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Ulcerative colitis is a recrudescent intestinal inflammation coupled with diarrhea, weight loss, pus, and blood stool, which seriously impacts the quality of patient life. d-Pinitol, which can be a food supplement isolated from the food plant-like soybeans, Ceratonia siliqua Linn and Bruguiera gymnorrhiza, has been proved to show anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects. However, the potential mechanism of d-pinitol still remains ill-defined contemporarily. In the current study, the therapeutic effect and potential mechanisms of d-pinitol against colitis were investigated. Oxidative stress and inflammation of experimental colitis were caused by 3% DSS treatment once daily for 7 days. During DSS treatment, the mice of the positive drug group and three other groups were orally administered SASP or d-pinitol once daily. Clinical symptoms were analyzed, and macroscopic scores were calculated. The levels of oxidative and inflammatory cytokines were measured using assay kits and RT-PCR. Additionally, the protein expression of the Nrf2/ARE pathway and PPAR-γ was measured by Western blot. Results showed that d-pinitol enormously alleviated DSS-induced bodyweight loss, colon shortening, and histological injuries, achieving a therapeutic efficacy superior to SASP. Moreover, the oxidative stress and colonic inflammatory response were mitigated. d-pinitol not only significantly activated the Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway via facilitating the translocation of Nrf2 from sitoplazma to cytoblast, upregulating the protein expression levels of GCLC, GCLM, HO-1, and NQO1, but also improved the PPAR-γ level by binding to the active site of PPAR-γ, when suppressing NF-κB p65 and IκBα phosphorylation. In conclusion, d-pinitol exhibited a dramatic anti-colitis efficacy by activating the Nrf2/ARE pathway and PPAR-γ. Hence, d-pinitol may be a promising therapeutic drug against UC in the future.

The first and asymmetric total synthesis of 4β-acetoxyprobotryane-9β,15α-diol, containing a rare and highly strained trans-fused bicyclo[3.3.0]octane ring system, has been achieved. The synthetically challenging [6-5-5] tricyclic ring system in the final product was efficiently and diastereoselectively synthesized via an asymmetric rhodium-catalyzed [4 + 2] cycloaddition reaction, followed by a unique benzilic acid type rearrangement under very mild conditions. The seven contiguous stereocenters were installed efficiently and diastereoselectively.

Fiscpropionates A-F (1-6), six new polypropionate derivatives featuring an unusual long hydrophobic chain, were isolated from the deep-sea-derived fungus Aspergillus fischeri FS452. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analysis, and the absolute configurations were determined by J-HMBC analysis, electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculations, and the modified Mosher's method. This is the first discovery of polypropionates from marine-derived fungi, and compounds 4 and 5 represent the first examples of polypropionate derivatives containing a 3-hydroxypiperidin-2-one as part of an imide linkage. In addition, compounds 1-4 exhibited significant inhibitory activities against Mycobacterium tuberculosis protein tyrosine phosphatase B (MptpB) with the IC50 values of 5.1, 12, 4.0, and 11 μM, respectively. Enzyme kinetic experiments suggested that they all acted through a noncompetitive mechanism. A preliminary structure-activity relationship is discussed.

Acetaminophen (APAP) overdose-induced hepatotoxicity is tightly associated with oxidative stress. Tetrahydrocurcumin (THC) and octahydrocurcumin (OHC), the primary and final hydrogenated metabolites of curcumin (CUR), possess stronger antioxidant activity in vitro. The present study was performed to investigate the potential and mechanism of OHC and THC against APAP-induced hepatotoxicity in parallel to CUR. Our results showed that OHC and THC dose-dependently enhanced liver function (ALT and AST levels) and alleviated histopathological deterioration. Besides, OHC and THC significantly restored the hepatic antioxidant status by miring level of MDA and ROS, and elevated levels of GSH, SOD, CAT and T-AOC. In addition, OHC and THC markedly suppressed the activity and expressions of CYP2E1, and bound to the active sites of CYP2E1. Moreover, OHC and THC activated the Keap1-Nrf2 pathway and enormously enhanced the translational activation of Nrf2-targeted gene (GCLC, GCLM, NQO1 and HO-1) against oxidative stress, via inhibiting the expression of Keap1 and blocking the interaction between Keap1 and Nrf2. Particularly, OHC and THC exerted superior hepato-protective and antioxidant activities to CUR. In conclusion, OHC and THC possess favorable hepato-protective effect through restoring antioxidant status, inhibiting CYP2E1 and activating Keap1-Nrf2 pathway, which might represent promising antioxidants for the treatment of APAP-induced hepatotoxicity.

