Two novel diterpenoids from Isodon rubescens var. lushanensis

Two novel diterpenoids, luanchunins A (1) and B (2), along with their precursor, kamebakaurin (3), had been isolated from the stems and leaves of Isodon rubescens var. lushanensis. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analyses. Compounds 1 and 2 showed potent cytotoxic activity against HL-60 with IC50 values of 4.81 mu M and 3.52 mu M, respectively. Plausible pathways for the biosynthesis of 1 and 2 were also postulated. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.