Monoterpenes from Paeonia albiflora and their inhibitory activity on nitric oxide production by lipopolysaccharide-activated microglia.

Eleven new monoterpenes, paeonidangenin (1), paeonidanin A (2), paeonidanin B (3), paeonidanin C (4), paeonidanin D (5), paeonidanin E (6), paeoniflorone (7), 4-O-methylbenzoylpaeoniflorin (8), 4-O-methylgalloylpaeoniflorin (9), 4-O-methyldebenzoylpaeoniflorin (10), and 4-O-methylalbiflorin (11), were isolated from the 60% ethanol extract of the roots of Paeonia albiflora. Their structures were determined primarily on the basis of 1D and 2D NMR techniques and MS studies. Paeonidanins D (5) and E (6) are unprecedented examples of "cage-like" monoterpene dimers.

Two new megastigmane glycosides, physanosides A and B, from Physalis alkekengi L. var. franchetii, and their effect on NO release in macrophages.

Two new megastigmane glycosides, physanosides A and B (1 and 2, resp.), were isolated from Physalis alkekengi L. var.

Steroids and flavonoids from Physalis alkekengi var. franchetii and their inhibitory effects on nitric oxide production.

Four new steroidal compounds possessing a rare 13,14-seco-16,24-cycloergostane skeleton, physalin Y ( 1), physalin Z ( 2), physalin I ( 6), and physalin II ( 7), were isolated from the 80% EtOH extract of calyces from Physalis alkekengi var. franchetii together with 11 known steroids ( 3- 5 and 8- 15) and eight flavonoids ( 16- 23). The structures of the new compounds were elucidated primarily on the basis of 1D and 2D NMR and mass spectroscopic studies.