Camelliin B and nobotanin I, dimeric hydrolyzable tannins of a new class having macrocyclic structures, were isolated from Camellia japonica and Heterocentron roseum, respectively. Nobotanin G and H of the structures related to nobotanin I, were also obtained from H. roseum. Camelliin B and also
Hydrolyzable tannins showed higher cytotoxic activity against human oral squamous cell carcinoma and salivary gland tumor cell lines than against normal human gingival fibroblasts, whereas gallic acid, a component unit of tannins, showed much weaker selective cytotoxicity. The cytotoxic activity of