New cassane-type alkaloids and diterpenoids from the pericarps of Caesalpinia bonduc.

The phytochemical investigation of the pericarps of Caesalpinia bonduc led to the isolation and identification of five new cassane-type alkaloids: caesalminines C - G (1-5) and six new diterpenoids: caesalbonducin K - P (6-11), along with seven known compounds (12-18). Compounds 1-5 were identified as a group of rare alkaloids possessing a tetracyclic cassane-type diterpenoid skeleton with a lactam D-ring instead of a typical furan or lactone moiety. The structures of 1-11 were elucidated on the basis of 1D and 2D NMR including HSQC, HMBC, COSY and NOESY, and other spectroscopic analyses. The cytotoxic activities of the isolated compounds were evaluated in the A431, A549 and U87MG cancer cell lines.