Two epimeric pairs of C-4-acetyl annonaceous acetogenins from Goniothalamus donnaiensis

Further studies on the roots of Goniothalamus donnaiensis Finet et Gagnap (Annonaceae) led to the isolation of two pairs of Annonaceous acetogenins, donnaienin C (1) and 34-epi-donnaienin C (1'), donnaienin D (2) and 34-epi-donnaienin D (2'), containing a rare gamma-hydroxymethyl-gamma-lactone moiety and a C-4-acetoxy group. Their structures were elucidated by spectral data and chemical derivatization. Preliminary pharmacological tests showed that the mixture of donnaienin C (1) and 34-epi-donnaienin C (1') inhibited human hepatoma (Bel) cell lines in vitro (IC50, 7.1 mu g/ml).