Anti-HIV agents 45(1) and antitumor agents 205.(2) two new sesquiterpenes, leitneridanins A and B, and the cytotoxic and anti-HIV principles from Leitneria floridana.

Two new sesquiterpenes, leitneridanin A (1) and leitneridanin B (2), and seven known compounds, lirioresinol B, (-)-pinoresinal, (+)-lariciresinol, quassimarin (3), simalikalactone D (4), 1-methoxycanthinone (5), and 5-methoxycanthinone (6), were isolated from Leitneria floridana. Their structures were identified on the basis of spectral data. In vitro biological evaluation showed that 5 is a potent anti-HIV agent (EC(50) 0.26 g/mL; TI >39) and that 3-6 suppressed the growth of a panel of human tumor cell lines (KB, A-549, HCT-8, CAKI-1, MCF-7, and SK-MEL-2). Compounds 3 and 4 were significantly active, with ED(50) values in the range of 0.26-0.012 g/mL.