Angiopterlactones A (1) and B (2), two unique lactones, and three known lactones, osmundalactone (3), osmundalin (4), and 3,5-dihydroxy-gamma-caprolactone (5), have been isolated from the rhizome of Angiopteris caudatiformis. The structures of 1 and 2 were determined by NMR and MS methods, and the structure of 2 was confirmed by X-ray crystallography. The absolute configurations of 1 and 2 were assigned by application of the CD excitation chirality method and the modified Mosher's method. Compound 1 was slightly cytotoxic against HeLa cells, with an IC(50) value of 68.8 microM, and compounds 3 and 4 showed moderate insect antifeeding activity against Plutella xylostella and Heliothis virescens.

Six new cembranoids, laevigatlactones A-F (1-6), and the known compound neocrotocembraneic acid (7) were isolated from leaves of Croton laevigatus. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analysis, and that of 1 was confirmed by X-ray crystallography. Compound 2 exhibited modest cytotoxicity against HeLa cells, with an IC(50) value of 38.4 microM.

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Four new sinapyl alcohol derivatives dichrocephols A–D (compounds 1–4) were isolated from the lipo-soluble part of the whole herb of Dichrocephala benthamii C. B. Clarke, together with the known compound syringenin isovalerate (5). Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analysis. Their absolute configurations were established by the method of alkaline hydrohysis. Compounds 1–3 showed moderate cytotoxity against HeLa cells, with IC50 values of 14.8 μM, 51.6 μM and 81.6 μM, respectively. This is the first time that sinapyl alcohol derivatives were isolated from the genus Dichrocephala.