THE STRUCTURAL ELUCIDATION OF ANTI-TUMOR AGENTS FROM PLANTS

Abstract

The structural elucidations of nine new natural products from Thevetia ahouia, Eremocarpus setigerus, Trichilia hispida, Chrysothamus paniculatus, Uvaria acuminata, Wikstroemia monticola, and Uvaria zelanica are discussed in detail. Also included are some known compounds that were found in these plants. Of the new compounds discussed, two are diterpenes (eremone, chrysothame), two are relatively simple triterpenes (hispidols A, B), two are highly oxidized triterpenes (hispidins A, B), one is a fatty acid derivative (uvaricin), one is a shikimate-derived metabolite (1-epizeylenol), and one has both steroidal and carbohydrate features (3'-OMe-evomonoside). ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectral data are given for all the new compounds. Assignments were made by analogy with model compounds, computer simulation, and ¹H-¹H and ¹H-¹³C decoupling where indicated. High resolution mass spectral fragmentations are given for most of the new compounds, and individual structural assignments made for intense peaks. An X-ray analysis (eremone) was done with all pertinent information included. Most of the compounds have been tested for anti-tumor activity, and several exhibit strong cytotoxicity (hispidins A and B, 3'-OMe-evomonoside, huratoxin, uvaricin).