In vitro Na+/K+-ATPase inhibitory activity and antimicrobial activity of sesquiterpenes isolated from Thujopsis dolabrata

Abstract

A series of sesquiterpenes and hinokitiol-related compounds (1-15) was isolated from the essential oil of Thujopsis dolabrata Sieb. et Zucc. var. hondai Makino, and their structures were determined by combined spectroscopic analyses. The inhibitory effects of these compounds on microbial cell growth and Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase were evaluated in vitro. It was found that (-)-elema-1,3,11(13)-trien-12-ol (5), α,β,γ-costol (8), and chamigrenol (11) inhibit the activities of Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase, with IC(50) values of 11.2 ± 0.11, 12.2 ± 0.09, and 15.9 ± 0.54 μg/mL, respectively. Thujopsene (1), cedrol (9), γ-cuparenol (10), and chamigrenol (11) showed potent antibacterial activity, with MIC values in the range of 25-50 μg/mL, and β-thujaplicin (12) exhibited a broad spectrum of antibacterial and antifungal activity. These results indicate that these isolated compounds are promising candidates for the development of potent Na(+)/K(+) ATPase inhibitors and antimicrobial agents.