Nineteen preschisanartane-type schinortriterpenoids (SNTs), among which eleven ones were previously undescribed, were isolated from two Schisandra species, S. sphaerandra and S. rubriflora. Their structures were determined using 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic analyses, NMR data comparison, quantum chemical calculation of NMR parameters, electronic circular dichroism (ECD), X-ray single crystal diffraction, and chemical derivation. Furthermore, structural re-examination of a few previously reported preschisanartane-type SNTs led to the structural revision of preschisanartanin J. Besides, it is suggested that the reported structures of arisanlactone D and schilancidilactone W should be re-checked. Finally, a few isolated SNTs were found to possess neurite outgrowth-promoting activities, and protective activities against neural injuries.

Nine new ent-kaurane diterpenoids, named scopariusols L-T (1-9), were isolated from the aerial parts of Isodon scoparius. Their structures were characterized mainly by analyzing the NMR and HR-ESI-MS data, and the absolute configuration of 1 was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Compound 1 was active against five human tumor cell lines (HL-60, SMMC-7721, A-549, MCF-7, and SW-480), and it also inhibited NO production in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells, with an IC value of 0.6 μmol·L.
Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Crystallography, X-Ray ; Diterpenes, Kaurane ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; HL-60 Cells ; Humans ; Isodon ; chemistry ; Lipopolysaccharides ; pharmacology ; Macrophages ; drug effects ; Mice ; Molecular Structure ; Nitric Oxide ; biosynthesis ; Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, Biomolecular ; Plant Components, Aerial ; chemistry ; RAW 264.7 Cells