Four new cytochalasans, arbuschalasins A-D (1-4), along with thirteen known analogues (5-17), were isolated from the solid rice medium of endophytic fungus Xylaria arbuscula. Arbuschalasins A-B feature a rare 5/6/6/6 fused ring system while arbuschalasin D was characterized as the first example of natural cytochalasans that possesses a 5/5/11 fused scaffold. The structures of 1-4 were assigned by spectroscopic data, with their absolute structures being determined by electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculations. All of the isolates were evaluated against the human colorectal adenocarcinoma cell lines (HCT15). Compounds 6 and 7 showed significant inhibitory effects (IC

Objective To study the characteristic 2-(2-phenylethyl)chromone components of endophytic fungal strain of Aquilaria sinensis by solid culture. Methods The compounds were isolated by various chromatographic methods such as silica gel, reverse-phase silica gel, Sephadex-LH20 column chromatography as well as crystallization. Results Seven 2-(2-phenylethyl)chromone analogues were isolated from the solid culture of Botryosphaeria rhodina A13. Their structures were established by spectral data as well as physicochemical properties, and identified as 6-hydroxy-7-methoxy-2-(2-phenylethyl)chromone ( 1 ), 6,7-dimethoxy-2-(2-phenylethyl) chromone ( 2 ), (5 S ,6 R ,7 S ,8 R )-2-(2-phenylethyl)-5,6,7,8-tetrahydrchromone ( 3 ), 6-hydroxy-2-(2-phenylethyl)chromone ( 4 ), 4′-hydroxy-2-(2-phenylethyl)chromone ( 5 ), 6-methoxy-2-phenethyl-4 H -chromen-4-one ( 6 ), and 6-methoxy-2-(4′-methoxy-phenethyl)-4 H -chromen-4-one ( 7 ). Conclusion All of the compounds are isolated for the first time from the genus Botryosphaeria. This research opens up a new vista to produce the characteristic components of agarwood by endophytic fungi.

Glutamate-specific endopeptidase from Bacillus licheniformis (GSE-BL) is a serine protease with strong specificity toward Glu residue. The relatively complicated purification procedure for producing soluble active GSE-BL limits its wide application in biocatalysis and organic synthesis. In this study, recombinant gse-bl gene with full-length sequence was firstly expressed in the bacterium B. licheniformis (GSE-BL-B) and the yeast Pichia pastoris (GSE-BL-P) in a soluble and enzymatically active form. Pure GSE-BL-B and GSE-BL-P were obtained with yields of 62.5 mg/L and 78.4 mg/L, respectively, after one-step His 6 tag chromatography. Mature GSE-BL-B and GSE-BL-P, with similar enzymatic properties as matured GSE-BL expressed in Escherichia coli (GSE-BL-E), were obtained with yields of 50.8 mg/L and 63.2 mg/L after different durations of trypsin treatment. PNGase treatment and the corresponding enzymatic assay were conducted to validate the glycolysation of GSE-BL-P. The optimal reaction pH and temperature, as well as the kinetic analysis of GSE-BL-B and GSE-BL-P were investigated. The GSE-BLs expressed in B . licheniformis and P. pastoris are potential alternative for the production of enzymatically active GSE-BL with the advantages of much simpler and more cost-effective procedure. Thus, GSE-BLs can be widely applied in peptide synthesis, peptide recovery and sequence analysis.

