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Garcilancibiphenyls A–C (1–3), three new biphenyls, were isolated from the stems of the plant Garcinia lancilimba, which belongs to the family Clusiaceae. Structures of the new compounds feature the acetoxyprenyl group on a benzene ring, and were elucidated by spectroscopic evidence. These compounds showed promising anti-rotavirus activity effects with TI values above 10.

Phytochemical investigations on the ethanol extract of the twigs of Garcinia tetralata resulted in the isolation of three new biphenyls, tetralatabiphenyls A-C (1-3), along with three known biphenyl derivatives (4-6). Structural elucidations of 1-3 were performed by spectroscopic methods such as 1D and 2D NMR spectra, in addition to high-resolution mass spectra. Compounds 1-6 were also evaluated for their anti-tobacco mosaic virus (anti-TMV) activity. The results showed that compound 3 showed high anti-TMV activity with inhibition rate of 31.1%. Compounds 1, 2, and 4-6 also showed modest anti-TMV activities with inhibition rates in the range of 18.9-24.5%, respectively.

Two new xanthones, 3-methoxy-1,4,8-trihydroxy-5-(1′,3′,4′-trihydroxybutan-2′-yl)-xanthone (1), 8-methoxy-1,3,4-trihydroxy-5-(1′,3′,4′-trihydroxybutan-2′-yl)-xanthone (2), and three known xanthones (3–5) were isolated from the fermentation products of a Phomopsis fungus. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, including extensive 1D and 2D NMR techniques. Compounds 1–5 were tested for their cytotoxicity against five human tumor cell lines (NB4, A549, SHSY5Y, PC3, and MCF7). Compound 1 showed cytotoxicity against A549 with IC50 values of 3.6 μM. Compound 2 showed cytotoxicity against SHSY5Y cells with IC50 value of 4.2 μM. The other compounds also showed potential cytotoxicity for some tested cell lines with IC50 values between 5.4–8.8 μM.

Versicolols A and B (1 and 2), two rare prenylated isocoumarin derivatives, along with five known isocoumarins (3–7) were isolated from the fermentation products of an endophytic fungus Aspergillus versicolor. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis, including 1D- and 2D-NMR techniques. Compounds 1 and 2 were evaluated for their cytotoxicity against five human tumor cell lines. The results showed that compounds 1 exhibited weak cytotoxicity against A549 and MCF7 cells with IC50 values of 9.4 and 8.8 μm, and compound 2 exhibited weak cytotoxicity against SHSY5Y and MCF7 cells with IC50 values of 8.2 and 6.8 μm, respectively.

Three new biphenyl derivatives, bractebiphenyls A–C ( 1 – 3 ), along with five known biphenyl derivatives ( 4 – 8 ) were isolated from the acetone extract of the twigs of Garcinia bracteata . Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, including extensive 1D and 2D NMR techniques. The anti-tobacco mosaic virus (anti-TMV) activities of 1 – 8 were evaluated. Compound 3 showed high anti-TMV activities with inhibition rates of 28.4%, which is close to that of Ningnanmycin (30.2%). Compounds 1 – 3 , 6 and 8 were also tested for their cytotoxicities against five human tumor cell lines (NB4, A549, SHSY5Y, PC3, and MCF7), and 3 showed high cytotoxicities against A549 and PC3 cell with IC 50 values of 3.6 and 2.7 μM, respectively.

Three new chromones, 5-methoxy-2,2-dimethyl-7-(2-oxopropyl)-2,3-dihydrochromen-4-one ( 1 ), 5-methoxy-2,2-dimethyl-8-(2-oxopropyl)-2,3-dihydrochromen-4-one ( 2 ), and 1-(3,4-dihydro-5-methoxy-2,2-dimethyl-2 H -chromen-7-yl)propan-2-one ( 3 ), together with four known chromones ( 4 – 7 ) were isolated from the stems of Cassia fistula . Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, including extensive 1D- and 2D-NMR techniques. Compounds 1 – 5 were evaluated for their anti-tobacco mosaic virus (anti-TMV) activities. The results showed that compound 5 exhibited high anti-TMV activity with inhibition rate of 30.8% at a concentration of 20 μM. The other compounds also exhibited potential anti-TMV activities with inhibition rates in the range of 15.6–22.1% at the same concentration.

