Abietane-type diterpenoids: Insights into structural diversity and therapeutic potential.

The abietane-type diterpenoids are among the most significant diterpene subsets found in hundreds of plant species belonging to various families. Among which, the members of the genus Salvia and Euphorbia are rich in abietane diterpenoids. Because of the chemical diversity and notable bioactivities, such as anticancer, antiinflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant activities, abietane-type diterpenoids are attractive. Herein, recent advances in the isolation and characterization of abietane-type diterpenoids from natural sources, as well as their biological activities, from 2015 up to 2024 are reviewed. During this time, over 300 abietane diterpenoids with diverse structures have been discovered.

Natural-derived acetophenones: chemistry and pharmacological activities.

Acetophenones are naturally occurring phenolic compounds which have found in over 24 plant families and also fungi strains. They are exist in both free or glycosides form in nature. The biological activities of these compounds have been assayed and reported including cytotoxicity, antimicrobial, antimalarial, antioxidant and antityrosinase activities. Herein, we review the chemistry and biological activity of natural acetophenone derivatives that have been isolated and identified until January 2024. Taken together, it was reported 252 acetophenone derivatives in which the genera Melicope (69) and Acronychia (44) were the principal species as producers of acetophenones.

C19-diterpene alkaloids from Delphinium turkmenum lipsky.

The genus Delphinium is a rich source of diterpene alkaloids. Chemical investigation on an alkaloid rich extract of the whole parts of Delphinium turkmenum resulted in the isolation of three C19-diterpene alkaloids (1-3) and a palmitic acid derivative (4). The chemical structures were elucidated by analysis of 1D and 2D-NMR and comparison the data with those reported in the literature. Notably, all isolated compounds were reported for the first time from D. turkmenum.

In vitro antimicrobial and antibiofilm screening of eighteen Iranian medicinal plants.

BACKGROUND: Natural products are one of the best candidates for controlling drug-resistant pathogens, the advantages of which include low production costs and low side effects. In this study, as potential antimicrobials, the anti-bacterial and antibiofilm activities of several Iranian native medicinal plants were screened. METHODS: The antibacterial/antifungal and anti-biofilm activities of 18 medicinal plants including Reseda lutea L., Nepeta sintenisii Bunge., Stachys turcomanica Trautv., Stachys lavandulifolia Vahl, Diarthron antoninae (Pobed.) Kit Tan., Ziziphora clinopodioides Lam., Euphorbia kopetdaghi Prokh, Euphorbia serpens Kunth., Hymenocrater calycinus Benth., Scutellaria pinnatifida A.Ham., Viola tricolor L., Hypericum helianthemoides (Spach) Boiss., Hypericum scabrum L., Convolvulus lineatus L., Scabiosa rotata M.Bieb Greuter & Burdet, Delphinium semibarbatum Bien. Ex Boiss., Glycyrrhiza triphylla Fisch. & C.A.Mey., and Ziziphus jujuba Mill., against two Gram-positive bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, as well as two Gram-negative bacteria, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli; and Candida albicans as a fungal strain, were evaluated. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal/fungicidal concentration (MBC/MFC) values of the extracts against tested microorganisms were reported and we investigated their effect on the biofilm inhibition of Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1, Staphylococcus epidermis, Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus mutans. In addition, the effect of the extracts on the eradication of the biofilms of these bacteria was evaluated. RESULTS: In this study, H. scabrum was found to exhibit potentially significant activity against Gram-positive bacteria with the MIC range of 6.25-25 µg/mL. This extract also showed a significant effect on inhibiting the biofilm of S. aureus, S. mutans, and S. epidermidis and eradicating the biofilm of S. epidermidis DSMZ 3270. In addition, Hymenocrater calycinus root extract had moderate antibacterial activity against B. cereus with the MIC and MBC 62.5 µg/mL, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study showed that the root extracts of two plants, Hypericum scabrum and Hymenocrater calycinus, had antimicrobial and anti-biofilm effects. Based on the observed anti-biofilm effects, these two plants may be considered in future studies to find responsible antimicrobial compounds.

Diverse diterpenoids and a triterpenoid from Euphorbia spinidens Bornm. ex Prokh.

