Granatripodins A-B, limonoids featuring a Tricyclo[3.3.1.0]nonane motif: Absolute configuration and agonistic effects on human pregnane-X-receptor.

Two unprecedented limonoids incorporating a sterically encumbered cyclopropane ring, named granatripodins A (1) and B (2), featuring the presence of a tricyclo[3.3.1.0]nonane motif, were obtained from seeds of the Thai Xylocarpus granatum. The planar structures and absolute configurations of these limonoids were unambiguously established by NMR investigations, TDDFT-ECD and DFT-NMR calculations, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis (Cu Kα). Most notably, granatripodin A (1) exhibited agonistic effects on human pregnane-X-receptor at the concentration of 100.0 nM. The biosynthetic origins of these limonoids via a radical cascade reaction are proposed. This study exemplifies a universal approach for the stereochemical assignment of polycyclic compounds with a cyclopropane-embedded cage scaffold.