A new polyoxygenated abietane diterpenoid from the rattans of Bauhinia championii (Benth.) Benth.

A new polyoxygenated abietane diterpenoid, bauchampine A (1), together with seven known compounds (2-8), were isolated from the rattans of Bauhinia championii (Benth.) Benth. The structure of 1 was elucidated by extensive spectroscopic methods and the known compounds were identified by comparison with the data reported in the literature. New compound 1 was evaluated for its anti-rheumatoid arthritis activity via examining its anti-proliferative effect on synoviocytes in vitro. Compound 1 exhibited inhibitory effect on the proliferation of synoviocytes with IC value comparable to that of methotrexate.