Isolation, DNA topoisomerase-II inhibition, and cytotoxicity of three new terpenoids from the bark of Macaranga tanarius

One new pimarane-type diterpenoid (1) and two new taraxerane-based triterpenoids (2 and 3) were isolated from the bark of Macaranga tanarius, along with seven known compounds. Their structures were identified by spectroscopic methods including NMR and MS analyses. Compounds 1-5 were tested for their in vitro inhibition of DNA topoisomerase II, as well as for their cytotoxicities against human lung carcinoma A549 cells (Table 3). The triterpenoids 2-5 showed strong activities in both assays, but the diterpenoid 1 was only moderately active.