Structurally diverse diterpenoids from Pieris japonica as potent analgesics

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/j.bioorg.2020.103794

Sixteen diterpenoids (1–16) including 10 new ones, pierisjaponins A–J (1–10), were isolated and identified from Pieris japonica, and their structures were classified into eight diverse carbon skeletons. Pierisjaponins A (1) and B (2) represent the first 1,5-seco-grayanane diterpenoid glucosides and only showed 17 carbon resonances instead of 26 carbons in the ¹³C NMR spectra, their structures were finally defined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, and the unusual NMR phenomena were explained. Pierisjaponin E (5) is the first mollane diterpene glucoside. This is the first time to report ent-labdane (3, 4, and 11) and ent-rosane (15) type diterpenoids from the Ericaceae plants, which provided the precursors of the Ericaceae diterpenoids and enlarged the chemical diversity of Ericaceae diterpenoids. All the 16 isolates showed potent analgesic activities, and this is the first time to describe the analgesic activities of 1,5-seco-grayanane, ent-labdane, mollane, and ent-rosane type diterpenoids. A preliminary structure-activity relationship is discussed, which provided new clues to design novel analgesics based on the Ericaceae diterpenoids.

Full text of DOI:10.1016/j.bioorg.2020.103794

Journal Pre-proofs
Structurally diverse diterpenoids from Pieris japonica as potent analgesics
Guijuan Zheng, Pengfei Jin, Lang Huang, Qihua, Zhang, Lingkui Meng,
Guangmin Yao
PII:
S0045-2068(20)30390-4
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bioorg.2020.103794
YBIOO 103794
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Bioorganic Chemistry
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18 February 2020
18 March 2020
23 March 2020
Please cite this article as: G. Zheng, P. Jin, L. Huang, Qihua, Zhang, L. Meng, G. Yao, Structurally diverse
diterpenoids from Pieris japonica as potent analgesics, Bioorganic Chemistry (2020), doi: https://doi.org/
10.1016/j.bioorg.2020.103794
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Structurally diverse diterpenoids from Pieris japonica as potent
analgesics
Guijuan Zheng, Pengfei Jin, Lang Huang, Qihua, Zhang, Lingkui Meng, Guangmin Yao*
Hubei Key Laboratory of Natural Medicinal Chemistry and Resource Evaluation, School of Pharmacy,
Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, People′s
Republic of China
* Corresponding author.
E-mail address: gyap@mail.hust.edu.cn (G. Yao).
1 / 39

A B S T R A C T
Sixteen diterpenoids (1−16) including 10 new ones, pierisjaponins A−J (1−10), were isolated and identified
from Pieris japonica, and their structures were classified into eight diverse carbon skeletons. Pierisjaponins
A (1) and B (2) represent the first 1,5-seco-grayanane diterpenoid glucosides and only showed 17 carbon
resonances instead of 26 carbons in the 13C NMR spectra, their structures were finally defined by
single-crystal X-ray diffraction, and the unusual NMR phenomena were explained. Pierisjaponin E (5) is the
first mollane diterpene glucoside. This is the first time to report ent-labdane (3, 4, and 11) and ent-rosane
(15) type diterpenoids from the Ericaceae plants, which provided the precursors of the Ericaceae
diterpenoids and enlarged the chemical diversity of Ericaceae diterpenoids. All the 16 isolates showed
potent analgesic activities, and this is the first time to describe the analgesic activities of 1,5-seco-grayanane,
ent-labdane, mollane, and ent-rosane type diterpenoids. A preliminary structure-activity relationship is
discussed, which provided new clues to design novel analgesics based on the Ericaceae diterpenoids.
Keywords:
Pieris japonica (Thunb.) D. Don ex G. Don (Ericaceae)
Diterpenoids
Absolute configuration
Analgesics
Structure-activity relationship
2 / 39

1. Introduction
Diterpenoids from the Ericaceae family are characteristic for highly oxidized and polycyclic
carbon skeletons, some of them showed anti-inflammatory [1], antiviral [2,3], neuroprotective and
cAMP regulation [4], potassium channel moderator [5], antifeedant [6], PTP1B inhibitory [7-10], and
analgesic activities [11-14]. To date, approximately 407 diterpenoids have been reported from the
Ericaceae plants [15-17], and their carbon skeletons are classified into 25 types (Fig. 1), named
grayanane [18], 1,5-seco-grayanane [19,20], 1,10-seco-grayanane [14,21], 3,4-seco-grayanane [22]
,
,
5,6-seco-grayanane [23] 9,10-seco-grayanane [24,25] 1,10:2,3-diseco-grayanane [3,14]
,
,
2,3:5,6-diseco-grayanane [8], leucothane [26], kalmane [27], 1,5-seco-kalmane [28], micranthane [29]
,
mollane [30], rhodomollane [9], D-homo-grayanane [2], mollebenzylane [10], ent-kaurane [31,32]
4,5-seco-ent-kaurane [12,32,33] A-homo-B-nor-ent-kaurane [14,34] isopimarane [35]
6,7-seco-isopimarane [35], 14,15-dinor-9,10-seco-labdane [35], abietane [36], 17-nor-abietane [37]
,
,
,
,
,
and 17,18-dinor-abietane [37]. Among them, grayanane type diterpenoids are the major and
characteristic diterpenoids in Ericaceae plants, and their plausible biogenetic precursor is
ent-kaurane type diterpene [15]. It has been proved that the ent-labdane type diterpene, directly derived
from GGPP, is the precursor of the ent-pimarane type diterpene [38], and the ent-pimarane type diterpene
generates the ent-kaurane type diterpene via the intermediate ent-beyerane type diterpene [39]. Thus,
ent-labdane and labdane type diterpenoids should be the precursors of the Ericaceae diterpenoids.
However, there are no reports of any labdane, ent-labdane, ent-pimarane, ent-beyerane, or
ent-rosane type diterpenoids from the Ericaceae plants, although 14,15-dinor-9,10-seco-labdane,
isopimarane, and 6,7-seco-isopimarane type diterpenoids have been reported from Lyonia ovalifolia
(Ericaceae) [35]
.
Among the reported diterpenoids from the Ericaceae family, grayanane [5,11-14,32,40-47]
,
1,10-seco-grayanane [14,21], 3,4-seco-grayanane [22,48,49], 1,10:2,3-diseco-grayanane [3,14]
,
3 / 39

