Abstract: The invention provides new isoflavonoid and triterpenoid compounds isolated from a soybean phytochemical concentrate. The new compounds have exhibited cytotoxic activity against selected tumor cell lines. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising the new compounds and methods for use thereof are provided by the invention.

Abstract: Incubations with Nocardia sp., NRRL 5646 were conducted to produce new derivatives of the abietane-diterpene chemoprotectant and antioxidant, carnosic acid. Reduction of the C-20 carboxylic acid functional group followed by methylation at the C-12 phenol afforded the novel compound 11,20-dihydroxy-12-methoxy-abiet-8,11,13-triene. Oxidative cyclization of carnosic acid to carnosol followed by dihydroxylation at the isopropyl moiety afforded the novel compound 11,12,16,17-tetrahydroxy-7-10-(epoxymethano)-abiet-8,11,13-triene-20-one. The metabolites are new carnosic acid derivatives whose structures were confirmed by mass spectrometry and NMR spectroscopic analysis. The radical quenching properties of the new metabolites using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free-radical scavenging assay showed activities improved over that of mixed tocopherols and carnosic acid.

Abstract: The invention provides new isoflavonoid and triterpenoid compounds isolated from a soybean phytochemical concentrate. The new compounds have exhibited cytotoxic activity against selected tumor cell lines. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising the new compounds and methods for use thereof are provided by the invention.