The objective of this study was to investigate the cytotoxicity of the ethanolic extract of mycelia from Ganoderma lucidum (EMG) cultivated in a medium containing leguminous plants Glycine max (L.) Merr. and Astragalus membranaceus on human hepatocellular carcinoma cells (Hep 3B) and to isolate the active components from EMG. The results indicated that EMG induced cytotoxicity in a dose- and time-dependent manner, and the cells treated with EMG for 24, 48, and 72 h had IC(50) values of 156.8, 89.9, and 70.1 microg/mL, respectively. Furthermore, EMG was fractionated into seven fractions (F1-F7). We found that F5 and F6 had higher growth inhibitory effects on Hep 3B cells than the other fractions, and F6 possessed enough amounts (about 2.1 g) to carry out a more detailed study. F6 caused a sub-G1 peak rise and DNA fragmentation in Hep 3B cells and was further separated by high-performance liquid chromatography to obtain two active compounds, 9,11-dehydroergosterol peroxide [9(11)-DHEP] (compound 1) and ergosterol peroxide (EP) (compound 2). The IC(50) values of 9(11)-DHEP and EP based on the cell viability of Hep 3B were 16.7 and 19.4 microg/mL, respectively.

The isolation and identification of eighteen components from the leaves of Schefflera taiwaniana are presented. Their structures were determined on the basis of spectral data as well as direct comparison with authentic samples. These compounds include two polyacetylenes, one carotenoid‐like, three sesquiterpenes, one diterpene, four triterpenes, two tocopherols, and five alkyl 4‐hydroxycinnamate mixtures. Among these, 4‐hydroxy‐trans‐cinnamic acid docosyl ester and 4‐hydroxy‐cis‐cinnamic acid tetracosyl ester are new compounds. Some of these components exhibit cytotoxic activity.

The isolation and identification of twenty-seven components from the leaves of Calocedrus formosana are described. Their structures were determined on the basis of spectral data as well as direct comparison with authentic samples. These compounds include a mixture of fatty acids, five benzenoids, two lignans, one sesquiterpene, fifteen diterpenoids, one steroid and two phaeophorbides. Some of these compounds exhibited cytotoxic activity.

Two new pheophytins, bidenphytins A (1) and B (2), with peroxide functionalities on ring E, were isolated from Biden pilosa Linn. var. radiata Sch. Bip., a popular Taiwanese folk medicine. Also isolated were the following six known compounds: pheophytin a (3), (132R)‐132‐hydroxypheophytin a (4), (132S)‐132‐hydroxypheophytin a (5), (132R)‐132‐hydroxypheophytin b (6), (132S)‐132‐hydroxypheophytin b (7), and aristophyll‐C (8). Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods (UV, IR, 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR) and by mass spectrometry (HR‐FAB‐MS). Possible biosynthetic pathways for 1 and 2 are proposed.

The structure of a mixture of ceramides (1) de rived from 2‐amino‐4(E)‐alkene‐1,3‐diol sphingenines with C22, C23, and C24 saturated fatty acid residues from red alga Ceratodictyon spongiosum ZANARDINI (Rhodymeniaceae) containing the symbiotic sponge Sigmadocia symbiotica has been elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic and chemical evidence. In addition, one new sterol, n‐nonadecanoic acid 24‐ methylenecholesteryl ester (2), and six known sterols were also isolated from the marine organisms.