Antifungal abietane-type diterpenes from the cones of Taxodium distichum Rich.

The chemical composition of Taxodium distichum cones and the antifungal activities of twelve diterpenoids against two wood decay fungi, Trametes versicolor (white-rot) and Fomitopsis palustris (brown-rot) were examined. The chemical composition of the major extractive fraction, the n-C(6)H(14) extract, was evaluated and its antifungal properties were identified. Twelve diterpenoids including ten abietane-type components were isolated from the n-C(6)H(14) extract: 6,7-dehydroferruginol (1), ferruginol (2), 6,7-dehydroroyleanone (3), sandaracopimaric acid (4), taxodione (5), taxodal (6), taxodone (7), sugiol (8), xanthoperol (9), salvinolone (10), 5,6-dehydrosugiol (11), and 14-deoxycoleon U (12). Compounds 5 and 12 were highly active against both wood-decay fungi. In particular, the activities of these compounds against F. palustris were potent. The results suggest that the position and the number of hydroxyl groups on abietane-type structures may be related to antifungal activities against T. versicolor and F. palustris.