FURTHER ANTIBACTERIAL DITERPENES FROM THE BARK AND LEAVES OF JUNIPERUS-PROCERA HOCHST EX ENDL

The bark of Juniperus procera yielded three antibacterial diterpenoids , (+)-E-communic acid (1), (+)Z-communic acid (2) and (+)-totarol (3). Compound 2 exhibited significant activity against Gram-positive bacte ria, while 1 was found to be less active. Compound 3, on the other han d, demonstrated potent activity against Mycobacterium organisms, while its corresponding 3 beta-hydroxy-derivative 4 was found to be inactiv e. The chromatographic separation of(+)-Z-communic acid (2) from (+)-E -communic acid (1) and those previously unreported spectral data of 1 and 2 are described. In addition, the leaves yielded (+)-8 alpha-aceto xyelemol, beta-peltatin A methyl ether and deoxypodophyllotoxin.