The phytochemical study of Euphorbia prolifera led to the isolation of two tiglianes (1 and 2) and 23 mysrinanes (3–25). Most of these isolates showed significant antiadipogenic activity in 3T3-L1 adipocyte without apparent cytotoxicity. Subsequent structural modification yielded 10 derivatives, among which 1a, the 5-O-acetyl derivative of 1, turned out to be the most active compound with improved triglyceride-lowering activity (EC50 for 1 and 1a: 0.61 and 0.32 μM, respectively) and reduced cytotoxicity (selectivity index for 1 and 1a: 28 and 312, respectively). The structure–activity relationship study revealed that the trans-fused 5/7/6 ring system in an angular shape was important to the activity. A mechanistic study indicated that 1 and 1a could inhibit the glucocorticoid receptor α-Dexras1 axis in adipocyte, leading to the retardation of cell differentiation at the early stage. These findings may provide a new type of lipid-lowering agents for future antiobesity drug development.

Three new thiodiketopiperazines, geospallins A–C (1–3), together with nine known analogues (4–12), were isolated from the culture of the deep-sea sediment-derived fungus Geosmithia pallida FS140. Among them, geospallins A and B (1 and 2) represent rare examples of thiodiketopiperazines featuring an S-methyl group at C-10 and a tertiary hydroxyl group at C-11. Their structures were determined by high-resolution electrospray mass spectrometry (HRESIMS), spectroscopic analyses, and electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculations. Their angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activity was reported, and geospallins A–C (1–3) showed inhibitory activity with IC50 values of 29–35 µM.

Phytochemical investigation on the herbs of Lycopodium japonicum led to the isolation of a new serratene triterpenoid, 3α,21α-dihydroxy-16-oxoserrat-14-en-24-yl p-coumarate (1), together with two known ones, lycernuic ketone C (2) and tohogenol (3). Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic methods, including 1D- and 2D-NMR and HR-ESI-MS. The 13C NMR data of tohogenol was first reported.

Eutypellol A (1), the first norsesquiterpenoid of sequicarene family, as well as eutypellol B (2), a rare 7-methyl oxidized 2-carene derivative, and one new natural product 2-(2-hydroxy-4-methylcyclohex-3-enyl)propanoic acid (3), along with eight known terpenoids, were isolated from the marine sediment-derived fungus Eutypella scoparia FS46 collected from the South China Sea. Their structures were established on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis. Compounds 1–3 were evaluated for their antibacterial activities against Staphylococcus aureus and cytotoxic activities against MCF-7, NCI-H460, and SF-268 tumor cell lines.

Chemical examination of the liquid culture of Endomelanconiopsis endophytica A326 isolated from the Chinese folk medicine Ficus hirta resulted in the isolation of two new xyloketals named xyloketals K and L (1–2) and three known analogs (3–5) including a new natural product (5). Their structures were determined on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis. All compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxic activities against the SF-268, MCF-7, NCI-H460, and HepG-2 tumor cell lines. Nonetheless, no significant activity was observed.

A pair of new azaphilone epimers, perangustols A-B (1-2), and two new natural products (3-4), together with two known metabolites (5-6) were isolated from the culture of the marine sediment-derived fungus Cladosporium perangustum FS62. The structures of these compounds were established on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis. The isolated compounds (1-6) were evaluated for their cytotoxic activities against the SF-268, MCF-7, NCI-H460, and HepG-2 tumor cell lines. Nonetheless, no significant activity was observed.

Two new pimarane-type diterpenes, scopararanes H-I (1–2), along with five known ones (3–7) were isolated from the culture broth of a marine sediment-derived fungus Eutypella sp. FS46, which was obtained from the South China Sea. Their structures were established by extensive spectroscopic analysis. All of them were evaluated for their cytotoxic activities against MCF-7, NCI-H460 and SF-268 tumour cell lines. Scopararane I (2) showed moderate inhibitory activities.

Chemical investigation of the liquid culture of the endophytic fungus Bipolaris sorokiniana A606, which was isolated from the medicinal plant Pogostemon cablin resulted in the isolation of four new cytotoxic compounds, named isocochlioquinones D-E (1-2) and cochlioquinones G-H (3-4), along with five known cochlioquinone analogues (5-9). Their structures were determined on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis. Isocochlioquinone D (1) possessed a rare benzothiazin-3-one moiety and cochlioquinone G (3) was the first example of cochlioquinones bearing an indole-4,7-dione fragment. All of the isolates (1-9) were evaluated for their cytotoxic activities against MCF-7, NCI-H460, SF-268 and HepG-2 tumor cell lines by the sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay. Compounds 4 and 6-9, featuring a cochlioquinone core, exhibited potent cytotoxicities in vitro against the four tumor cell lines, and a preliminary structure-activity relationship of these compounds was also discussed.

