New diterpenoids from stems and roots of Caesalpinia crista

Discovered cassane diterpenoids from Caesalpinia mimosoides lam. Exhibited anti-renal fibrosis activity via regulating TGF-β1/Smads signaling pathway

Renal fibrosis is marker and common pathway of progressive chronic kidney disease (CKD), eventually leading to renal dysfunction. So far, there is still a lack of secure drugs and effective therapeutic strategies. Caesalpinia mimosoides is an edible Dai folk medicinal plant and exhibits good effect on inducing diuresis to alleviate edema, hinting that C. mimosoides might possess the potential to treat kidney disease. Thus, this study aimed to search potential active ingredients for the treatment of kidney disease. Based on the biological activity-guided separation strategy, ten undescribed cassane diterpenoids (1-10) including six furan lactone-types (1-6), two furan-types (7-8), and two nocassane-types (9-10), together with five known cassane derivatives (11-15) were discovered from C. mimosoides, among of them, compounds 1, 2 and 3, 11 to be two pairs of epimers at asymmetric center C-14. The structures including absolute configuration were unambiguously elucidated by detailed spectroscopic methods complemented with X-ray diffractions and ECD calculations. The anti-renal fibrosis activity of isolated diterpenoids were evaluated in TGF-β1-induced NRK-52E cells. Compound 14 exerted excellent renal fibrosis inhibitory activity by regulating the expression of EMT markers (E-cadherin, α-SMA) and ECM components (collagen I, fibronectin). The underlying mechanistic study revealed that 14 suppressed renal fibrosis via inhibiting TGF-β1/Smads signaling pathway. This work reported the potential of C. mimosoides in the treatment of kidney disease, and the systematically disclosed the anti-renal fibrosis activity of cassane diterpenoids, implying the cassane diterpenoids to be the promising new type anti-renal fibrosis drug precursors in future. Additionally, our work also substantiated the potential of C. mimosoides as a prospective natural source of bioactive compounds in functional food and pharmaceutical industries.

Semisynthesis and Evaluation of Anti-Inflammatory Activity of the Cassane-Type Diterpenoid Taepeenin F and of Some Synthetic Intermediates

A new strategy for the semisynthesis of the aromatic cassane-type diterpene taepeenin F (6) is reported. The introduction of the methyl group at C-14, characteristic of the target compound, was achieved via dienone 13, easily prepared from abietic acid (10), the major compound in renewable rosin. Biological assays of selected compounds are reported. The antiproliferative activity against HT29, B16-F10, and HepG2 tumor cell lines has been investigated. Salicylaldehyde 21 was the most active compound (IC₅₀ = 7.72 μM). Products 16 and 21 displayed apoptotic effects in B16-F10 cells, with total apoptosis rates of 46 and 38.4%, respectively. This apoptotic process involves a significant arrest of the B16-F10 cell cycle, blocking the G0/G1 phase. Dienone 16 did not cause any loss of the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), while salicylaldehyde 21 caused a partial loss of the MMP. The anti-inflammatory activity of the selected compounds was investigated with the LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. All compounds showed potent NO inhibition, with percentages between 80 and 99% at subcytotoxic concentrations. Dienone 16 inhibited LPS-induced differentiation of RAW 264.7 cells, by increasing the proportion of cells in the S phase. In addition, salicylaldehyde 21 had effects on the cell cycle, recovering the cells from the G0/G1 full arrest produced in response to LPS action.

Cassane-type diterpenes from roots of Pterolobium macropterum and their anti-inflammatory activity

Eight undescribed cassane diterpenes, pterolobirins C-J, together with two known analogs, were isolated from the roots of Pterolobium macropterum. Their structures were characterized by extensive spectroscopic techniques including NMR, MS, ECD and X-ray crystallographic spectroscopy. The absolute configuration of pterolobirin J was confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction data. The compounds were screened for their anti-inflammatory activity on the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced nitric oxide (NO) production in J774. A1 macrophage cells. Pterolobirin E and sucutinirane C displayed good NO inhibition with IC₅₀ values of 24.44 ± 1.34 and 19.16 ± 1.22 μM, respectively.

