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Biotransformation of oleaside A (1) by Cunninghamella echinulata (ACCC 30369) was carried out to afford two products, (6R)-6-hydroxyoleaside A (2) and (7S)-7-hydroxyoleaside A (3). The structures of 2 and 3 were elucidated by extensive NMR analyses and further confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. We also report herein the X-ray diffraction structure of oleaside A (1) for the first time. Compounds 1–3 were evaluated for their cytotoxic activities against the A549, HCT116, HepG2, and HL-60 human cancer cell lines.

Two novel abietane diterpenoids, wardinols A and B (1 and 2, resp.), together with five known diterpenoids, 3–7, were isolated from the fruits of Illicium wardii A.C.Sm. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of intensive spectroscopic analysis, including 1D- and 2D-NMR spectroscopy. Wardinol A (1) is a rare 9,10-epoxy-9,10-secoabietane diterpenoid. All of the isolated compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxicities against three human tumor cell lines, A549, HCT116, and CCRF-CEM.

Biotransformation of jervine (1) by Cunninghamella echinulata (ACCC 30369) was carried out. Four biotransformation products were obtained, and three of them, 3–5, were identified as new compounds. On the basis of their NMR and mass-spectral data, their structures were characterized as jervinone (2), 7α-hydroxyjervine (3), 14α-hydroxyjervine (4), and 1β,7α-dihydroxyjervine (5). The X-ray diffraction structure of 1 is also reported for the first time.

Two unusual rearranged flavan derivatives with a rare bicyclo[3.3.1]non-3-ene-2,9-dione ring, tazettone A (1) and tazettone B (2), together with five known flavans, 3-7, were isolated from the bulbs of Narcissus tazetta var. chinensis Roem. The structures of two new compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic analyses, including 1D- and 2D-NMR spectroscopy. All of the isolated compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxicities against four human tumor cell lines A549, HCT116, SK-BR-3, and HepG2. Compounds 1 and 2 were almost inactive against all tested cell lines, while compounds 3-7 exhibited moderate or weak cytotoxicities against the tested cell lines.

Two new sesquiterpenes, 1 and 2, as well as the five known compounds 3–7, were isolated from the stems of Euonymus alatus. Compounds 2–7 have a β-dihydroagarofuran skeleton. The structures of these compounds were elucidated mainly by spectroscopic methods (1D-, 2D-NMR, ESI-MS, and HR-ESI-MS). We also report the X-ray crystal structure of evonine (3) for the first time.

Two new cycloheptapeptides, tunicyclins F and G, were isolated from the roots of Psammosilene tunicoides. Their chemical structures were elucidated by extensive analysis of 1D- and 2D-NMR, as well as HR-ESI-MS data. Tunicyclin G contains an unusual α,β-dehydrotryptophan (ΔZ-Trp) residue, which mainly occurs in the cyclic peptides from marine sponge and bacteria.

A systematic phytochemical investigation on Abies forrestii afforded two new and 20 known compounds. Abieseconordines A and B (1 and 2) are the first two examples of norditerpenes with a novel 18-nor-5,10?:?9,10-disecoabietane skeleton. Their structures were established mainly by analysis of 1D- and 2D-NMR spectroscopic data. In addition, electronic circular-dichroism calculations and molecular-orbital analysis were utilized to confirm the absolute configuration of 1. Both compounds exhibited a potent effect in a bioassay inhibiting LPS-stimulated NO production in RAW264.7 macrophages.

Three new neolignans, (7S,8S,7′E)-4,9-dihydroxy-3,7,3′,9′-tetramethoxy-8,4′-oxyneolign-7′-ene (1), (7R,8S,7′E)-4, 9-dihydroxy-3,7,3′,9′-tetramethoxy-8,4′-oxyneolign-7′-ene (2), (7S,8S,7′E)-5, 9-dihydroxy-3,7,3′,5′,9′-pentamethoxy-8,4′-oxyneolign-7′-ene (3), and one new phenylpropanoid, threo-5-hydroxy-3,7-dimethoxyphenylpropane-8,9-diol (4), were isolated from the leaves and stems of Toona ciliata var. pubescens. Their structures were determined on the basis of spectroscopic analysis, especially 2D-NMR, HR-ESI-MS, and CD data. The antiproliferative activities of these compounds against four tumor cell lines (A549, Colo 205, QGY-7703, and LOVO) were also evaluated by MTT (=(3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide) method.

