LAUSR

The genus Lindera consists of 100 species widely grown in tropical and subtropical areas. This genus has interesting pharmacological properties such as anticancer and anti-inflammatory activities. Previous phytochemical investigations on Lindera plants revealed the presence of sesquiterpenoids, alkaloids, butanolides, flavonoids, phenylpropanoids, and lucidones [1]. Lindera myrrha (Lour.) Merr. is widely distributed in the South of Vietnam. It is used for traditional Vietnamese medicine to relieve gastric pains, rheumatism, and as an anti-emetic drug [2, 3]. Previous phytochemical studies on the roots of this plant revealed the presence of nine aporphine alkaloids [3]. However, there are no reports regarding other phytochemical constituents of this plant. Herein, we describe the procedure for the isolation and identification of nine sesquiterpenoids from L. myrrha roots; linderane (1), linderalactone (2), lindenenol A (3), lindenenyl acetate (4), strychnistenolides A and B (5a and 5b), 6-O-acetate strychnistenolides A and B (6a and 6b), and pseudoneoliacine (7). To the best of our knowledge, all isolated sesquiterpenoids (1–7) were isolated from this species for the first time.