Study On The Chemical Constituents And Biological Activities Of Three Medicinal Plants

Three medicinal plants, Salvia scapiformis, Phyllanthus glaucus Wall., and Cinnamomum subavenium Miq, have been phytochemically investigated. A total of75compounds (6compounds obtained from chemical transformation) were obtained and identified, including7triterpenoids,1diterpenoid,18sesquiterpenoids,4monoter-poids,29lignans (9sesquilignans and2dilignans),3flavonoids,2steroids, and11compounds of other types. Among them,22new compounds (6new compounds obtained from chemical transformation) were discovered. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, X-ray diffraction analysis, and quantum mechanical calculations, as well as chemical transformation. The bioactivities of some compounds were evaluated in vitro.Salvia scapiformis (Lamiaceae) is widely distributed in Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hunan, Jiangxi, Taiwan, and Zhejiang provinces of China, as well as Philippines. The whole plants of S. scapiformis, known as a folk medicine "Bai-Bu-Yao" in China, were used to treat cough, hemoptysis, traumatic injuries, traumatic hemorrhage, dysentery, and furunculosis. The phytochemical investigation and bioactivities of the other plants of Salvia genus have been reported in many literatures. However, there was no phytochemical investigation on any part of this plant. The first phytochemical study of the acetone extract of the whole plants of S. scapiformis afforded37compunds (compounds1-10and17-43). Among them,12new compounds1-9,17,25, and36were identified. Especially, compounds1-9are sesquiterpenoids with an unusualâ–³3-15,6-lactone moiety, and compounds4-9posess two stable comformations. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, CD, X-ray diffraction analysis, quantum mechanical calculations, as well as chemical transformation. At the same time, six new germacrane derivatives (11-16) with a6,15-diol moiety were obtained by the chemical transformation. Compound17is a diterpene with an ent-kaurane skeleton, which is very rare for the plants of Salvia genus. The absolute configuration of sugar moity of compounds25and36was determined by GC analysis, and the absolute configuration of aglycone in compound25was also discussed by enzymatic hydrolysis. Compounds1-9and11-17were evaluated for their in vitro cytotoxicity against five human cancer cell lines, HL-60, SMMC-7721, A-549, MCF-7, and SW480. Immunomodulatory effects of compounds1-9and11-16on T and B cells were also evaluated in vitro.Phyllanthus glaucus Wall.(Euphorbiaceae) is widely distributed in Jiangsu, Anhui, Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Hubei, Hunan, Guangdong, Guangxi provinces. The roots of this plant have been used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat rheumatic arthritis and infantile malnutrition. The phytochemical investigation and bioactivities of three plants of Phyllanthus genus, P. urinaria, P. emblica, P. nururi, have reported widely in China. The first phytochemical study of acetone extract of the whole plants of P. glaucus afforded30compounds (44-73), including22lignans (9sesquilignans and2dilignans). Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods and physicochemical property. Among them,44and71are new compounds. Compound72, a major constituent of P. glaucus with anti-arthritic activity, maybe involved the use of this plant in traditional Chinese medicine.Cinnamomum subavenium Miq (Lauraceae), a medium sized evergreen tree, is widely distributed in China. Its bark, leaves, and fruits have long been used as a traditional Chinese medicine as recorded in ancient medical literatures for treating a variety of ailments. In the course of phytochemical investigation on C. subavenium, two new lignans74and75with a unique spirodienone structure were discovered. To the best of our knowledge, only two sesquilignans with a spirodienone skeleton have been reported thus far, and compounds74and75are the first sample for lignan with this skeleton.