Four previously unreported diterpenoids including three ent-atisanes (1-3) and one ent-abietane (4), along with one known linear triterpenoid (5) and five known diterpenoids including four myrsinanes (6-9), and one abietane (10) have been isolated from the roots of Euphorbia spinidens Bornm. ex Prokh. The structures were determined on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analyses including HR-ESI-MS, 1D and 2D NMR and comparison of the data with those reported in the literature. Antimicrobial potential of isolated compounds were also evaluated. Guionianol B (10) showed good antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis with MIC value of 6.25 µg/mL.

Nanoencapsulation of crocin in double-layer emulsions for improved stability and enhanced efficacy against depression.

On average, depression affects 7.7% of the population aged 15 and older. One of the types of medicinal plants used to treat depression is saffron, which is uplifting and relieves sadness. Crocin as a bioactive compound is effective against depression, but it is sensitive to temperature, pH, and oxygen, and its efficiency decreases. Nanoencapsulation of crocin using double-layer emulsions is a method to increase the stability of this compound. Surfactant ratio (50% to 200%), stirrer speed (500 and 1000 rpm), and stirring time (45, 90, and 135 min) were used as variables of primary emulsion production. The optimum ratio of surfactant to aqueous phase was 100%, and in all microemulsions, viscosity increased with increasing surfactant ratio. A high-pressure homogenization method was used to make the secondary emulsion (double-layer emulsions), and soy protein concentrate (SPC), Gum Arabic (GA), and Pectin (P) at two levels of 5 and 10% were used to increase the stability. All treatments evaluated using Duncan's test at a significance level of 5%. Double-layer emulsions stabilized with pectin showed the highest viscosity and the lowest release of crocin in simulated stomach and intestine conditions. The use of the cellular automata model to investigate the release of crocin showed that this model could simulate the effects of crocin concentration, polymer concentration, and the droplet size of double-layer emulsions with 93-99% confidence to predict the release in double-layer emulsions. Then the double-layer emulsions added to the chocolate, and the chocolate containing the double-layer emulsions compared with the control sample in terms of sensory properties and had a higher score than the control sample.

Antimicrobial and cytotoxic naphthoquinones from microbial origin: An updated review.

Naphthoquinones (NQs) are small molecules bearing two carbonyl groups. They have been the subject of much research due to their significant biological activities such as antiproliferative, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimalarial effects. NQs are produced mainly by bacteria, fungi and higher plants. Among them, microorganisms are a treasure of NQs with diverse skeletons and pharmacological properties. The purpose of the present study is to provide a comprehensive update on the structural diversity and biological activities of 91 microbial naphthoquinones isolated from 2015 to 2022, with a special focus on antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities. During this period, potent cytotoxic NQs such as naphthablin B (46) and hygrocin C (30) against HeLa (IC50=0.23 µg/ml) and MDA-MB-431 (IC50=0.5 µg/ml) cell lines was reported, respectively. In addition, rubromycin CA1 (39), exhibited strong antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus (MIC of 0.2 µg/ml). As importance bioactive compounds, NQs may open new horizon for treatment of cancer and drug resistant bacteria. As such, it is hoped that this review article may stimulates further research into the isolation of further NQs from microbial, and other sources as well as the screening of such compounds for biological activity and beneficial uses.

Evaluation of anti-oxidant and antimelanogenic effects of the essential oil and extracts of Rosa × damascena in B16F10 murine melanoma cell line.

Objectives: Rosa × damascena Herrm. belonging to the Rosaceae family has demonstrated anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects previously. Excessive production of free radicals and activation of tyrosinase enzyme caused by UV induces excessive concentration of melanin pigment and skin spots in the long term. Therefore, finding natural sources with anti-oxidant and antityrosinase effects helps to regulate the melanogenesis process. In the current research, we investigated the antimelanogenic, anti-oxidant, and anti-tyrosinase effects of its essential oil, methanol extract (MeOH), and different fractions including n-hexane, dichloromethane (CH2Cl2), n-butanol (BuOH), ethyl acetate (EtOAc), and H2O of R. × damascena in B16F10 cell line. Materials and Methods: For this purpose, impacts of extracts and essential oil of R. × damascena were investigated on cell viability, cellular tyrosinase, melanin content, mushroom tyrosinase, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, as well as the amount of tyrosinase protein in the B16F10 murine melanoma cell line. Results: Essential oil, MeOH, and different fractions of R. × damascena were not cytotoxic on B16F10 cells. However, they had significant reducing effects on mushroom tyrosinase activity, melanin content, and ROS production. Also, there is a significant decrease in tyrosinase protein levels at 200 µg/ml but not at other concentrations. Conclusion: Therefore, the essential oil, MeOH, and different fractions of R. × damascena had promising antimelanogenic activity via repression of mushroom tyrosinase activity and ROS production.

