Inhibition of human neutrophil elastase by labdane diterpenes from the fruiting bodies of Ramaria formosa.

Two new labdane diterpenes (1 and 2) were isolated from the fruiting bodies of Ramaria formosa. The structures of these compounds were established by extensive spectroscopic studies and chemical evidence. The inhibitory activity of compounds 1 and 2 against human neutrophil elastase (HNE) was evaluated in vitro.

Sesquiterpenes from the fruiting bodies of Ramaria formosa and their human neutrophil elastase inhibitory activity.

Two new sesquiterpene derivatives (1 and 2), ramarin A (1) and ramarin B (2), together with three known compounds (3-5) were isolated from the fruiting bodies of Ramaria formosa. The structures of the two sesquiterpenes were established by extensive spectroscopic studies and chemical evidence. The inhibitory activity of the isolated compounds (1-5) against human neutrophil elastase (HNE) was evaluated in vitro.

A novel antibacterial compound from Siegesbeckia glabrescens.

The crude methanol extract of the dried aerial parts of Siegesbeckia glabrescens (Compositae) showed antibacterial activity against the foodborne pathogen Staphylococcus aureus. Bioactivity-guided separation led to the isolation of 3-(dodecanoyloxy)-2-(isobutyryloxy)-4-methylpentanoic acid from nature for the first time. The structure was determined by spectroscopic data analysis (UV, MS, and NMR).