Phytochemistry and pharmacology of natural prenylated flavonoids.

Prenylated flavonoids are a special kind of flavonoid derivative possessing one or more prenyl groups in the parent nucleus of the flavonoid. The presence of the prenyl side chain enriched the structural diversity of flavonoids and increased their bioactivity and bioavailability. Prenylated flavonoids show a wide range of biological activities, such as anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, anti-diabetic, anti-obesity, cardioprotective effects, and anti-osteoclastogenic activities.

Cucurbitane-type triterpenoids from the fruits of Citrullus colocynthis.

A phytochemical investigation of the fruits of Citrullus colocynthis resulted in the isolation of 21 structurally diverse cucurbitane triterpenoids, including 9 previously undescribed ones, colocynins A-I (1-9). Their absolute configurations were elucidated by means of quantum chemical electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculations, CD exciton chirality method, and single-crystal X-ray crystallography. Colocynins A-C (1-3) represent the first examples of nonanorcucurbitane-type triterpenoids.

Two new -lignans from (Hook. & Grev.) Maxim and their antihyperglycemic activities.

Two new -lignans, pulvin A () and moellenoside C (), along with two known compounds (-) were isolated from the whole plant of (Hook. & Grev.) Maxim.

neo-Clerodane diterpenoids from the aerial parts of Teucrium fruticans cultivated in China.

Seven neo-clerodane diterpenes, teufruintins A-G (1-7), together with eight known compounds (8-15) were isolated from the CHCl3-soluble fraction of the aerial parts of Teucrium fruticans cultivated in China. The chemical structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated using different spectroscopic methods. All of the isolated diterpenes were evaluated for their cytotoxic activities on three human cancer cell lines, and for their ability to inhibit LPS-induced nitric oxide production in RAW 264.

Teucvisins A-E, five new neo-clerodane diterpenes from Teucrium viscidum.

Two new neo-clerodane diterpenoids, teucvisins A and B (1, 2), and three new 19-nor-neoclerodane diterpenoids, teucvisins C-E (3-5), together with ten known constituents (6-15) were isolated from the whole plants of Teucrium viscidum. All the isolates were evaluated for their inhibitory activities of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitric oxide production in RAW264.7 macrophages.

Antihyperglycemic glucosylated coumaroyltyramine derivatives from Teucrium viscidum.

Eight new glucosylated coumaroyltyramine derivatives, teuvissides A-H (1-8), were isolated from whole plants of Teucrium viscidum. Their structures were elucidated using spectroscopic data and chemical methods. The antihyperglycemic activities of these compounds were evaluated in HepG2 cells and 3T3-L1 adipocytes, and all of the isolates elicited different levels of glucose consumption at a concentration of 2.