Reinstatement of Ticanto (Leguminosae-Caesalpinioideae) - the final piece in the Caesalpinia group puzzle

A recent molecular phylogenetic analysis of the Caesalpinia group demonstrated that it comprises 26 genera, but the recognition of a putative 27^th genus, Ticanto, remained in doubt. This study presents a phylogenetic analysis of ITS and five plastid loci revealing a robustly supported monophyletic group representing the Ticanto clade, sister to the morphologically distinct genus Pterolobium. Based upon this evidence, along with a morphological evaluation, the genus Ticanto is here reinstated. Descriptions are provided for all nine species of Ticanto, together with a key to the species, maps, and colour photographs. Nine new combinations are made: Ticantocaesia (Hand.-Mazz.) R. Clark & Gagnon, T.crista (L.) R. Clark & Gagnon, T.elliptifolia (S. J. Li, Z. Y. Chen & D. X. Zhang) R. Clark & Gagnon, T.magnifoliolata (Metcalf) R. Clark & Gagnon, T.rhombifolia R. Clark & Gagnon, T.sinensis (Hemsl.) R. Clark & Gagnon, T.szechuenensis (Craib) R. Clark & Gagnon, T.vernalis (Champion ex Benth.) R. Clark & Gagnon and T.yunnanensis (S. J. Li, D. X. Zhang & Z.Y. Chen) R. Clark & Gagnon. The final major question in the delimitation of segregate genera from within Caesalpinia sensu lato and the Caesalpinia group is thus resolved.

Dalpulapans A-E from the roots of Dalbergia stipulacea

Five new compounds, dalpulapans A–E (1–5), were isolated from the hexane extract of the roots of Dalbergia stipulacea Roxb. Five new compounds, dalpulapans A–E (1–5), were isolated from the hexane extract of the roots of Dalbergia stipulacea Roxb. An evaluation of cytotoxic activity against HeLa, A549 and normal cell lines using MTT assay was performed. The results showed that R,R-velucarpin A (6) was the most active against HeLa cells with an IC₅₀ value of 10.9 ± 0.42 μM, while fortunately this compound exhibited weak cytotoxicity against normal cells (29.20 ± 1.16 μM). Structures of all isolates were identified from their 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic data and MS analysis. Experimental and calculated ECD spectra were studied to define the absolute configurations.

Five new compounds, dalpulapans A–E (1–5), were isolated from the hexane extract of the roots of Dalbergia stipulacea Roxb.

Mitigate the cytokine storm due to the severe COVID-19: A computational investigation of possible allosteric inhibitory actions on IL-6R and IL-1R using selected phytochemicals

The novel corona virus 2019 (COVID 19) is growing at an increasing rate with high mortality. Meanwhile, the cytokine storm is the most dangerous and potentially life-threatening event related to COVID 19. Phyto-compounds found in existing Ayurveda drugs have the ability to inhibit the Interleukin 6 (IL-6R) and Interleukin 1 (IL-1R) receptors. IL-6R and IL-1R receptors involve in cytokine storm and recognition of phytochemicals with proven safety profiles could open a pathway to the development of the most effective drugs against cytokine storm. In this study, we intend to perform an in silico investigation of effective phyto compounds, which can be isolated from selected medicinal herbs to avoid cytokine storm, inhibiting the IL-6 and IL-1 receptor binding process. An extensive literature survey followed by virtual screening was carried out to identify phytochemicals with potential anti-hyper-inflammatory action. Flexible docking was conducted for validated models of IL-1R and IL-6R-α with the most promising phytochemicals at possible allosteric sites using AutoDock Vina. Molecular dynamics (MD) studies were conducted for selected protein-ligand complexes using LARMD server and conformational changes were evaluated. According to the results, taepeenin J had Gibbs energy (ΔG) of -10.85 kcal/mol towards IL-1R but had limited oral bioavailability. MD analysis revealed that taepeenin J can cause significant conformational movements in IL-1R. Nortaepeenin B showed a ΔG of -8.5 kcal/mol towards IL-6R-α with an excellent oral bioavailability. MD analysis predicted that it can cause significant conformational movements in IL-6R-α. Hence, the evaluated phytochemicals are potential candidates for further in vitro studies for the development of medicine against cytokine storm on behalf of SARS-COV-2 infected patients.

