Wen-Xing Liu’s research while affiliated with Yunnan University and other places

Two new terpenoids, named biperovskatone B (1) and 1α- hydroxyl demethylsalvicanol quinine (2), were isolated from the cultured Perovskia atriplicifolia. Their structures were elucidated by comprehensive analyses of the MS, IR, 1D and 2D NMR spectra. Compound 1 was a novel diterpenoid dimer, containing two different rearranged 9(10 → 20)-abeoabietane type diterpenoid fragments. Compound 2 was a new icetexane diterpenoid with characteristic ortho-quinone carbonyl groups. Both compounds were assayed for their anti-HBV activity in vitro. Results suggested compounds 1 and 2 showed noticeable anti- anti-HBV activity, inhibiting the replication of HBV DNA with IC50 values of 10.78 and 8.61 μM, respectively.

Two new biphenyls (1 and 2) and three known xanthones (3–5) were isolated from the ethanol extract of the stems of Garcinia tetralata. Structural elucidations of 1–2 were elucidated by spectroscopic methods including extensive 1D- and 2D-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy techniques. Compounds 1–2 showed anti-rotavirus activities with SI above 10.

The title compound (I), called perovskiaol, exhibits significant cytotoxic activity inhibiting NB4, A549 as well as HepG2 cells.

Objective To study the chemical constituents from the whole plant of Swertia cincta. Methods The chemical constituents were purified by chromatographic methods such as silica gel column and Sephadex LH-20. The structures of these compounds were elucidated by MS, IR, and NMR analyses. Results Two compounds were isolated from S. cincta. Conclusion Compound 1 is a new compound named swercinctlactone A. Compound 2 is identified as (±)-gentiolactone and its configuration is confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction and optical specific rotation.

A novel terpenoid, named perovskiaol (1), was isolated from the cultured Perovskia atriplicifolia. Its structure was elucidated by comprehensive spectroscopic analysis as well as by quantum chemical computation of electronic circular dichroism spectra. Perovskiaol (1) was a novel C22terpenoid containing a unique D-ring simultaneously fused with rings A, B, and C, and encountered in nature for the first time. Cytotoxic bioassay suggested perovskiaol (1) possessed significant cytotoxic activity inhibiting NB4, A549, and HepG 2 cell lines with IC50values of 2.35, 1.47, and 0.81 μm, respectively.

Five flavonoids, four feruloyl amide derivatives, pinoresinol, lanost-9-en-3β-ol and three steroids from the leaves of Dracaena cochinchinensis (Lour.) S. C. Chen. Of these, compound 4 was identified as a new homoisoflavanone. This publication is the first reported purification of compounds 3, 4, 6- 12 from D. cochinchinensis. We also indicate the chemotaxonomic importance of these metabolites.

Three new phragmalin-type limonoid orthoesters, velutabularins K-M (1-3) and seven structurally related known compounds were isolated from the bark of Chukrasia tabularis var. velutina. The structures of these compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic analysis. The structure of 1 was confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction. In addition, the brine shrimp lethality of compounds 1, 3, and the known compounds was evaluated.

Bioassay-guided phytochemical investigation on the 90% EtOH extract of Perovskia atriplicifolia resulted in the isolation of eight abietane diterpenoids, including three new ones (1–3). Based on spectroscopic methods involving 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy techniques, mass spectrometry, and optical rotation, the structures of the new compounds (1–3) were unambiguously characterized. Compounds 1–2 and 4–8 were evaluated for their anti-HBV (hepatitis B virus) activity in HepG 2.2.15 cell line. Results suggested rosmadial (8) had the most anti-HBV potency, suppressing the secretion of HBsAg and HBeAg, with IC50 values of 0.09 and 0.34 mM, respectively.

An investigation on the chemical constituents of the 90% EtOH extract of Perovskia atriplicifolia led to the isolation of fifteen compounds from the EtOAc fraction. Based on the detailed spectral analysis (MS, 1D and 2D NMR), as well as comparison with the literatures, the structures of compounds 1-15 were determined as cirsimaritin (1), salvigenin (2), syringaldehyde (3), vinyl caffeate (4), 2α, 3α-dihydroxyolean-12-en-28-oicacid (5), 2α, 3α-dihydroxyurs-12-en-28-oicacid (6), niga-ichigoside F1 (2α, 3β, 19α, 23- tetrahydroxyurs - 12-en-28-oicacid- O-β-D- glucopyranoside, 7), sericoside (8), 4-epi-niga-ichigoside F1 (2α, 3β, 19α, 24-tetrahydroxyurs-12-en-28-oicacid O-β-D-glucopyranoside, 9), 2α, 3β, 24-trihydroxyolean-12-en-28-oicacid O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 --> 2) - β-D-glucopyranoside (10), pruvuloside A (11), asteryunnanoside A [2α, 3β, 23-trihydroxyolean-12-en-28-oicacid O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 --> 2)-β- D- glucopyranoside,12], rosmarinic acid methyl ester (13), β-sitosterol (14), and daucosterol (15), respectively. Compounds 1-13 were isolated from the Perovskia genus for the first time. All the compounds were obtained from P. atriplicifolia for the first time.

Three new biphenyls were isolated from Garcinia multiflora. The structures of these biphenyls were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, and their rotavirus activity was evaluated.