Clerodane Diterpenoids Identified fromPolyalthia longifoliaShowing Antifungal Activity against Plant Pathogens

In the search for new natural resources showing plant disease control effects, we found that the methanol extract ofPolyalthia longifoliasuppressed fungal disease development in plants. To identify the bioactive substances, the methanol extract ofP. longifoliawas extracted by organic solvents, and consequently, four new 2-oxo-clerodane diterpenes (1-4), a new 4(3 → 2)-abeo-clerodane diterpene (5), together with ten known compounds (6-16) were isolated and identified from the extracts. Of the new compounds, compound2showed a broad spectrum of antifungal activity with moderated minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values in a range of 50-100 μg/mL against tested fungal pathogens. Considering with the known compounds, compound6showed the most potent antifungal activity with an MIC value in the range of 6.3-12.5 μg/mL. When compound6was evaluated for anin vivoantifungal activity against rice blast, tomato late blight, and pepper anthracnose, compound6reduced the plant disease by at least 60% compared to the untreated control at concentrations of 250 and 500 μg/mL. Together, our results suggested that the methanol extract of twigs and leaves ofP. longifoliaand its major compound6could be used as a source for the development of eco-friendly plant protection agents.