leucothane
[12,14,21,32,44]
,
ent-kaurane
[21,32]
,
4,5-seco-ent-kaurane
[12,14,21,32],
A-homo-B-nor-ent-kaurane [14,34], kalmane [21,32,43], and micranthane [44] type diterpenoids were
proved to exhibit obvious analgesic activities. Among them, grayanoids rhodojaponins III and VI from
Rhododendron molle (Ericaceae) showed potent antinociceptive effects than morphine in the mice model of
acute inflammatory pain [41]. However, there is no any reports of the analgesic activities of
1,5-seco-grayanane, mollane, ent-labdane, and ent-rosane type diterpenoids.
In a continuing search for structurally intriguing diterpenoids as analgesics from the Ericaceae
plants [11-14,46,47], grayanane diterpenoids and grayanane diterpenoid glucosides with analgesic
activities have been identified from Pieris japonica [46,47]. Further investigation led to the isolation
of 16 diterpenoids (1−16) including 10 new ones, pierisjaponins A−J
(1−10), from the leaves of Pieris
japonica The structures of 16 diterpenoids (1−16) were classified into eight diverse carbon
.
skeletons, 1,5-seco-grayanane, ent-labdane, mollane, 4,5-seco-ent-kaurane, leucothane,
1,10:2,3-diseco-grayanane, ent-rosane, and kalmane, respectively (Fig. 2). Pierisjaponins A (1) and
B (2) represent the first examples of 1,5-seco-grayanane diterpenoid glucosides. Pierisjaponins C (3)
and D (4), and ent-manool (11) are first ent-labdane diterpenoids from Ericaceae plants.
Pierisjaponin E (5) is the first mollane glucoside. Pierisformosides D (13) and G (14) and
rhodomollein XIV (16) were characterized from P. japonica for the first time.
7-Deoxyrosenonolactone (15) is the first example of ent-rosane diterpenoid from Ericaceae family.
It’s the first report of ent-labdane and ent-rosane diterpenoids from the Ericaceae plants. All the
isolates were tested for their analgesic activities, and 1−6, 8−10, and 12−15 showed distinct
analgesic effects with inhibition rates of the writhing above 50% (5.0 mg/kg). Especially, even at the
lower dose of 0.04 mg/kg, pierisjaponins B (2) and D (4), and 7-deoxyrosenonolactone (15)
exhibited stronger analgesic activities than morphine (the positive drug) with inhibition rates of
4 / 39

66.2%, 64.8%, and 59.2%, respectively. This is the first time to describe the analgesic activities of
1,5-seco-grayanane, mollane, ent-labdane, and ent-rosane diterpenoids.
2. Experimental section
2.1. General experimental procedures
HRMS (ESI-TOF) data were acquired on a Bruker micrOTOF II. Optical rotations were recorded
in methanol using a Perkin-Elmer 341 polarimeter. Melting points were measured on a Beijing
TechX-5 microscopic melting point apparatus. FT-IR spectra were measured using a Bruker Vertex
70 instrument. The UV data were obtained on a Varian Cary 50 spectrophotometer. ECD spectra
were recorded on a JASCO J−810 spectrometer. NMR spectra were obtained on a Bruker AM-400
spectrometer, and the 1H and 13C NMR chemical shifts were referenced to the solvent residual peaks
for methanol-d4 at δH 3.31 and δC 49.15. The crystallographic data were obtained on a Bruker
SMART APEX-II CCD diffractometer equipped with graphite-monochromatized Cu Kα radiation
(λ = 1.54178 Å) for pierisjaponins A (1), C (3), and F (6) and Mo Kα radiation (λ = 0.71073 Å) for
pierisjapanin G (7), respectively. Samples were purified by semipreparative HPLC using a Dionex
P680 quaternary system with a UV detector and a HPLC column (5 μm, 10 × 250 mm, Welch
Ultimate XB-C18 or XB-phenyl). GC was analyzed on an Agilent 7820A GC (30 m × 0.25 mm × 0.5
μm, Welch WM-1).
2.2. Plant material
The leaves of Pieris japonica (Thunb.) D. Don ex G. Don (Ericaceae) were collected in July 2014 at
Baishanzu, Lishui, China, and authenticated by Prof. B.-Y. Ding at Wenzhou University.
2.3. Extraction and isolation
5 / 39

The detailed extraction and isolation procedures were described in the Supplementary Information. An
extract (6.7 kg) was yielded from the dried leaves of P. japonica (37.0 kg) after extraction at room
temperature with 95%-ethanol and evaporation. The extract was then suspended in water and partitioned
with CH2Cl2, EtOAc, and n-BuOH, respectively.
The CH2Cl2 fraction (1.1 kg, A) was chromatographed over a silica gel column eluting with
CH2Cl2−Me2CO (15:1 to 0:1) to give eleven fractions (A1−A11) based on the analysis of the TLC plates.
These fractions were repeatedly separated and purified by a MPLC ODS column with MeOH−H2O,
Sephadex LH-20, and C18 HPLC to yield compounds 3 (8.7 mg), 7 (9.6 mg), 8 (39.6 mg), 9 (2.8 mg), and 10
(4.4 mg). The EtOAc fraction (426.5 g, B) was fractionated over a silica gel column with CH2Cl2−MeOH
(50:1 to 2:1) to afford ten subfractions B1−B10 on the basis of the analysis of the TLC plates. Similar
procedures were applied to these ten fractions B1−B10 to yield pure compounds 4 (19.0 mg), 12 (21.8 mg),
and 14 (31.2 mg). The n-BuOH fraction (441.7 g, C) was applied to a silica gel column with CH2Cl2−MeOH
(20:1 to 0:1) to afford six subfractions C1−C6 based on the analysis of the TLC spots. Similar procedures
were applied to these six subfractions to afford diterpenoids 1 (21.0 mg), 2 (11.8 mg), 5 (28.8 mg), 6 (7.8
mg), 13 (26.4 mg), and 16 (18.8 mg).
2.4. Spectroscopic data
Pierisjaponin A (1): Colorless prisms (MeOH); mp 247−249 °C; [α]27 −59.1 (c 0.3, MeOH); UV
D
(MeOH) λmax (log ε): 235 (3.1) nm; IR νmax: 3415, 2936, 1687, 1636, 1382, 1078, 1023, 927 cm−1 (KBr); CD
1
13
(MeOH) λmax (Δε) = 232 (+2.3), 318 (−2.0) nm; for H and C NMR data, see Tables 1 and 2; HRESIMS
m/z 537.2670 [M + Na]+ (calcd for C26H42O10Na, 537.2676) and 1051.5440 [2M + Na]+ (calcd for
C52H84O20Na, 1051.5454).
Pierisjaponin B (2): Colorless oil; [α]27D −63.8 (c 0.2, MeOH); UV (MeOH) λmax (log ε): 218 (3.0) nm; IR
νmax: 3410, 1639, 1388, 1080, 1040 cm−1 (KBr); CD (MeOH) λmax (Δε) = 230 (+2.4), 319 (−2.1) nm; for 1H
6 / 39