Two new 7,8-secolignans, neglectahenols E and F (1 and 2), together with four known 7,8-secolignans (3-6), were isolated from the fruits of Schisandra neglecta. The structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, including extensive 1D and 2D NMR techniques. Compounds 1-6 were tested for their anti-tobacco mosaic virus (anti-TMV) activities at the concentration of 20 mu M. Compounds 1 and 6 showed high anti-TMV activities with inhibition rates of 38.2% and 32.7%, respectively. These rates are higher than that of a positive control. Compounds 2-5 also showed modest anti-TMV activities with inhibition rates in the range of 22.8-28.7%. These rates are close to that of a positive control.

Three new prenylated chalcones, renifolins A-C (1-3), together with seven known ones (4-10), were isolated from whole Desmodium renifolium plants. All of their structures were determined by spectroscopic methods including 1D and 2D NMR. Compounds 1 and 2 are the first naturally occurring chalcones possessing a 4-methylfuran-2(5H)-one unit. All of the isolates were evaluated for cytotoxicity using five tumor cell lines. Compounds 3-8, and 10 exhibited moderate cytotoxicity against certain cell lines with IC50 values from 4.2 to 8.8 mu M. (C) 2014 Phytochemical Society of Europe. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

For more bioactive compounds, phytochemical investigations of the acetone extract of the stems of Garcinia oligantha resulted in the isolation of three new xanthones ( 1 – 3 ) and five known analogues ( 4 – 8 ). Structural elucidations of 1 – 3 were performed by spectral methods such as 1D and 2D (HMQC, HMBC, and ROESY) NMR spectroscopy, in addition to high resolution mass spectrometry. Compounds 1 , 2 , 6 , 7 , and 8 showed anti-tobacco mosaic virus (anti-TMV) activities with inhibition rates above 10%.

Two new isoflavanones, (3R) 7,2',4'-trihydroxy-3'-methoxy-5-methoxycarbonyl-isoflavanone (1) and (3R) 7,2'-dihydroxy-3',4'-dimethoxy-5-methoxycarbonyl-isoflavanone (2), together with six known isoflavanones (3-8), were isolated from the stems of Cassia siamea. The structure of 1-8 was elucidated by spectroscopic methods including extensive 1D- and 2D-NMR techniques. Compounds 1, 2, 5-8 were evaluated for their anti-tobacco mosaic virus (Anti-TMV) activity. The results showed that compounds 1 and 6 showed potential anti-TMV activity with inhibition rates of 24.6% and 26.9%, respectively. Compounds 2, 5, 7, 8 also showed anti-TMV activity with inhibition rates in the range of 11.8-18.6%.

Eight new C-4-alkylated deoxybenzoins (1-8), three new diphenylethylenes (9-11), and five known diphenylethylenes were isolated from Arundina graminifolia. The structures of 1-11 were elucidated by spectroscopic methods including extensive 1D and 2D NMR techniques. Compounds 9-11 are the first naturally occurring diphenylethylenes possessing a hydroxyethyl unit. Compounds 1-11 were evaluated for cytotoxicity against five human tumor cell lines. Compounds 4, 5, and 9-11 showed significant cytotoxicity against five cancer cell lines, with IC50 values ranging from 1.8 to 8.7 μM.

Phytochemical investigations of the leaves of Garcinia paucinervis resulted in the isolation of three new xanthones 1–3 and five known analogues 4–8. Structural elucidations of 1–3 were performed by spectral methods such as 1D and 2D (HMQC, HMBC, and ROESY) NMR spectroscopy, in addition to high resolution mass spectrometry. Compounds 1–3 showed anti-TMV activities, with inhibition rates above 20%, especially for 1, which had a lower IC50 value of 21.4 µM.

Seven new unusual dibenzocyclooctadiene lignans, neglignans A-G (1-7), together with 16 known dibenzocyclooctadiene lignans, were isolated from the stems of Schisandra neglecta. Compounds 1 and 2 are the first dibenzocyclooctadiene lignans bearing a carboxyl group at C-4, and compounds 3 and 4 are the first 7,8-seco-dibenzocyclooctadiene lignans found from Nature. The new compounds (1-7) and several of the known compounds were evaluated for their anti-HIV activity and cytotoxicity. Compounds 2 and 6 showed anti-HIV-1 activities with therapeutic index values greater than 50, and compound 4 showed cytotoxicity against the NB4 and SHSY5Y cancer cell lines with IC50 values of 2.9 and 3.3 mu M, respectively.

