Diterpenoids from Isodon species: an update

Covering: December 2005 to June 2016. Previous review: Nat. Prod. Rep., 2006, 23, 673-698Over the last decade, great efforts have been made to conduct phytochemistry research on the genus Isodon, which have led to the isolation and identification of a number of diterpenoids. At the same time, these newly reported diterpenoids with diverse structures have led to new findings on their biological functions and chemical synthesis research. In this update, we review more than 600 new diterpenoids, including their structures, classifications, biogenetic pathways, bioactivities, and chemical synthesis.

LC-MS-Guided Isolation of Penicilfuranone A: A New Antifibrotic Furancarboxylic Acid from the Plant Endophytic Fungus Penicillium sp. sh18

Penicilfuranone A (1), a novel furancarboxylic acid, and its proposed biosynthetic precursor, gregatin A (2), were isolated from the cultures of the fungus Penicillium sp. sh18 endophytic to the stems of Isodon eriocalyx var. laxiflora guided by HPLC-MS. X-ray crystallography was applied to the structure determination of furancarboxylic acid for the first time, allowing unambiguous assignment of 1. Penicilfuranone A displays a significant antifibrotic effect in activated hepatic stellate cells via negative regulation of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)/Smad signaling.

Diterpenoids of terrestrial origin

This review covers the isolation and chemistry of diterpenoids from terrestrial as opposed to marine sources and includes labdanes, clerodanes, pimaranes, abietanes, kauranes, cembranes and their cyclization products. The literature from January to December, 2015 is reviewed.