Two new phenylpropanoids, samwirin (1) and samwiphenol (2), and a new sesquiterpenoid, 2β,4β,10α-trihydroxy-1αH,5βH-guaia-6-ene (3), together with six known compounds were isolated from the bioactive fraction of Sambucus williamsii Hance. Their structures including the absolute configurations were characterized on the basis of extensive 1D, 2D-NMR, MS, and CD spectral data. In vitro proliferation effects of all compounds on osteoblast-like UMR 106 cells were examined. Compounds 1, 4-9 significantly promoted cell proliferation. Compounds 5, 6, and 8 increased osteoblastic cell numbers separately by 24.3%, 25.2%, and 29.1% at 10(-10) M, 10(-10) M, and 10(-8) M, respectively.
Keywords: Caprifoliaceae; Sambucus williamsii; UMR 106 cells; phenylpropanoid; proliferation effects; sesquiterpenoid.