Investigation of an organic extract of the fruits Schisandra wilsoniana led to the isolation of two new highly oxygenated. nortriterpenoids, named schilancidilactones V-W (1-2). Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic evidence. Compounds 1-2 feature a double bond between C-7 and C-8 compared with related known nortriterpenoids isolated from the genus Schisandra. Compounds 1 and 2 were tested for their anti-HIV-1 activities and cytotoxicity. The results revealed that compounds 1 and 2 showed moderate anti-HIV-1 activities with EC50 3.05 and 2.87 mu g/mL, respectively, and compound 1 showed high cytotoxicity against KB and MDA-MB-231 cell with IC50 values of 3.18 and 5.22 mu M, respectively.

Five new phenolic compounds, gramniphenols C-G (1-5), and eight known compounds (6-13) were isolated from the whole plant of Arundina gramnifolia. Compounds 1, 4, and 5 showed anti-tobacco mosaic virus activity, with IC(50) values of 20.8, 40.8, and 57.7 μM, respectively. Compounds 1-10 were also tested for their anti-HIV-1 activity; compounds 2, 3, and 6 displayed anti-HIV-1 activity with therapeutic index values above 100:1.

Four new 7,8-secolignans (neglectahenols A-D), together with two known 7,8-secolignans, were isolated from leaves and stems of Schisandra neglecta. The structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, including extensive one and two dimension NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance) techniques. 7,8-Secolignans and neglectahenols A-D were also tested for their anti-HIV-1 (human immunodeficiency virus type 1) activities, and all of them showed modest activities.

With bioassay-guided fractionation, five new polyprenylated benzoylphloroglucinol derivatives, garcimultiflorone D (1), 18-hydroxygarcimultiflorone D (2), garcimultiflorone E (3), garcimultiflorone F (4), and isogarcimultiflorone F (5), and five known compounds, guttiferone E (6), guttiferone F (7), aristophenone A (8), isoxanthochymol (9), and morelloflavone (10), were isolated from the acetone extract of the twigs of Garcinia multiflora. The compounds were evaluated for their apoptotic effects against HeLa-C3 cells, which have been genetically engineered to produce a fluorescent biosensor capable of detecting caspase-3 activation. Compounds 1 and 3-9 activate caspase-3 in HeLa-C3 cells within 72 h after treatment at a concentration of 100 microM or lower. In particular, compounds 6, 8, and 9 showed strong apoptosis-inducing effects at a concentration of 25 microM.

A phytochemical study of Isodon rubescens leaves led to the isolation of five new diterpenoids, isorubesins A-E ( 1- 5), and fifteen known diterpenoids. The structures of these new compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic evidence. Most of the diterpenoids were tested for cytotoxicity against NB4, A549, SHSY5Y, PC3, and MCF7 human tumor cells. Some of them showed potent inhibitory activity. Compound 5 is the first reported atisane-type diterpenoid from this plant.

Novel polyisoprenylated benzophenone derivatives isolated from the plant Garcinia paucinervis. Among these new compounds, paucinones A-C (Compounds 1-3) contains an unexpected cyclohexane-spiro-tetrahydrofuran moiety. A 1-methylene-3,3-dimethylcyclohexane group never reported before was found in the structure of paucinone D (Compound 4). Structures of these compounds were elucidated with spectroscopic evidence. The relative stereochemistry of 1-4 was determined by NOESY correlations. These compounds a potent ability to activate caspase-3 in HeLa-C3 cells within 72 hours at a low concentration and significant cytotoxicity against HeLa-C3 cells.

Phytochemical investigation on the stems of Kadsura coccinea led to the isolation of 8 new triterpenoids, kadcoccilactones K–R ( 1 – 8 ), and 10 known analogues. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis. Compounds 1 – 3 characterized with an aromatic ring E in their molecules are rarely naturally occurred kadlongilactone derivatives. Moreover, all compounds were evaluated for their inhibitory activity against K562, Bel-7402, and A549 human tumor cells. Compounds 9 and 10 exhibited potent cytotoxicity against K562, Bel-7402, and A549 cell lines with IC 50 values less than 0.1, 0.1, and 1.0 μm, respectively.

Nortriterpenoids, sphenadilactone C (1) and sphenasin A (2), together with four known lignans (3-6), were isolated from the leaves and stems of Schisandra sphenanthera. Their structures were elucidated by extensive analysis of 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic data and compound 2 was further confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Compound 1 features a partial enol moiety and an acetamide group in its structure. In addition, compounds 1, 3-6 showed weak anti-HIV-1 activity with EC(50) values in the range of 15.5-29.5 microg/mL.

