Cytotoxic and apoptosis-inducing ent-kaurane-type diterpenoids from the Japanese liverwort Jungermannia truncata Nees

Abstract

Five new ent-kaurane-type diterpenoids and a new gymnomitrane (=barbatane)-type sesquiterpenoid have been isolated from the Japanese liverwort Jungermannia truncata Nees, together with twelve previously known ent-kaurane-type diterpenoids. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by two-dimensional (2D) NMR experiments and chemical reaction. Some of the isolated compounds showed cytotoxicity against human leukemia cell lines and induced apoptosis. © 2002 Pharmaceutical Society of Japan.