Cytotoxic butanolides and secobutanolides from the stem wood of Formosan Lindera communis

Chemistry and Bioactivity of the Genus Persea - A Review

This review provides the first comprehensive appraisal of bioactive compounds and their biological activities in Persea species from 1950 to 2023. Relevant articles from reputable databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, Science Direct and Google Scholar were collected, leading to the isolation of about 141 metabolite compounds, mainly flavonoids, terpenoids, fatty alcohols, lignoids, and γ-lactone derivatives. These compounds exhibit diverse biological activities, including insecticidal, antifeedant, nematicidal, antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, cytotoxic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. The review emphasizes the significant chemical and pharmacological potential of different Persea species, encouraging further research in various fields and medicine. Valuable insights into potential applications of Persea plants are provided.

γ-Lactones from Persea americana and Persea fulva - in Vitro and in Silico Evaluation of Trypanosoma cruzi Activity

In the present study, five known γ-lactones (majoranolide B - 1, majorenolide - 2, majorynolide - 3, lincomolide D - 4, and isolinderanolide E - 5), as well as a new one (perseanolide - 6), were isolated from Persea fulva and P. americana. All isolated compounds exhibited potential activity against trypomastigote forms of Trypanosoma cruzi, whereas compounds 2 (EC₅₀ of 4.8 μM) and 6 (EC₅₀ of 3.6 μM) displayed superior activity than the positive control benznidazole (EC₅₀ of 16.4 μM), with selectivity index (SI) values of 17.8 and >55.6, respectively (benznidazole, SI>12.2). Molecular docking studies were performed for 1-6 against six T. cruzi molecular targets. Using this approach, we observed that, even though perseanolide (6) showed favorable docking to several studied targets, the results were especially promising for hypoxanthine phosphoribosyl transferase (PDB 1TC1). As PDB 1TC1 is associated to the transference of a monophosphorylated ribose from phosphoribosylpyrophosphate (PRPP) in the ribonucleotide synthesis pathway, this interaction may affect the survival of T. cruzi in mammalian cells. The data herein also indicate that possible intermolecular interactions between 6 and PDB 1TC1 derive from (i) hydrogen bonds in the α,β-unsaturated-γ-lactone unity and (ii) hydrophobic interactions in the long-chain alkyl group. Based on our results, perseanolide (6), reported for the first time in this work, can auspiciously contribute to future works regarding new trypanocidal agents.

Cinnamomum Species: Bridging Phytochemistry Knowledge, Pharmacological Properties and Toxicological Safety for Health Benefits

The genus Cinnamomum includes a number of plant species largely used as food, food additives and spices for a long time. Different traditional healing systems have used these plants as herbal remedies to cure diverse ailments. The aim of this comprehensive and updated review is to summarize the biodiversity of the genus Cinnamomum, its bioactive compounds, the mechanisms that underlie the pharmacological activities and molecular targets and toxicological safety. All the data in this review have been collected from databases and recent scientific literature including Web of Science, PubMed, ScienceDirect etc. The results showed that the bioactive compounds of Cinnamomum species possess antimicrobial, antidiabetic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer and neuroprotective effects. The preclinical (in vitro/in vivo) studies provided the possible molecular mechanisms of these action. As a novelty, recent clinical studies and toxicological data described in this paper support and confirm the pharmacological importance of the genus Cinnamomum. In conclusion, the obtained results from preclinical studies and clinical trials, as well as reduced side effects provide insights into future research of new drugs based on extracts and bioactive compounds from Cinnamomum plants.

Butyrolactone and sesquiterpene derivatives as inhibitors of iNOS from the roots of Lindera glauca

Nine previously undescribed butyrolactone and sesquiterpene derivatives, named cyclopentanone A (1), subamolides F and G (2 and 3), secosubamolide F (4), rupestonic acids J - L (5-7), linderaguaianols A and B (8 and 9), together with six known ones 10-15 were isolated from the roots of Lindera glauca. Their structures, including their absolute configurations were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analysis, quantum chemical calculations, and Mo₂(AcO)₄-induced circular dichroism. Compound 1 that possessed a unique five-membered cyclopentane skeleton with a side chain was rarely found from natural sources. The biogenetic pathway for 1-4 was postulated. Secosubamolide F (4) inhibited nitric oxide (NO) production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated RAW264.7 cells with IC₅₀ value of 1.73 ± 0.18 μM and also significantly suppressed the production of iNOS. The binding interactions between 4 and iNOS were investigated using docking analyses.

