Structure-activity relationships of retro-dihydrochalcones isolated from Tacca sp.

Several biologically active compounds have been identified from Tacca species, including glycosides, diarylheptanoids, saponins, withanolides, and the taccalonolide class of microtubule stabilizers. More recently, two cytotoxic retro-dihydrochalcones named evelynin A (7) and taccabulin A (6) were isolated and their biological activities characterized, including the finding that taccabulin has microtubule destabilizing effects. Here we describe the identification and characterization of five new retro-chalcones, named taccabulins B-E (1-4) and evelynin B (5) from Tacca sp.

Amyrisins A-C, O-prenylated flavonoids from Amyris madrensis.

Three new O-prenylated flavonoids, amyrisins A-C (1-3), were isolated from the leaves and twigs of Amyris madrensis, along with the known compound polygamain (4). The structures of 1-3 were elucidated on the basis of the analysis of spectroscopic data interpretation. Amyrisins B (2) and C (3) showed moderate cytotoxicity against PC-3 and DU 145 prostate cancer cells with IC(50) values of 17.

Identification and biological activities of new taccalonolide microtubule stabilizers.

The taccalonolides are a unique class of microtubule stabilizers that do not bind directly to tubulin. Three new taccalonolides, Z, AA, and AB, along with two known compounds, taccalonolides R and T, were isolated from Tacca chantrieri and Tacca integrifolia. Taccalonolide structures were determined by 1D and 2D NMR methods.