Beneficial effects of endophytic fungi inoculation on tanshinones and phenolic compounds of Salvia abrotanoides.

Objectives: Salvia abrotanoides is considered as a new source of tanshinone-producing plants in Iran. Symbiosis of endophytic fungi with their host plants is an effective tool to promote the growth and secondary metabolism of medicinal herbs. Therefore, using endophytic fungi as a biotic elicitor is a proper solution to increase the yield of plant products. Materials and Methods: In this study, some endophytic fungi were first isolated from the root of S. abrotanoides, then two of them (Penicillium canescens and Talaromyces sp.) were co-cultivated with the sterile seedling of S. abrotanoides in pot culture. After proving the colonization of these fungi in the root tissues by microscopic studies, their effects on the production of critical medicinal compounds such as tanshinones and phenolic acids were investigated in the vegetation stage (120 days). Results: Our results showed that the content of cryptotanshinone (Cry) and tanshinone IIA (T-IIA) in plants inoculated with P. canescens increased by 77.00% and 19.64%, respectively, compared with non-inoculated plants (control). The contents of mentioned compounds in plants inoculated with Talaromyces sp. increased by 50.00% and 23.00%, respectively. In this case, in plants inoculated with P. canescens, it was found that the level of caffeic acid, rosmarinic acid, and its PAL enzyme activity increased by 64.00%, 69.00%, and 50.00%, respectively, compared with the control. Conclusion: Endophytic fungi have specific modes of action and the ability to provide multiple benefits. Each of the two strains is a highly considerable microbial resource for the growth and accumulation of active compounds of S. abrotanoides.

Neobaicalein, a flavonoid from the Scutellaria litwinowii Bornm. & Sint. ex Bornm. induced apoptosis in human leukemic cell lines.

Objectives: Neobaicalein is one of the rich plant flavonoids isolated from the roots of Scutellaria spp. In this study, we evaluated and compared cytotoxic activity and the related apoptosis mechanisms of neobaicalein from Scutellaria litwinowii Bornm. & Sint. ex Bornm on apoptosis-proficient HL-60 cells and apoptosis-resistant K562 cells. Materials and Methods: Cell viability, cell apoptosis, caspase activity, and apoptosis-related protein expression were measured using MTS assay, propidium iodide (PI) staining and flow cytometry, caspase activity assay, and western blot analysis, respectively. Results: Neobaicalein significantly reduced cell viability in a dose-dependent manner using the MTS assay (P<0.05). The IC50 values (µM) against HL-60 and K562 cells after 48 hr treatment were 40.5 and 84.8, respectively. Incubation of HL-60 and K562 cells with 25, 50, and 100 µM neobaicalein for 48 hr, significantly increased the number of apoptotic cells and showed cytotoxic effects compared with the control group. Treatment with neobaicalein significantly increased Fas (P<0.05) and the cleaved form of PARP (P<0.05), and decreased the Bcl-2 levels (P<0.05) in HL-60 cells, whereas neobaicalein significantly increased Bax (P<0.05) and the cleaved form of PARP (P<0.05), and the caspases of the extrinsic and intrinsic pathways including caspases-8 (P<0.0001), -9 (P<0.01), and effector caspase-3 (P<0.0001) levels in K562 cells compared with the control group. Conclusion: It seems neobaicalein might cause cytotoxicity and cell apoptosis through interaction with the different apoptosis-related proteins of apoptotic pathways in HL-60 and K562 cells. Neobaicalein may exert a beneficial protective effect in slowing the progression of hematological malignancies.

A new diterpenoid from Salvia santolinifolia boiss.

