Six new 9,19-cycloartane triterpene derivatives, as well as 3 known analogues (7-9), were isolated from the roots of Cimicifuga foetida L. Their structures were established on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analyses (IR, UV, ORD, HRESIMS, 1D and 2D NMR).

The increasing demand for safe food without preservatives or pesticides residues has encouraged several studies on natural products with antifungal activity and low toxicity. In this study, ethanolic extracts from leaves and fruit residues (peel and seeds) of three Brazilian savanna species (Acrocomia aculeata, Campomanesia adamantium and Caryocar brasiliense) were evaluated against phytopathogenic fungi. Additionally, the most active extract was chemically characterized by ESI-MS and its oral acute toxicity was evaluated. Extracts from C. brasiliense (pequi) peel and leaves were active against Alternaria alternata, Alternaria solani and Venturia pirina with minimal inhibitory concentrations between 350 and 1000 μg/mL. When incorporated in solid media, these extracts extended the lag phase of A. alternata and A. solani and reduced the growth rate of A. solani. Pequi peel extract showed better antifungal activity and their ESI-MS analysis revealed the presence of substances widely reported as antifungal such as gallic acid, quinic acid, ellagic acid, glucogalin and corilagin. The oral acute toxicity was relatively low, being considered safe for use as a potential natural fungicide.

Phytochemical investigation of the rhizomes of Paris polyphylla var. stenophylla led to the isolation of two new highly oxygenated spirostanol saponins, named paristenosides A (1) and B (2), together with seven known compounds. Their structures were established mainly on the base of NMR spectroscopic techniques and mass spectrometry, as well as chemical methods. In addition, the cytotoxicity of the two new saponins was tested.

Naturally occurring oplopanane sesquiterpenoids are rarely reported. A phytochemical investigation on the rhizomes of Homalomena occulta (Lours) has resulted in the discovery of six oplopanane sesquiterpenoids (1-6), including four new (1-4) and one 3,5-seco-oplopanane (6), together with three previously reported sesquiterpenoids (7-9). In addition three new oplopananes (2a-4a) were also obtained by chemical transformation. All structures of these sesquiterpenoids were established based on the comprehensive spectroscopic analyses, including NMR, MS, and IR, and comparing with the literatures.

Five new ent-kaurane diterpenoids, named mascaroside III-V (1-3), and 20-nor-cofaryloside I-II (4-5), together with seven known diterpenoids, were isolated from methanol extracts of the green coffee beans of Yunnan Arabica Coffee. Their chemical structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analyses. Meanwhile, cytotoxicity assay against HL-60, A-549, SMMC-7721, MCF-7 and SW480 cell lines showed that they have not evident inhibition of cytotoxicity.

Three new C₂₇-steroidal glycoalkaloids, spiralosides A-C (1-3), were obtained from the total alkaloids of Solanum spirale by chromatographic methods. On the basis of spectroscopic evidence, spiralosides A-C were elucidated as (22R,25S)-22,26-epiminocholest-5-ene-3β,16α-diol-N-acetyl-3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→4)-β-D-glucopyranosyl (1), (22R,25S)-22,26-epiminocholest-5-ene-3β,16α-diol-N-acetyl-3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl (2), (22R,25S)-22,26-epiminocholest-3β,16α-diol-N-acetyl-3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl (3), respectively. The total alkaloids of S. spirale have been screened for their antitussive and expectorant effects in intact animal model.