and 13C NMR data, see Tables 1 and 2; HRESIMS m/z 553.2638 [M + Na]+ (calcd for C26H42O11Na,
553.2625).
Pierisjaponin C (3): Colorless blocks (MeOH); mp 122−123 °C; [α]27D −38.6 (c 0.2, MeOH); UV (MeOH)
λmax (log ε): 207 (2.9) nm; IR νmax: 3382, 2937, 2853, 1645, 1461, 1385, 1185, 1085, 1032, 918, 901 cm−1
1
13
(KBr); CD (MeOH) λmax (Δε) = 211 (+1.8) nm; for H and C NMR data, see Tables 1 and 2; HRESIMS
m/z 345.2397 [M + Na]+ (calcd for C20H34O3Na, 345.2406).
Pierisjaponin D (4): Colorless oil; [α]27D −25.8 (c 0.1, MeOH); UV (MeOH) λmax (log ε): 208 (2.9) nm; IR
νmax: 3409, 2936, 2867, 1643, 1389, 1169, 1079, 1049, 988, 928, 889 cm−1 (KBr); CD (MeOH) λmax (Δε) =
210 (+1.7) nm; for 1H and 13C NMR data, see Tables 1 and 2; HRESIMS m/z 507.2971 [M + Na]+ (calcd for
C26H44O8Na, 507.2934).
Pierisjaponin E (5): White amorphous powder; [α]27D −12.9 (c 0.7, MeOH); UV (MeOH) λmax (log ε): 202
(2.8) nm; IR νmax: 3428, 2946, 1637, 1376, 1085, 1042, 981, 889 cm−1 (KBr); for 1H and 13C NMR data, see
Tables 1 and 2; HRESIMS m/z 537.2676 [M + Na]+ (calcd for C26H42O10Na, 537.2676).
Pierisjaponin F (6): Colorless blocks (MeOH); mp 184−185 °C; [α]27D −52.5 (c 0.1, MeOH); UV (MeOH)
λmax (log ε): 200 (2.9) nm; IR νmax: 3393, 2927, 2873, 1697, 1387, 1166, 1087, 1027 cm−1 (KBr); for 1H and
13C NMR data, see Tables 1 and 2; HRESIMS m/z 537.2695 [M + Na]+ (calcd for C26H42O10Na, 537.2676).
Pierisjaponin G (7): Colorless prisms (MeOH); mp 249−253 °C; [α]27 −4 (c 0.4, MeOH); UV (MeOH)
D
λmax (log ε): 207 (3.2) nm; IR νmax: 3526, 3406, 2934, 1708, 1452, 1384, 1207, 1137, 1058, 967, 885 cm−1
1
13
(KBr); CD (MeOH) λmax (Δε) = 310 (−2.9) nm; for H and C NMR data, see Tables 3 and 2; HRESIMS
m/z 357.1996 [M + Na]+ (calcd for C20H30O4Na, 357.2042).
Pierisjaponin H (8): Colorless oil; [α]27 −67.7 (c 0.3, MeOH); UV (MeOH) λmax (log ε): 200 (3.1), 271
D
(2.8) nm; IR νmax: 3398, 2937, 2871, 1696, 1452, 1376, 1225, 1120, 1028, 897 cm−1 (KBr); CD (MeOH) λmax
1
13
(Δε) = 297 (−1.8) nm; for H and C NMR data, see Tables 3 and 2; HRESIMS m/z 343.2250 [M + Na]+
(calcd for C20H32O3Na, 343.2249) and 663.4646 [2M + Na]+ (calcd for C40H64O6Na, 663.4601).
7 / 39

Pierisjaponin I (9): Colorless oil; [α]27 −26.5 (c 0.2, MeOH); UV (MeOH) λmax (log ε): 200 (3.1), 271
D
(2.8) nm; IR νmax: 3433, 2941, 1637, 1387, 1217, 1043 cm−1 (KBr); CD (MeOH) λmax (Δε) = 297 (−1.9) nm;
1
13
for H and C NMR data, see Tables 3 and 2; HRESIMS m/z 359.2207 [M + Na]+ (calcd for C20H32O4Na,
359.2198) and 695.4528 [2M + Na]+ (calcd for C40H64O8Na, 695.4499).
Pierisjaponin J (10): Colorless oil; [α]27D +34.3 (c 0.4, MeOH); UV (MeOH) λmax (log ε): 200 (2.7) nm; IR
1
νmax: 3387, 2936, 1761, 1704, 1440, 1388, 1136, 1037, 963 cm−1 (KBr); for H and 13C NMR data, see
Tables 3 and 2; HRESIMS m/z 407.2052 [M + Na]+ (calcd for C20H32O7Na, 407.2046).
2.5. X-ray Crystallographic analysis.
The crystallographic data of pierisjaponins A (1) (CCDC 1970614), C (3) (CCDC 1970615), F (6)
(CCDC 1970616), and G (7) (CCDC 1970617) have been stored in the Cambridge Crystallographic Data
Centre. Their X-ray crystal structures are depicted in Figures 4−7.
Crystallographic data of pierisjaponin A (1): C26H42O10, M = 514.59, 0.18 × 0.16 × 0.15 mm3, V =
2549.9(7) Å3, monoclinic, P21, Z = 4, wavelength: 1.54178 Å, radiation type: Cu Ka, T = 173(2) K, α =γ =
90°, β = 104.857(14)°, a = 6.8645(14) Å, b = 30.819(4) Å, c = 12.4698(15) Å, θ range for data collection
2.868 to 65.245°, absorption coefficient 0.848 mm−1, F(000) = 1112, −8 ≤ h ≤ 8, −36 ≤ k ≤ 36, −14 ≤ l ≤ 14,
completeness to θ (65.245°) 99.5%, 19393 reflections measured, 8565 independent reflections [R(int)
=
0.0485], data/restraints/parameters 8565/1/707. The final R1 = 0.0356 [I > 2σ(I)], the final wR2 = 0.0764 [I >
2σ(I)]. The final (all data) R1 = 0.0462, the final (all data) wR2 = 0.0816. Hooft parameter 0.03(8), Flack
parameter 0.01(8).
Crystallographic data of pierisjaponin C (3): C20H34O3, M = 322.47, 0.22 × 0.20 × 0.18 mm3, V =
1873.34(19) Å3, monoclinic, C121, Z = 4, wavelength: 1.54178 Å, radiation type: Cu Ka, T = 173(2) K, α = γ
= 90°, β = 97.185(2)°, a = 24.626(15) Å, b = 7.4516(4) Å, c = 10.2893(6) Å, θ for data collection 4.331 to
68.267°, absorption coefficient 0.583 mm−1, F(000) = 712, −29 ≤ h ≤ 28, −8 ≤ k ≤ 8, −12 ≤ l ≤ 12,
8 / 39

