Phytochemical investigation of the EtOH extract obtained from the root of the Euphorbia kansuensis Proch. grown in China resulted in the isolation of two novel norlathyrane diterpenes, named ekanpenoids A and B (1 and 2, resp.). Their structures were established by extensive 1D- and 2D-NMR spectroscopy, as well as other spectra. The isolated diterpenes exhibited potent cytotoxic activities against the HeLa and Hep-G2 cell lines with the IC50 values ranging from 3.6 to 9.7 μg/ml.
Keywords: Cytotoxic activity; Diterpenes; Ekanpenoids A and B; Euphorbia kansuensis; Norlathyrane.
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