Cassane and nor-cassane diterpenoids from the roots of Erythrophleum fordii

Genome assembly of Erythrophleum Fordii, a special “ironwood” tree in China

“…In both countries, it is best known for its superior wood, which has a highly condensed lignin structure, leading to its hardness, heaviness and durableness [ 11 ]. Erythrophleum fordii is also a medicinal plant containing various bioactive components [ 1 , 12 – 14 ] and a high alkaloid content [ 1 ]. Some triterpenoids in E. fordii are species specific [ 1 ].…”

“…Erythrophleum is a genus in the Fabaceae family and contains only about 10 acceptable species in total [1]. However, these species are widely distributed throughout the world, with six found in Africa, three in Asia and one in Australia, displaying a clearly disjunct distribution also a medicinal plant containing various bioactive components [1,[12][13][14] and a high alkaloid content [1]. Some triterpenoids in E. fordii are species specific [1].…”

Cassaine Diterpenoid Amide from Stem Bark of Erythrophleum fordii Suppresses Cytotoxic and Induces Apoptosis of Human Leukemia Cells

“…E. fordii contains cassaine diterpenoid amide alkaloids, triterpenoids and steroids. Many of them show pharmaceutical and biological activity as anticancer, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory agents [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]. Previously, we had isolated many mono- and dimeric cassaine diterpenoid amides from the stem bark of Vietnamese E. fordii .…”

“…From the seeds of E. fordii collected in China, several cassaine diterpenoids were isolated and tested for cytotoxicity against MCF-7 and A549 cancer cells [ 10 ]. Recently, Li et al, reported that the cassane diterpenoids displayed potential antiviral activities opposing influenza and coxsackie virus [ 6 ]. In our preliminary screening, a serial of cassaine diterpenoid amides isolated from Vietnamese E. fordii showed cytotoxic activity against human cancer cells.…”