Five new biflavonoids, 1–5, were isolated from the stem bark of Daphne aurantiaca. The structures were elucidated as 2,2″-bisteppogenin (1), 2,2″-bisteppogenin 7-O-β-glucopyranoside (2), 2′′′-dehydroxy-2,2″-bisteppogenin (3), 2′′′-dehydroxy-2,2″-bisteppogenin 7-O-β-glucopyranoside (4), and 7-methoxyneochamaejasmin B (5) on the basis of spectral analyses.

Two new sesquiterpenes, inulasalene (1) and inulasalsolide B (2), as well as 22 known compounds were isolated from the aerial parts of Inula salsoloides. The structures of the new sesquiterpenes were determined on the basis of their spectroscopic data and chemical properties. Compounds 1–4 exhibited potent inhibitory activities against NO production with IC50 values range of 0.010–1.290 μg/ml in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 cells.

A novel alkaloid with a unique indolo-[1,7]naphthyridine nucleus, incargranine B, was isolated from the whole plant of Incarvillea mairei var. grandiflora (Wehrh.) Grierson. Its structure was determined by means of spectroscopic methods.

Three new phenylpropanoid compounds, named nervolans A–C (1–3, resp.), together with two other known phenylpropanoids, coniferyl diangelate and sinapyl diangelate, were isolated from the aerial parts of Inula nervosaWall. (Asteraceae), a traditional Chinese medicinal plant. The structures of 1–3 were elucidated by detailed spectroscopic analyses, including HR-ESI-MS data and 2D-NMR spectroscopy. Compounds 1–5 exhibited mild inhibitory effects against NO production in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells.

Three new monoterpene alkaloids, mairine A (1), mairine B (2), and mairine C (3), and a new caffeic acid ester, 2-(1-hydroxy-4,4-dimethoxycyclohexyl)ethyl caffeate (4), were isolated from the EtOH extract of the whole plants of Incarvillea mairei var. multifoliolata. The structures of these compounds were established on the basis of 1D- and 2D-NMR and HR-ESI-MS analysis.

Two new alkaloids, incarvines E (1) and F (2), were isolated from the EtOH extract of the whole plant of Incarvillea sinensis. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, including 1D- and 2D-NMR.

Phytochemical studies on Veratrum nigrum L., collected in Shanxi, P. R. China, resulted in the isolation of two new steroidal alkaloids, 23-methoxycyclopamine (1) and 15-O-(2-methylbutanoyl)-3-O-veratroylprotoverine (2). The structures of the two new compounds were established by means of extensive NMR spectroscopic studies.

The three new monoterpenoid indole alkaloids 1–3 were isolated from the stems of Ervatamia flabelliformis. The structures were elucidated on the basis of spectral analysis and chemical derivatization.

Three new alkaloids, named bufoserotonins A–C (1–3), were isolated from the traditional Chinese medicine ChanSu. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analysis, especially of 2D-NMR data.

Two novel monoterpene alkaloid dimers, named argutanes A and B (1 and 2, resp.), together with the known alkaloid boschniakine (3), were isolated from the roots of Incarvillea arguta. The structures were elucidated on the basis of 1D- and 2D-NMR, as well as HR-ESI-MS data.

Flabelliformides A (1) and B (2), containing a novel C20 indole core, have been isolated from the stems of Ervatamia flabelliformis. The structures of 1 and 2 were elucidated on the basis of spectral analysis and X-ray crystallography.

Four new alkaloids, compounds 1–4, based on the germine (=4,9-epoxycevane-3,4,7,14,15,16,20-heptol; 5) framework, were isolated from the rhizomes of V. dahuricum, together with germine proper. The X-ray crystal structure of germine (5) was solved, and all compounds were characterized by circular dichroism, 1D- and 2D-NMR (1H,1H-COSY, DEPT, HSQC, HMBC), as well as HR-MS analyses.

Four new spiro-biflavonoids, named olgensisinols A–D (1–4), along with a known one, vitisinol (5), were isolated from the stem bark of Larix olgensisHenry var. koreanaNakai. Their structures were established on the basis of spectroscopic analysis and molecular-model studies.

Two novel alkaloids, 4,5-dihydroxy-1-methyl-3-oxo-2-(trichloromethyl)-3H-indolium chloride (1) and 4-(2-methoxyethyl)-N,N-dimethylbenzenamine (2), were isolated from the EtOH extract of the roots of Zanthoxylum nitidum. Their structures were identified on the basis of spectroscopic and mass-spectrometric analyses.