Phytochemical Investigation and Anti-Inflammatory Activity of the Leaves of Machilus japonica var. kusanoi

In a series of anti-inflammatory screenings of lauraceous plants, the methanolic extract of the leaves of Machilus japonica var. kusanoi (Hayata) J.C. Liao showed potent inhibition on both superoxide anion generation and elastase release in human neutrophils. Bioassay-guided fractionation of the leaves of M. japonica var. kusanoi led to the isolation of twenty compounds, including six new butanolides, machinolides A–F (1–6), and fourteen known compounds (7–20). Their structures were characterized by 1D and 2D NMR, UV, IR, CD, and MS data. The absolute configuration of the new compounds were unambiguously confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses (1, 2, and 3) and Mosher’s method (4, 5, and 6). In addition, lignans, (+)-eudesmin (11), (+)-methylpiperitol (12), (+)-pinoresinol (13), and (+)-galbelgin (16) exhibited inhibitory effects on N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine/cytochalasin B (fMLP/CB)-induced superoxide anion generation in human neutrophils with IC₅₀ values of 8.71 ± 0.74 μM, 2.23 ± 0.92 μM, 6.81 ± 1.07 μM, and 7.15 ± 2.26 μM, respectively. The results revealed the anti-inflammatory potentials of Formosan Machilus japonica var. kusanoi.

Antitrypanosomal butanolides from Aiouea trinervis

In a search for new antitrypanosomal agents in the Brazilian flora, the ethanol extract of the xylopodium from Aiouea trinervis (Lauraceae) exhibited in vitro activity against the epimastigote forms of Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiological agent of Chagas disease. Bioassay-guided chromatographic fractionation of the ethanol extract afforded three butanolides, isoobtusilactone A (1), epilitsenolide C2 (2), and epilitsenolide C1 (3). Butanolides 1 and 3 were more active against T. cruzi epimastigotes than the reference drug benznidazole (by 8.9-fold and 3.2-fold, respectively), while 2 proved inactive. Compounds 1 and 3 showed low cytotoxicity in mammalian Vero cells (CC50> 156 μmol L-1) and high selectivity index (SI) values for epimastigotes (SI = 56.8 and 28.6, respectively), and 1 was more selective than benznidazole (SI = 46.5). Butanolide 1 at 24 μmol L-1 also led to cell cycle alterations in epimastigote forms, and inhibited the growth of amastigote cells in more than 70 %. In silico ADMET properties of 1 were also analyzed and predicted favorable drug-like characteristics. This butanolide also complied with Lipinski's rule of five and was not predicted as interference compound (PAINS). This is the first report on the isolation of these bioactive butanolides under the guidance of in vitro trypanocidal activity against T. cruzi.

Repellent and Feeding Deterrent Activities of Butanolides and Lignans Isolated from Cinnamomum camphora against Tribolium castaneum

Three lignans (1–3) and three butanolides (4–6) were isolated from the lipophilic extract of the Cinnamomum camphora stem bark. The six compounds were identified as (-)-sesamin (1), 9α-hydroxysesamin (2), 9β-hydroxysesamin (3), obtusilactone A (4), isoobtusilactone A (IOA, 5), and isomahubanolide (6) from their spectroscopic data. Four (1, 2 and 5, 6) of them were evaluated for their repellent and feeding deterrent activities against Tribolium castaneum. In this work, the three butanolides (4–6) were confirmed to exist in C. camphora for the first time. Results of bioassays indicated that (-)-sesamin (1), IOA (5), and isomahubanolide (6) displayed certain repellent activities against T. castaneum at 78.63, 15.73, and 3.15 μg/cm2 at 2 h after exposure. Among the three compounds, (-)-sesamin (1) and IOA (5) exerted stronger effects and maintained longer duration of repellency. Furthermore, IOA (5) and isomahubanolide (6) showed good feeding deterrent activity against T. castaneum. IOA (5) was still potently active at low concentrations with the feeding deterrence index (FDI) ranging from 42.85% to 50.66% at 15–1500 ppm. This work provides some evidence for explaining antiinsect properties of the nonvolatile fraction of the C. camphora stem bark and helps promote the development and comprehensive utilization of this tree species.

