OBJECTIVETo investigate the chemical constituents of Heteroplexis nicocephala.

METHODThe constituents were isolated by using a combination of various chromatographic techniques including column chromatography over silica gel, Pharmadex LH-20, and C-18, as well as reversed-phase HPLC. Structures of the isolates were identified by spectroscopic data analysis. In vitro cytotoxic, neuroprotective, and anti-inflammatory activities were screened by using cell-based models.

RESULTSeventeen terpenoids were isolated. The structures were identified as two monoterpenoids: (-)-bomyl ferulate(1) and loliolide(2). Seven sesquiterpenoids: 1beta-hydroxy-alpha-cyperone(3) , alpha-rotunol(4), 10alpha-hydroxycadin-4-en-15-al (5), 1-epi-10beta-hydroxycadin-4-en-15-al(6), 10alpha-hydroxyisodauc-3-en-15-al(7), germacrene B(8), and mandassidione(9). Five diterpenoids: 12-epi-bacchotricuneatin A(10), 1-hydroxy-12-epi-bacchotricuneatin A(11), cleroinermin(12), desoxyarticulin(13), and anhydroolearin(14). And three triterpenoids: friedelin (15), ursolic acid(16), and obtusalin(17). In the in vitro assays, 1 showed selective cytotoxic activity against BGC-823, with an IC50 value of 8.00 x 10(-5) mol x L(-1). At a concentration of 1 x 10(-5) mol x L(-1), 12 showed neuroprotective activity against MPP+ induced PC12-syn cell damage, with a relative cell proliferation rate of 104.32% (P < 0.001). 2 exhibited inhibitory activity against the release of beta-glucuronidase from the polymorphous nuclear leukocytes induced by PAF, with an inhibitory rate of 52.7% (P < 0.05) at the same concentration.

CONCLUSIONCompounds 1-17 were obtained from the genus Heteroplexis for the first time. 1 showed selective cytotoxic activity against human gastric cancer cell lines (BGC-823), 12 and 2 showed potent neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory activities, respectively.