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Dauresorcinols A and B, Two Pairs of Merosesquiterpenoid Enantiomers with New Carbon Skeletons from Rhododendron dauricum
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  • Hanqi Zhang,
  • Biao Gao,
  • Guijuan Zheng,
  • Yuanyuan Feng,
  • Zhijun Liu,
  • Guangmin Yao
Hanqi Zhang
Huazhong University of Science and Technology
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Biao Gao
Huazhong University of Science and Technology
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Guijuan Zheng
Huazhong University of Science and Technology
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Yuanyuan Feng
Huazhong University of Science and Technology
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Zhijun Liu
Huazhong University of Science and Technology Tongji Medical College
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Guangmin Yao
Huazhong University of Science and Technology

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Abstract

Five pairs of new merosesquiterpenoid enantiomers, named dauresorcinols A−E (15), were isolated from the leaves of Rhododendron dauricum. Their structures were elucidated by comprehensive spectroscopic data analysis, quantum chemical calculations, Rh2(OCOCF3)4-induced ECD, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Dauresorcinols A (1) and B (2) possess two new merosesquiterpene skeletons bearing an unprecedented 2,6,7,10,14-pentamethyl-11-oxatetracyclo[8.8.0.02,7.012,17]octadecane and a caged 15-isohexyl-1,5,15-trimethyl-2,10-dioxatetracyclo[7.4.1.111,14.03,8]pentadecane motif, respectively. Plausible biosynthetic pathways of 15 are proposed involving key oxa-electrocyclization and Wagner−Meerwein rearrangement reactions. (+)/(−)-1 and 35 showed potent α-glucosidase inhibitory activity, 3 to 22 times stronger than acarbose, an antidiabetic drug targeting α-glucosidase. Docking results provide a basis to design and develop merosesquiterpenoids as potent α-glycosidase inhibitors.