Rubiyunnanins A and B, two novel cyclic hexapeptides from Rubia yunnanensis

Two novel cyclic hexapeptides, named rubiyunnanins A (1) and B (2), were isolated from the roots of Rubia yunnanensis (Franch.) Diels. Their structures were elucidated extensively by spectroscopic analysis and theoretical computation. Possible biosynthetic pathways for RAs, 1, and 2 were proposed. Compound 2 showed moderate cytotoxicities against 11 cancer cell lines and inhibited nitric oxide (NO) production in LPS and IFN-γ-induced RAW 264.7 murine macrophages.