Six new cadinane-type sesquiterpenoids from the leaves of Chimonanthus nitens Oliv.

Abstract Six new cadinane-type sesquiterpenoids, named Chimnitensin A-F (1–6) were isolated from the leaves of Chimonanthus nitens Oliv. Their structures were elucidated by comprehensive spectroscopic analyses and comparison with structurally related known analogues. In vitro MTT assay showed that all six compounds had cytotoxicity against two selected human breast cancer cell lines (MDA-MB-468 and MDA-MB-231), which indicate their potential of developing into anticancer drugs.