Selective Cytotoxicity and Antioxidant Effects of Compounds from Dioscorea membranacea Rhizomes

Bioassay-guided isolation was used to separate the active ingredients of the ethanolic extract of Dioscorea membranacea by testing cytotoxic activity against three human cancer cell lines, i.e. large cell lung carcinoma (COR-L23), colon cell line (LS-174T) and breast cancer cell line (MCF-7), and two normal human cell lines, keratinocytes (SVK-14) and normal human fibroblasts (HF), using the SRB assay. The DPPH test for antioxidant activity was also employed, as was a test for LDH release as an indicator of damage to the cell membrane. Eight compounds were isolated, two naphthofuranoxepins (dioscorealides A [1] and B [2]), a 1,4-phenanthraquinone (dioscoreanone [3]), three steroids (β-sitosterol [4], stigmasterol [5] and β-D-sitosterol glucoside [8]) and two steroid saponins diosgenin-(3- O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl (1→2)-β-D-glucopyranoside [6] and diosgenin 3- O-β-D-glucopyranosyl (1→3)-β-D-glucopyranoside [7]). Cytotoxic activity of 2, 3 and 6 was shown against three cancer cell lines, and 2 showed selective cytotoxic activity against lung and breast cancer, but was less active against the two normal cells, and was not toxic to cell membranes in the LDH assay. The highest antioxidant activity was shown by 3.

Cytotoxic and Apoptotic Activity of Majoranolide from Mezilaurus crassiramea on HL-60 Leukemia Cells

Majoranolide, a butanolide isolated from the nonpolar fraction of an ethanol extract of Mezilaurus crassiramea (Lauraceae) fruits, is being reported for the first time in this genus and the third time in plants. Structurally identified from 1D and 2D NMR and HRESIMS data, majoranolide proved cytotoxic against cancer cells—MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 (breast), HT-29 (colon), PC-3 (prostate), 786-0 (renal), and HL-60 (leukemia)—inhibiting growth in HL-60 cells (GI₅₀ = 0.21 μM) and exhibiting higher selectivity for this line than for nonneoplastic NIH/3T3 murine fibroblasts. Effects on the cell cycle, caspase-3 activation, and plasma membrane integrity were evaluated by flow cytometry. Expression of genes related to apoptotic pathways (BAX, BCL2, BIRC5, and CASP8) was investigated using RT-qPCR. At 50 μM, majoranolide induced cell cycle arrest at G1 in 24 h increased the sub-G1 population in 48 h and increased caspase-3 activation in a time-dependent manner. The compound upregulated BAX and CASP8 transcription (proapoptotic genes) and downregulated BIRC5 (antiapoptotic). Loss of plasma membrane integrity in 30% of cells occurred at 48 h, but not at 24 h, characterizing gradual, programmed death. The results suggest that majoranolide cytotoxicity involves apoptosis induction in HL-60 cells, although other mechanisms may contribute to this cell death.

Biosynthetic investigation of γ-lactones in Sextonia rubra wood using in situ TOF-SIMS MS/MS imaging to localize and characterize biosynthetic intermediates

Molecular analysis by parallel tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) imaging contributes to the in situ characterization of biosynthetic intermediates which is crucial for deciphering the metabolic pathways in living organisms. We report the first use of TOF-SIMS MS/MS imaging for the cellular localization and characterization of biosynthetic intermediates of bioactive γ-lactones rubrynolide and rubrenolide in the Amazonian tree Sextonia rubra (Lauraceae). Five γ-lactones, including previously reported rubrynolide and rubrenolide, were isolated using a conventional approach and their structural characterization and localization at a lateral resolution of ~400 nm was later achieved using TOF-SIMS MS/MS imaging analysis. 2D/3D MS imaging at subcellular level reveals that putative biosynthetic γ-lactones intermediates are localized in the same cell types (ray parenchyma cells and oil cells) as rubrynolide and rubrenolide. Consequently, a revised metabolic pathway of rubrynolide was proposed, which involves the reaction between 2-hydroxysuccinic acid and 3-oxotetradecanoic acid, contrary to previous studies suggesting a single polyketide precursor. Our results provide insights into plant metabolite production in wood tissues and, overall, demonstrate that combining high spatial resolution TOF-SIMS imaging and MS/MS structural characterization offers new opportunities for studying molecular and cellular biochemistry in plants.

