12,17-Cyclojatrophane and Jatrophane Constituents of Euphorbia welwitschiie

Euphowelwitschines A (1) and B (2), isolated from a methanolic extract of Euphorbia welwitschii, exhibit a rare combination of structural features in having a 5/8/8 fused-ring system and a 12,15-ether bridge. Moreover, the isolation of the additional new compounds welwitschene (3) and epoxywelwitschene (4) has provided insights into the biogenetic pathway of 12,17-cyclojatrophanes. The structures of 1-4 were determined by spectroscopic methods inclusive of 1D and 2D NMR experiments and X-ray crystallography for compounds 1 and 2. Preliminary information on the selective antiproliferative activity of compounds 1-4 is also described.