Bistinospinosides A and B, Dimeric Clerodane Diterpene Glycosides from <i>Tinospora sagittata</i>

Two dimeric clerodane diterpene glycosides, namely, bistinospinosides A (<b>1</b>) and B (<b>2</b>), were isolated from the roots of <i>Tinospora sagittata</i>. Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic data interpretation. The compounds feature an unusual 1,4-epoxycyclohexane ring in their structures and may be biosynthetically constructed via an intermolecular Diels–Alder [4+2] cycloaddition from the corresponding clerodane diterpene. The compounds were evaluated in a nitric oxide inhibitory assay using J774.1 macrophage-like cells

A new minor homoisoflavonoid from <i>Caesalpinia sappan</i>

<div><p>Homoisoflavonoid is a special type of flavonoid with the perspectives of both chemical diversity and significant biological activities. During our ongoing studies on the discovery of novel homoisoflavonoids from traditional Chinese medicines, a new minor 3,4-di-<i>O</i>-substituted homoisoflavonoid, 3′,4-di-<i>O</i>-methylepisappanol (<b>1</b>), was isolated from <i>Caesalpinia sappan</i>, and its structure was determined to be (3<i>R</i>,4<i>R</i>)-3,7-dihydroxy-3-(3′-methoxy-4′-hydroxybenzyl)-4-methoxychroman by various spectroscopic analyses. Meanwhile, a known xanthone derivate, 2-methoxy-3-hydroxyxanthone (<b>2</b>) was also isolated, which is the first example from the genus <i>Caesalpinia</i>.</p></div

Anti-HIV Macrocyclic Daphnane Orthoesters with an Unusual Macrocyclic Ring from <i>Edgeworthia chrysantha</i>

Edgeworthianins A–E (1–5) were isolated from Edgeworthia chrysantha as a class of macrocyclic daphnane orthoesters with an unusual macrocyclic ring formed from a C14 aliphatic chain. Their structures were elucidated by extensive physicochemical and spectroscopic analyses. Compounds 2, 4, and 5 exhibited potent anti-HIV activity against HIV-1 infection of MT4 cells with EC50 values of 29.3, 8.4, and 2.9 nM, respectively. These compounds broaden the findings of the structure–activity relationship of macrocyclic daphnane orthoesters for further anti-HIV drug development

Anti-steatosis compounds from leaves of <i>Mallotus furetianus</i>

<p>There is no drug administration-approved therapy for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). In this study, eight compounds, gallic acid (<b>1</b>), methyl gallate (<b>2</b>), corilagin (<b>3</b>), 3,4,8,9,10-pentahydroxydibenzo[<i>b,d</i>]pyran-6-one (<b>4</b>), repandinin B (<b>5</b>), (Z)-3-hexenyl-β-D-glucopyranoside (<b>6</b>), (+)-lyoniresinol-3α-O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside (<b>7</b>) and mallophenol A (<b>8</b>) were isolated from the active fractions of <i>Mallotus furetianus</i>. Three compounds, (<b>6, 7</b> and <b>8</b>) revealed potent anti-steatosis activity in the oleic acid (OA)-induced steatosis cell model, with the minimum effective concentration of 0.05 (<b>6</b>), 0.0005 (<b>7</b>) and 0.0005 (<b>8</b>) μg/mL, which were much lower than the control compound, fibrate (72.4 μg/mL).</p

Isolation, Structural Elucidation, and Liquid Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry Analysis of Steroidal Glycosides from Polygonatum odoratum

The rhizomes of Polygonatum odoratum represent a traditional Chinese medicine and functional food. A phytochemical investigation resulted in the isolation of eight steroidal glycosides (<b>1</b>–<b>8</b>), including two new compounds, polygonatumosides F (<b>1</b>) and G (<b>2</b>). The structures were elucidated by spectroscopic data and chemical reactions. Compound <b>7</b> showed antiproliferation activity against human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line HepG2 (IC₅₀ of 3.2 μM). The chemical profile and contents of steroidal glycosides of P. odoratum rhizomes collected at different dates and geographical locations were also investigated, indicating that the rational harvest of P. odoratum in spring and autumn is preferable to obtain higher levels of steroidal glycosides. Compounds <b>1</b> and <b>7</b> showed the highest contents in all P. odoratum samples and have potential to serve as chemotaxonomic and chemical markers for quality control of this important plant material. 14-Hydroxylation may be a key step for the biosynthesis of compounds <b>1</b>–<b>7</b>

Isolation, Structure Determination, and Anti-HIV Evaluation of Tigliane-Type Diterpenes and Biflavonoid from <i>Stellera chamaejasme</i>

Five novel tigliane-type diterpenes, stelleracins A–E (<b>3</b>–<b>7</b>), a novel flavanone dimer, chamaeflavone A (<b>8</b>), and six known compounds were isolated from the roots of <i>Stellera chamaejasme</i>. Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analyses. The isolated compounds were evaluated for anti-HIV activity in MT4 cells. New compounds <b>3</b>–<b>5</b> showed potent anti-HIV activity (EC₉₀ 0.00056–0.0068 μM) and relatively low or no cytotoxicity (IC₅₀ 4.4–17.2 μM). These new compounds represent promising new leads for development into anti-AIDS clinical trial candidates

Isolation, Structure Determination, and Anti-HIV Evaluation of Tigliane-Type Diterpenes and Biflavonoid from <i>Stellera chamaejasme</i>

Five novel tigliane-type diterpenes, stelleracins A–E (<b>3</b>–<b>7</b>), a novel flavanone dimer, chamaeflavone A (<b>8</b>), and six known compounds were isolated from the roots of <i>Stellera chamaejasme</i>. Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analyses. The isolated compounds were evaluated for anti-HIV activity in MT4 cells. New compounds <b>3</b>–<b>5</b> showed potent anti-HIV activity (EC₉₀ 0.00056–0.0068 μM) and relatively low or no cytotoxicity (IC₅₀ 4.4–17.2 μM). These new compounds represent promising new leads for development into anti-AIDS clinical trial candidates