Chem. Pharm. Bull., 53(6),717-720, June 2005

Notes

The Isolation and Structure Elucidation of New Cassane Diterpene-Acids from Caesalpinia crista L. (Fabaceae), and Review on the Nomenclature of some Caesalpinia Species

Takeshi KINOSHITA,^*,a Yasuhiro HAGA,^a Shintaro NARIMATSU,^a Motoko SHIMADA,^a and Yukihiro GODA^b

^a Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Teikyo University; 1091-1 Suarashi, Sagamiko-machi, Tsukui-gun, Kanagawa 199-0195, Japan: and ^b Division of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry, National Institute of Health Sciences; 1-18-1 Kamiyouga, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 158-8501, Japan. * To whom correspondence should be addressed. e-mail: tk-1948@pharm.teikyo-u.ac.jp

New cassane diterpene-acids, neocaesalpins H and I, were isolated from the leaves of Caesalpinia crista (Fabaceae), and their structures were deduced on the basis of the spectroscopic and chemical basis. These compounds were characterized as having an α,β-butenolide hemiacetal ring that is rare in nature. The lacking of 5-hydroxy group also distinguished neocaesalpins H and I from cassane diterpenes (caesalpins) occurring in other Caesalpinia species from the phytochemical viewpoint. The nomenclature of three Caesalpinia species was also reviewed, and it was found that some species belonging to the genus Caesalpinia are improperly named and should be changed to valid names.

Key words Caesalpinia crista; Fabaceae; cassane diterpene; neocaesalpin; nomenclature; scientific name