Isolation, Characterization, and Antiproliferative Activity of Terpenoids from the Tropical Plant .

The isolation, structure determination, and biological evaluation of constituents from the organic extract of Wahlert (Meliaceae) resulted in the isolation of 51 secondary metabolites, including 14 new terpenoids (six cycloartanes, four tirucallanes/euphanes, three limonoids, and a 7-keto sterol). Among the new compounds, is the first triterpenoid with a trioxaspiro[4.4]nonane side chain, while - are the first 17-γ-lactone tetranortriterpenoids with four oxygenated functional groups at C-1, -3, -6, and -7. The isolated compounds were evaluated for antiproliferative activity against five human tumor cell lines, including a vinblastine-resistant cell line.