A phytochemical investigation of the methanolic extract of the bark of Endiandra kingiana led to the isolation of seven new tetracyclic endiandric acid analogues, kingianic acids A-G (1-7), together with endiandric acid M (8), tsangibeilin B (9) and endiandric acid (10). Their structures were determined by 1D-and 2D-NMR analysis in combination with HRMS experiments. The structure of compounds 9 and 10 were confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. These compounds were screened for Bcl-xL and Mcl-1 binding affinities and cytotoxic activity on various cancer cell lines. Compound 5 showed moderate cytotoxic activity against human colorectal adeno-carcinoma (HT-29) and lung adenocarcinoma epithelial (A549) cell lines, with IC 50 values in the range 15-17 µM, and compounds 3, 6 and 9 exhibited weak binding affinity for the anti-apoptotic protein Mcl-1.

A new natural pentacyclic compound, named kingianin A, was isolated as a racemic mixture from the barks of Endiandra kingiana (Lauraceae). Its structure was elucidated by comprehensive analysis of NMR spectroscopic data, X-ray crystallography, and ECD calculations. The pentacyclic skeleton may be formed by a Diels-Alder reaction between two monomers having a bicyclo[4.2.0]octadiene backbone formed by a stereospecific electrocyclization of a linear compound of polyketide origin.

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