A new cytotoxic roridin-type trichothecene macrolide named epiroridin acid (1) and two known compounds epiroridin E (2) and mytoxin B (3) were isolated from the liquid culture of Myrothecium roridum A553, which was isolated from the medicinal plant Pogostemon cablin. The structure of the new macrolide (1) was elucidated by extensive spectroscopic measurements (UV, IR, MS, and 1D and 2D NMR) analyses. All isolated compounds (1-3) were evaluated for their cytotoxic activities against SF-268, MCF-7, NCI-H460, and HepG-2 tumor cell lines. The new compound (1) exhibited well cytotoxicity against the four selected tumor cell lines.

Bioassay-guided fractionation of the ethanolic extract of the stems of Aristolochia fordiana led to the isolation of six new dihydrobenzofuran neolignans (1-3 and 7-9), three new 2-aryldihydrobenzofurans (4-6), a new 8-O-4' neolignan (10), and 14 known analogues (11-24). The structures of compounds 1-10 were established by spectroscopic methods, and their absolute configurations were determined by analyses of the specific rotation and electronic circular dichroism data. The neuroprotective effects of compounds 1-24 against glutamate-induced cell death were tested in hippocampal neuronal cell line HT22. Compounds 17 and 20-24 exhibited moderate neuroprotective activity by increasing the endogenous antioxidant defense system. In addition, the neolignans activated the Nrf2 (nuclear factor E2-related factor 2) pathway, resulting in the increase of the expression of endogenous antioxidant protein HO-1 (heme oxygenase-1). The active compounds also preserved the levels of antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2 (B cell lymphoma/leukemia-2), which was decreased by glutamate. Collectively, these results suggested that the active neolignans protect neurons against glutamate-induced cell death through maintaining the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway as well as preserving the Bcl-2 protein and might be promising novel beneficial agents for oxidative stress-associated diseases.

Two new compounds isobenzofuranone A (1) and indandione B (2), together with eleven known compounds (3–13) were isolated from liquid cultures of an endophytic fungus Alternaria sp., which was obtained from the medicinal plant Morinda officinalis. Among them, the indandione (2) showed a rarely occurring indanone skeleton in natural products. Their structures were elucidated mainly on the basis of extensive spectroscopic data analysis. All of the compounds were evaluated with cytotoxic and α-glucosidase inhibitory activity assays. Compounds 11 and 12 showed significant inhibitory activities against four tumor cell lines; MCF-7, HepG-2, NCI-H460 and SF-268, with IC50 values in the range of 1.91–9.67 μM, and compounds 4, 5, 9, 10, 12 and 13 showed excellent inhibitory activities against α-glucosidase with IC50 values in the range of 12.05–166.13 μM.

Four new sesquiterpenoids, 1α-hydroxymethyl-3β-hydroxy-7,8-dihydro-ionol (1), 1α-hydroxymethyl- 3β-hydroxy-7,8-dihydro-ionol-9-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (2), (1α,5β,7β)-3,10(14)-guaiadien- 11,12-diol (3), and (6S)-13-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-abscisic acid (4), together with 10 known sesquiterpenoids and 5 diterpenes were isolated from the branches and leaves of Chamaecyparis obtusa var. breviramea f. crippsii. Their structures were mainly determined on the basis of MS, IR, 1D and 2D NMR spectral evidence. Compound 13-epi-toruolsol (17) showed cytotoxicities against BGC-823 and Hela cancer cell lines with IC50 values of 23.0 and 49:9 μM, and compound 3-epitriptobenzene B (19) showed cytotoxicities against BGC-823, Hela and A549 cancer cell lines with IC50 values of 19.1, 30.3 and 24:5 μM, respectively

Six new sesquiterpenoids, aristomollins A–F (1–6), and 24 known analogues (7–30) were isolated from the leaves and stems of Aristolochia mollissima. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analysis, and the absolute configurations of compounds 2–5 were determined by the chemical correlations and quantum chemical ECD calculations. Compound 1 represented an unprecedented 5,6-seco-4,5-cyclohumulane skeleton. All the compounds were examined for their inhibitory effects on the nitric oxide (NO) production induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in BV-2 microglial cells, and compounds 4, 9, 28, and 30 exhibited pronounced inhibition of NO production with IC50 values in the range of 5.7–9.9 μM, being more active than the positive control, quercetin (IC50 = 15.7 μM).

