Ajugatansins, neo-clerodane diterpenes from Ajuga reptans

New neo-clerodane diterpenes have been isolated from Ajuga reptans, and nam ed ajugatansins, along with the previously reported ajugavensin A and ajuga reptansone A. The structures of all the compounds were elucidated by spectr oscopic means and comparison with closely related compounds reported in the literature. The new 6 alpha ,19-diacetoxy-4 alpha ,18-epoxy-1 beta -hydrox y-3 beta-(2-methyl-butanoyloxy)-neo-clerod-13-en-15,16-olide (ajugatansin A 1) and 6 alpha ,19-diacetoxy-4 alpha ,18-epoxy-3 beta -hydroxy-12S-(2-methy lbutanoyloxy)neo-clerod-13-en-15,16-olide (ajugatansin B1) are structurally related to ajugarin I and (11S,13R,16S)-6 alpha ,19-diacetoxy-4 alpha ,18: 11,16:15,16-triepoxy-3 beta-(2-methylbutanoyloxy)-1 beta-[(E)-2-methyl-2-bu tenoyloxy]-neo-clerodan-2 beta -ol (ajugatansin D1) to dihydroclerodin, Cop yright (C) 2001 John Whey & Sons, Ltd.