Rearranged limonoids from Khaya senegalensis

The stems of Khaya senegalensis yielded three limonoids which appear to be novel. These compounds were identified on the basis of spectroscopic analysis as methyl 1 alpha,6,8 alpha,14 beta,30 beta-pentahydroxy-3-oxo-[3.3.1(10,2).1(1,4)]-tricyclomeliac-7-oate; methyl 1 alpha,2 beta,3 alpha,6,8 alpha,14 beta-hexahydroxy-[4.2.1(10,30).1(1,4)]-tricyclomeilac-7-oate and methyl 1 alpha-acetoxy-2 beta,3 alpha,6,8 alpha,14 beta-pentahydroxy-[4.21(10,30).1(1.4)]-tricyclomeliac-7-oate. The two latter ones represent a novel group of methyl tricyclomeliac-7-oates. Scopoletin, scoparon, sitosterol, stigmasterol, Campesterol and 3 beta-O-beta-D-glucopyranosylsitosterol were also isolated.42383183

Toxicity of lignans to symbiotic fungus of leaf-cutting ants

Lignans from Virola sebifera Aubl., Virola sp., and Otoba parvifolia (Mkfg.) A. Gentry (Myristicaceae) inhibited the in vitro growth of the fungus cultivated by leaf-cutting ants of the species Atta sexdens rubropilosa Forel (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). A comparison of activity among the lignans was obtained