ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To study the chemical constituents of the leaves of Magnolia grandiflora Linn and their antitumor activities. METHODS: The constituents were isolated and purified by various chromatographic methods, including column chromatographies on silica gel, Sephadex LH-20, as well as recrystallization. Their structures were identified by analysis of physical and spectral data and confirmed by comparison of their spectral data with the reported values in the literature or those of authentic samples. The antiproliferative activities of the purified compounds were evaluated by MTT assay. RESULTS: Twelve compounds were isolated and identified as parthenolide(1), ergosterol peroxide(2), N-formyl-annonain(Z)(3Z), N-formyl-annonain(E)(3E), vitamin E quinone(4), β-sitosterol(5), 11,13-dehydrocompressanolide(6), scoparone(7), liriodenine(8), aurantiamide acetate(9), michelenollide(10), and 2,6,2',6'-tetramethoxy-4,4'-bis(2,3-epoxy-1-hydroxypropyl)biphenyl(11). CONCLUSION: Compounds 2, 3Z, 3E, and 4 are isolated from this plant for the first time. Compounds 9 and 11 are isolated from the plants in Magnoli Linn for the first time.