Defense sesterterpenoid lactones from Leucosceptrum canum.

Ten sesterterpenoids, leucosceptroids E-N (1-10), possessing an α,β-unsaturated γ-lactone moiety, were isolated from the leaves and flowers of a woody Labiatae, Leucosceptrum canum. Their structures including relative stereochemistry were determined by comprehensive 1D and 2D NMR, MS, and in the case of 1 and 10, by single crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. This class of unique plant terpenoids was designated as leucosceptrane sesterterpenoids (=leucosceptroids). The potent antifeedant activity of the most abundant compound, leucosceptroid G (3), and a representative compound, leucosceptroid N (10), against the generalist plant-feeding insect Helicoverpa armigera suggested that they might also be defense compounds of L. canum against insects.