Anti-hepatitis B virus active lactones from the traditional Chinese herb: Swertia mileensis

Swerilactones H-K (1-4), which are four novel lactones with an unprecedented C29 skeleton, were isolated from Swertia mileensis (Qing-Ye-Dan), an endemic Chinese herb used for treating viral hepatitis. Their structures were determined by extensive spectroscopic and X-ray crystallographic diffraction analyses. Swerilactones H-K exhibit potent anti-hepatitis B virus activity against HBV DNA replication with IC(50) values ranging from 1.53 to 5.34 μM. For the first time, a plausible biogenetic pathway for swerilactones H-K, together with the previously reported swerilactones A-D is proposed. From a biogenetic point of view, swerilactones A-D are ascribed as secoiridoid dimers, and swerilactones H-K as secoiridoid trimers.