Two new cucurbitacins, jinfushanencins A(1) and B(2), seven new cucurbitane glycosides, jinfushanosides E-K(3-9), along with nine known analogues, were obtained from the tubers of Hemsleya penxianensis. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic and chemical methods. Selected isolates were tested their anti-HIV-1 activities, and compound 5 showed weak anti-HIV-1 in C8166 cell(EC₅₀=5.9 μg/mL) with a selectivity index of 13.5.

Five new mexicanolide-type limonoids, heytrijunolides A-E(1-5) were isolated from the branches and leaves of Heynea trijuga. The structures of these new compounds were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis. Compound 3 showed weak cytotoxicity against HL-60, SMMC-7721 and A-549 human tumor cell lines with the IC₅₀ values of 21.88, 20.66 and 12.70 μM, respectively.

A new α-tetralonyl glucoside, 6'-O-acetyl-juglanoside E(1), and a new dihydrophaseic acid glucoside, dihydrophaseic acid 1-O-(6-O-acetyl)-glucopyranoside(2), together with two known ones, juglanoside E(3) and dihydrophaseic acid(4), were isolated from the pellicle of the walnut(Juglans regia). The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by comprehensive spectroscopic analysis, including IR, HRESIMS, 1D and 2D NMR data.

Six weeks BALB/c mice were fed with an atherogenic diet for 24 weeks and purified water ad libitum. An experimental group was given betanidin, orally, during the last 40 days of the experiment at a dose of 9.6 mg per mouse per day. Negative controls were fed with standard rodent chow only. Glycemia was measured at the end of the experiment, after overnight fasting. The group treated with betanidin presented a highly significant reduction of 50.94% compared to positive controls. We conclude that betanidin reduces glycemia in BALB/c mice by an unidentified mechanism.

Two new eudesmane-type sesquiterpenoid lactones, named chlorelactone A(1) and chlorelactone B(2), and one new labdane-type diterpenoid, named elatiorlabdane(3), along with seven known sesquiterpenoids and one known disesquiterpenoid were isolated from the whole plants of Chloranthus elatior. Their structures and relative configurations were established on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis.

Solenostemon scutellarioides is a commercially important ornamental plant. In present study, it was attempted to establish a protocol for high frequency in vitro regeneration of S. scutellarioides. Caulogenesis was found to be significant in solid MS medium supplemented with 0.5 mg dm^-3 BAP. Combination of GA₃(0.5 mg dm^-3) and BAP(0.5 mg dm^-3) induced high frequency regeneration coupled with higher plant height. The plantlets exposed to IBA(1 mg dm^-3) exhibited significant root development in terms of first appearance of root and number of roots per shoot. To improve its commercial acceptability in terms of plant architecture and foliage colouration, two weeks old in vitro grown plantlets were exposed to different culture conditions namely MS strength, sucrose concentration, pH and light. A variable plant types with diverse ornamental traits were developed under different culture conditions.

Three new triterpenoids, 3β-hydroxy-urs-30-p-Z-hydroxycinnamoyl-12-en-28-oic-acid(1), 3β-hydroxy-olean-30-p-E-hydroxycinnamoyl-12-en-28-oic-acid(2) and 3β, 6α-dihydroxy-urs-14-en-12-one(3), together with seven known triterpenoids, were isolated from the roots of Rubia schumanniana. Their structures were established by means of spectroscopic analysis. All compounds were evaluated for cytotoxic activity, and compounds 2-6 showed cytotoxicity with the IC₅₀ values of 10.75~18.87 μg/mL.

Five new polyketides, craterellones A-E(1-5), were isolated from cultures of basidiomycete Craterellus odoratus, together with five known compounds(6-10). Structures of 1-5 were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis. All compounds were evaluated for their inhibitory activities against one isozyme of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase(11β-HSD1) and cytotoxic activities on five tumor cell lines. Compound 10 exhibited significant cytotoxicity against HL-60, SMMC-7721, A-549, MCF-7, and SW-480, with IC₅₀ values of 0.50, 0.69, 0.64, 1.10, 0.54 μM, respectively.