Anticancer and antifungal activity of copper(II) complexes of quinolin-2(1H)-one-derived Schiff bases

The condensation of substituted aromatic aldehydes with 7-amino-4-methyl-quinolin-2(1H)-one (1) has lead to the isolation of quinolin-2(1H)-one derived Schiff bases (2-14). The copper(II) complexes (2a-14a) of the ligands were also prepared, and together with their corresponding free ligands were fully characterised by elemental analyses, spectral methods (IR, ¹H and ¹³C NMR, AAS, UV-Vis), magnetic and conductance measurements. The bidentate ligands coordinated to the copper(II) ion through the deprotonated phenolic oxygen and the azomethine nitrogen of the ligands in almost all cases. X-ray crystal structures of two of the complexes, 5a and 8a, confirmed the bidentate coordination mode. All of the compounds were investigated for their antimicrobial activities against the fungus, Candida albicans, and against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The compounds were found to have excellent anti-Candida activity but were inactive against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Selected compounds (2-8 and 2a-8a) were also screened for their in vitro anticancer potential using the human hepatic carcinoma cell line, Hep-G₂. Several derivatives were shown to be active comparable to that of cisplatin.     

Synthesis, structure-activity relationship of novel substituted 4H-chromen-1,2,3,4-tetrahydropyrimidine-5-carboxylates as potential anti-mycobacterial and anticancer agents

Series of 4H-chromen-1,2,3,4-tetrahydropyrimidine-5-carboxylate derivatives 7a-7zb, 8a-8d and 9a-9d were synthesized and screened for their in vitro anti-mycobacterial activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H₃₇Rv (MTB) and cytotoxicity against three human cancer cell lines including A549, SK-N-SH and HeLa. The results indicate that six compounds are more potent and 7za is most effective anti-mycobacterial derivative compared to the standard drugs Ethambutol and Ciprofloxacin. However, 12 compounds exhibited cytotoxicity against human neuroblastoma cell line; amongst them the compound 7v is most effective compared to the standard drug Doxorubicin. This is the first report assigning in vitro anti-mycobacterial, anticancer and structure-activity relationship for this new class of 4H-chromen-1,2,3,4-tetrahydropyrimidine-5-carboxylates.     

Synthesis, modification, and evaluation of (R)-de-O-methyllasiodiplodin and analogs as nonsteroidal antagonists of mineralocorticoid receptor

Macrolide (R)-de-O-methyllasiodiplodin (1), discovered to be a potent nonsteroidal antagonist of the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR), was synthesized via an efficient method and evaluated for MR antagonistic activity together with its analogs. Among all the tested compounds, compounds 18a, 18b and 18c, exhibited more potent antagonistic activity against MR with IC₅₀ values ranging from 0.58 to 1.11 μM. Generally, it was obviously demonstrated that acetylation at phenolic hydroxyl groups and the ring size in analogs of 1 were very important for MR antagonist activity.     

Steroids from the leaves of Chinese Melia azedarach and their cytotoxic effects on human cancer cell lines

Three new (1-3) and several known (4-6) steroids were isolated from the leaves of Chinese Melia azedarach. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by means of spectroscopic methods including 2D NMR techniques and mass spectrometry to be (20S)-5,24(28)-ergostadiene-3β,7α,16β,20-tetrol (1), (20S)-5-ergostene-3β,7α,16β,20-tetrol (2), and 2α,3β-dihydro-5-pregnen-16-one (3). The cytotoxicities of the isolated compounds against three human cancer cell lines (A549, H460, U251) were evaluated; only compounds 1, 2, and (20S)-5-stigmastene-3β,7α,20-triol (4) were found to show significant cyctotoxic effects with IC₅₀s from 12.0 to 30.1 μg/mL.     