Six new tetraprenylated alkaloids, designated as malonganenones L–Q (1–6), were isolated from the gorgonian Echinogorgia pseudossapo, collected in Daya Bay of Guangdong Province, China. The structures of 1–6 featuring a methyl group at N-3 and a tetraprenyl chain at N-7 in the hypoxanthine core were established by extensive spectroscopic analyses. Compounds 1–6 were tested for their inhibitory activity against the phosphodiesterases (PDEs)-4D, 5A, and 9A, and compounds 1 and 6 exhibited moderate inhibitory activity against PDE4D with IC50 values of 8.5 and 20.3 µM, respectively.

The secondary metabolites of endophytic fungus Cerrena sp.A593 from Pogostemon cablin and their cytotoxic activities were investigated. Eight sesquiterpenoids were isolated from the fermentation broth of the strain A593 by silica gel, reverse phase silica gel, Sephadex LH-20, HPLC and so on. Their structures were identified as chloriolin B(1), chloriolin C(2), pleurocybellone A(3), dihydrohypnophilin(4), cucumin F(5), antrodin A(6), 10α-hydroxyamorphan-4-en-3-one(7), and connatusin A(8). Compounds 1- 8 were firstly found from the genus Cerrena. All isolated sesquiterpenoids were evaluated for in vitro cytotoxic activities against HepG-2, SF-268, MCF-7 and NCI-H460 tumor cell lines. Compounds 1-3 showed inhibitory activities against the four tumor cell lines with IC₅₀ values ranging from 20.33 to 63.13 μmol•L⁻¹.

Cytosporaphenones A–C, one new polyhydric benzophenone and two new naphtopyrone derivatives, along with eight known ones, were isolated from Cytospora rhizophorae, an endophytic fungus from Morinda officinalis. Their structures were fully characterized by means of detailed spectroscopic analysis and X-ray single crystal diffraction. To our knowledge, the three new compounds were the most highly oxygenated metabolites of their families discovered in nature. Moreover, all of the compounds were evaluated for in vitro cytotoxic activities against MCF-7, NCI-H460, HepG-2 and SF-268 tumor cell lines, and the new compound 1 exhibited weak growth inhibitory activity against the tumor cell lines MCF-7 and HepG-2 with IC50 values of 70 and 60 μM, respectively.

Five new polyhydroxypregnane glycosides, namely cynanotosides A−E (1–5), together with two known analogues, deacetylmetaplexigenin (6) and cynotophylloside H (7), were isolated from the roots of Cynanchum otophyllum. Their structures were established by spectroscopic methods and acid hydrolysis. The neuroprotective effects of compounds 1–7 against glutamate-, hydrogen peroxide-, and homocysteic acid (HCA)-induced cell death were tested by MTT assay in a hippocampal neuronal cell line HT22. Compounds 1, 2, and 7 exhibited protective activity against HCA-induced cell death in a dose-dependent manner ranging from 1 to 30 μM, which may explain the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) use of this plant for the treatment of epilepsy.

Three new thiodiketopiperazines, geospallins A⁻C (1⁻3), together with nine known analogues (4⁻12), were isolated from the culture of the deep-sea sediment-derived fungus Geosmithia pallida FS140. Among them, geospallins A and B (1 and 2) represent rare examples of thiodiketopiperazines featuring an S-methyl group at C-10 and a tertiary hydroxyl group at C-11. Their structures were determined by high-resolution electrospray mass spectrometry (HRESIMS), spectroscopic analyses, and electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculations. Their angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activity was reported, and geospallins A⁻C (1⁻3) showed inhibitory activity with IC50 values of 29⁻35 µM.

