Biologically active bergenin derivatives from Bergenia stracheyi.

New bergenin derivatives, bergecins A and B (1 and 2, resp.), have been isolated from the AcOEt-soluble fraction of Bergenia stracheyi, along with bergenin (3), and their structures were elucidated on the basis of (1) H- and (13) C-NMR spectra, and by COSY, HMQC, and HMBC experiments. Compound 2 showed potent inhibitory potential against the enzyme lipoxygenase, while 1 was moderately active.

Pregnane derivatives from Potentilla evestita.

A new pregnane derivative, 2,6beta,7beta-trihydroxy-4-methyl-19-norpregna-1,3,5(10)-trien-17-one, has been isolated from the ethyl acetate soluble fraction of Potentilla evestita along with a pregnane derivative, 11alpha,17alpha,21-trihydroxypregna-4,16(22)-diene-3,20-dione, that is reported for the first time as a natural product. Their structures were elucidated with the aid of 1H and 13C NMR spectra and by COSY, HMQC, HMBC and NOESY experiments.