Multiple pharmacological activities of Caesalpinia crista against aluminium-induced neurodegeneration in rats: Relevance for Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia and mainly affects cognitive function of the aged populations. Aluminium, a neurotoxic metal, has been suggested as a contributing factor of AD. Caesalpinia crista is a medicinal plant known for its anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties. The present study was conducted in order to evaluate the neuroprotective effects of methanolic extracts of C. crista (MECC) on aluminium-induced neurodegeneration in rats. Co-administration with MECC significantly and dose dependently ameliorated the aluminium-dependent cognitive impairment, AChE hyperactivity and oxidative stress in the hippocampus and in the frontal cortex of rat brain. Moreover, MECC reduced the neuronal injury induced by aluminium as shown by the diminution of neuron loss and pyknosis in the CA1 and CA3 regions of the hippocampus. From this study, it is inferred that MECC protect against aluminium-induced behavioral alterations, cognitive function, oxidative stress and neuroinflammation in vivo. Therefore, this plant may serve as a source of natural products having multiple functions and could be utilized as an anti-AD preparation.

Effects of antioxidative substances from seaweed on quality of refined liver oil of leafscale gulper shark, Centrophorus squamosus during an accelerated stability study

Crude liver oil of leafscale gulper shark, Centrophorus squamosus was clarified by sequential degumming, decolorization and vacuum deodorization. The refined oil was added with ethyl acetate extract of seaweeds and various physiochemical parameters were evaluated in a time-reliant accelerated storage study. Significantly greater induction time was observed for the oil supplemented with Sargassum wightii and Sargassum ilicifolium (>4.5h) than other seaweed extracts and control oil (~1h). Among different seaweeds, the ethylacetate extracts of S. wightii maintained the oxidation indices of the refined oil below the marginal limits after the study period. No significant reduction in C20-22 long chain fatty acids (1.19%) in the refined oil added with S. wightii was apparent, and was comparable with the synthetic antioxidants (1.07-1.08%). Spectroscopic fingerprint analysis of marker compounds responsible to cause rancidity signified the efficacy of S. wightii to arrest the development of undesirable oxidation products in the refined oil during storage. The antioxidant compounds, 15-(but-19-enyl)-hexahydro-13,16-dimethyl-11-oxo-1H-isochromen-8-yl benzoate (1) and 10-(but-13-en-12-yl)-5-((furan-3-yl)propyl)-dihydrofuran-9(3H)-one (2) isolated from S. wightii appeared to play a major role to deter the oxidative degradation of refined oil thereby enhancing the storage stability.

Synthesis of cassane-type diterpenes from abietane compounds: the first synthesis of taepeenin F

The first synthesis of taepeenin F from abietic acid is reported, utilizing as the key step the ipso-substitution of the isopropyl group of a dehydroabietane derivative by a formyl group, after treatment with Cl₂CHOMe and AlCl₃.

Antiplasmodial activity of Mezoneuron benthamianum leaves and identification of its active constituents

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Decoctions of the leaves of M. benthamianum Baill. are used by traditional healers in Guinea to treat malaria and this use was validated by a preliminary clinical assay.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To evaluate the in vitro antiplasmodial activity and to identify active compounds from extracts of M. benthamianum leaves.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Antiplasmodial activity of extracts, fractions and pure compounds was evaluated in vitro against a chloroquine-sensitive strain of Plasmodium falciparum (3D7) using the measurement of the plasmodial lactate dehydrogenase activity. Selectivity of extracts and purified compounds for Plasmodium parasites was evaluated by using WST-1 test on HeLa human cells. Compounds were isolated using normal phase silica gel column chromatography and prepHPLC and their structures elucidated using extensive spectroscopic analysis.

RESULTS

Hydroethanolic extracts (70% v/v) of M. benthamianum leaves showed a moderate in vitro activity against P. falciparum 3D7, with IC₅₀ in the range 22.5 - 32.6µg/mL, depending on the batch; while a dark precipitate formed during ethanol evaporation showed higher activity (IC₅₀ =6.5µg/mL). The fractionation was performed on this most active fraction and was followed by in vitro antiplasmodial assay. Active compounds (5, 7, 8) belong to several phytochemical classes, contributing together to the global antiplasmodial activity of the hydroethanolic extract against P. falciparum parasite. This study finally allowed the isolation of three diterpenes including two new compounds named Mezobenthamic acids A (1) and B (2) and neocaesalpin H (3), as well as quercetin (4), kaempferol (7), resveratrol (6), gallic acid (9) and its ethylester (5), β-sitosterol glucoside (10) and 13b-hydroxy-pheophorbide a (8).

CONCLUSION

This study gives some concrete evidence to support the ethnopharmacological use of Mezoneuron benthamianum leaves extract in the management of malaria. The active compounds can be further studied for their antiplasmodial potential, as well as their suitability to be used as quality markers for the standardization of this herbal drug from the Guinean traditional pharmacopeia.

