New lignan from the rattan stems of Schisandra chinensis

A new lignan named schilignan F (1), together with twelve known ones (2-13), were isolated from the rattan stems of Schisandra chinensis. Their chemical structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods including one and two-dimensional NMR spectra referring to the literatures as well as high-resolution mass spectrometric analysis. All compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxicities against human Hela cancer cell lines in vitro. The results showed that compounds 2, 6 and 8 exhibited weak cytotoxic activity with IC₅₀ values of 30.6, 86.3 and 41.0 μM, and cisplatin showed cytotoxic activity with IC₅₀ value of 27.3 μM.

Six new lignans from the leaves and stems of Schisandra sphenanthera

Six new lignans, schisphenlignans F-K (1-6), together with ten known ones, were isolated from the leaves and stems of Schisandra sphenanthera. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic methods, including extensive NMR, MS and CD spectra. In addition, some compounds were tested for their acute activity on insulin sensitivity in 3T3-L1 differentiated adipocytes and anti-HIV-1 activity.

Terpene and lignan glycosides from the twigs and leaves of an endangered conifer, Cathaya argyrophylla

Labdane diterpene glycosides cathargyroside A and cathargyroside B, monoterpene glycosides vervenone-10-O-β-D-glucopyranoside and vervenone-10-O-β-D-apiofuranosyl-(1″→6')-β-D-glucopyranoside, as well as lignan glycosides cedrusinin-4-O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside and (+)-cyclo-olivil-9'-O-β-D-xylopyranoside, along with 39 known compounds, were obtained from the methanol extract of the twigs and leaves of Cathaya argyrophylla. These compounds were identified mainly by analyzing their NMR and MS data. Almost all of these compounds were hitherto unknown in this genus. The isolated compounds were screened against Candida albicans and Staphylococcus aureus for antimicrobial assay, and against K562, HT-29, BEL-7402, SGC-7901, B16, BGC-823, U251 and A549 cancer cell lines for cytotoxic activities. One compound showed antimicrobial activity against C. albicans, and four of them displayed cytotoxicity. Similarity analysis on the chemical constituents of the genera Cathaya, Picea and Pinus supported their close phylogenetic relationships.