This study represents the first report on the secondary metabolites from the soft coral Sclerophytum humesi .

Elatostema tenuicaudatum W. T. Wang, a medicinal plant traditionally utilized in herbal remedies, was explored for its cytotoxic properties.

Ten previously undescribed iridoid glycosides (1-10), including monoiridoids, hybrid iridoid-alkaloids, bis-iridoids, noriridoid-iridoid dimers, and tetramers, were isolated from the roots of Gomphandra mollis Merr. Structural elucidation revealed unique sugar chains not previously observed for iridoids and complex tetrameric configurations that are rare in nature. Compounds 9, 10, and 15 demonstrated significant anti-inflammatory effects, with IC₅₀ values ranging from 6.13 to 13.0 μM, and compounds 6, 7, and 11-13 showed notable hepatoprotective activity in HepG2 cells. Additionally, structure-activity relationship (SAR) analysis on anti-inflammatory effects was also conducted. This study enriches the structural database of iridoids, particularly complex derivatives, and highlights their therapeutic potential in addressing inflammation-related and liver diseases.

Based on molecular networking-guided isolation, 15 previously undescribed hydrogenated phenanthrene glycosides, including eight hexahydro-phenanthrenone glycosides, four tetrahydro-phenanthrenone glycosides, one dihydro-phenanthrenol glycoside, two dimers, and two known dihydrophenanthrene glycosides, were isolated from Elatostema tenuicaudatum W.T.Wang, a popular regional edible vegetable at the northwest region of Vietnam. Their chemical structures were determined using extensive spectroscopic data: NMR and ECD calculations. Notably, the crude extract, along with compounds 5, 6, 8, and 14, demonstrated dipeptidyl peptidase IV inhibitory activity with IC₅₀ values of 220.5 ± 39.6 μg/mL, 141.7 ± 15.6, 151.2 ± 11.8, 107.9 ± 19.6, and 71.9 ± 8.9 μM, respectively. Molecular docking indicates compound 14 possesses the highest binding affinity with DPP-IV. Besides, compounds 1, 9, 11, and 14 exhibited significant hepatoprotective effects in acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity in HepG2. These findings suggested that E. tenuicaudatum can serve as a beneficial vegetable for individuals at risk of diabetes and chronic liver disease.