Three new highly oxygenated nortriterpenoids, wilsonianadilactones A-C (1-3), together with twelve known ones, i.e., 4-15, were isolated from the leaves and stems of Schisandra wilsoniana. Their structures were established by means of extensive analysis of spectroscopic data, and compound I was further confirmed by X-ray crystallographic diffraction. Compounds 1-3 showed weak anti-HIV-1 activity with EC(50) values of 23.5, 55.5, and 66.4 mu g/ml, respectively.

Two new flavones, 5-hydroxy-8-hydroxymethyl-7,4′-dimethoxy-flavone (1) and 6-hydroxy-8-hydroxymethyl-7,4′-dimethoxy-flavone (2), together with six known flavones (3–8), were isolated from the bark of Lindera caudata. The structures of 1–8 were elucidated by spectroscopic methods including extensive 1D and 2D NMR techniques. Compounds 1–8 were evaluated for their anti-tobacco mosaic virus (anti-TMV) activity. The results showed that Compounds 1 and 2 showed high anti-TMV activity with inhibition rates of 31.2 and 28.8%, respectively. These values are close to those of positive control.

isolation and structure elucidation of two new isoprenylated flavones, bracteflavone A (I) and B (II), along with four known flavones with potential anti-TMV activity

Two new flavones, siameflavones A and B (1 and 2), together with five known flavones (3-7) were isolated from the stem of Cassia siamea. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods including extensive 1D and 2D NMR techniques. Compounds 1-5 were evaluated for their anti-tobacco mosaic virus (Anti-TMV) activity. The results showed that compounds 1-5 showed weak anti-TMV activity with inhibition rates in the range of 11.6-18.5%.

Fistulains A and B (1 and 2), two novel bischromones with unique coupling patterns, alone with their biosynthetic related compound 3, were isolated from the bark of Cassia fistula. Fistulain A represents a new type of dimeric chromone alkaloid biogenetically derived from a chromone and a tricyclic alkaloid through an unusual C-14–N linkage. Fistulain B has a new carbon skeleton with a C-14–C-5′ linkage formed between two different chromone units. Fistulain A displayed anti-TMV activity, and both 1 and 2 showed weak cytotoxicities.

isolation, structure and cytotoxicity of oxyphyllumflavone A and B, the first naturally occurring flavones possessing a six-membered 6-methyl-α-pyrone ring

Versicolactones A-D (1-4), four new butyrolactones, along with four known butyrolactones (5-8) were isolated from the fermentation products of the endophytic fungus Aspergillus versicolor. The structures of compounds 1-4, including absolute configuration, were elucidated by interpretation of the NMR and CD data. Compound 2 was further confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. In particular, compound 1 is the first naturally occurring butyrolactone possessing an unusual 2-oxopropyl group. More importantly, compounds 1 and 8 displayed significant antitobacco mosaic virus activities with inhibition rates of 46.4 % and 35.4 %, even more potent than the positive control ningnanmycin (30.8 %). Compound 1 also showed moderate cytotoxicity against A549 and MCF7 cells with IC50 values of 3.2 and 2.5 µM, respectively.

Three new chalcones were isolated from Desmodium oxyphyllum. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods including extensive 1D- and 2D-nuclear magnetic ressonance techniques. The compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxicity against five human tumor cell lines (NB4, A549, SHSY5Y, PC3, and MCF7). The results showed that the compounds exhibited weak cytotoxicity against some selected cell lines with IC50 values ranging from 3.6 to 8.9 μM.

New butyrolactones aspernolides C and D, along with two known butyrolactones (A and B) were isolated from the culture of the endophytic fungus Aspergillus versicolor. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis, including 1D and 2D nuclear magnetic ressonance techniques, and electronic circular dichroism. The butyrolactones aspernolides C and D were tested for their anti-tobacco mosaic virus activity. The results showed that butyrolactones aspernolides C and D exhibited moderate anti-tobacco mosaic virus activity with IC50 values of 64.2 and 88.6 μM, respectively.

Three new dihydroxanthones, muroxanthenones A-C (1-3), together with three known dihydroxanthones (4-6) were isolated from the fermentation products of an endophytic fungus Gliomastix murorum. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, including extensive 1D and 2D NMR techniques. Compound 3 showed high cytotoxicities against NB4 and PC3 cell with IC(50) values of 2.2 and 2.8 μM. The other compounds also showed moderate cytotoxicities for some tested cell lines with IC(50) values between 4.1 and 9.5 μM.