completeness to θ (67.679°) 99.1%, 3404 reflections measured, 3353 independent reflections [R(int)
=
0.0559], data/restraints/parameters 3404/21/218. The final R1 = 0.0513 [I > 2σ(I)], the final wR2 = 0.1453
[I > 2σ(I)]. The final (all data) R1 = 0.0519, the final (all data) wR2 = 0.1461. Hooft parameter 0.06(5), Flack
parameter −0.04(4).
Crystallographic data of pierisjaponin F (6): C26H42O10·4(H2O), M = 586.65, 0.30 × 0.20 × 0.10 mm3, V =
3000.7(3) Å3, orthorhombic, P212121, Z = 4, wavelength: 1.54178 Å, radiation type: Cu Ka, T = 173(2) K, α
= 90°, β = 90°, γ = 90°, a = 6.2405(3) Å, b = 8.3505(4) Å, c = 57.583(3) Å, θ for data collection 5.35 to
66.87°, absorption coefficient 0.883 mm−1, F(000) = 1268, −7 ≤ h ≤ 7, −9 ≤ k ≤ 9, −47 ≤ l ≤ 68,
completeness to θ (66.91°) 99.3%, 5276 reflections measured, 4600 independent reflections [R(int) = 0.0406],
data/restraints/parameters 5276/374/330. The final R1 = 0.0448 [I > 2σ(I)], the final wR2 = 0.1121 [I > 2σ(I)].
The final (all data) R1 = 0.0539, the final (all data) wR2 = 0.1172. Hooft parameter 0.0(1), Flack parameter
−0.1(2).
Crystallographic data of pierisjaponin G (7): C20H30O4, M = 334.44, 0.20 × 0.18 × 0.12 mm3, V = 848.6(8)
Å3, monoclinic, P21, Z = 2, wavelength: 0.71073 Å, radiation type: Mo Ka, T = 298(2) K, α = γ = 90°, β =
91.483(16)°, a = 6.106(4) Å, b = 11.149(6) Å, c = 12.468(7) Å, θ for data collection 3.27 to 25.01°,
absorption coefficient 0.089 mm−1, F(000) = 264, −7 ≤ h ≤ 7, −13 ≤ k ≤ 13, −14 ≤ l ≤ 14, completeness to θ
(25.01°) 97.9%, 2847 reflections measured, 2720 independent reflections [R(int) = 0.0545],
data/restraints/parameters 2847/1/222. The final R1 = 0.1191 [I > 2σ(I)], the final wR2 = 0.2637 [I > 2σ(I)].
The final (all data) R1 = 0.1161, the final (all data) wR2 = 0.2611.
2.6. Acid hydrolysis and GC analysis.
Pierisjaponin A (1) was hydrolyzed by HCl (2 mM), the trimethylsilylthiazolidine derivative of the
hydrate was prepared, and the GC analysis was performed according to the procedures described previously
[50,51]. The GC retention times of the derivatives of the standards D- and L-glucoses and the hydrate of 1
9 / 39

were 14.840, 15.062, and 14.764 min (Figs. S12−S14), respectively. In the same way, the GC retention
times of the derivatives of the hydrates of 2 and 4−6 were 14.802, 14.798, 14.818, and 14.789 min (Figs.
S15−S18), respectively. Therefore, the D-glucose unit in pierisjaponins A (1), B (2), and D−H (4−6) was
determined.
2.7. ECD calculation
The ECD calculation methods of pierisjaponins G (7) and (8) were performed as described previously
[14]. The detailed methods were also depicted in the Supplementary Information.
2.8. Analgesic activities assay.
All the diterpenoids 1−16 were tested for analgesic activities in mice according to the procedures
previously described [41,46].
3. Results and discussion
3.1. Structural elucidations of pierisjaponins A−J (1−10)
Pierisjaponin A (1), colorless prisms with a mp of 247−249 °C, was assigned a molecular formula of
C26H42O10 with six degrees of unsaturation on the basis of the HRESIMS [M + Na]+ and [2M + Na]+ ions at
m/z 537.2670 (calcd for C26H42O10Na, 537.2676) and 1051.5440 (calcd for C52H84O20Na, 1051.5454),
respectively. The characteristic UV absorption at 235 nm (log ε = 3.1) and the IR absorption at 1687 cm−1
1
indicated the existence of a carbonyl (C=O). The H NMR spectroscopic data (Table 1) in CD3OD at room
temperature of 1 showed the resonances for four methyls (δH 1.36, 1.34, 1.40, and 2.05), two oxygenated
methines (δH 3.83 and 4.23), and a typical glucopyranosyl group [δH 4.48 (d, H-1′), 3.85 (dd, H-6′a), and
3.68 (dd, H-6′b)] [51]. However, it was very strange that the 13C NMR spectrum obtained in CD3OD at room
temperature only showed 17 carbon resonances assignable to a carbonyl carbon (δC 214.5), a sp3 quaternary
carbon (δC 50.2), an oxygenated tertiary carbon (δC 80.4), seven methines including five oxygenated (δC 49.5,
10 / 39

56.8, 70.7, 71.4, 75.8, 77.6, and 78.3), five methylenes (δC 23.9, 27.0, 36.5, 58.4, and 62.4), and two methyls
(δC 24.3 and 17.3) by the DEPT spectrum, instead of 26 carbons as indicated by the HRESIMS data.
2D NMR analysis were attempted to certificate the remaining carbon resonances and delineate the
structure of pierisjaponin A (1) (Fig. 3). An oxymethine carbon C-3 (δC 93.9), a methylene C-7 (δC 48.4),
1
and an anomeric carbon C-1′ (δC 106.0) were disclosed by the HSQC spectrum. The H–1H COSY data
signified three substructures: (a) CH-6/CH2-7, (b) CH-9/CH2-11/CH2-12/CH-13/CH2-14, and (c)
CH-1′/CH-2′/CH-3′/CH-4′/CH-5′/CH2-6′. The observed HMBC correlations from H3-17 to C-13/C-15/C-16,
H2-15 to C-8/C-9/C-14, H2-14 to C-8/C-9, and H2-7 to C-9 constructed the rings B and C. Correlations from
H3-20 to C-9 (δC 56.8), C-1 (δC 128.1), and C-10 (δC 146.0) in the HMBC experiment demonstrated the
existence of an endocyclic double bond Δ1(10). The linkages of C-3/C-5/C-18/C-19 to C-4 and the carbon
signals of C-4, C-18, and C-19 were assigned by HMBC correlations from the gem-methyls [(δH 1.34, s,
H3-18) and (δH 1.40, s, H3-19)] to C-3/C-4/C-5. The glycosylation position was determined at C-3 by the key
HMBC correlations from the anomeric proton δH 4.48 (H-1′) to C-3. A carbonyl group, a double bond Δ1(10)
,
and a glycose unit accounted for three degrees of unsaturation, suggesting that pierisjaponin A (1) was a
tricyclic diterpenoid glucoside. However, the ring A could not be constructed due to the lack of key
correlation of H-2/C-2 and the connection of C-5/C-6.
The relative configuration of pierisjaponin A (1) was ascertained by the analysis of NOESY experiment.
The NOESY cross-peaks of H-3/H-6, H-6/H3-19, H3-19/H-3, and H3-19/H-2 (δH 4.67, br s) revealed that
they were cofacial and assigned randomly as α-orientations (Fig. 3). The cis-fused rings B and C and H3-17β
orientation were determined by the cross signals of H-9/H-15β, H-11β/H3-17, and H-15β/H3-17.
To determine the absolute configuration of the sugar unit in pierisjaponin A (1), we hydrolyzed 1 using
HCl and then prepared the trimethylsilylthiazolidine derivative of the hydrolysate of 1 [11,51]. The
D-absolute configuration of the sugar unit in 1 was defined by comparison of the GC retention time of the
derivative of the hydrolysate of 1 (tR 14.764 min) with those of the standards (D-Glc, tR 14.840 min; L-Glc,
tR 15.062 min). The large coupling constant 7.6 Hz of H-1′ indicated the β-linkage of the glycose in 1 [47].
11 / 39