New butyrolactone and other metabolites from the bark of Endlicheria arenosa against of the phytopathogen Colletotrichum tamarilloi

In this work, screening of Lauraceae species for their antifungal activity against Collectotrichum tamarilloi was carried out and the ethanol extract derived from the bark of Endlicheria arenosa was found to be the best candidate. From the ethanolic extract of the bark of E. arenosa, the hexane and chloroform fractions were found to be active, from these five fatty acids were identified and two lactones were isolated. The most active fatty acid was the dodecanoic acid with a minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 78.0 μM. The butyrolactone 3R,4R-licunolide A, it has not previously reported, and licunolide B show both the lowest MIC (55.3 μM). This is the first report of compounds of natural origin as growth inhibitors of C. tamarilloi.

Inhibition of Collagen-Induced Platelet Aggregation by the Secobutanolide Secolincomolide A from Lindera obtusiloba Blume

Atherothrombosis is one of the main underlying cause of cardiovascular diseases. In addition to treating atherothrombosis with antithrombotic agents, there is growing interest in the role of natural food products and biologically active ingredients for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases. This study aimed to investigate the effect of secolincomolide A (3) isolated from Lindera obtusiloba Blume on platelet activity and identify possible signaling pathways. In our study, the antiplatelet activities of 3 were measured by collagen-induced platelet aggregation and serotonin secretion in freshly isolated rabbit platelets. Interestingly, 3 effectively inhibited the collagen-induced platelet aggregation and serotonin secretion via decreased production of diacylglycerol, arachidonic acid, and cyclooxygenase-mediated metabolites such as thromboxane B₂ (TXB₂), and prostaglandin D₂ (PGD₂). In accordance with the antiplatelet activities, 3 prolonged bleeding time and attenuated FeCl₃-induced thrombus formation in arterial thrombosis model. Notably, 3 abolished the phosphorylation of phospholipase Cγ2 (PLCγ2), spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk), p47, extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), protein kinase B (Akt) by inhibiting the activation of the collagen receptor, glycoprotein VI (GPVI). Taken together, our results indicate the therapeutic potential of 3 in antiplatelet action through inhibition of the GPVI-mediated signaling pathway and the COX-1-mediated AA metabolic pathways.

Chemical constituents and bioactivity of Formosan lauraceous plants

Taiwan is rich in lauraceous plants. A review of 197 references based on the chemical analysis and bioactivity of indigenous lauraceous plants carried out by native scientists from 1963 to 2014 has been compiled. About 303 new compounds and thousands of known compounds comprising alkaloids and non-alkaloids with diverse structures have been isolated or identified from indigenous plants belonging to the 11 lauraceous genera. The volatile components, however, have been excluded from this review. This review provides an overview of the past efforts of Taiwan scientists working on secondary metabolites and their bioactivity in native lauraceous plants. The potential of lauraceous plants worthy of further study is also noted. The contents will be helpful for the chemotaxonomy of Lauraceae and be of value for the development of native Formosan lauraceous plants.

Antiproliferative Compounds from Ocotea macrocarpa from the Madagascar Dry Forest1

Bioassay-directed fractionation of an antiproliferative ethanol extract of the roots of Ocotea macrocarpa (Lauraceae) afforded the new butanolide macrocarpolide A (1), and the two new secobutanolides macrocarpolides B (2) and C (3), together with the known butanolides linderanolide B (4) and isolinderanolide (5). The structure elucidation of all compounds was carried out based on NMR and mass spectroscopic data analyses. The absolute configurations of all compounds isolated were determined by comparison of their optical rotation values with those found in literature. Compounds 1-5 showed good antiproliferative activities against the A2780 ovarian cell line, with IC₅₀ values of 2.57 ± 0.12 (1), 1.98 ± 0.23 (2), 1.67 ± 0.05 (3), 2.43 ± 0.41 (4), and 1.65 ± 0.44 µM (5), respectively.

