Xin-Hui Ran

Iridoids and Sesquiterpenoids from the Roots of Valeriana officinalis

Two new iridoids, volvaltrates A and B (1 and 2), and three new sesquiterpenoids, E-(-)-3beta,4beta-epoxyvalerenal (3), E-(-)-3beta,4beta-epoxyvalerenyl acetate (4), and mononorvalerenone (5), together with five known iridoids and two known sesquiterpenoids were isolated from the roots of Valeriana officinalis. The structures and relative configurations of 1-5 were elucidated by spectroscopic evidence. Compound 1 was an unusual iridoid with an oxygen bridge connecting C-3 and C-10, forming a cage-like structure, and compound 5 was a mononorsesquiterpenoid.

Germacrane-Type Sesquiterpenoids from the Roots of Valeriana officinalis var. latifolia

Eight new germacrane-type sesquiterpenoids, volvalerenals A-E (2-6) and volvalerenic acids A-C (7-9), along with four known compounds, were isolated from a chloroform extract of the roots of Valeriana officinalis var. latifolia. The structures and relative configurations of 2-9 were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic data interpretation. The effects of all compounds isolated on acetylcholinesterase were evaluated.

Volvalerelactones A and B, Two New Sesquiterpenoid Lactones with an Unprecedented Skeleton from Valeriana officinalis var. latifolia

Volvalerelactones A and B (1 and 2), two new sesquiterpenoid lactones with an unprecedented 3/7/6 tricyclic ring system, were isolated from the roots of Valeriana officinalis var. latifolia. Their structures and relative configurations were elucidated by spectroscopic data and single-crystal X-ray diffraction crystallography, and the absolute configuration was assigned by computational methods. The possible biosynthetic pathways of 1 and 2 were also proposed.

Sesquiterpenoids and Lignans from the Roots of Valeriana officinalis L.

Two new guaiane‐type sesquiterpenoids, valerol A (1) and kessyl 3‐acetate (2), together with nine known compounds, valeracetate (3), anismol A (4), orientalol C (5), spatulenol (6), 4α,10α‐epoxyaromadendrane (7), (+)‐8‐hydroxypinoresinol (8), pinorespiol (9), pinoresinol 4‐O‐β‐D‐glucopyranoside (10), and 8‐hydroxypinoresinol 4′‐O‐β‐D‐glucopyranoside (11) were isolated from the roots of Valeriana officinalis. The structures and relative configurations of 1 and 2 were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic methods (1D‐ and 2D‐NMR, MS, UV, and IR). These compounds were evaluated for inhibitory activity on acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and enhancing activity on nerve growth factor (NGF)‐mediated neurite outgrowth in PC12 cells.

Phenolic compounds from the roots of Valeriana officinalis var. latifolia

Uma nova neolignana benzofurânica, isovalerato de 9-di-hidrodesidrodiconiferila, alem de 10 compostos fenolicos conhecidos, olivil, pinoresinol, 8-hidroxipinoresinol, pinorespiol, 8-hidroxi-7epipinoresinol, acido trans-p-hidroxifenil-propenoico, acido cis-p-hidroxifenil-propenoico, acido isoferulico e isovanilina foram isolados a partir das raizes da Valeriana officinalis var. latifolia. Suas estruturas e configuracoes foram elucidadas com base em metodos espectroscopicos. A atividade inibitoria da acetilcolinesterase (AChE) e a atividade intensificada do fator de crescimento neural (NGF) mediada pelo crescimento de neurites em celulas PC12 pelos compostos isovalerato de 9-di-hidrodesidrodiconiferila e olivil foram avaliadas. A new benzofuran neolignan, dihydrodehydrodiconiferyl alcohol 9-isovalerate, along with ten known phenolic compounds, olivil, pinoresinol, 8-hydroxypinoresinol, pinorespiol, 8-hydroxy7-epipinoresinol, trans-p-hydroxyphenyl- propenoic acid, cis-p-hydroxyphenyl-propenoic acid, ferulic acid, isoferulic acid and isovanillin were isolated from the roots of Valeriana officinalis var. latifolia. Their structures and configurations were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic methods. The inhibitory activity for acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and enhancing activity on nerve growth factor (NGF)-mediated neurite outgrowth in PC12 cells of dihydrodehydrodiconiferyl alcohol 9-isovaterate and olivil were evaluated.

Volvalerenol A, a New Triterpenoid with a 12-Membered Ring from Valeriana hardwickii

Volvalerenol A (1), an unprecedented type of triterpenoid with a 7/12/7 tricyclic ring system, was obtained from the ethanol extracts of the roots of Valeriana hardwickii. The structure and relative configurations were established by comprehensive analysis of MS and NMR spectroscopic data. The possible biogenetic pathway of 1 was also deduced.

Volvalerine A, an unprecedented N-containing sesquiterpenoid dimer derivative from Valeriana officinalis var. latifolia.

Volvalerine A (1), a novel N-containing bisesquiterpenoid derivative with a dihydroisoxazole ring, and its possible biosynthetic precursor, 1-hydroxy-1,11,11-trimethyldecahydrocyclopropane azulene-10-one (2), were isolated from the roots of Valeriana officinalis var. latifolia. Their structures and relative configurations were identified using spectroscopic data and X-ray crystallography. A plausible biosynthetic pathway for 1 is also presented.