Eventually, the complete structure of pierisjaponin A (1) was unambiguously constructed by X-ray
diffraction analysis, and the Flack parameter [52] 0.01(8) and Hooft parameter [53] 0.03(8) defined its
absolute configuration as shown in Fig. 4.
A molecular formula of C26H42O11 (calcd for C26H42O11Na, 553.2625) was ascertained to
pierisjaponin B (2) by the positive [M + Na]+ ion at m/z 553.2638 in the HRESIMS spectrum,
suggesting one more oxygen atom than pierisjaponin A (1). The NMR data (Tables 1 and 2) of
pierisjaponin B (2) shared great similarities of 1, except for the presence of an oxymethine (δH 4.26,
s, H-14; δC 80.8, C-14) in 2, which replaced a methylene (δH 2.03, 1.73, H2-14β; δC 36.5, C-14) in 1.
Thus, pierisjaponin B (2) was a 14-oxygenated product of 1. The HMBC correlations (Fig. S1,
Supplementary Information, SI) from H-14 (δH 4.26) to C-16 (δC 81.6), C-15 (δC 57.3), and C-12 (δC
27.6) further proved this deduction. Similar to 1, H-3 in pierisjaponin B (2) was α-oriented.
Cross-peaks of H-3/H-6 and H-6/H-14 in the NOESY experiment delineated the α-orientations of
H-6 and H-14. Therefore, the structure of pierisjaponin B (2) was defined as
3β-(β-D-glucopyranosyloxy)-2β,6β,14β,16α-tetrahydroxy-1,5-seco-grayan-1(10)-en-5-one.
The
tendency of the ECD curve of pierisjaponin B (2) was similar to that of pierisjaponin A (1) (Fig. S2,
SI), indicating their same absolute configuration, ignoring C-14.
1,5-Seco-grayanane diterpenoids are relatively rare in nature, heretofore, total five
1,5-seco-grayanane diterpenoid aglycones, grayanols A and B [54], grayanotoxins XXI [20] and
XXII [55], and 3S,6R,14R,16R-tetrahydroxy-5-oxo-5,10-seco-ent-kaur-1(10)-ene [56], were reported
from nature. Pierisjaponins A (1) and B (2) represent the first 1,5-seco-grayanane diterpenoid
glucosides. A major feature of the 1,5-seco-grayanane diterpenoids is a ten-membered carbon ring
system involving C-1−C-10, which is flexible and would lead to the co-existence of a number of
transformable conformers in the solvents at room temperature [57]. The anisotropisations of the endocyclic
double bond Δ1(10) and the carbonyl C-5 in pierisjaponins A (1) and B (2) would result in different
chemical shifts of C-1, C-2, C-3, C-5, C-7, C-10, C-20, and C-1′ in different conformers, and their
13
chemical shifts differences were so big that the resonances were not obvious in the C NMR
1
experiment in CD3OD at room temperature [23]. Likewise, H-1, H-2, H-3, H-6, and H-7 in the H
12 / 39

NMR spectra of pierisjaponins A (1) and B (2) in CD3OD showed weak and broad peaks, instead of
resolved sharp peaks. While, the rigid and caged B and C rings fixed C-8 and C-9 so that the
resonances of C-8, C-9, and C-11
of pierisjaponins A (1) and B (2) at room temperature in CD3OD. The NMR experiments at a lower
temperature may improve the resolution of the NMR spectra [57] There is no report of the unsual
−
C-17 could be ascertained obviously in the 13C NMR experiments
.
NMR phenomena of the 1,5-seco-grayanane diterpenoid aglycones, the unsual NMR phenomena of
pierisjaponins A (1) and B (2) should arise from the presence of 2β-OH and the β-D-glucopyranosyl
unit, which increased the complexity of the transformable conformers of the ten-membered carbon ring
.
Pierisjaponin C (3), colorless blocks with a mp of 122−123 °C, has a molecular formula of
C20H34O3 as deduced from the NMR data and the HRESIMS [M + Na]+ ion at m/z 345.2397 (calcd
for C20H34O3Na, 345.2406), having two more oxygen atoms than that of ent-manool (11). The NMR
data (Tables 1 and 2) of pierisjaponin C (3) showed similarities to those of ent-manool (11) [58], a
known labdane diterpenoid, and the main differences were the existence of an oxymethine (δH 3.18,
dd, H-3; δC 79.7, C-3) and an oxymethylene (δH 3.38, 3.42, H2-16; δC 69.8, C-16) in 3, rather than
the methylene (δH 1.39, 1.21, overlap, H2-3; δC 43.5, C-3) and the methyl (δH 1.23, s, H-16; δC 27.6,
C-16) in 11. Thus, pierisjaponin C (3) should be a 3,16-dioxygenated derivative of ent-manool (11).
The HMBC correlations (Fig. S3, SI) from the gem-methyls [δH 0.76 (s, H3-19) and 0.97 (s, H3-18)]
to C-3 and from H2-16 to C-14 (δC 143.1), C-13 (δC 77.3), and C-12 (δC 37.2) supported the planar
structure of pierisjaponin C (3). The relative configuration of pierisjaponin C (3) was established by
the NOESY experiment and the coupling constants analysis. The large coupling constants JH-3/H-2
=
9.1 and 7.0 Hz characterized the axial orientation of H-3, namely β-orientation. The NOESY
cross-peaks of H-3/H-5, H-5/H-9, and H-3/H3-18 established the β-orientations of H-5, H-9, and
H3-18. The α-orientation of H3-20 was determined by the NOESY correlation of H3-20 and H3-19α.
However, it is hard to define the configuration of C-13 in the side chain. The gross structure of
pierisjaponin C (3) was finally defined to be 3α,13α,16-trihydroxy-ent-labda-8(17),14(15)-diene via
13 / 39