Phytochemical study of the Salvia santolinifolia root extract resulted in the isolation of one new quinone diterpenoid, aegyptinone E (1) as well as two known ones, aegyptinone A (2) and aegyptinone D (3). All the isolated compounds were reported for the first time from S. santolinifolia. Spectroscopic analyses including 1 D and 2 D NMR and HRESIMS were used to determine the chemical structures. Aegyptinone A (2) showed moderate antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermis, and Bacillus subtilis with MIC of 25 µg/mL.

Cytotoxicity, apoptosis inducing activity and Western blot analysis of tanshinone derivatives from Stachys parviflora on prostate and breast cancer cells.

Cytotoxic activities of methanolic crude extract of Stachys parviflora (Lamiaceae family) and its sub-fractions were primarily evaluated against human breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231) and prostate (PC3) cell lines. The methanolic extract exhibited the highest activity, and was chosen for the isolation procedure. Four diterpenoid quinones, namely miltirone [1], tanshinone IIA [2], 1-hydroxy-tanshinone IIA [3], and cryptotanshinone [4] were isolated. Notably, this is the first report on the isolation and/or characterization of the mentioned diterpenoids from the Stachys genus. In this study, 1-hydroxy-tanshinone IIA [3] displayed the highest cytotoxicity among the isolated compounds. The mechanism of the cytotoxicity of methanolic extract and isolated compounds was further investigated by the utilization of propidium iodide staining (PI) assay. The results showed that the methanolic extract and 1-hydroxy-tanshinone IIA [3] enhanced DNA fragmentation in PC3 and MCF-7 cells. Moreover, the western blotting analysis demonstrated increasing and decreasing protein levels of Bax and Bcl2, respectively, and cleaved poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP). Further bioassay-guided phytochemical assessments of S. parviflora can be suggested as a promising approach for discovering potent bioactive secondary metabolites.

Structural Diversity of Complex Phloroglucinol Derivatives from Eucalyptus Species.

Several species of the genus Eucalyptus are used in many traditional medicine systems for the treatment of respiratory tract infections, colds, flu, sore throats, and bronchitis. The genus Eucalyptus (Myrtaceae) is a well-known natural source of bioactive phloroglucinols. These polyphenolic compounds bear an aromatic phenyl ring with three hydroxy groups (1,3,5-trihydroxybenzene) which have been exhibiting a variety of biological activities such as antimicrobial, anticancer, anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activities. This review summarizes the literature published from 1997 until the end of 2021 and addresses the structure diversity of phloroglucinols isolated from Eucalyptus species and their biological activities. Phloroglucinol-terpene adducts are the main class of compounds that have been reported in this genus.

Interleukin-4 can play a role in allergic rhinitis patient during treatment with Zataria multiflora.

BACKGROUND: Allergic rhinitis is a widespread disorder across the globe. The Shirazi thyme (Zataria multiflora) has been shown to have considerable antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This study assessed the effect of this herbal product on alterations in inflammatory/anti-inflammatory cytokines. METHOD: This study was conducted on the bank sample before and after the intervention to measure interleukin-4, interleukin-5, and interferon -γ levels with the ELISA test method in a supernatant taken from the PBMC cell culture from 30 allergic rhinitis patients. RESULTS: The IL-4 level had no significant difference between the two groups before the treatment. However, it had a significant increase in the case group after the treatment. The IL-5 level was significantly higher in the case group before the treatment. Nevertheless, there were no significant differences between the case and control groups after the treatment. Similarly, no significant differences were observed between the two groups considering IFN-γ before and after the treatment. CONCLUSION: Consuming thyme with an increase in anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-4 and a decrease in IL-5 cytokine control inflammation and improvement in allergic rhinitis symptoms. Clinical trial details This clinical trial study was recorded at 22.5.2014 in the Iran Registry of Clinical Trials code: (IRCT2016121823235N6) https://www.irct.ir/trial/19852.

Beneficial worm allies warn plants of parasite attack below-ground and reduce above-ground herbivore preference and performance.