Aspergillines A-E (1-5) are highly oxygenated cyclopiazonic acid (CPA)-derived alkaloids bearing a rigid and sterically congested hexacyclic indole-tetrahydrofuran-tetramate scaffold, isolated from the endophytic fungus Aspergillus vesicolor. Apergillines A-C represent a new subclass of CPA-derived alkaloids, and aspergillines B and E possess a butanoic acid methyl ester moiety. The structures, including absolute configuration, were elucidated by interpretation of the NMR, X-ray crystallographic, and circular dichroism data. All compounds displayed anti-TMV and cytotoxic activities.

Two new isoflavanones, (3R)-7-hydroxy-4′-methoxy-5-methoxycarbonyl-isoflavanone (1) and (3R)-8-hydroxy-4′-methoxy-7-methoxycarbonyl-isoflavanone (2), together with seven known isoflavanones (3–9) were isolated from Desmodium oxyphyllum of the Leguminosae family. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, including extensive 1D and 2D NMR techniques. Compound 1 showed good cytotoxicity against NB4 and SHSY5Y cell lines with IC50 values of 3.1 and 2.5 μM; compound 2 exhibited cytotoxicity against PC3 cell lines with a IC50 value of 3.6 μM; compound 4 showed cytotoxicity against A549 and SHSY5Y cell lines with IC50 values of 3.6 and 2.8 μM; and compound 5 displayed cytotoxicity against NB4, SHSY5Y, and MCF7 cell lines with IC50 values of 2.6, 3.8, and 2.8 μM, respectively. Other compounds also showed moderate cytotoxicity for some tested cell lines with IC50 values between 5.4 and 8.8 μM.

Two new diphenylethylenes gramniphenols H (Ia) and I (Ib) are isolated from the whole plant of Arundina graminifolia.

2 New xanthones (I) and (II) are isolated from the fermentation products of a Phomopsis fungus along with 4 known xanthones.

Five unusual new prenylated chalcones, renifolins D-H (1-5), were isolated from whole Desmodium renifolium plants. All of their structures were determined by spectroscopic methods including 1D and 2D NMR. All of the isolates were evaluated for cytotoxicity using five tumor cell lines. Compounds 2 and 3 exhibited cytotoxicity against A549 cells, with IC50 values of 2.8 and 22 mu M, respectively. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Schilancidilactones A (1) and B (2). two novel tetranortriterpenoids possessing an unprecedented skeleton, have been isolated from the stems of Schisandra lancifolia. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis. The relative configurations of 1 were further determined by single-crystal X-ray crystallography. Compounds 1 and 2 were tested for their cytotoxicity against four tumor cell lines NB4, A549, SH-SY5Y, and PC-3, and compound I was further tested for its anti-HIV-1 activity. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Three new xanthones, 1,5-dihydroxy-3-hydroxyethyl-6-methoxycarbonylxanthone (1), 1-hydroxy-5- methoxy-3-hydroxyethyl-6-methoxycarbonylxanthone (2), and 1-hydroxy-3-hydroxyethyl- 8-ethoxycarbonylxanthone (3), along with seven known xanthones (4-10) were isolated from the fermentation products of an endophytic fungus Phomopsis sp.. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods including extensive 1D- and 2D-NMR techniques. Compounds 1-10 were also tested for their cytotoxicity against five human tumor cell lines (NB4, A549, SHSY5Y, PC3, and MCF7) by MTT method using paclitaxel as positive control. Compounds 1 and 3 showed cytotoxicity against A549 cell lines with IC50 values of 3.6 and 2.5 μM, respectively. In addition, 1 was cytotoxic to MCF7 cells with IC50 value of 2.7 μM.

Two new 2"-ethyl-furanoflavones named fistulaflavones A and B together with six known furanoflavones were isolated from the stems of Cassia fistula. The structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods including extensive 1D, 2D NMR and high resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HRESIMS) techniques, and comparison with literature data. All the compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxicity against five human tumor cell lines. One of the compounds showed potent cytotoxicity against SHSY5Y and MCF7 cells with IC50 values of 2.7 and 2.6 µmol L-1, respectively.

