Limonoids from the fruits of Aphanamixis polystachya (Meliaceae) and their biological activities.

Seven new prieurianin-type limonoids, aphapolynins C-I (1-7), and a new aphanamolide-type limonoid, aphanamolide B (8), along with seventeen known compounds, were isolated from the fruits of Aphanamixis polystachya. The structures of these compounds were established on the basis of spectroscopic studies. The absolute configurations were determined by combination of electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculation, CD exciton chirality method, and single crystal X-ray diffraction. All these isolates were evaluated for their cytotoxicities against three human cancer cell lines, for their inhibitory effects on lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced RAW264.7 murine macrophages, and for their fungicidal, herbicidal, and insecticidal activities. Compounds 1, 14, 16, and 17 exhibited significant fungicidal activities; 1 and 25 in particular showed good insecticidal activities. The α,β-unsaturated lactone and 14,15-epoxy ring moieties were essential for the insecticidal activity.