Synthesis and antitubercular evaluation of amidoalkyl dibenzofuranols and 1H-benzo[2,3]benzofuro[4,5-e][1,3]oxazin-3(2H)-ones

A new class of amidoalkyl dibenzofuranols and 1H-benzo[2,3]benzofuro[4,5-e][1,3]oxazin-3(2H)-ones was synthesized in very good yields through polyphosphoric acid supported on silica (PPA-SiO₂) catalyzed one-pot three component condensation of 2-dibenzofuranol; aromatic aldehydes and acetamide or benzamide or urea under solvent free conditions. At 125 °C the reaction led to the formation of amidoalkyl dibenzofuranols 5a-k where as at 160 °C cyclization take place to give oxazin-3(2H)-one analogues 6a-e. Screening all the 16 compounds for in vitro antimycobacterial activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv (MTB) resulted 1-((4-chlorophenyl)(2-hydroxydibenzo[b,d]furanyl)methyl)urea 5h; 1-((4-bromophenyl)(2-hydroxydibenzo[b,d]furanyl)methyl)urea 5i; 1-phenyl-1H-benzo[2,3]benzo furo[4,5-e][1,3]oxazin-3(2H)-one 6a (MIC 3.13 μg/mL) and 1-(4-chlorophenyl)-1H-benzo[2,3]benzofuro[4,5-e][1,3]oxazin-3(2H)-one 6b; 1-(4-bromophenyl)-1H-benzo[2,3]benzofuro [4,5-e][1,3]oxazin-3(2H)-one 6c (MIC 1.56 μg/mL) as most active antitubercular agents.     

Chemical constituents from the fruits of Sonneratia caseolaris and Sonneratia ovata (Sonneratiaceae)

Nine (1–9) and seven (1–6, 10) compounds were isolated from the fruits of Sonneratia caseolaris and Sonneratia ovata, respectively. Their structures were identified by comparing their MS and NMR data as well as the physical properties with the literature. All the isolated compounds were screened against a rat glioma C-6 cell line using the MTT assay method; only compounds (-)-(R)-nyasol (1), (-)-(R)-4′-O-methylnyasol (2) and maslinic acid (6) were found to show moderate cytotoxic activity. Our findings from these two kinds of fruits can be used as a foundation for further chemotaxonomic studies on Sonneratia species. The nor-lignans (1, 2) and 6H-benzo[b,d]pyran-6-one derivatives (3, 4) were isolated from this genus for the first time, indicating that these two classes of compounds may tentatively be considered as taxonomic markers for Sonneratia genus.     

Exploration of antimicrobial and antioxidant potential of newly synthesized 2,3-disubstituted quinazoline-4(3H)-ones

A series of 2-(chloromethyl)-3-(4-methyl-6-oxo-5-[(E)-phenyldiazenyl]-2-thioxo-5,6-dihydropyrimidine-1(2H)-yl)quinazoline-4(3H)-ones 9a-j was synthesized by treating 2-(chloroacetyl)amino benzoic acid with 3-amino-6-methyl-5-[(E)-phenyldiazenyl]-2-thioxo-2,5-dihydropyrimidine-4(3H)-one 8a-j and was screened for in vitro antibacterial activities against a representative panel of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The compounds were synthesized in excellent yields and the structures were corroborated on the basis of IR, ¹H NMR, Mass and elemental analysis data. All the synthesized compounds elicited the potent inhibitory action against all the tested bacterial stains. Furthermore, in order to explore the antioxidant potential of newly synthesized compounds, the free radical scavenging activity measurement were performed by the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) assay method. It is revealed from the antioxidant screening results that the compounds 9c and f manifested profound antioxidant potential.     

Biotechnological application of homo- and heterotrinuclear iron(III) furoates for cultivation of iron-enriched Spirulina

New trinuclear iron(III) furoates with the general formula [Fe₃O(α-fur)₆(R-OH)₃]X, where α-fur C₄H₃OCOO, R = CH₃ (1), C₂H₅ (2), n-C₃H₇ (3), n-C₄H₉ (4), X = NO₃⁻ (1-4); [Fe₃O(α-Fur)₆(DMF)(CH₃OH)₂]NO₃ (5); [Fe₃O(α-Fur)₆(H₂O)(CH₃OH)₂]Cl (6); [Fe₂MO(α-Fur)₆(L)(H₂O)₂], where L = THF (7-9), DMF (10-12), M = Mn²⁺ (7, 10), Co²⁺ (8, 11), Ni²⁺ (9, 12) and [Fe₂MO(α-Fur)₆(3Cl-Py)₃], where M = Mn²⁺ (13), Co²⁺ (14), Ni²⁺ (15); have been prepared and investigated by Mössbauer and IR spectroscopy. The X-ray crystal structure for the 1·2CH₃OH complex indicates that it crystallizes in the monoclinic crystal system (P2₁/n) and has a structure typical of μ₃-O-bridged trinuclear iron(III) compounds. Coordination compounds 1, 4, 7, 8 can be used as regulators of the biochemical composition of cyanobacterium Spirulina platensis biomass. The supplementation of these compounds, in concentrations exceeding 5-10 mg/l, increases the content of iron, amino acids, peptides and carbohydrates in Spirulina.     