One novel xanthone, oliganthone A (1), was isolated from the stems of the plant Garcinia oligantha. It features the O-bearing C(3)-atom and absence of C(4) compared with the structures of related known xanthones, which have never been reported before. The structure of this compound was elucidated by spectroscopic analysis. Compound 1 showed strong HeLa cell growth-inhibiting effects with IC50 values below 10 μm.

Three new aurones, namely rugaurones A (Ia), B (Ib) and C (Ic), are isolated and elucidated.

Seven new chromones, siamchromones A–G (1–7), and 12 known chromones (8–19) were isolated from the stems of Cassia siamea. Compounds 1–19 were evaluated for their antitobacco mosaic virus (anti-TMV) and anti-HIV-1 activities. Compound 6 showed antitobacco mosaic virus (anti-TMV) activity with an inhibition rate of 35.3% and IC50 value of 31.2 μM, which is higher than that of the positive control, ningnamycin. Compounds 1, 10, 13, and 16 showed anti-TMV activities with inhibition rates above 10%. Compounds 4, 6, 13, and 19 showed anti-HIV-1 activities with therapeutic index values above 50.

Phytochemical investigation on the stems of Kadsura coccinea led to the isolation of 8 new triterpenoids, kadcoccilactones K–R ( 1 – 8 ), and 10 known analogues. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis. Compounds 1 – 3 characterized with an aromatic ring E in their molecules are rarely naturally occurred kadlongilactone derivatives. Moreover, all compounds were evaluated for their inhibitory activity against K562, Bel-7402, and A549 human tumor cells. Compounds 9 and 10 exhibited potent cytotoxicity against K562, Bel-7402, and A549 cell lines with IC 50 values less than 0.1, 0.1, and 1.0 μm, respectively.

Two new tetrahydrofuran lignans, kadlongirins A and B (1, 2), a new cadinane-type sesquiterpenoid, 2,7-dihydroxy-11,12-dehydrocalamenene (3), together with seven known lignans, grandisin, fragransin B1, vladirol F, kadsuralignan C, otobaphenol, isoanwulignan, and 4-[4-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-2,3-dimethylbutyl]-2-methoxy-phenol, were isolated from the leaves and stems of Kadsura longipedunculata. The structures of these new compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic methods. Compound 2 exhibited weak anti-human immunodeficiency virus-1 activity with an EC50 value of 16.0 microg/ml, and therapeutic index (TI) value of 6.7.

Ten new highly oxygenated triterpenoids, kadcoccilactones A-J (1-10), and two known triterpenoids, kadsuphilactone A and micrandilactone B, were isolated from the stems of the evergreen climbing plant Kadsura coccinea. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic evidence, with that of 1 confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. This is the first report on nortriterpenoids (2, 4-6, 8-10) from the genus Kadsura.

Phytochemical investigation of Kadsura angustifolia led to the isolation and identification of 26 lignans and two triterpenoids, including 11 new lignans named kadangustins A-K ( 1- 11). The structures and stereochemistry of 1- 11 were elucidated by analysis of spectroscopic data. Except for 11 and 20, all the lignans were evaluated for their inhibitory activity against HIV-1. Binankadsurin A ( 19) showed anti-HIV activity with an EC 50 value of 3.86 microM.

Two new dibenzocyclooctadiene lignans angeloyl-(+)-gomisin K-3 (1) and methylisogomisin O (2), together with six known ones, isogomisin O, angeloylisogomisin O, gomisin O, angeloygomisin O, benzoylgomisin O, epigomisin O, and four 1,4-bis(phenyl)-2,3-dimethylbutane type lignans, pregomisin, meso-dihydroguaiaretic acid, isoanwulignan, and sphenanlignan were isolated from the aerial parts of Schisandra propinyua var. propingua. The structures of 1 and 2 were elucidated by spectroscopic methods including extensive 1D- and 2D-NMR techniques.

Phytochemical investigation of the stems of Kadsura heteroclita led to isolation of 16 compounds, including the triterpenoid named longipedlactone J (2), and two dibenzocyclooctadiene type lignans named heteroclitin I and J (3, 4). Compounds 8-10, 14, and 15 were weakly active as anti-HIV agents, whereas compounds 6 and 12 exhibited moderate anti-HIV activity with EC50 values of 1.6 microg/mL, and 1.4 microg/mL, therapeutic index (TI) values of 52.9, and 65.9, respectively. Their structures were established by spectroscopic methods, including application of 2D NMR techniques and CD spectra.