[PAF antagonistic benzofuran neolignans from Piper kadsura]

In a continuing search for PAF antagonists, five benzofuran neolignans have been isolated from the aerial part of Piper kadsura (Choisy) Ohwi, a Chinese traditional drug used for the treatment of inflammation and rheumatic conditions. The structure determination was based upon spectroscopic analysis. Two of the neolignans were found to have new structures and were named as (-)-denudatin B (the enantiomer of denudatin B, II) and kadsurenin M (7S,8S-3,4,3'-trimethoxy-7'-oxo-nor-8',9'-7.O. 4',8,5'-neolignan, V). The known compounds kadsurenon (I), (-)-acuminatin(III) and (+)-licarin A(IV) were also obtained from the same source. (-)-Denudatin B (II) showed potent PAF antagonistic activity in 3H-PAF receptor binding assay.