Structural comparison of alkylated derivatives of (bmmp-dmed)Ni and (bmmp-dmed)Zn

The sulfur-alkylation of the nickel (1) and zinc (2) complexes of the dithiolate N₂S₂ ligand N,N′-bis-2-methyl-mercaptopropyl-N,N′-dimethylethylenediamine, H₂(bmmp-dmed), have been investigated. Reactions with iodomethane yield [(Me-bmmp-dmed)Ni]PF₆ (3), [(Me₂-bmmp-dmed)NiI₂] (4), and [(Me₂-bmmp-dmed)ZnI]₂[ZnI₄] (5). Addition of iodoacetamide yields [(AA₂-bmmp-dmed)Ni]I₂ (6) and [(AA₂-bmmp-dmed)Zn]I₂ (7). Each of the metal-thioether products (3-7) have been characterized spectroscopically and by X-ray crystallography. Structural data is compared with that of the previously reported thiolato precursors 1 and 2. Sulfur-alkylation of 1 results in small relative changes in the nickel-sulfur bond distance, whereas for 2, the zinc-sulfur bond distance increases significantly, but is not cleaved. The difference between nickel and zinc is attributed to the release of a π*-bonding interaction between the metal and sulfur upon alkylation that compensates for the decreased σ-donor ability of the thioether in the case of nickel, but not for zinc.     

Biological evaluation of 3'-O-alkylated analogs of salacinol, the role of hydrophobic alkyl group at 3' position in the side chain on the α-glucosidase inhibitory activity

Four analogs with 3′-O-alkyl groups (9a: CH₃, 9b: C₂H₅, 9c: C₁₃H₂₇ or 9d: CH₂Ph) instead of the 3′-O-sulfate anion in salacinol (1), a naturally occurring potent α-glucosidase inhibitor, were synthesized by the coupling reaction of 1,4-dideoxy-1,4-epithio-d-arabinitols (18a and 18b) with appropriate epoxides (10a-10d). These analogs showed equal or considerably higher inhibitory activity against rat small intestinal α-glucosidases than the original sulfate (1), and one of them (9d) was found more potent than currently used α-glucosidase inhibitors as antidiabetics. Thus, introduction of a hydrophobic moiety at the C3′ position of this new class of inhibitor was found beneficial for onset of stronger inhibition against these enzymes.     

β-Diketiminato 3d-metal compounds: Synthesis, characterization and catalytic behavior towards ethylene

The lithium β-diketiminate (1c, [Li{N(2,6-ⁱPr₂C₆H₃)C(Ph)CHC(^tBu)NH}]₂ represented as (LiL)₂) reacted with 3d-metal (II) chlorides to afford the corresponding compounds (2-7). All metal compounds were fully characterized by elemental, spectroscopic analyses and the single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The coordination geometries around the metals are shown to be tetrahedral within the trinuclear Co₂Li compound (2), planar in ML₂ (M = Co, 3), pseudo-tetrahedral conformation in the ML₂ with M as Mn (4), Fe (5) or Zn (6), and square planar in the dinickel compound (7). Indicated by the trimetallic Co₂Li compound 2, a six-membered ring is constructed of three metal atoms and three bridged chlorides as a twisted conformation. An inversion center is present in the centroid of the Ni₂Cl₂ four-membered ring within compound 7. The plausible mechanism of forming ML₂ was proposed through the chloro-bridged multinuclear compounds on the basis of isolated intermediates of trinuclear (2) and dinuclearic (7) compounds. Upon treatment with methylaluminoxane (MAO), the nickel compound 7 possessed good activity towards ethylene oligomerization, whereas the other metal compounds showed moderate activities towards ethylene polymerization.     

