The present study was aimed at discovering novel biologically active compounds based on the skeletons of gingerol and shogaol, the pungent principles from the rhizomes of Zingiber officinale. Therefore, eight groups of analogues were synthesized and examined for their inhibitory activities of platelet aggregation induced by arachidonic acid, collagen, platelet activating factor, and thrombin. Among the tested compounds, [6]-paradol (5b) exhibited the most significant anti-platelet aggregation activity. It was the most potent candidate, which could be used in further investigation to explore new drug leads.

Phytochemical investigation of the whole plants of Andrographis echioides afforded two new 2'-oxygenated flavonoids (1) and (2), two new phenyl glycosides (3) and (4), along with 37 known structures. The structures of new compounds were elucidated by spectral analysis and chemical transformation studies. Among the isolated compounds, (1–2) and (6–19) were subjected into the examination for their iNOS inhibitory bioactivity. The structure-activity relationships of the flavonoids for their inhibition of NO production were also discussed.

Phytochemical investigation of the roots and stems of Illigera luzonensis afforded two new aporphine alkaloids (1) and (2), one new bisdehydroaporphine alkaloid (3), and one new benzenoid (4), along with 28 known structures. The structures of new compounds were elucidated by spectral and MS analysis. Among the isolated compounds, (1) and (4–13) were subjected into the examination for their inhibitory effects on the aggregation of washed rabbit platelets.

Fifty-five compounds were isolated from the fresh stems of Cissus assamica, including 14 benzenoids, 11 triterpenes, nine steroids, five tocopherols, five chlorophylls, four flavonoids, two benzoquinones, two tannins, and three other compounds. Their structures were constructed by 1D and 2D nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and mass spectral data, and were also identified by a comparison of their spectral data with those reported in the literature. Among these isolates, 1,2-bis-(5-γ-tocopheryl) ethane (51) was reported for the first time from natural sources. Some purified compounds were examined for their anti-inflammatory and anticancer bioactivities. The results indicated that betulinic acid (16) exhibited strong inhibition of superoxide anion generation with IC₅₀ value of 0.2 ± 0.1 μM, while betulinic acid (16) and pheophytin-a (47) inhibited elastase release with IC₅₀ value of 2.7 ± 0.3 and 5.3 ± 1.0 μM, respectively. In addition, betulinic acid (16) and epi-glut-5(6)-en-ol (18) exhibited potential cytotoxicity to non-small-cell lung carcinoma (NCI-H226) and colon cancer (HCT-116) cell lines with IC₅₀ values in the range of 1.6 to 9.1 μM.

Phytochemical investigation of the heartwood of Michelia compressa afforded forty-four compounds, which were identified by comparison of experimental and literature analytical and spectroscopic data. Some compounds were evaluated for their anti-inflammatory and anticancer bioactivities. The result showed that soemerine (1) and cyathisterol (2) exhibited significant nitric oxide (NO) inhibition, with IC₅₀ values of 8.5 ± 0.3 and 9.6 ± 0.5 µg/mL, respectively. In addition, liriodenine (3) and oliveroline (4) exhibited cytotoxicity to human nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC-TW01), non-small cell lung carcinoma (NCI-H226), T cell leukemia (Jurkat), renal carcinoma (A498), lung carcinoma (A549) and fibrosarcoma (HT1080) cell lines with IC₅₀ values in the range of 15.7–3.68 μM.