Isolation, structural transformation and neuroprotective activity of abietane diterpenoids from the roots of Clerodendrum trichotomum

Abstract

Seven abietane diterpenoids (1–7) were isolated from the roots of Clerodendrum trichotomum, and the most abundant compounds, uncintone (1) and teuvincenone B (3), were subjected to structural modification to produce eleven derivatives (8–18). Their structures were elucidated using spectroscopic methods and quantum chemical calculations. The neuroprotective activities of these diterpenoids were assessed using HT22 cell models damaged by glutamate and acrolein. Most compounds exhibited promising neuroprotective effects against neuronal injury induced by these toxins at a concentration of 10 μM. These findings provide a promising basis for the further investigation of abietane diterpenoids as candidates in neuroprotective drug development.