Labdane and kaurane diterpenoids from Plectranthus fruticosus

Six new diterpenoids, three labdane and three kaurane derivatives, have been isolated from an acetone extract of Plectranthus fruticosus together with other already known substances. The structures of these compounds (1-5 and 7) were established mainly by spectroscopic means, particularly by 1D and 2D NMR studies, as well as by some chemical correlations with known diterpenoids. The physical and spectroscopic data of the derivative 11, obtained by hydrolysis of the labdane 2, were identical to those reported for a compound previously isolated from Croton joufra, to which structure 12 had been established erroneously by other authors. Several of the isolated compounds were tested as antimicrobial agents against three bacteria strains and one yeast strain, but only 4 showed a moderate inhibitory activity against Staphylococcus aureus.