New Cassane-Type Diterpenoids of Caesalpinia echinata (Leguminosae) Exhibiting NF-κB Inhibitory Activities

Seven new cassane-type diterpenoids, echinalides A-G (1-7), were isolated from the stem of Caesalpinia echinata LAM. (Leguminosae). The structures were established on the basis of their chemical properties and spectroscopic evidence, including two dimensional (2D)-NMR analysis. These compounds were assessed for inhibitory activity against nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappa B). Echinalides C and D, in particular, significantly inhibited NF-kappa B-responsive reporter gene expression at 5.0 mu m, an effect almost equivalent to that of parthenolide, a known potent inhibitor of NF-kappa B.