Taxane Diterpenoids from Taiwanese Yew Taxus sumatrana

Abstract

Thirty seven taxanes were characterized from the leaves and twigs of Taiwanese yew (Taxus sumatrana, Taxaceae). Four of these metabolites are new and designated as sumataxins A–D (1–4). Compound 1 possesses an 11(15→1),11(10→9)‐di‐abeo‐taxane skeleton with an unusual spiro‐connected 2,2‐dimethyl‐1,3‐dioxolane ring at C(4), whereas compound 2 has a rare β‐OH orientation at C(13) of taxane diterpene ester. In addition, sumataxin C (3) is formulated as an 11(15→1)‐abeo‐taxane with a 4,5‐acetonide ring skeleton. Compound 4 is the first metabolite with a 4,20‐epoxy‐taxane structure. The structures of all the taxanes were established by spectroscopic methods. All compounds were evaluated for anti‐HSV‐1 and PBMC activities. Compound 9 exhibited significant enhancement of cell proliferation on peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

Taxusumatrin, a New Taxoid from the Stem Bark of Taxus sumatrana

“…Taxane diterpenoids and their derivatives are widely distributed in plants of the genus Taxus [2][3][4][5][6]. Some of these compounds exhibit diverse biological activities, including cytotoxic [2,3] and anti-HSV-1 [5] activities. In a preliminary screening, the methanolic extract of the stem bark of this species showed cytotoxic activities in vitro.…”