Taxodikaloids A and B, Two Dimeric Abietane-Type Diterpenoids from Taxodium ascendens Possessing an Oxazoline Ring Linkage.

Two dimeric diterpenoids, taxodikaloids A (1) and B (2), have been identified from the seeds of Taxodium ascendens. The diterpenoid structures were established on the basis of comprehensive spectroscopic analysis, and the absolute configuration of taxodikaloid A (1) was further confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Both structures feature an unprecedented oxazoline ring linkage connecting two abietane diterpenoid monomers. A plausible biosynthetic pathway for compounds 1 and 2 is proposed. Both compounds show potential neuroprotective activity against Aβ-induced damage in SH-SY5Y cells.