Pterosin sesquiterpenes and lignans from Pteris laeta Wall. and their neuroprotective bioactivity

•3 new pterosin sesquiterpenes, 3 new lignans, and 16 known compounds were reported, which were reported for the first time from the plant.•Compound 10 could significantly suppress apoptosis, reduce oxidative stress, and elevate the viability of H2O2-N2a and APP-N2a, respectively, which were reported firstly. Three new pterosin sesquiterpenes (1–3), three new lignans (17–19), and sixteen known compounds were isolated from the roots of Pteris laeta Wall. The structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated based on spectroscopic data analysis and electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculations. Compounds 1–16 showed potent neuroprotective activity against H2O2 induced N2a cell damage (H2O2N2a). Furthermore, compound 10 could suppress apoptosis, reduce oxidative stress, and elevate the viability of H2O2N2a and amyloid precursor protein (APP)-overexpressing N2a (APP-N2a), significantly. The pterosin sesquiterpenes showed the potential to treat Alzheimer's disease. [Display omitted]