mannopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐[6‐deoxy‐α‐L ‐mannopyranosyl‐(1→3)]‐β‐D ‐glucopyranoside ( 3 ), and (3β,22R,25R)‐26‐(β‐D ‐glucopyranosyloxy)‐22‐hydroxyfurost‐5‐en‐3‐yl 6‐deoxy‐α‐L ‐mannopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐[β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→4)‐6‐deoxy‐α‐L ‐mannopyranosyl‐(1→3)]‐β‐D ‐glucopyranoside ( 5 ), as well as the new pregnane glycoside (3β,16β)‐3‐{[6‐deoxy‐α‐L ‐mannopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐[6‐deoxy‐α‐L ‐mannopyranosyl‐(1→3)]‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl]oxy}‐20‐oxopregn‐5‐en‐16‐yl (4R)‐5‐(β‐D ‐glucopyranosyloxy)‐4‐methylpentanoate ( 6 ), were isolated from the rhizomes of Tacca integrifolia together with two known (25R) configurated steroid saponins (3β,25R)‐spirost‐5‐en‐3‐yl 6‐deoxy‐α‐L ‐mannopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐[6‐deoxy‐α‐L ‐mannopyranosyl‐(1→3)]‐β‐D ‐glucopyranoside ( 2 ) and (3β,22R,25R)‐26‐(β‐D ‐glucopyranosyloxy)‐22‐methoxyfurost‐5‐en‐3‐yl 6‐deoxy‐α‐L ‐mannopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐[6‐deoxy‐α‐L ‐mannopyranosyl‐(1→3)]‐β‐D ‐glucopyranoside ( 4 ). The cytotoxic activity of the isolated compounds was evaluated in HeLa cells and showed the highest cytotoxicity value for compound 2 with an IC₅₀ of 1.2±0.4 μM . Intriguingly, while compounds 1 – 5 exhibited similar cytotoxic properties between 1.2±0.4 ( 2 ) and 4.0±0.6 μM ( 5 ), only compound 2 showed a significant microtubule‐stabilizing activity in vitro.     

Molecular Diversity from Arid‐Land Plants: Valorization of Terpenes and Biotransformation Products

Asteraceae plants from arid lands are a source of biomass, resin and latex rich in terpenoids with diverse biological effects. Thirty‐six previously isolated terpenes, comprising sesquiterpenes, diterpenes, triterpenes and quassinoids, isolated from arid‐land plants and a series of metabolites from the biotransformation of some lead compounds were evaluated against insect pests (Spodoptera littoralis, Leptinotarsa decemlineata, Myzus persicae and Rhopalosiphum padi), cells (insect, hamster, murine and human tumoral cells) and parasites (Trypanosoma cruzi and Leishmania infantum). Among the insecticidal sesquiterpenes, maalian‐1α,8α‐diol ( 12 ) and γ‐eudesmol ( 17 ) were antifeedant against L. decemlineata, M. persicae and cytotoxic to Sf9 insect cells, and (?)‐maali‐3‐en‐8α‐ol ( 10 ), (+)‐maaliane‐5α,8α,9α‐triol ( 11 ), chrysothame ( 31 ) and holacanthone ( 35 ) were antifeedant against S. littoralis. The parasite L. infantum was slightly more sensitive than T. cruzi to the test compounds (39 % vs. 33 % of active compounds) with compound 17 and the biotransformed diterpene 27 being antiparasitic to L. infantum, with no cytotoxic effects on mammalian cells. Moreover, sesquiterpenes 3 and 17 , and grindelane diterpenes 22 , 23 and 26 showed selective activity against chemoresistant human colon, cervical and melanoma cancer cells. Thus, considering our results, the best candidates for future studies are compounds 17 and 3 , due to their activity on insect pests, parasites ( 17 ) and tumoral cells ( 3 , 17 , 22 , 23 and 26 ).     

Microbial Reactions on 7α‐Hydroxyfrullanolide and Evaluation of Biotransformed Products for Antibacterial Activity

7α‐Hydroxyfrullanolide ( 1 ), a known sesquiterpenoid, was isolated from Sphaeranthus indicus using an antibacterial‐activity‐directed fractionation method. This compound had exhibited a significant antibacterial activity against Gram‐positive bacteria. Chemical and microbial reactions were performed to prepare eight different analogues of compound 1 in order to evaluate these newly synthesized compounds for antibacterial activity. These compounds were 1β,7α‐dihydroxyfrullanolide ( 2 ), 7α‐hydroxy‐1‐oxofrullanolide ( 3 ), 4,5‐dihydro‐7α‐hydroxyfrullanolide ( 4 ), 11,13‐dihydro‐7α‐hydroxyfrullanolide ( 5 ), 13‐acetyl‐7α‐hydroxyfrullanolide ( 6 ), 2α,7α‐dihydroxysphaerantholide ( 7 ), 4α,5α‐epoxy‐7α‐hydroxyfrullanolide ( 8 ), and 4β,5β‐epoxy‐7α‐hydroxyfrullanolide ( 9 ). Microbial reactions on 1 using whole‐cell cultures of Cunninghamella echinulata and Curvularia lunata yielded compounds 2 – 4 . Incubation of compound 1 with the liquid cultures of Apsergillus niger and Rhizopus circinans yielded metabolites 5 – 7 , while 8 and 9 were prepared by carrying out an epoxidation reaction on 1 using meta‐chloroperbenzoic acid (mCPBA). Structures of compounds 2 – 9 were elucidated with the aid of extensive NMR spectral studies. Compounds 2 – 4 were found to be new metabolites. Compounds 1 – 9 were evaluated for antibacterial activity and found to exhibit a wide range of bioactivities. Antibacterial‐activity data of 1 – 9 suggested that the bioactivity of 1 is largely due to the presence of C(4)?C(5), C(11)?C(13), and a γ‐lactone moiety.     

