Chemical constituents and their bioactivities from the fruits of Vitex negundo var. cannabifolia.

Phytochemical investigation of the fruits of Vitex negundo var. cannabifolia led to the isolation of 22 compounds (1-22). Their structures were elucidated mainly by spectroscopic analysis and comparison with the literature data.

A new minor diketopiperazine from the sponge-derived fungus Simplicillium sp. YZ-11.

Chemical investigation of the cultures of a sponge-derived fungus Simplicillium sp. YZ-11 led to the isolation of a new minor diketopiperazine alkaloid cyclo-(2-hydroxy-Pro-Gly) (1) and a natural lactone (S)-dihydro-5-[(S)- hydroxyphenylmethyl]-2(3H)-furanone (2), together with five known ergostane-type sterols (3-7). Their structures were established based on extensive spectroscopic methods ((1)H and (13)C NMR, (1)H-(1)H COSY, HSQC and HMBC) and optical rotation analysis.

Two new withanolides from the halophyte Datura stramonium L.

Eight steroids, including five withanolides (1-5) and three other ergostane-type steroids (6-8), were isolated from the aerial parts of the halophyte Datura stramonium L., which were collected from the Yellow River Delta in China. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic methods, especially 1D and 2D NMR techniques.