Amphilectane Diterpenes from Salvia sclarea: Biosynthetic Considerations

Salviatrienes A (29) and B (18), two new diterpenes belonging to the amphilectane/elisabethane family, have been isolated from an extract of clary sage (Salvia sclarea). These molecules are the first representatives of this family to be described from the plant kingdom. This study has led to consideration of the possible enzymatic machinery and biosynthesis pathways within S. sclarea.