Antagonistic interactions among different functional guilds of nematodes have been recognized for quite some time, but the underlying explanatory mechanisms are unclear. We investigated responses of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) to two functional guilds of nematodes-plant parasite (Meloidogyne javanica) and entomopathogens (Heterorhabditis bacteriophora, Steinernema feltiae below-ground, and S. carpocapsae)-as well as a leaf mining insect (Tuta absoluta) above-ground. Our results indicate that entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs): (1) reduced root knot nematode (RKN) infestation below-ground, (2) reduced herbivore (T. absoluta) host preference and performance above-ground, and (3) induced overlapping plant defence responses by rapidly activating polyphenol oxidase and guaiacol peroxidase activity in roots, but simultaneously suppressing this activity in above-ground tissues. Concurrently, we investigated potential plant signalling mechanisms underlying these interactions using transcriptome analyses. We found that both entomopathogens and plant parasites triggered immune responses in plant roots with shared gene expression. Secondary metabolite transcripts induced in response to the two nematode functional guilds were generally overlapping and showed an analogous profile of regulation. Likewise, we show that EPNs modulate plant defence against RKN invasion, in part, by suppressing active expression of antioxidant enzymes. Inoculations of roots with EPN triggered an immune response in tomato via upregulated phenylpropanoid metabolism and synthesis of protease inhibitors in plant tissues, which may explain decreased egg laying and developmental performance exhibited by herbivores on EPN-inoculated plants. Furthermore, changes induced in the volatile organic compound-related transcriptome indicated that M. javanica and/or S. carpocapsae inoculation of plants triggered both direct and indirect defences. Our results support the hypothesis that plants "mistake" subterranean EPNs for parasites, and these otherwise beneficial worms activate a battery of plant defences associated with systemic acquired resistance and/or induced systemic resistance with concomitant antagonistic effects on temporally co-occurring subterranean plant pathogenic nematodes and terrestrial herbivores.

UPLC-PDA-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS and GC-MS analysis of Iranian Dracocephalum moldavica L.

Dracocephalum moldavica L. is a significant component in the Iranian food basket. This study aimed to investigate the bioactive compounds and biological activities of different extracts obtained from D. moldavica aerial parts. From the aerial parts, a crude methanolic (MeOH) extract and its four sub-fractions, that is, petroleum ether (Pet), ethyl acetate (EtOAc), n-butanol (n-BuOH), and aqueous (water) extracts were obtained. The total phenolic and flavonoid contents as well as the antioxidant and cytotoxic activities of the extracts were determined. Moreover, the phytochemical profiles of the essential oil (EO) and of those extracts with the highest antioxidant activity measured by GC/MS and UPLC-PDA-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS. Results showed that the highest concentrations of phenols and flavonoids as well as the most potent antioxidant potential according to the DPPH method were determined in the EtOAc and MeOH extracts with IC50 values of 22.0 and 34.4 µg.ml-1, respectively. Quantitative analysis of these extracts was subsequently performed by UPLC-PDA-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS. Both extracts contained mainly rosmarinic acid, caffeic acid, and 2-hydroxycinnamic acid, which may be responsible for their high antioxidant activity. Moreover, none of the extracts showed cytotoxic effects against MCF7, SW48, and a normal cell line of mouse embryonic fibroblast cells (NIH/3T3) in the tested concentrations (up to 400 µg.ml-1). Additionally, GC-MS analysis showed that oxygenated monoterpenes (55.4%) were the main constituents of the EO of D. moldavica.

Therapeutic peptides of Mucuna pruriens L.: Anti-genotoxic molecules against human hepatocellular carcinoma and hepatitis C virus.

To assist the development of new therapeutic strategies for several disorders, biologically active peptides/proteins obtained from plant sources can be considered. Current study expected to determine the biological activities of peptide fractions of Mucuna pruriens against hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines (HepG2/ADM, HepG2, SMMC-7721, and QGY-7703), as well as normal cell line to prove their selectivity. Moreover, anti-genotoxicity and antiviral activity against the hepatitis C virus (HCV) were assessed. The methods of this study were to isolate the peptides of M. pruriens and hydrolysate fractionation via fractionated pepsin-pancreatin hydrolysates by ultrafiltration/high-performance ultrafiltration cell, identify anti-hepatoma activity of peptide fractions human liver cancer and normal cells by (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazole-2-yl)-2,5-biphenyl tetrazolium bromide) (MTT) assay, determine anti-HCV, and assess anti-genotoxic effect of peptide fractions against damage that induced via alkylating agent methyl methanesulphonate in human mononuclear cells. The results showed that the fraction 5-10 kDa has been reported to exhibit significant cytotoxic activity against HepG2 and QGY-7703. It was proven that both of 5-10 and >10 kDa fractions are active against HCV. The cytotoxic concentration (CC50) of 5-10 kDa against the cell line was 703.04 ± 5.21 µg/ml. Anti-genotoxic activities of the peptide fractions were evaluated as mean values for the analyzed comet images. In this regard, the highest activity of protecting DNA damages was observed by the peptide fraction of 5-10 kDa. This study revealed the potential ability of peptide fractions of M. pruriens for the treatment of liver cancer, HCV, and high activities of protecting DNA damages.

