Neoclerodane diterpenoids from Scutellaria caerulea.

Five new neoclerodane diterpenoids have been isolated from Scutellaria caerulea: (11S*)-6 alpha-acetoxy-7 beta,11-diisobutiryloxy-1 beta,8 beta-dihydroxy-4(18),13-neoclerodadien-15,16-olide (scuterulein A) (1); (13R*)-1 beta-6 alpha-7 beta-triacetoxy-11 beta-benzoyloxy-8 beta,13-epoxy-4(18)-neocleroden-15,16-olide (scuterulein B) (2); (11S*)-1 beta,6 alpha,11-triacetoxy-7 beta-isobutiryloxy-8 beta-hydroxy-4(18),13-neoclerodadien-15,16-olide (scuterulein C) (3); (11S*)-6 alpha,11-diacetoxy-7 beta-isobutiryloxy-1 beta,8 beta-dihydroxy-4(18),13-neoclerodadien-15,16-olide (deacetyl scuterulein C) (4), and (11E)-6 alpha-acetoxy-7 beta-isobutiryloxy-1 beta,8 beta-dihydroxy-4(18),11,13-neoclerodatrien-15,16-olide (scuterulein D) (5). Structures were established by spectroscopic and chemical methods. An X-ray analysis was carried out on scuterulein B (2).