Aim In order to compare the calcium antagonist activity between the derivatives of (+) praeruptorin A with C 3′ and C
4′ cis configuration and trans configuration, and to look for new active compounds, some
derivatives with C 3′,
C 4′ trans configuration of (+) praeruptorin A were semi synthsized. Methods (+) Praeruptorin A was isolated from the root of Peucedanum praeruptorum . Basic hydrolysis of (+) praeruptorin A was carried out. From the alkaline hydrolysis product (2), eight new products (5-12) with C 3′, C 4′ trans configuration were semi synthsized whose C 3′ was linked to angeloyloxy and C 4′ was linked to various acyloxy, using respective acids as acylating agents, DCC as a dehydrant, DMAP as catalyst. From the alkaline hydrolysis product (4), five new products (13-17) with C 3′, C 4′ trans configuration were obtained whose C 3′, C 4′ is linked to various same acyloxys, using respective acids as acylating agents, DCC as dehydrant, DMAP as catalyst. Also from the alkaline hydrolysis product (4), using respective acyl chlorides as acylating agents, anhydrous dichloromethane containing minor pyridine as a solvent, the improved Schotten Baumann reactions were carried out, two new products (18, 20) with C 3′, C 4′ trans configuration were obtained whose only C 3′ linked to acyloxy and two other new products (19, 21) with C 3′ , C 4′ trans configuration were obtained whose C 3′and C 4′ linked two acyloxys. The structures of all the products were elucidated by spectral analyses including IR, 1HNMR and EIMS. The calcium antagonist activity of all of the products were tested by inhibition of the systole of rat artery ring. Results Seventeen compounds with C 3′, C 4′ trans configuration were semi synthesized from (+) praeruptorin A for the first time and their calcium antagonist activity were evaluated. Conclusion All of the derivatives were new compounds. Bioactivity assay indicated that some new compounds with C 3′, C 4′ trans configuration showed obvious calcium antagonist activity, but they are not as strong as (+) praeruptorin A. The activity of some products was shown to be similar to that of the derivatives with C 3′, C 4′ cis configuration for the first time.