Diterpenoids of the Cassane Type from Caesalpinia decapetala

Eighteen compounds, including eight new cassane-type furanoditerpenoids, 3β-hydroxyphanginin H (1), 3β-acetoxyphanginin H (2), 7β-acetoxyphanginin H (3), 7β-hydroxyphanginin H (4), 4-epi-3β-hydroxycaesalpinilinn (5), 4-epi-3β-acetoxycaesalpinilinn (6), 20-acetoxytaepeenin D (7), and tomocin E (8), along with 10 known compounds (9-18) were isolated from the roots of Caesalpinia decapetala. Compounds 1-13 were isolated from C. decapetala for the first time. The new compounds with their absolute configurations were determined by extensive spectroscopic analysis, single-crystal X-ray diffraction, and electronic circular dichroism calculations. Compounds 1, 4, 5, 7, and 11 exhibited inhibitory activities against the SW1990 human pancreatic cancer cell line with IC₅₀ values ranging from 2.9 to 8.9 μM.

Identification of Gli-mediated transcription inhibitors through synthesis and evaluation of taepeenin D analogues

Abietic acid derivatives related to taepeenin D were identified as new Hh pathway inhibitors that operate downstream of Smo.

Two new cassane-type diterpenes from the seeds of Caesalpinia crista

Two new cassane-type diterpenes, phangininoxys D and E (1 and 2), together with five known compounds were isolated from the seeds of Caesalpinia crista Linn. The structures of these compounds were elucidated by means of various spectroscopic analyses. All the isolated compounds were evaluated for cytotoxicity activities against HeLa, HT-29 and KB cell lines, and compound 7 showed moderate selective activities against KB cell line with an IC50 value of 17.1 μM.

Terpenoids from the root bark of Pterolobium macropterum

Five new compounds, including pteroloterins A-C (1, 3, and 4), 1β-acetoxytaepeenin C (2), and 8aα-hydroxycadinenal (5), and 11 known compounds were isolated from the root bark of Pterolobium macropterum. All compounds were evaluated for cytotoxicity against the cholangiocarcinoma cell lines. Compound 9 showed weak cytotoxicity against the KKU-M139 cell line with an IC50 value of 23.24 ± 0.18 μM and showed no activity against normal cells.

A fast entry to furanoditerpenoid-based Hedgehog signaling inhibitors: identifying essential structural features

New, small molecule Hedgehog (Hh) pathway inhibitors, such as the furanoditerpenoid taepeenin D, are of high medicinal importance. To establish key structure-activity relationships (SARs) for this lead, a synthetic sequence has been developed for the expedient preparation of several derivatives and their evaluation as Hh inhibitors exploiting its structural similarity to abietic acid. While C(14) substitution is not essential for biological activity, the presence of a hydrogen bond acceptor at C(6) and an intact benzofuran moiety are.

Caesalminaxins A-L, cassane diterpenoids from the seeds of Caesalpinia minax

Fourteen new cassane diterpenoids, caesalminaxins A-L (1-14), and three known compounds were isolated from the seeds of Caesalpinia minax. Among the new diterpenoids, compounds 3 and 4 possess a rare spiro C/D ring system. The C-16 epimeric mixture 1/2 has an unprecedented carbon skeleton, presumably derived from 3 by cleavage of the C-13-C-14 bond. Compound 5 is the first example of a cassane diterpenoid with a spiro A/B ring system. The structures of the compounds were elucidated on the basis of 1D and 2D NMR analysis, and the absolute configurations of 3, 4, 9, and 11 were determined by single-crystal X-ray crystallography. Biosynthesis pathways for 1/2, 3, and 5 are postulated. Compounds 4, 8, and the known bonducellpin D exhibited moderate activity against four tested human cancer cell lines, HepG-2, K562, HeLa, and Du145.

Hepatoprotective Potential of Caesalpinia crista against Iron-Overload-Induced Liver Toxicity in Mice

The present study was carried out to evaluate the ameliorating effect of Caesalpinia crista Linn. (CCME) extract on iron-overload-induced liver injury. Iron overload was induced by intraperitoneal administration of iron dextran into mice. CCME attenuated the percentage increase in liver iron and serum ferritin levels when compared to control group. CCME also showed a dose-dependent inhibition of lipid peroxidation, protein oxidation, and liver fibrosis. The serum enzyme markers were found to be less, whereas enhanced levels of liver antioxidant enzymes were detected in CCME-treated group. In presence of CCME, the reductive release of ferritin iron was increased significantly. Furthermore, CCME exhibited DPPH radical scavenging and protection against Fe(2+)-mediated oxidative DNA damage. The current study confirmed the hepatoprotective effect of CCME against the model hepatotoxicant iron overload and the activity is likely related to its potent antioxidant and iron-chelating property.

