Diterpenes from the berries of Juniperus excelsa

From the hexane extract of berries of Juniperus excelsa, one new and four k nown diterpenes were isolated besides a known sesquiterpene. The structures of the known diterpenes were identified as isopimaric, isocommunic, (-)ent -trans communic and sandracopimaric acids, along with the sesquiterpene 4a- hydroxycedrol and the new compound which was elucidated as 3 alpha-acetoxyl abda-8(17), 13(16), 14-trien-19-oic acid (juniperexcelsic acid). Cytotoxic activity of the hexane extract was investigated against a panel of cell lin e and found highyl active against LNCaP, KB-V (+VLB) and KB-V (-VLB) cell l ines. Furthermore, the hexane and methanol extracts, and the new compound w ere found to be moderately active against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. (C) 1 999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.