The first examples of seco-prezizaane-type norsesquiterpenoids with neurotrophic activity from Illicium jiadifengpi

Two seco-prezizaane-type sesquiterpenoids (2R)-hydroxy-norneomajucin (1) and jiadifenone (2) that represent the first examples of nor-type were isolated from the methanol extract of the pericarps of Illicium jiadifengpi. Their structures and the absolute configuration of 1 were established by the analysis of spectroscopic data and chemical conversion of (2S)-hydroxyneomajucin to 1, respectively. In addition, compound 1 exhibited neurotrophic activity to significantly promote neurite outgrowth in the primary cultured rat cortical neurons at concentrations ranging from 1 to 10 μmol L−1.