Optimization of Insecticidal Triterpene Derivatives by Biomimetic Oxidations with Hydrogen Peroxide and Iodosobenzene Catalyzed by MnIII and FeIII Porphyrin Complexes

Semisynthetic functionalized triterpenes (4α,14‐dimethyl‐5α,8α‐8,9‐epoxycholestan‐3β‐yl acetate; 4α,14‐dimethyl‐5α‐cholest‐8‐ene‐3,7,11‐trione; 4α,14‐dimethyl‐5α‐cholesta‐7,9(11)‐dien‐3‐one and 4α,14‐dimethyl‐5α‐cholest‐8‐en‐3β‐yl acetate), previously prepared from 31‐norlanostenol, a natural insecticide isolated from the latex of Euphorbia officinarum, have been subjected to oxidation with hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and iodosobenzene (PhIO) catalyzed by porphyrin complexes (cytochrome P‐450 models) in order to obtain optimized derivatives with high regioselectivity. The main transformations were epoxidation of the double bonds and hydroxylations of non‐activated C–H groups and the reaction products were 25‐hydroxy‐4α,14‐dimethyl‐5α‐cholesta‐7,9(11)‐dien‐3β‐yl acetate (59 %), 25‐hydroxy‐4α,14‐dimethyl‐5α‐cholest‐8‐ene‐3,7,11‐trione (60 %), 4α,14‐dimethyl‐5α,7β‐7,8‐epoxycholest‐9(11)‐en‐3‐one (22 %), 8‐hydroxy‐4α,14‐dimethyl‐5α‐cholest‐9(11)‐ene‐3,7‐dione (16 %), 12α‐hydroxy‐4α,14‐dimethyl‐5α,7β‐7,8‐epoxycholest‐9(11)‐en‐3‐one (16 %), and 4α,14‐dimethyl‐5α,8α‐8,9‐epoxycholestan‐3β‐yl acetate (26 %), respectively. We also investigated the insect (Myzus persicae, Rhopalosiphum padi and Spodoptera littoralis) antifeedant and postingestive effects of these terpenoid derivatives. None of the compounds tested had significant antifeedant effects, however, all were more effective postingestive toxicants on S. littoralis larvae than the natural compound 31‐norlanostenol, with 4α,14‐dimethyl‐5α,8α‐8,9‐epoxycholestan‐3β‐yl acetate being the most active. The study of their structure–activity relationships points out at the importance of C3 and C7 substituents.     

Cytotoxic Constituents and Mechanism from Peganum harmala

Peganum harmala L. is a traditional Chinese and Uygur medicine used to treat cancer. Bioactivity‐guided fractionation was applied to determine the cytotoxic constituents from P. harmala. A novel triterpenoid and a phenolic glycoside were isolated and identified, as well as seven known compounds. The novel metabolites were elucidated to be 3α‐acetoxy‐27‐hydroxyolean‐12‐en‐28‐oic acid methyl ester ( 1 , OA) and N‐acetyl‐9‐syringinoside ( 9 ). Some compounds exhibited potent cytotoxicity against human tumor cells. Among them, OA showed the highest cytotoxicity against human lung cancer cells A549 with an IC₅₀ value of 8.03 ± 0.81 μm . OA had a potent anti‐NSCLC cell activity by interfering with the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) activation and its downstream signaling, and could exert an antiproliferative effect by inactivation of EGFR‐driven antiapoptotic pathway followed by the release of mitochondrial cytochrome c, which might prove to be a promising leading compound for the development of an anti‐lung cancer drug.     

Female sex pheromone of a nettle caterpillar,Monema flavescens,in China

Monema flavescens Walker (Lepidoptera: Limacodidae) is a multivoltine, generalist moth whose larvae cause serious damage to many types of trees. Pheromone lures prepared according to a study of a Japanese population were found to be ineffective at attracting M. flavescens nettle caterpillars in China, and some studies have shown intraspecific geographical differences in the composition of sex pheromones. We therefore reexamined the sex pheromone composition of M. flavescens in a Chinese population. In this study, the electroantennographically (EAG) active compounds in an extract from Chinese virgin females of M. flavescens were identified as (E)‐8‐decen‐1‐ol (E8‐10:OH), (Z)‐7,9‐decadien‐1‐ol (Z7,9‐10:OH), (Z)‐9,11‐dodecadien‐1‐ol (Z9,11‐12:OH), and (Z)‐9,11‐dodecadienal (Z9,11‐12:Ald) via coupled gas chromatographic‐electroantennographic detection (GC‐EAD) and coupled GC‐mass spectrometry (MS). Pheromone dimorphism might occur in this species, as this mixture of compounds in Chinese females was different from that of E8‐10:OH and E7,9‐10:OH extracted from Japanese females in previous research. In wind tunnel and field tests, the males were significantly attracted to a blend of the pheromone components E8‐10:OH, Z7,9‐10:OH, and Z9,11‐12:OH in a 100:5:4 ratio. The addition of Z9,11‐12:Ald did not change the male response. The optimized three‐component lure blend may provide a useful tool for monitoring and controlling Chinese populations of M. flavescens.