A new butanolide and a new secobutanolide from Litsea lii var. nunkao-tahangensis

The chloroform-soluble portion of the leaf extract of Litsea lii var. nunkao-tahangensis was further studied and these studies led to the isolation of a new butanolide, litsealiicolide C (1), and a new secobutanolide, secoisolitsealiicolide B (2), along with seven known compounds, linderanolide B (3), isolinderanolide C (4), secolincomolide A (5), secokotomolide A (6), (+)-beta-eudesmol (7), trans-phytol (8), and (-)-matairesinol (9). Their structures were established on the basis of spectral analysis and comparison with the literature data. In addition, the cytotoxicities against MCF-7, NCI-H460, and SF-268 cancer cell lines were measured in vitro and the results demonstrated that these metabolites have no cytotoxicity against the selected tumour cells.

Chemical constituents of the bark of Machilus wangchiana and their biological activities

Eleven new metabolites, butanolides 1-6, lignan derivatives 7-9, sesquiterpene 10, and 3',4'-seco-flavane derivative 11, have been isolated from an ethanol extract of Machilus wangchiana. Twenty known compounds, including ginkgolides A and B (16 and 17), were also isolated. Their structures and absolute configurations were determined by spectroscopic and chemical methods. Compounds 7, 8a, 8b, 9, 11, (+)-guaiacin (12), meso-dihydroguaiaretic acid (13), and hamabiwalactone A (15) showed potent in vitro activities against the release of beta-glucuronidase in rat polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) induced by platelet-activating factor (PAF), with 42.5-75.6% inhibition at 10(-5) M. Compounds 8, 8a, 8b, 9, and 11 reduced dl-galactosamine (GalN)-induced hepatocyte (WB-F344 cells) damage with 39.4 +/- 6.3% to 53.6 +/- 3.5% inhibition at 10(-4) M. Isomahubannolide-23 (14) was cytotoxic against human stomach cancer (BGC-823) and ovarian cancer (A2780) cell lines, with IC(50) values of 0.13 and 2.66 muM, respectively.

Jacaranone analogs from Senecio scandens

Bioassay-guided fractionation of the ethanolic extract of Senecio scandens led to the isolation of four new compounds 4, 5, 7, and 8, along with four known jacaranone analogs (1, 2, 3, 6). Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectral and chemical evidence. Compound 7 was obtained as a tautomeric mixture of alpha/beta-epimer. The cytotoxic activities of these compounds were evaluated. Among these, compounds 5 and 8 showed potent cytotoxicities. The benzoquinone derivative, jacaranone ethyl ester (1), was the major cytotoxic constituent in this plant with IC(50)s at a range of 0.5-1.0 microg/ml against various tumor cell lines. The SAR of these jacaranone analogs (1-8), isolated from S. scandens, was also discussed.

Anticancer activity of isoobtusilactone A from Cinnamomum kotoense: involvement of apoptosis, cell-cycle dysregulation, mitochondria regulation, and reactive oxygen species

In this study, we investigate the anticancer effect of isoobtusilactone A (IOA), a constituent isolated from the leaves of Cinnamomum kotoense, on human non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) A549 cells. IOA was found to induce the arrest of G2-M phase, induce apoptosis, increase sub-G1, and inhibit the growth of these cells. Further investigation revealed that IOA's blockade of the cell cycle was associated with increased levels of p21/WAF1, p27 (kip1), and p53. In addition, IOA triggered the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway, as indicated by an increase in Bax/Bcl-2 ratios, resulting in a loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, release of cytochrome c, activation of caspase-9 and caspase-3, and cleavage of PARP. We also found the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) to be a critical mediator in IOA-induced inhibition of A549 cell growth. In antioxidant and NO inhibitor studies, we found that by pretreating A549 cells with either N-acetylcystenine (NAC), catalase, mannitol, dexamethasone, trolox, or L-NAME we could significantly decrease IOA production of ROS. Moreover, using NAC to block ROS, we could significantly suppress IOA-induced antiproliferation, antimigration, and anti-invasion. Finally, we found that IOA inhibited the migration and invasion of A549 cell migration and invasion. Taken together, these results suggest that IOA has anticancer effects on A549 cells.

