Isolation and structure of mortonol A,a possible biogenetic sesquiterpene precursor of mortonins A,C and D

The structure of mortonol A isolated from Mortonia greggii was established as a benzoate diester of 1α,4β,9β-trihydroxy-dihydroagarofurane-6-one. Its structure and stereochemistry were determined by chemical and spectroscopic means.     

New types of sesquiterpene lactones and other constituents from Trichogonia species

The investigation of five Trichogonia species afforded seven new furanoheliangolides, three dilactones of a new type, four pairs of epimeric rearra     

Insecticidal sesquiterpene polyol ester from Celastrus angulatus

An insecticidal sesquiterpene polyol ester, angulatin A, was isolated from the root bark of Celastrus angulatus. Its structure was established as 1,2-diacetoxy-8β,15-diisobutyryloxy-9-benzoyloxy-4β, 6β-dihydroxydihydro-β-agarofuran by spectroscopic methods.     

New sesquiterpene hydroxylactones from Lactarius species

Four γ-hydroxybutenolide sesquiterpenes have been isolated from Lactarius scrobiculatus, L. blennius and L. pallidus. Their structures and absolute stereochemistry were determined by spectral data and by conversion to known compounds.     

Anti-inflammatory constituents of Mortonia greggii Gray

A new phytochemical study of Mortonia greggii (Celastraceae) afforded four friedelan derivatives (1-4), three lupanes (5-7), retusine (8), two esterified polyhydroxyagarofurans (9-10), mortonin C (11) and photomortonin C (12). The anti-inflammatory activity on carrageenan and 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate induced models of inflammation, as well as the ability to inhibit the nitric oxide (NO) produced by lipopolysaccharide-stimulated mouse peritoneal macrophages were evaluated for the main metabolites. Our results showed that the friedelan dehydrocanophyllic acid methyl ester (1) exhibits an anti-inflammatory effect which could be related to an inhibition of prostaglandin and NO production. The activity of lupeol (5), 29-hydroxylupeol (6) and 29-hydroxylupenone (7) might be involved with the prostanoid synthesis. The presence of the hydroxy groups in 6 appears to be important for activity. The edema inhibition capacity of retusine (8) could be related to a reduction of the prostaglandin production. The agarofuran derivative 10 is an NO inhibitor whose activity is probably not involved in the synthesis of prostaglandins.     

New sesquiterpene lactones and other constituents from Fitchia speciosa

The investigation of Fitchia speciosa afforded, in addition to known compounds, three new sesquiterpene lactones, iso-β-costal, two p-hydroxyacetophenone derivatives and an isoeugenol derivative. The structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods. The chemotaxonomic situation in this complicated genus is discussed.     

Bullatantriol,a sesquiterpene from annona bullata

Bullatantriol has been isolated from Annona bullata. Its constitution and relative configuration have been established by X-ray analysis. Its absolute configuration has been assigned by chiroptical investigation of the corresponding 7-ketone.     

Polyhydroxyagarofuran derivatives from Austroplenckia populnea

The larvicidal extract of Austroplenckia populnea leaves gave two new polyesters of 8-oxo-1,2,3,4,9,14-hexahydroxydihydroagarofuran, a compound which is typical of Celastraceae species.     

Ineupatorolide-like sesquiterpene lactones from Dittrichia viscosa

Dittrichia viscosa afforded, in addition to known compounds, minute amounts of nine sesquiterpene lactones, all closely related to ineupatorolide B     

A fungitoxic sesquiterpene from Hansfordia pulvinata

A novel antifungal sesquiterpene, 13-desoxyphomenone, was isolated and characterized from a culture filtrate of Hansfordia pulvinata, a hyperparasite of Cladosporium fulvum.     

New sesquiterpene lactones from Artemisia herba alba

The structures of herbolides A, B and C, new sesquiterpene lactones isolated from Artermisia herba alba, were determined by chemical and spectroscopic methods.     

Minor sesquiterpene lactones of Helianthus pumilus

The isolation of four known and two new germacradienolides and one known heliangolide from Helianthus pumilus, in addition to the previously report     

The volatile constituents of camphorweed,heterotheca subaxillaris

Forty-one mono-and sesquiterpenoids are identified from the leaf volatiles of Heterotheca subaxillaris. Affinities to related genera are briefly discussed.     

Insecticidal sesquiterpene pyridine alkaloids from Euonymus species

Three insecticidal sesquiterpene pyridine alkaloids with a beta-dihydroagarofuran sesquiterpene skeleton, euoverrine A (1), B (2), and euophelline (3), and a known compound, euojaponine C (4), were isolated from the root bark of Euonymus verrucosides, E. fortunei and E. phellomana by bioassay-guided fractionation. Their chemical structures were elucidated mainly by analyses NMR and MS spectral data.     

New sesquiterpene lactones,geranyllinalol derivatives and other constituents from Geigeria species

The investigation of three Geigeria species and five subspecies afforded, in addition to known compounds, the following 32 new compounds: two geigeranolides with a new carbon skeleton, two xanthanolides, five guaianolides, three pseudoguaianolides, a sesquiterpene related to ivaxillarin, a nerolidol derivative, 15 geranyllinalol derivatives, two thiophene acetylenes and a dimeric coniferyl isobutyrate. The structures and the stereochemistry of the new compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic methods and a few chemical transformation. Chemotaxonomic aspect and relationship of the comnounds are discussed.     

Biological activities of sesquiterpene lactones

Sesquiterpene lactones are characteristic constituents of the Compositae but also occur sporadically in other angiosperm families and even in some liverworts. These bitter substances often contain as a major structural feature an α,β-unsaturated-γ-lactone, which in recent studies has been shown to be associated with anti-tumor, cytotoxic, anti-microbial and phytotoxic activity. They are known to poison livestock, to act as insect feeding deterrents and to cause allergic contact dermatitis in humans. This review highlights the present state of knowledge on the biological activities and mechanism of action of some sesquiterpene lactones.