Abstract:
Four diterpenoids were isolated from the dried leaves of
Rabdosia japonica (Burm.f) Hara. Two new diterpenoids were named as rabdosin A and B. Spectroscopic investigation and chemical conversion into epinodosin(6) and isodonal(8) established the structures of rabdosin A and B as(3) and(7)respectively. Antitumor activity has been tested preliminarily, both (3) and (7) showed significant cytotoxicity. The other two diterpenoids were shown to be identical with the known enmenol (4) and peinodosinol(5).