Isoobtusilactone A induces both caspase-dependent and -independent apoptosis in Hep G2 cells

Isoobtusilactone A, a constituent isolated from the leaves of Cinnamomum kotoense, has been demonstrated by us earlier to be an agent capable of inducing apoptotic cell death of Hep G2 cells. In order to clarify if caspases alone were the sole mediator for eliciting this apoptotic process, a broad caspases inhibitor, Z-VAD.fmk, was utilized to explore this possibility. Interestingly, although Z-VAD.fmk was demonstrated to be capable of completely inhibiting isoobtusilactone A-induced oligonucleosomal DNA fragmentation, yet it could only prevent limited amount of cells from becoming apoptosis-prone. These data implied that some other mechanism(s) might be involved. Thus, the involvement of apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF), a mediator arbitrating caspase-independent apoptosis, in isoobtusilactone A-induced apoptotic process was examined. These findings indicated that isoobtusilactone A could elicit the nuclear translocation of AIF that accompanied the occurrence of large-scale DNA fragmentation. Reduction of AIF expression by AIF-siRNA transfection suppressed large-scale DNA fragmentation. Interestingly, inhibition of AIF expression by AIF-siRNA could not prevent isoobtusilactone A-induced oligonucleosomal DNA fragmentation. In the same vein, when the cells were simultaneously combined pretreatment with AIF-siRNA and Z-VAD.fmk, both large-scale DNA and oligonucleosomal DNA fragmentations could nearly be prevented. Taken together, these findings suggested that isoobtusilactone A-induced apoptotic cell death was mediated via both caspase-dependent and -independent pathways.

Isoobtusilactone A-induced apoptosis in human hepatoma Hep G2 cells is mediated via increased NADPH oxidase-derived reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and the mitochondria-associated apoptotic mechanisms

Chemoprevention by the use of naturally occurring substances is becoming a promising strategy to prevent cancer. In this study, the effects of isoobtusilactone A, a novel constituent isolated from the leaves of Cinnamomum kotoense, on the proliferation of human hepatoma Hep G2 cells were studied. Under our experimental conditions, isoobtusilactone A was found to elicit a concentration-dependent growth impediment (IC(50)=37.5 microM). The demise of these cells induced by isoobtusilactone A was apoptotic in nature, exhibiting a concentration-dependent increase in sub-G(1) fraction and DNA fragmentation. Subcellular fractionation analysis further revealed that Bax translocation to mitochondria resulted in a rapid release of cytochrome c, followed by activation of caspase 3 and PARP cleavage, and finally cell death. Isoobtusilactone A-treated cells also displayed transient increase of ROS during the earlier stage of the experiment, followed by the disruption of mitochondrial transmembrane potential (DeltaPsi(m)). The presence of a ROS scavenger (N-acetyl-L-cysteine) and an inhibitor of NADPH oxidase (diphenyleneiodonium chloride) blocked ROS production and the subsequent apoptotic cell death. In addition, in order to investigate the acute toxicity of isoobtusilactone A, groups of 5-6-week old Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to oral administration of 350, or 700 mg/kg bw isoobtusilactone A four times each week for two weeks. There was no significant difference between control animals and treated animals with respect to the body weight gain, the body weight ratio of liver, spleen and kidney, haematological and clinical chemistry parameters. Taken together, our data suggest that ROS generated through the activation of NADPH oxidase plays an essential role in apoptosis induced by isoobtusilactone A, and the dosages of isoobtusilactone A tested in this study did not cause animal toxicity.

Steryl epoxide, secobutanolide and butanolides from the stem wood of Machilus zuihoensis

A steryl epoxide, machillene (1), a secobutanolide, secomahubanolide (2), and two butanolides, zuihoenalide (3), and 3-(1-methoxyoctadecyl)-5-methylene-5H-furan-2-one (4), together with 12 known compounds, were isolated from stem wood of Machilus zuihoensis. Their structures were determined by means of spectroscopic analyses. Machillene (1) showed cytotoxic activity against NUGC-3 and HONE-1 cancer cell lines in vitro.

Minor γ-Lactones fromTrichilia Catigua(Meliaceae) and its precursors by GC-MS

NMR and GC-MS analysis of fractions of the CHCl3 extract of Trichilia catigua bark led to the identification of a mixture of three omega-phenyl alkanes, three omega-phenyl alkanoic acids, five omega-phenyl-gamma-lactones, two alkyl-gamma-lactones, one alkenyl-gamma-lactone and a mixture of fatty acids ranging from C-14 to C-26. Beta-sitosterol, stigmasterol and campesterol as free alcohols were also identified.