Holophyllin A, a rearranged abietane-type diterpenoid from the trunk of Abies holophylla

Abietane-type diterpenoids are rich in the genus Abies (Pinaceae) and have a variety of pharmacological effects including anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative, antiviral, antiplasmodial and antidepressant antivities. The genus Abies is composed of about 50 species of evergreen coniferous trees and widely distributed in the highlands of Asia, European, North and Middle America and North Africa. Several species in this genus have been used as a Korean traditional medicine for the treatment of stomachache, rheumatic diseases and vascular diseases. Our earlier phytochemical investigation on Abies holophylla Maxim resulted in the isolation of anti-inflammatory lignans. Our continuing research for active constituents in MeOH extracts led to the isolation of a novel rearranged abietane-type diterpene, holophyllin A (1), together with a new diterpene glycoside, holophyllin B (2). The structures of 1 and 2 were established by extensive spectroscopic analyses and their absolute configurations were determined by ECD calculation. Study of cytotoxicity and anti-inflammatory effect of 1 and 2 are in progress.

Keywords: Abies holophylla, Pinaceae, novel diterpene