Highly trans-1,4 selective polymerization of 1,3-butadiene initiated by iron(III) bis(imino)pyridyl complexes

A series of 2,6-bis(imino)pyridyl iron(III) complexes of the general formula [2,6-(ArNCMe)₂C₅H₃N]FeCl₃ (Ar = -C₆H₅, 3a; 2-MeC₆H₄, 3b; 2-EtC₆H₄, 3c; 2-ⁱPrC₆H₄, 3d; cyclohexyl, 3e; 4-MeC₆H₄, 3f; 4-ⁱPrC₆H₄, 3g; 4-FC₆H₄, 3h and 4-CF₃C₆H₄, 3i), activated by alkylaluminum, MAO or MMAO, have been investigated in 1,3-butadiene polymerization. Iron(III) complex (3a), with the least steric hindrance around the metal center, gives polymer up to 99% in yield in 4 h (butadiene to iron ratio = 1000), and trans-1,4 selectivity about 94.7% at room temperature in toluene, while those (3b-3d) bearing alkyl substituents at the 2-position of each N-aryl ring exhibit much lower catalytic activity and tunable trans-1,4 selectivity. Introduction of an alkyl group at the 4-position (para-position, 3f and 3g) exerts a slightly beneficial effect on the trans-1,4 selectivity, while electronegative groups at the same position (3h and 3i) affect negatively on the activity. The effects of temperature, types of cocatalyst and Al/Fe molar ratio on the polymerization behavior are investigated. More importantly, a mechanism for forming trans-1,4 structure is also proposed.     

Palladium(II) oxalato complexes involving N6-(benzyl)-9-isopropyladenine-based N-donor carrier ligands: Synthesis, general properties, H, C and N{H} NMR characterization and in vitro cytotoxicity

Reactions of potassium bis(oxalato)palladate dihydrate, K₂[Pd(ox)₂]·2H₂O, with two molar equivalents of N6-(benzyl)-9-isopropyladenine-based organic molecules (L_1-7), i.e. 2-chloro-N6-(2-methoxybenzyl)-9-isopropyladenine (L₁), 2-chloro-N6-(3-methoxybenzyl)-9-isopropyladenine (L₂), 2-chloro-N6-(3,5-dimethoxybenzyl)-9-isopropyladenine (L₃), 2-(1-ethyl-2-hydroxyethylamino)-N6-(benzyl)-9-isopropyladenine (L₄), 2-(1-ethyl-2-hydroxyethylamino)-N6-(2-methoxybenzyl)-9-isopropyladenine (L₅), 2-(1-ethyl-2-hydroxyethylamino)-N6-(3-methoxybenzyl)-9-isopropyladenine (L₆) and 2-(1-ethyl-2-hydroxyethylamino)-N6-(4-methoxybenzyl)-9-isopropyladenine (L₇), provided a series of seven palladium(II) oxalato (ox) complexes of the general formula [Pd(ox)(L_1-7)₂]·nH₂O (1-7; n = 0 for 4, 5 and 7, ¾ for 1 and 2, 1 for 6, and 3 for 3). The compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, IR, Raman, ¹H, ¹³C and ¹⁵N{¹H} NMR spectroscopy, ESI+ mass spectrometry, molar conductivity and TG/DTA thermal analysis. The geometry of [Pd(ox)(L₂)₂] (2) was optimized on the B3LYP/6-311G∗/LANL2DZ level of theory. The complexes 4-7 represent the first palladium(II) oxalato complexes with a PdN₂O₂ donor set, which involve highly potent purine-based cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitors (L_4-7) as carrier N-donor ligands. The selected complexes 1, 3-5 and 7 were tested by an MTT assay for their in vitro cytotoxic activity against human osteosarcoma (HOS) cancer cell line. The highest activity was found for the complexes 5 (IC₅₀ = 34.9 μM) and 7 (IC₅₀ = 39.2 μM).     

Influence of cis-protecting groups toward ligand exchange reactions in polynuclear Pd(II)-based coordination cages