Trichothecene mycotoxins are a type of sesquiterpenoid produced by various kinds of plantpathogenic fungi. In this study, two trichothecene toxins, namely, a novel cytotoxic epiroridin acid and a known trichothecene, mytoxin B, were isolated from the endophytic fungus Myrothecium roridum derived from the medicinal plant Pogostemon cablin. The two trichothecene mytoxins were confirmed to induce the apoptosis of HepG-2 cells by cytomorphology inspection, DNA fragmentation detection, and flow cytometry assay. The cytotoxic mechanisms of the two mycotoxins were investigated by quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction, western blot, and detection of mitochondrial membrane potential. The results showed that the two trichothecene mycotoxins induced the apoptosis of cancer cell HepG-2 via activation of caspase-9 and caspase-3, up-regulation of bax gene expression, down-regulation of bcl-2 gene expression, and disruption of the mitochondrial membrane potential of the HepG-2 cell. This study is the first to report on the cytotoxic mechanism of trichothecene mycotoxins from M. roridum. This study provides new clues for the development of attenuated trichothecene toxins in future treatment of liver cancer.

To study active secondary metabolites of endophytic fungus Diaporthe longicolla A616 isolated from Pogostemon cablin. Ten compounds were isolated from fermentation product of the strain 616 by silica gel, reverse phase silica gel, Sephadex-LH20, HPLC and so on. Their structures were identified as 1,3-diamino-1,3-dimethylurea(1),(7R,9R)-7-hydroxy-9-propyl-5-nonen-9-olide(2), Ergosta-5,7,22-trien-3β-ol(3),(22E,24R)-ergosta-4,6,8(14)-22-tetraen-3-one(4),(22E,24R)-3β,5α-dihydroxy-6β-ergosta-7,22-diene(5), citreoisocoumarin(6), glycerol monolinoleate(7), 1-(2-hydroxyethoxy)ethyl(E)-octadec-9-enoate(8), cyclo-(L-Pro-L-Ala)(9), cyclo(L)-Pro-(L)-Val(10), respectively, based on extensive spectroscopic analysis and literature comparisons. Compounds 6-10 were isolated from the genus Diaporthe for the first time. All isolated compounds were evaluated for in vitro cytotoxic activities against SF-268, MCF-7, NCI-H460 and HepG-2 tumor cell lines. Compounds 4 and 5 showed potent growth inhibitory activities against the four cell lines with IC₅₀ values of 5.3, 6.5, 12.2, 6.1μmol•L⁻¹ and 8.2, 5.2, 6.1, 9.4μmol•L⁻¹, respectively.

Chemical investigation on the soft coral Sarcophyton ehrenbergi collected from the Xisha Islands of the South China Sea have led to the isolation of eight cembranoids including five new ones, sarcophytonoxides A–E (1–5). The structures of new cembranoids (1–5) were determined by spectroscopic analysis and comparison of the NMR data with those of related analogues. The cytotoxicities of compounds 1–8 against human ovarian cancer cell line A2780 were also evaluated.

Activity-guided isolation of the fermentation broth of the deep-sea derived fungus Acaromyces ingoldii FS121, which was obtained from the China South Sea, yielded a new naphtha-[2,3-b]pyrandione analogue, acaromycin A (1) and a new thiazole analogue, acaromyester A (2), as well as the known compound (+)-cryptosporin (3). Their structures, including absolute configurations, were determined by extensive spectroscopic analysis and electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectra. Compounds 1–3 were evaluated for in vitro growth inhibitory activities against four tumor cell lines (MCF-7, NCI-H460, SF-268 and HepG-2), wherein compounds 1 and 3 exhibited considerable growth inhibitory effects, with IC50 values less than 10 µM.

Fifteen taxanes ( 1 – 15 ) including a new taxane glucoside, 7β,9α,10β-triacetoxy-13α-hydroxy-5α- O -(β- d -glucopyranosyl)taxa-4(20),11-diene ( 1 ), were isolated from the barks of Taxus wallichiana var. mairei . Compounds 1 – 15 representing three sub-types of 6/8/6-taxane were evaluated in vitro for anti-proliferative activity against a panel of parental and drug-resistant cancer cells. Potent compounds were found while several exhibited selective cytotoxicity. Especially, 3 , 8 , and 10 showed selective inhibition to breast carcinoma cell line MCF-7, while 13 selectively inhibited taxol resistant human ovarian carcinoma cell line A2780/TAX (IC 50 = 0.19 μM), being more potent than the clinical drugs taxol (IC 50 = 4.4 μM) and docetaxol (IC 50 = 0.42 μM), and less cytotoxic to mouse embryonic fibroblast cell line NIH-3T3, a cell line close to normal cell line. The possible P-glycoprotein evasion mechanism of 13 against A2780/TAX and the preliminary structure–activity relationships (SARs) of this group of compounds were also discussed.

