[structure: see text] A structurally unique hydrophobic compound, biyouyanagin A, was isolated from the MeOH extract of the leaves of Hypericum chinense L. var. salicifolium. The structure of biyouyanagin A was elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic evidence. Biyouyanagin A showed a significant activity against HIV and inhibited cytokine production.

The ethyl acetate-soluble fraction from a MeOH extract of the roots of Ferula varia gave six new sesquiterpene lactones (1-6) and five known sesquiterpenes (7-11). Their structures were established on the basis of spectroscopic evidence. The cytotoxic activities of 1-11 were evaluated against selected human cancer cell lines. Compound 4 showed significant selective cytotoxicity against multidrug-resistant cancer cells (KB-C2). The cytotoxicities of compounds 1, 3, 5, 8, and 11 against KB-C2 cells were enhanced in the presence of nontoxic concentrations of colchicine.

Two new stilbene derivatives, (E)-resveratrol 3-(6' '-galloyl)-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (1) and (E)-resveratrol 3-(4' '-acetyl)-O-beta-D-xylopyranoside (2), and five known stilbene derivatives (3-7) were isolated from the dried aerial parts of Calligonum leucocladum. Their structures were established on the basis of spectroscopic evidence. Compound 1 showed antioxidant activity and a restorative effect of the inhibition of oxacillin to oxacillin/methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.