Caesanines A–D, New Cassane Diterpenes with Unprecedented N Bridge from Caesalpinia sappan

Serial antibacterial furanoditerpenes caesanines A-D (1-4), possessing a cassane-type diterpenoid skeleton with an unusual N bridge between C-19/C-20, were identified from a Chinese herb Caesalpinia sappan Linn. In addition, caesanine D (4) showed the first class of dicassane diterpenoid ethers. Their structures were determined by different spectroscopic methods and ECD calculation. Caesanines A and B exhibited strong activities against MRSA suggesting a promising entry point for the development of anti-infective drugs.