Dihydroagarofuran sesquiterpenoid derivatives from the leaves of Tripterygium wilfordii with potential neuroprotective effects against H2O2-induced SH-SY5Y cell injuries

A series of dihydroagarofuran sesquiterpenoid polyol esters were isolated from the leaves of Tripterygium wilfordii, comprising eight undescribed compounds, named tripfordsinine A–H (1–8), along with four known ones (9–12). Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic data together with electronic circular dichroism (ECD) studies and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The neuroprotective effects of all these compounds against H2O2-induced SH-SY5Y cell injuries were evaluated. The results indicated that 10 exhibited the most prominent neuroprotective activity at different concentrations (12.5, 25, and 50 μM).