Diterpenoids with inhibitory activity against NFAT transcription factor from Acanthopanax koreanum.

Six diterpenoids and two diterpene glycosides were isolated from the dichloromethane and the water fractions of Acanthopanax koreanum roots, respectively. Of these compounds, 16alphaH, 17-isovaleryloxy-ent-kauran-19-oic acid containing an isovaleryloxy group at C-17 was found to exhibit the strongest inhibitory activity (IC(50), 6.7 microm) against NFAT transcription factor. However, sumogaside, 16alpha-hydroxy-ent-kauran-19-oic acid and paniculosides IV containing a hydroxy group at C-16 or a glycoside at C-4 carboxyl acid showed no activity. Copyright (c) 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.