Four new sesquiterpenoids (I)-(III) are isolated from the branches and leaves of Chamaecyparis obtusa var.

A new lignan glycoside, (-)-(8S, 8'R)-thujastandin-4-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (1), together with fourteen known lignanoids (2-15) and one coumarin (16) were isolated from the branches and leaves of Chamaecyparis obtusa var. breviramea f. crippsii. Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic and spectrometric analysis. Compound 16 exhibited cytotoxicity against A549, BGC-823 and Hela cell lines with IC50 values of 25.9, 20.9 and 18.5 microM, respectively.

A new phenolic glycoside, 3-methoxyphenol 1-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→6)- O-β-D-glucopyranoside (1), was isolated from the 90% acetone extract of the branches and leaves of Chamaecyparis obtusa var. breviramea f. crippsii along with another 10 known phenolics 2–11. Their structures were determined mainly by means of MS, 1D- and 2D-NMR data. Cytotoxicities of compounds 3 and 5–11 were tested on BGC-823, Hela and A549 cancer cell lines, the results showed that compound 8 was bioactive and its IC50 values were 6.9, 29.7 and 52.9 μM, respectively.

Three new diketopiperazines, dichotocejpins A–C (1–3), together with eight known analogues (4–11), were isolated from the culture of the deep-sea sediment derived fungus Dichotomomyces cejpii FS110. Their structures, including absolute configurations, were elucidated by a combination of HRESIMS, NMR, X-ray crystallography, and ECD calculations. Compounds 4–6, 10–11 showed significant cytotoxic activities against MCF-7, NCI-H460, HepG-2, and SF-268 tumor cell lines. Compound 1 exhibited excellent inhibitory activity against α-glucosidase with an IC50 of 138 μM.

Two new secondary metabolites, endomeketals A-B (1-2), a new natural product (3), and a known compound (4) were isolated from the ethyl acetate extract of the endophytic fungus Endomelanconiopsis endophytica A326 derived from Ficus hirta. Their structures were determined on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis. All compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxic activities against SF-268, MCF-7, NCI-H460, and HepG-2 tumor cell lines. However, no compound showed cytotoxic activity against these human tumor cell lines.

Chemical investigation of the 90% acetone extract of the branches and leaves of Sabina gaussenii led to the isolation of two new cinnamyl isovalerate derivatives (1-2) and eighteen known compounds (3-20). Their structures were determined mainly by means of MS, 1D- and 2D-NMR data, and this is the first time these compounds have been reported from this plant. The biological activity test results indicated that the 90% acetone extract showed cytotoxicity against the human lung adenocarcinoma (A549) cell line (IC50 = 0.98 +/- 0.1 mu g/mL), compound 6 showed cytotoxicities against human cervical carcinoma (HeLa) (IC50 = 0.4 +/- 0.1 mu M) and human gastric carcinoma (BGC-823) (IC50 = 0.9 +/- 0.2 mu M) cancer cell lines, and compound 19 showed cytotoxicities against HeLa (IC50 = 1.5 +/- 0.4 mu M), BGC-823 (IC50 = 7.0 +/- 0.8 mu M), and A549 (IC50 = 10.6 +/- 1.5 mu M) cancer cell lines.

A new phenolic glycoside, 3-methoxyphenol 1-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 -> 6)-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (1), was isolated from the 90% acetone extract of the branches and leaves of Chamaecyparis obtusa var. breviramea f. crippsii along with another 10 known phenolics 2-11. Their structures were determined mainly by means of MS, 1D- and 2D-NMR data. Cytotoxicities of compounds 3 and 5-11 were tested on BGC-823, Hela and A549 cancer cell lines, the results showed that compound 8 was bioactive and its IC50 values were 6.9, 29.7 and 52.9 mu M, respectively.