Structures of sesquiterpene polyol esters from Celastrus stephanotiifolius with potential tumor-promotion inhibitor activity.

Esters of eight new ([1],[4-6], and [8-11]) and five known sesquiterpenenoid polyalcohols have been isolated from Celastrus stephanotiifolius. Their structures were established on the basis of chemical reactions and spectral analysis. The structural elucidation indicated that the structures of some related compounds should be revised. The isolated sesquiterpenes were observed to inhibit Epstein-Barr virus early antigen activation significantly at low doses.