Glucokinase-activating sesquinlignans from the rhizomes of Acorus tatarinowii Schott.

Three novel sesquinlignans, tatanans A (1), B (2), and C (3), have been isolated from the rhizomes of Acorus tatarinowii Schott. Their structures were established by spectroscopic techniques and single-crystal X-ray analysis. Tatanans A-C potently increase GK enzymatic activity with EC(1.5) values in the range of 0.16-1.85 μM. The potent GK activity and unique structural features of tatanans make them promising leads for therapeutic development of antihyperglycemic drugs.