Puberunine and puberudine, two new C18-diterpenoid alkaloids from Aconitum barbatum var. puberulum.

Two C(18)-diterpenoid alkaloids, puberunine (1) and puberudine (2), together with four other new alkaloids, including the first examples having β-oriented substitution at C-3 and a rare chloro-substituent were isolated from Aconitum barbatum var. puberulum. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods. Puberunine and puberudine, which possess a unique rearranged E ring and an opened A ring, respectively, represent new subtypes of the C(18)-diterpenoid alkaloids. A plausible biosynthetic pathway of 1 and 2 was proposed.