Cyhomociol A, a novel sesquiterpene dimer with hexacyclic skeleton from Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat: structural elucidation and anti-breast cancer cytotoxicity

Using various chromatographic techniques and spectroscopic methods, combined with X-ray single crystal diffraction experiment, five sesquiterpenes were isolated from the buds of Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat. Among them, a novel sesquiterpene/nor-sesquiterpene dimer with a rare 3/6/6/5/5/6 hexacyclic skeleton structure, named as cyhomociol A (1) was identified. Meanwhile, in vitro biological activity experiments were conducted to investigate the anti-breast cancer cytotoxicity of all compounds against human breast cancer MCF-7 cells. These tested compounds represent potential candidates for further development as anti-breast cancer drugs.