Antispasmodic effects and structure-activity relationships of labdane diterpenoids from Marrubium globosum ssp. libanoticum

J Nat Prod. 2009 Aug;72(8):1477-81. doi: 10.1021/np9002756.

Abstract

Marrubium globosum ssp. libanoticum is a medicinal plant used in Lebanon to reduce pain and smooth muscle spasms. A chloroform extract obtained from M. globosum aerial parts reduced acetylcholine-induced contractions in the isolated mouse ileum. The purification of this extract identified, among 12 isolated labdane diterpenoids, four new compounds, named 13-epicyllenin A (4), 13,15-diepicyllenin A (5), marrulibacetal (9), and marrulactone (11). Their structures were determined by spectroscopic methods. Compound 9, which exerted antispasmodic activity, is likely the active ingredient of the extract. Preliminary structure-activity relationships for this class of compounds are suggested.

MeSH terms

  • Acetylcholine / pharmacology
  • Animals
  • Diterpenes / chemistry
  • Diterpenes / isolation & purification*
  • Diterpenes / pharmacology*
  • Ileum / drug effects*
  • Lebanon
  • Male
  • Marrubium / chemistry*
  • Mice
  • Molecular Structure
  • Muscle, Smooth / drug effects*
  • Parasympatholytics / chemistry
  • Parasympatholytics / isolation & purification*
  • Parasympatholytics / pharmacology*
  • Plant Extracts / chemistry
  • Plant Extracts / isolation & purification*
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology*
  • Plants, Medicinal / chemistry*
  • Structure-Activity Relationship

Substances

  • Diterpenes
  • Parasympatholytics
  • Plant Extracts
  • Acetylcholine