X-ray crystallographic data (Fig. 5). The absolute configuration (3R,5S,9R,10S,13R) was assigned to
pierisjaponin C (3) by a Flack parameter of −0.04(4) [52]
.
The HRESIMS [M + Na]+ ion at m/z 507.2971 (calcd for C26H44O8Na, 507.2934) and the NMR
data assigned a molecular formula of C26H44O8 to pierisjaponin D (4). The NMR data (Tables 1 and 2
of pierisjaponin D (4) and pierisjaponin C (3) shared closely similarities. However, the main
difference was an additional glucose unit [δH 4.26 (d, H-1′), 3.87 (dd, H-6′a), and 3.66 (dd, H-6′b);
δC 105.1, 78.1, 78.0, 75.3, 71.8, and 62.9] [47] in 4. Thus, pierisjaponin D (4) should be a glucoside
of pierisjaponin C (3). The C-16 glycosylation position was fixed by the de-shielded C-16 (δC 77.4)
in 4 by 7.6 ppm compared to that (δC 69.8) in 3, which was further ascertained by the HMBC
correlations (Fig. S4, SI) from H-1′ (δH 4.26) to C-16 and from H2-16 to C-1′ (δC 105.1). The ECD
spectrum of pierisjaponin D (4) was almost identical to that of pierisjaponin C (3) (Fig. S5, SI),
suggesting their same absolute configuration, ignoring the glucose unit in 4. Similar to pierisjaponin
A (1), the β-D-glucose unit in pierisjaponin D (4) was determined by chemical methods and GC
analysis, as well as the large coupling constant J = 7.7 Hz of H-1′. Therefore, the structure of
)
pierisjaponin
D
(4) was defined as 16-(β-D-glucopyranosyloxy)-3α,13α-dihydroxy
-ent-labda-8(17),14(15)-diene.
Pierisjaponins C (3) and D (4) and ent-manool (11) are the first ent-labdane diterpenoids from the
Ericaceae family. The bicyclic ent-labdane diterpenoids are considered to be the precursors of the
Ericaceae diterpenoids (Fig. 1).
Pierisjaponin E (5) gave a molecular formula of C26H42O10 as disclosed by the positive HRESIMS
13
[M + Na]+ ion at m/z 537.2676 (calcd for C26H42O10Na, 537.2676), along with the C NMR data.
The 1D NMR data (Tables 1 and 2) of pierisjaponin E (5) showed some similarities to mollanol A
[30], the first mollane (C-nor-D-homo-grayanane) type diterpenoid from Rhododendron molle
(Ericaceae) and its structure was determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction, except for a
14 / 39

glucopyranosyl group (δH 4.24, d, H-1′; δC 105.9, 78.0, 77.9, 75.6, 71.9, 63.0) [51] in 5. In addition,
an oxygenated tertiary carbon C-10 (δC 72.4) and a sp3 methine (δH 1.92, H-1; δC 52.4, C-1) in 5
replaced the tetra-substituted double bond Δ1(10) [δC 138.1 (C-1) and 127.7 (C-10)] in mollanol A,
and a methylene (δC 33.0, C-14) in 5 replaced the oxygenated methine (δC 78.4, C-14) in mollanol A.
Thus, pierisjaponin E (5) was a 1(10)-hydrate-14-deoxy glucoside of mollanol A. Two substructures
CH2-11–CH2-12–CH-13–CH2-14 and CH-1/CH2-2/CH-3 (Fig. S6, SI) were ascertained by the 1H–1H
COSY data of pierisjaponin E (5). HMBC correlations from H3-20 to C-10 (δC 72.4), C-9 (δC 53.9),
and C-1 (δC 52.4) supported the linkages of C-1/C-9/C-20 through C-10. Similarly, the glycosylation
position at C-3 was established by the HMBC correlations from the H-1′ (δH 4.24) to C-3 (δC 89.1)
and from H-3 (δH 3.59) to the anomeric carbon C-1′ (δC 105.9). Similar to mollanol A, the downfield
shifted C-8 (δC 84.4) and C-5 (δC 93.7), as well as the hydrogen deficiency of 5, revealed an oxygen
bridge between C-5 and C-8. H-1 was randomly assigned as α-orientation in pierisjaponin E (5). The
correlations of H-1α/H-6, H3-19/H-6, and H3-20/H-6 in the NOESY experiment (Fig. S6, SI) verified
that H-6, H3-19, and H3-20 were cofacial. The strong NOESY correlation of H-3/H3-19α and weak
NOESY correlation of H-3/H3-18β indicated the α-orientation of H-3. The cis-fused C and D rings
and H3-17β orientation were identical to mollanol A. Similar to mollanol A [30], the β-orientation of
the C-5-O-C-8 oxygen bridge was assigned. Similar to pierisjaponin A (1), the β-D-glucose unit in
pierisjaponin E (5) was established. Consequently, pierisjaponin E (5) was defined as
3β-(β-D-glucopyranosyloxy)-6β,10β,16α-trihydroxy- 5β,8β-epoxy-C-nor-D-homo-grayanane. To
date, only one mollane diterpenoid aglycone was reported, and pierisjaponin E (5) is the first
mollane diterpenoid glucoside.
Pierisjaponin F (6) was yielded as a colorless block, mp 184−185 °C. Based on the HRESIMS [M
13
+ Na]+ ion peak at m/z 537.2695 (calcd for C26H42O10Na, 537.2676) and the C NMR data, the
molecular formula of pierisjaponin F (6) was assigned as C26H42O10. The 1D NMR data (Tables 1
15 / 39

and 2) of pierisjaponin F (6) shared high resemblance of rhodoauriculatol H [14], a leucothane type
diterpenoid reported from Rhododendron auriculatum (Ericaceae). However, the main differences
were the presence of an oxymethylene (δH 4.23, 3.53, each d, H2-17; δC 75.1, C-17) and a
glucopyranosyl group (δH 4.29, d, J = 7.7 Hz, H-1′; δC 105.5, 78.2, 78.0, 75.4, 71.8, 62.9) [51] in 6,
replacing the methyl (δH 1.36, s, H3-17; δC 24.5, C-17) in rhodoauriculatol H. Consequently,
pierisjaponin F (6) is a 17-oxygenated glucoside of rhodoauriculatol H. Combination of the chemical
shift of C-17 (δC 75.1) and HMBC correlations (Fig. S7, SI) from H2-17 to C-13/C-15/C-16/C-1′ (δC
105.5) and from H-1′ (δH 4.29) to C-17 proved the above deduction. Similar to pierisjaponin A (1),
2D NMR experiments, chemical methods, as well as GC analysis defined the structure of
pierisjaponin F (6) as 17-(β-D-glucopyranosyloxy)-3β,10β,16α-trihydroxyleucothan-5-one, which
was eventually supported by X-ray diffraction analysis (Fig. 6). The calculated Hooft parameter
0.0(1) [53] and Flack parameter −0.1(2) [52] was used to assign the absolute configuration
(1S,3S,6R,8R,9R,10R,13R,16R,1′R,2′R,3′S,4′S,5′R) to pierisjaponin F (6).
A molecular formula of C20H30O4 was assigned to pierisjaponin G (7) based on the 13C NMR data
and the HRESIMS [M + Na]+ data at m/z 357.1996 (calcd for C20H30O4Na, 357.2042). Comparison of
the 1D NMR data of pierisjaponin G (7) and pierisformoside D (13) [59] (Tables 2 and 3) indicated
that 7 and 13 shared a similar structure. The main differences were the missing glucose group and
the shielding of C-3 (δC 77.6) in 7 compared to 13 (δC 86.3). Thus, pierisjaponin G (7) is an
aglycone of pierisformoside D (13). Similar to 13, H-1 in pierisjaponin G (7) was assigned as a
β-orientation. Cross-peaks of H-1β/H-9, H-9/H-15b, and H-15b/H3-17 in the NOESY experiment
(Fig. S8, SI) determined the β-orientations of H-9 and H3-17. The relative configuration of
pierisjaponin G (7) was finally determined as (1R*,3S*,6S*,8S*,9R*,13R*,16R*) by X-ray
crystallographic analysis with Mo Kα radiation (Fig. 7). The experimental ECD curve (Fig. 8) of
pierisjaponin G (7) was similar to the calculated ECD curve of (1R,3S,6S,8S,9R,13R,16R)-7 and
16 / 39

