Three novel sesquiterpene esters from Celastrus angulatus.

Three new sesquiterpene polyol esters with a beta-dihydroagarofuran skeleton, NW12 (1), NW27 (2), and NW31 (4), together with a known compound, NW30 (3), were isolated from the root bark of Celastrus angulatus. Their chemical structures were elucidated by analyses of MS and NMR spectral data. Preliminary insecticidal and antitumor activities of these compounds were evaluated. Compounds 1-4 showed moderate stomach toxicity against Mythimna separata, and their KD50 values were 673.6, 1121.3, 1720.0 and 548.6 microg/g, respectively. Only 1 and 3 exhibited slight antitumor activity against human breast cancer cell line (Bcap-37), and their IC50 values were all above 50 microM.