The genus Caesalpinia L. (Caesalpiniaceae): phytochemical and pharmacological characteristics

The genus Caesalpinia (Caesalpiniaceae) has more than 500 species, many of which have not yet been investigated for potential pharmacological activity. Several classes of chemical compounds, such as flavonoids, diterpenes, and steroids, have been isolated from various species of the genus Caesalpinia. It has been reported in the literature that these species exhibit a wide range of pharmacological properties, including antiulcer, anticancer, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antirheumatic activities that have proven to be efficacious in ethnomedicinal practices. In this review we present chemical and pharmacological data from recent phytochemical studies on various plants of the genus Caesalpinia.

Assessment of the Antioxidant and Reactive Oxygen Species Scavenging Activity of Methanolic Extract of Caesalpinia crista Leaf

"Oxidative stress" is initiated by reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are responsible for majority of the diseases. However, antioxidants with ROS scavenging ability may have great relevance in the prevention of oxidative stress. The present study was undertaken, using a 70% methanolic extract of Caesalpinia crista leaves, to examine different in vitro tests in diversified fields including total antioxidant activity, scavenging activities for various ROS, iron chelating activity and phenolic and flavonoid contents. Total antioxidant activity was evaluated as trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity value of 0.546 ± 0.014. The extract was investigated for different ROS scavenging activities and IC(50) values were found to be 0.44 ± 0.1 mg/ml, 24.9 ± 0.98 μg/ml, 33.72 ± 0.85 μg/ml, 61.13 ± 3.24 μg/mL and 170.51 ± 4.68 μg/mL for hydroxyl, superoxide, nitric oxide, singlet oxygen and hypochlorous acid, respectively; however, no significant results were obtained in scavenging of hydrogen peroxide and peroxynitrite anion. The extract was found to be a potent iron chelator with IC(50) = 279.85 ± 4.72 μg/mL. The plant extract (100 mg) yielded 50.23 ± 0.003 mg/mL gallic acid equivalent phenolic content and 106.83 ± 0.0003 mg/mL quercetin equivalent flavonoid content. In the in vivo experiments, the extract treatment showed significant increase in the level of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione-S-transferase and reduced glutathione. In a word, it may be concluded that 70% methanol extract of C. crista leaves acts as an antioxidant and ROS scavenger; which may be due to the presence of phenolic and flavonoid compounds.

Terpenoids and a flavonoid glycoside from Acacia pennata leaves as hedgehog/GLI-mediated transcriptional inhibitors

Overexpression of glioma-associated oncogene 1 (GLI1), which has been characterized as a terminal effector and a target gene of the Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway, is associated with the development of cancer. A cellular screen was applied utilizing of a GLI-dependent luciferase reporter in human keratinocyte cells (HaCaT) and identified two terpenoids (1 and 2) and a flavonoid glycoside (5) from Acacia pennata as Hh/GLI inhibitors. Compounds 1, 2, and 5 exhibited selective cytotoxicity against human pancreatic (PANC1) and prostate (DU145) cancer cells with no toxic effect on normal cells. This result was consistent with a dose-dependent reduction of the protein levels of antiapoptotic BCL-2 and the tumor suppressor patched 1 protein (PTCH). Additionally, treatment of 1 downregulated mRNA expression of Ptch in PANC1, suggesting that the compound has an inhibitory effect on the transcription of Hh/GLI.

Anti-amyloidogenic property of leaf aqueous extract of Caesalpinia crista

Amyloid beta (Abeta) is the major etiological factor implicated in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Abeta(42) self-assembles to form oligomers and fibrils via multiple aggregation process. The recent studies aimed to decrease Abeta levels or prevention of Abeta aggregation which are the major targets for therapeutic intervention. Natural products as alternatives for AD drug discovery are a current trend. We evidenced that Caesalpinia crista leaf aqueous extract has anti-amyloidogenic potential. The studies on pharmacological properties of C. crista are very limited. Our study focused on ability of C. crista leaf aqueous extract on the prevention of (i) the formation of oligomers and aggregates from monomers (Phase I: Abeta(42)+extract co-incubation); (ii) the formation of fibrils from oligomers (Phase II: extract added after oligomers formation); and (iii) dis-aggregation of pre-formed fibrils (Phase III: aqueous extract added to matured fibrils and incubated for 9 days). The aggregation kinetics was monitored using thioflavin-T assay and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results showed that C. crista aqueous extract could able to inhibit the Abeta(42) aggregation from monomers and oligomers and also able to dis-aggregate the pre-formed fibrils. The study provides an insight on finding new natural products for AD therapeutics.