Polynuclear self-assembly molecules of general formula [{Pd(en)}_x(ligand)_y](NO₃)_2x (A) undergo ligand exchange reaction when heated in DMSO. A mixture of [Pd_m(ligand)_n](NO₃)_2m (B) and [Pd(en)₂](NO₃)₂ (C) is generated in this process. The binuclear compound (A) containing a bidentate, non-chelating ligand 1,4-bis(4′-pyridylmethyl)-2,3,5,6-tetrafluorobenzene, is subjected to ligand exchange where upon the compound (A) remains in a dynamic equilibrium with the mixture of ensuing (B) and (C). Combination of separately prepared (B) and (C) also generates (A), thus equilibrium of (A) with (B) and (C) is again observed. We predict [{Pd(bpy)}_x(ligand)_y](NO₃)_2x (A′) where 2,2′-bipyridyl (bpy) is the cis-protecting group would not probably undergo ligand exchange. The idea was conceived from the fact that (bpy) is more rigid compared to (en) moreover one of the expected products in the event of ligand exchange [Pd(bpy)₂](NO₃)₂ (C′) is not really very stable unlike (C). In fact, when (A′) is heated in DMSO no ligand exchange is observed at all. More interestingly combination of (B) and (C′) generated (A′) smoothly. Mononuclear complexes obtained from the ligand 4-phenylpyridine are also used for similar study for comparison. It is suggested that (bpy) could serve as a better cis-protecting group for Pd(II)-based self-assembly coordination cage compounds particularly when dissolution of the assemblies in polar solvents and heating of the resultant solution is required.     

Withanolides from Withania aristata and their cytotoxic activity

Seven new withanolides (1-7), along with three known ones (8-10), were isolated from the leaves of Withania aristata. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analysis, including 2D NMR experiments and spectrometric techniques, and the absolute configuration of 1 and 2 was established by CD analysis. In the search for new cytotoxic compounds from Withania species, the isolated compounds 1-9, along with two derivatives, were assayed for their cytotoxicity against HeLa, MCF-7 and A-549 human tumor cell lines. Derivative (4S,20R,22R)-27-acetoxy-4-p-bromobenzoyloxy-1-oxo-witha-2,5,16,24-tetraenolide (13) showed cytotoxicity against all the cell lines assayed with IC₅₀ values ranging from 2.8 to 3.6 μM, and (4S,20R,22R)-4,27-diacetoxy-4-hydroxy-1-oxo-witha-2,5,16,24-tetraenolide (12) exhibited an IC₅₀ value of 5.4 μM on the MCF-7 cell line.     

Zinc(II) complexes of 2-acetyl pyridine 1-(4-fluorophenyl)-piperazinyl thiosemicarbazone: Synthesis, spectroscopic study and crystal structures - Potential anticancer drugs

2-Acetyl pyridine thiosemicarbazone containing an 1-(4-fluorophenyl)-piperazinyl ring incorporated at N(4)-position, HAcPipPheF (1) and the zinc(II) complexes [Zn(AcPipPheF)₂] (2) and [Zn(OAc)(AcPipPheF)]₂ (3) have been prepared and structurally characterized by means of vibrational and NMR (¹H and ¹³C) spectroscopy. The crystal structures of the compounds 1-3 have been determined by X-ray crystallography. The metal coordination geometry of [Zn(AcPipPheF)₂] is described as distorted octahedral configuration in a trans-N-cis-N-cis-S configuration. In [Zn(OAc)(AcPipPheF)]₂ one of the acetato group exhibits monoatomic bridge and the other bridges in a bidentate manner. The zinc(1) metal ion is coordinated in a distorted octahedral configuration while the metal coordination of Zn(2) is described as distorted square pyramidal. Biomedical studies revealed that, compounds 1-3 displayed potent anticancer activity. The antiproliferative activity of 1-3 was found to be considerably stronger than that of cis-platin. The IC₅₀ values range from 26 to 90 nM, against all cell lines tested, while for cis-platin the IC₅₀ values range from 2 to 17 μM and for the zinc salt, ZnCl₂, the IC₅₀ values range from 81 to 93 μM. The complex 3 shows the highest activity against all four cancer cell lines and the highest selectivity against K562 and MDA-MB-453 cancer cell lines. The compounds inhibited tumor cell proliferation by arresting the cell cycle progression at the S phase.     

Influence of the phosphine arrangement on the reactivity of palladium(II) and platinum(II) polyphosphine complexes with copper(I) chloride

