Anti-inflammatory constituents of topically applied crude drugs. II. Constituents and anti-inflammatory effect of Cryptomeria japonica D. DON.

Abstract
The ether-soluble fraction of MeOH extract from the leaves of Cryptomeria japonica D. Don showed an anti-inflammatory effect when topically applied to rats and an inhibitory effect on histamine-induced ileum contraction. The active component was isolated and identified as cis-communic acid (1). Two new diterpenoids were also isolated along with two known compounds and were determined to be imbricataloic acid dimethyl acetal (5) and (E)-13-hydroxylabda-8(17),11,14-trien-19-oic acid, obtained as the methyl ester (6m), by chemical and spectroscopic methods.