Terpenoids from the Stems of Fissistigma polyanthoides and Their Anti-Inflammatory Activity

Twelve new terpenoids (1-12) were isolated from the stems of Fissistigma polyanthoides, an anti-inflammatory medicinal plant traditionally used in Vietnam. Most of them (1-9) possess a sesquiterpenoid backbone (e.g., guaiane, germacrane, and cadinane) connected to a 2'-O-trans-cinnamoyl)-β-d-glucopyranose moiety, which is rare in Nature. Among them, compounds 4 (5/8-fused ring) and 6 (spiran [4,5] ring) represent uncommonly rearranged sesquiterpenoids. Compounds 10-12 are a novel monoterpene and two megastigmane derivatives, respectively. The individual structures were elucidated by combining NMR and MS data, and their configuration was established in NOESY and ECD experiments. Compounds 1-9 were also examined for their potential to interact with nuclear factor-kappa B activator protein 1 (NF-κB/AP-1) signaling by using the myelomonocytic reporter cell line THP-1Blue-CD14. Compounds 1-5 showed dose-dependent inhibitory effects [IC₅₀ 13.7 μM (1) to 49.0 μM (5)] on lipopolysaccharide-stimulated cells. However, compounds 1 to 4 also negatively affected cell viability in the same concentration range, while compound 5 was less potently cytotoxic.