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, clinical trial to evaluate the benefits of Nigella sativa seeds oil in reducing cardiovascular risks in hypertensive patients.

The efficacy, safety, and utility of Nigella sativa seeds oil as a complementary treatment for hypertension, glucose control, and lipid metabolism were evaluated. Hypertensive patients in the intervention (n = 26) and placebo (n = 29) groups received 2.5 ml of N. sativa seeds oil and sunflower oil twice daily for 8 weeks, respectively. The levels of systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP, DBP), blood lipid profile, and fasting blood sugar (FBS), at different stages of the treatment period (0, 3, 6, 8 weeks), and malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione reductase (GR), at the baseline and end of the study, were assessed. SBP level in the intervention group was significantly reduced, compared with the baseline values (p < .001) and the placebo group (p < .05). A significant decline was observed in the levels of DBP, total cholesterols, and low density lipoprotein (LDL) (p < .000), MDA, and FBS (p < .001); also, a significant increase was observed in the levels of high density lipoprotein (HDL) and GR (p < .001). The use of N. sativa seeds oil as an adjunct to common medications exhibited additional antihypertensive effects as well as beneficial effects on glucose control and lipid metabolism in hypertensive patients with no renal, hepatic, and patient-reported adverse events.

Cardioprotective Effects of Natural Products via the Nrf2 Signaling Pathway.

Due to its poor regenerative capacity, the heart is specifically vulnerable to xenobiotic- induced cardiotoxicity, myocardial ischaemia/reperfusion injury and other pathologies. Nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) is considered as an essential factor in protecting cardiomyocytes against oxidative stress resulting from free radicals and reactive oxygen species. It also serves as a key regulator of antioxidant enzyme expression via the antioxidant response element, a cis-regulatory element, which is found in the promoter region of several genes encoding detoxification enzymes and cytoprotective proteins. It has been reported that a variety of natural products are capable of activating Nrf2 expression, and in this way, increase the antioxidant potential of cardiomyocytes. In the present review, we consider the cardioprotective activities of natural products and their possible therapeutic potential.

4,5-Seco-5,10-friedo-abietane-type diterpenoids with anticancer activity from Salvia atropatana Bunge.

The purpose of this study is cytotoxicity-guided isolation of the petroleum ether fraction from the roots of Salvia atropatana for the first time, which has shown to growth inhibition and apoptosis induction in MCF-7 and PC3 cells. Bioassay-guided isolation method was conducted for finding compounds with highest cytotoxicity. Different extracts were prepared from the roots of Salvia atropatana. All extracts were tested for their cytotoxic activity against three cancer cell lines (PC3, MCF-7, and MDA-MB-231). The most cytotoxic extract was chosen for further isolation by column chromatography and HPLC. The chemical structures were determined by spectroscopic methods including 1D and 2D NMR. From the petroleum ether extract, four abietane-type diterpenoids, including a new abietane-type diterpenoid, named atropatanene (1), together with three known diterpenoids, 7α-acetoxyroyleanone (2), and a mixture of two isomers, saprorthoquinone and aethiopinone (3+4), were isolated. The latter exhibited substantial cytotoxicity with IC50 value of 8.73 µg/ml against PC3 cells and led to an increasing number of cells in the subG1 region and an increase in the amount of Bax and cleavage of PARP protein, indicating apoptotic cell death. Owing to its numerous biological activities, Salvia species could be represented as a natural potential source against several cancer cell lines.