The distorted square-planar complexes [Pd(PNHP)Cl]Cl (1) (PNHP = bis[2-(diphenylphosphino)ethyl]amine), [M(P₃)Cl]Cl [P₃ = bis[2-(diphenylphosphino)ethyl]phenylphosphine; M = Pd (2), Pt (3)] and [Pt(NP₃)Cl]Cl (5) (NP₃ = tris[2-(diphenylphosphino)ethyl]amine), coexisting in the later case with a square-pyramidal arrangement, react with one equivalent of CuCl to give the mononuclear heteroionic systems [M(L)Cl](CuCl₂) [L = PNHP, M = Pd (1a); L = P₃, M = Pd (2a), Pt (3a); L = NP₃, M = Pt (5a)]. The crystal structure of 3a confirms that Pt(II) retains the distorted square-planar geometry of 3 in the cation with P₃ acting as tridentate chelating ligand, the central P atom being trans to one chloride. The counter anion is a nearly linear dichlorocuprate(I) ion. However, the five-coordinate complexes [Pd(NP₃)Cl]Cl (4), [M(PP₃)Cl]Cl (M = Pd (6), Pt (7); PP₃ = tris[2-(diphenylphosphino)ethyl] phosphine) containing three fused five-membered chelate rings undergo a ring-opening by interaction with one (4, 6, 7) and two (6, 7) equivalents of CuCl with formation of neutral MCu(L)Cl₃ [L = NP₃, M = Pd (4a); L = PP₃, M = Pd (6a), Pt (7a)] and ionic [MCu(PP₃)Cl₂](CuCl₂) [M = Pd (6b), Pt (7b)] compounds, respectively. The heteronuclear systems were shown by ³¹P NMR to have structures where the phosphines are acting as tridentate chelating ligands to M(II) and monodentate bridging to Cu(I). Further additions of CuCl to the neutral species 6a and 7a in a 1:1 ratio resulted in the achievement of the ionic complexes 6b and 7b with ions as counter anions. It was demonstrated that the formation of heterobimetallic or just mononuclear mixed salt complexes was clearly influenced by the polyphosphine arrangement with the tripodal ligands giving the former compounds. However, complexes [M(NP₃)Cl]Cl constitute one exception and the type of reaction undergone versus CuCl is a function of the d⁸ metal centre.     

NF kappa B inhibitors and antitrypanosomal metabolites from endophytic fungus Penicillium sp. isolated from Limonium tubiflorum

Chemical investigation of the endophytic fungus Penicillium sp. isolated from Limonium tubiflorum growing in Egypt afforded four new compounds of polyketide origin, including two macrolides, penilactone (1) and 10,11-epoxycurvularin (2), a dianthrone, neobulgarone G (7), and a sulfinylcoumarin, sulfimarin (14), along with twelve known metabolites (3-6, 8-13, 15 and 16). The structures of all compounds were assigned by comprehensive spectral analysis (1D and 2D NMR) and mass spectrometry. Compounds 3, 4, 13 and 16 showed pronounced antitrypanosomal activity with mean MIC values ranging from 4.96 to 9.75 ??M. Moreover, when tested against a panel of three human tumor cell lines compounds 3, 4, 6 and 12 showed selective growth inhibition against Jurkat and U937 cell lines with IC₅₀ values ranging from 1.8 to 13.3 ??M. The latter compounds also inhibited TNF??-induced NF-??B activity in K562 cells with IC₅₀ values ranging from 1.6 to 10.1 ??M, respectively.     

Terpenoids and phenethyl glucosides from Hyssopus cuspidatus (Labiatae)

Monoterpenoids (3 and 4), sesquiterpenoid (2), diterpenoid (1) and four phenethyl glucosides (5-8), together with fourteen known compounds, were isolated from the whole herb of Hyssopus cuspidatus. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic means. The abietane-type diterpenoids (1, 9, 10), rosmarinic acid (15) and salvigenin (17) inhibited leukotriene (LT) C₄ secretion from primary alveolar cells of Wistar rats.     

Three new cytotoxic aryltetralin lignans from Sinopodophyllum emodi

Three new aryltetralin lignans, 4-acetyl-4-demethyl-podophyllotoxin (1) and sinolignans A, B (2-3), and two new natural products (4-5), were isolated from the roots and rhizomes of Sinopodophyllum emodi together with twelve known lignans (6-17). Their structures and stereochemistry were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic evidence, and circular dichroism (CD) method. The cytotoxic activities of all isolated compounds were evaluated against HeLa and KB cell lines. Compared with etoposide, compounds 1, 6-9, and 13 showed more potent cytotoxicities against two tumor cell lines. On the basis of IC₅₀ values, deoxypodophyllotoxin (7) was about 579 and 1123 times more toxic than etoposide in HeLa and KB cell lines, respectively. The preliminary SAR study indicated that an oxygenated group at C-7′ might decrease cytotoxicity against two cell lines, which was different from most previous studies. However, this needs to be systematically verified by extensive pharmacological experiments.