opposite to that of its enantiomer. Therefore, the absolute configuration of pierisjaponin G (7) was
determined as 1R,3S,6S,8S,9R,13R,16R.
The HRESIMS [M + Na]+ and [2M + Na]+ ions at m/z 343.2250 (calcd for C20H32O3Na, 343.2249
)
and 663.4646 (calcd for C40H64O6Na, 663.4601), respectively, disclosed a molecular formula of
C20H32O3 to pierisjaponin H (8). The 1D NMR data of pierisjaponin H (8) (Tables 2 and 3) shared
high similarities to those of pierisformoside G (14), a 4,5-seco-ent-kaurane diterpenoid glucoside
[33], excepted for the absence of the glucose moiety and the shielding of C-19 (δC 65.9) in 8,
implying that pierisjaponin H (8) is an aglycone of pierisformoside G (14). Detailed 2D NMR data
furnished the structure of pierisjaponin H (8) as 16α,19-dihydroxy-4,5-seco-ent-kaur-4(18)-en-5-one
(Fig. S9, SI). Comparison of the experimental ECD curve of pierisjaponin H (8) and the calculated
ECD curves of (8S,9R,10S,13R,16R)-8 and its enantiomer ultimately defined its absolute
configuration as 8S,9R,10S,13R,16R (Fig. 9).
Pierisjaponin I (9) possessed a molecular formula of C20H32O4 based on the HRESIMS [M + Na]+
and [2M + Na]+ ions at m/z 359.2207 (calcd for C20H32O4Na, 359.2198) and 695.4528 (calcd for
C40H64O8Na, 695.4499), respectively, suggesting one more oxygen atom than pierisjaponin H (8). The
NMR data (Tables 2 and 3) of pierisjaponin I (9) were extremely similar to those of pierisjaponin H
(8), while the main difference was that the oxymethine (δH 4.50, dd, J = 13.4, 6.0 Hz, H-6; δC 71.9,
C-6) in 9 replaced a sp3 methylene (δH 2.70, 2.24, H2-6; δC 38.2, C-6) in 8. Thus, pierisjaponin I (9)
is a 6-oxygenated derivative of 8, which was confirmed by the partial structure “–CHOH-6–CH2-7–”
1
(
Fig. S10, SI) deduced from the H−1H COSY data and the de-shielding of C-6 (δC 71.9) in 9
compared to 8 (δC 38.2). Similar to 8, H3-20 in pierisjaponin I (9) was assigned as α-orientation.
Correlation of H-6/H3-20α in the NOESY experiment revealed the α-orientation of H-6. Thus, the
structure
of
pierisjaponin
I
(9)
was
identified
as
6β,16α,19-trihydroxy-4,5-seco-ent-kaur-4(18)-en-5-one. The ECD spectrum of pierisjaponin I (9)
17 / 39

was almost same as pierisjaponin H (8) (Fig. 9), suggesting its 6R,8R,9R,10S,13R,16R absolute
configuration.
The molecular formula of pierisjaponin J (10) was assigned as C20H32O7 based on the HRESIMS
[M + Na]+ ion at m/z 407.2052 (calcd for C20H32O7Na, 407.2046). The NMR data of pierisjaponin J
(10) (Tables 2 and 3) showed close similarities to those of mollolide A [3], a known diseco-grayanane
diterpenoid from Rhododendron molle (Ericaceae), with the major difference of a methylene (δH
1.57, 1.71, H2-12; δC 25.9, C-12) in 10, replacing the oxymethine (δH 4.31, H-12; δC 68.7, C-12) in
mollolide A. Thus, pierisjaponin J (10) should be a 12-deoxy product of mollolide A. The chemical
shift δC 25.9 (C-12) and the HMBC correlations (Fig. S11, SI) from H-14/H-9 to C-12 (δC 25.9) fixed
the above deduction. Consequently, the gross structure of 10 was deduced as
2,5β,14β,16α-tetrahydroxy-1,10:2,3-diseco-grayan-3,6β-olide-10-one. Detailed 2D NMR analysis
and the biogenetic relationship supported this conclusion. To date, only two
1,10:2,3-diseco-grayanane diterpenoids, mollolide A [3] and rhodoauriculatol D [14], have been
reported, and pierisjaponin J (10) represents the third 1,10:2,3-diseco-grayanane diterpenoid.
Six known diterpenoids 11−16 were identified as ent-manool (11) [58], pieroside B (12) [60],
pierisformosides D (13) [59] and G (14) [33], 7-deoxyrosenonolactone (15) [61], and rhodomollein
XIV (16) [62], respectively, by NMR data analysis and comparison to the reported data. Importantly,
five known diterpenoids 11 and 13−16 were firstly reported from P. japonica. Except for pieroside
B (12), all the other diterpenoids from P. japonica enlarged the chemical diversity of diterpenoids
from the Ericaceae plants.
3.2. Analgesic activity
Since the grayanane and relevant diterpenoids from Ericaceae family have been proved to
exhibited distinct analgesic activities [11,13,41], the diterpenoids 1−16 were tested for their analgesic
activities in mice. Compared to the vehicle (***p < 0.001), diterpenoids 1−16 expressed analgesic
18 / 39

activities (Fig. 10). 1,5-Seco-grayanane (1 and 2), ent-labdane (3 and 4), mollane (5), leucothane (6,
12, and 13), 4,5-seco-ent-kaurane (8, 9, and 14), 1,10:2,3-diseco-grayanane (10), and ent-rosane (15)
diterpenoids exhibited significant analgesic activities with the writhe inhibitions above 50% (5.0
mg/kg, i.p.). Even at a lower dose of 0.04 mg/kg, pierisjaponins B (2) and D (4) and
7-deoxyrosenonolactone (15) exhibited stronger analgesic effects than morphine with inhibition
percentages of 66.2%, 64.8%, and 59.2%, respectively. It is the first time to report the analgesic
activities of 1,5-seco-grayanane, mollane, ent-labdane, and ent-rosane diterpenoids.
3.3. Structure-activity relationships analysis
1,5-Seco-grayanane glucosides pierisjaponins A (1) and B (2) showed almost equivalent analgesic
effects at a dose of 5.0 mg/kg with the inhibition rates of the writhes of 85.9%, and also showed
significant analgesic activities even at a lower dose of 1.0 mg/kg with the writhe inhibition rates of
59.2% and 77.5%, respectively. Pierisjaponin B (2) with 14β-OH exhibited stronger analgesic
effects than pierisjaponin A (1) without 14β-OH, implying that 14β-OH group may be conducive to
the analgesic activity in the 1,5-seco-grayanane glucosides. Pierisjaponin C (3) bearing 3α-OH and
16-OH groups exhibited stronger analgesic effects than ent-manool (11) without 3α-OH and 16-OH
groups, suggesting the stimulating effects of the 3,16-dihydroxy groups in the ent-labdane
diterpenoids. Pierisjaponin D (4) possessing a glucose unit at C-16 showed more potent analgesic
activities than the aglycone pierisjaponin C (3) with the writhe inhibition percentages of 83.1%,
73.2%, and 64.8% at doses of 1.0, 0.2, and 0.04 mg/kg, respectively, indicating 16-O-β-D-glucoside
is a stimulating group. Leucothane type diterpenoid pierisjaponin F (6) with 10β-OH group
exhibited stronger analgesic effects than leucothane type diterpenoids 7, 12, and 13 without 10β-OH,
indicating that the 10β-OH group may enhance the analgesic effect in the leucothane type
diterpenoids, which was agreement with the previous conclusions to the analgesic activities of
leucothane diterpenoids [14]. The 4,5-seco-ent-kaurane diterpenoid aglycone pierisjaponin H (8)
19 / 39