Cassane diterpenoids from the stem of Caesalpinia pulcherrima

Cassane diterpenoids: pulcherrin A, pulcherrin B, pulcherrin C, neocaesalpin P, neocaesalpin Q and neocaesalpin R, together with eight known compounds: isovouacapenol C, 6beta-cinnamoyl-7beta-hydroxy-vouacapen-5alpha-ol, pulcherrimin E, pulcherrimin C, alpha-cadinol, 7-hydroxycadalene, teucladiol and bonducellin were isolated from the stem of Caesalpinia pulcherrima. The chemical structures were elucidated by analysis of their spectroscopic data.

Fragmentation patterns of newly isolated cassane butenolide diterpenes and differentiation of stereoisomer by tandem mass spectrometry

Different stereoisomers of active molecules often cause different physiological responses and hence pose a challenge for their identification. This study involves perceptive fragmentation behavior of newly isolated cassane butenolides, caesalpinolide A [1] and caesalpinolide B [2] (epimeric at the hemiketal position) by tandem MS. The electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (ESI-MS)/collision-induced dissociation (CID; ESI-MS(2) and ESI-IT-MS(n)) were investigated. The effect of orientations of hemiketal hydroxyl at C-12 was clearly observed in the mass spectrum. Tandem mass spectra of 1, 1(A) or 2, 2(A) show stereospecific fragmentation resulting in significant abundance dissimilarity of [MH - H(2)O](+) as well as differences in fragmentation pathway. Both of these pathways seem to be influenced by the stereochemistry of the molecule. The differentiation can be clearly visualized from the [M + H - H(2)O](+)/[M + H](+) ratio of the two isomers where beta-isomer 2 was found to be five times higher than that of alpha-isomer 1 in full scan liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry(LC-ESI-MS). In high-energy CID, the mass fingerprint of 1, 2, 1(A), and 2(A) was found to be different from one another.

Cytotoxic and antibacterial sesquiterpenes from Thespesia populnea

Eight new sesquiterpenoids, named populene A-H (1-8), were isolated from dichloromethane extracts of the wood and dark heartwood of Thespesia populnea, together with 11 known compounds (9-19). Their structures were determined on the basis of spectroscopic analyses. The cytotoxic activity of isolated compounds was evaluated against four cancer cell lines: MCF-7, HeLa, HT-29, and KB. Mansonone E (11) and (+)-gossypol (18) showed significant activities. Their antibacterial properties against Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, and Enterococcus faecalis are also presented.

Phanginin A-K, diterpenoids from the seeds of Caesalpinia sappan Linn

The first chemical study on the seeds of Caesalpinia sappan Linn. led to isolation of 11 cassane-type diterpenes, named phanginin A-K (1-11). The skeleton present in compounds 1-8 is rather unusual, consisting of a cassane-type diterpene with an ether bridge between C-19/C-20 in compounds 1-6 and C-11/C-20 in compounds 7 and 8. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic techniques. In addition, the X-ray structure of phanginin A (1) is reported. Only phanginin I (9) exhibited cytotoxic effect against KB cell line with IC50 value of 4.4 microg/ml.

Cytotoxic rotenoloids from the stems of Derris trifoliata

A new rotenoloid, designated 7a-O-methylelliptonol, was isolated from hexane and CH2Cl2 extracts from the stems of Derris trifoliata together with ten known compounds. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic methods, mainly 1D and 2D NMR. The cytotoxicity of all compounds was also evaluated against human cancer cell lines.Key words: Derris trifoliata, Leguminosae, 7a-O-methylelliptonol, cytotoxicity, rotenoloids.

Diterpenoids

This review covers the isolation and structures of diterpenoids, including labdanes, clerodanes,pimaranes, abietanes, kauranes, cembranolides, taxanes and marine diterpenoids. The literature from January to December 2005 is reviewed, and 195 references are cited.