exhibited more potent analgesic activities than its 19-O-β-D-glucoside pierisformoside G (14),
indicating that 19-O-β-D-glucoside may be the deactivating moiety in the 4,5-seco-ent-kaurane
diterpenoids.
4. Conclusions
In summary, 16 diterpenoids including ten new ones with eight different carbon skeletons were
identified from the leaves of P. japonica. Pierisjaponins A (1) and B (2) represent the first
1,5-seco-grayanane diterpenoid glucosides. Pierisjaponins C (3) and D (4), and ent-manool (11) are
the first ent-labdane diterpenoids from Ericaceae family. Pierisjaponin E (5) is the first mollane
glucoside. Pierisformosides D (13) and G (14) and rhodomollein XIV (16) were firstly described
from P. japonica. 7-Deoxyrosenonolactone (15) is the first ent-rosane diterpenoid from the
Ericaceae family. Importantly, this is the first report of ent-labdane and ent-rosane diterpenoids from
the Ericaceae plants, which enlarges the chemical diversity of Ericaceae diterpenoids. All the
diterpenoids 1−16 expressed analgesic activities. Among them, 1,5-seco-grayanane (1 and 2),
ent-labdane (3 and 4), mollane (5), leucothane (6, 12, and 13), 4,5-seco-ent-kaurane (8, 9, and 14),
1,10:2,3-diseco-grayanane (10), and ent-rosane (15) type diterpenoids showed distinct analgesic
activities with the writhe percentage inhibitions above 50% (5.0 mg/kg, i.p.). Even at a lower dose
of 0.04 mg/kg, pierisjaponins B (2), D (4), and 7-deoxyrosenonolactone (15) still exhibited stronger
analgesic effects than morphine. This is the first time to report the analgesic activities of
1,5-seco-grayanane, mollane, ent-labdane, and ent-rosane diterpenoids. A preliminary structure-activity
relationship is discussed. This work enlarges the structural diversity of diterpenoids in the Ericaceae
family and provides new clues to develop novel potent analgesics.
Declaration of Competing Interest
The authors declare no competing financial interest.
20 / 39

Acknowledgements
This work was supported by NSFC (U1703109). Many thanks to the Analytical and Testing Center at
HUST for UV, IR, CD, and crystal data measurements.
Appendix A. Supplementary Material
Supplementary data associated with this article can be found in the online version.
References
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OPP
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
GGPP
H
H
ent-labdane
6,7-seco-isopimarane
ent-pimarane
ent-rosane
6,7-bond cleavage
A-homo
-B-
nor
-ent
-kauran
H
e
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
labdane
H
14,15-dinor-9,10-seco-labdane
isopimarane
H
4,5-seco-ent-kaurane
H
C-6
to
ent-beyerane
C-17 migrates
to C-15;
aromatizition
d
1,5-seco-kalmane
ge
migrates
1,5-bond
cleavage
4,5-bon
cleava
nd
micranthane
H
12,13-b
5,10-bo
H
mollane
1
ond
H
H
10
8,14-bo
migrates
H
5
H
12,13-b
H
D-homo-grayanane
to
nd
rhodomollane
ent-kaurane
H
C-16
to
ond
kalmane
H
migrates
migrates
abietane
5,10-bond
migrates
to C-1
ond
C-12
to
C-17
to
migrates
C-14
C-15
degradation
13,16-b
d
C-9
13,14-b
8,9-bon ond
to
migrates
8,9-bon
leucothane
migrates
cleava
migrates
d
d
aromatizi
H
mollebenzylane
to
C-6
1,6-bond
cleavage
13
9
14
8
ge;
C-12
aldo
1
t
i
to
on
1,5-bon
retro
10
3
1,5-bon
ge
5
cleava
d
ds
cleava
cleava
H
H
ge
2,3:5,6-bon
H
grayanane
5,6-bon
17-nor-abietane
9,10-bo
cleava
ge
C-18
degradation
d
nd
d
ge
3,4-bon
cleava
cleava
2,3:5,6-diseco-grayanane
ge
nd
ge
nds
ge
1,10-bo
cleava
1,5-seco-grayanane
1,10:2,3-bo
H
H
H
H
1,10:2,3-diseco-grayanane
1,10-seco-grayanane
3,4-seco-grayanane
9,10-seco-grayanane
5,6-seco-grayanane
17,18-dinor-abietane
Fig. 1. Reported 25 Ericaceae diterpene carbon skeletons (except for five dashed ones) and their
biogenetic relationships.
28 / 39

20
20
20
OH
OH16
13
OH
OH
H
H
H
3
11
H
11
11
GlcO
R2
15
3
13
HO
3
GlcO
10
1
10
10
H
1
9
1
9
9
O
12
13
13
18
18
20
5
8
17
H
H
17
5
18
19
8
1
9
5
19
17
19
7
15
17
OH
H
6
O
15
10
HO
15
8
O
OGlc
H
HO
3
R
OH
5
OH
R1
6
6
5
H
19
18
R
H
OH
R1
OH OH
OH OGlc
H
R2
OH
15
HO
17
11
1
1
2
2
OH
3
4
11
H
8
6 HO
5
13
O
4
H
10
O
O
3
20
O
H
H
13
17
O
H
H
11
R1O
10
15
20
1
OH
8
H
OH
H
18
5
15
R2
3
OH
7
H
O
HO
H
O
H
O
= Glc
R1
19
HO
HO
OR2
H
R1
H
Glc
Glc
R2
OH
H
R1
H
OH
H
R2
H
H
OH
HO
OH
HO
HO
7
12
13
8
9
14
OH
OH
16
OH
Glc
Fig. 2. Structures of diterpenoids 1−16.
20
OH
6'
11
b
3
O
O
9
11
10
1'
2
HO
HO
1
5'
B
14
1
9
18
A
8
3
15
6
OH
3'
17
5
C
19O
17
a
19
15
OH
14
HO
OH
HMBC: H
1H-1H COSY:
H
C
NOESY: H
Fig. 3. Selected 2D correlations of pierisjapanin A (1).
29 / 39