Afshan Begum

Inhibitory effect of macabarterin, a polyoxygenated ellagitannin from Macaranga barteri, on human neutrophil respiratory burst activity.

An ellagitannin with a 2,4-acyl group, named macabarterin (1), and a new ellagic acid glycoside, 3-O-methylellagic acid 4-O-β-d-xylopyranoside (2), were isolated from the stem bark extract of Macaranga barteri along with five known phenolic compounds, ellagic acid (3), 3-O-methylellagic acid (4), gallic acid (5), methyl gallate (6), and scopoletin (7). The structures of 1 and 2, as well as those of the known compounds, were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic data and by comparison with reported data. Compounds 1-5 and 7 were tested for their anti-inflammatory potential in a cell-based respiratory burst assay, compound 1 being found an inhibitor of the superoxides produced in the cellular system.

Two New Antioxidant Phenylpropanoids from Lindelofia stylosa

Two new phenylpropanoids were isolated from Lindelofia stylosa (Kar. and Kir.) and characterized as 4‐hydroxy‐N‐{4‐[(E)‐3‐(4‐hydroxy‐3‐methoxyphenyl)prop‐2‐enamido]butyl}benzamide (1) and 2‐[3‐hydroxy‐4‐(4‐hydroxyphenoxy)phenyl]‐1‐(methoxycarbonyl)ethyl (E)‐3‐(3,4‐dihydroxyphenyl)prop‐2‐enoate (2). Four known compounds, i.e. two phenylpropanoids, p‐coumaric acid (=(E)‐3‐(4‐hydroxyphenyl)prop‐2‐enoic acid; 3) and ferulic acid (=(E)‐3‐(4‐hydroxy‐3‐methoxyphenyl)prop‐2‐enoic acid; 4), and two naphthalene glycosides, 8‐O‐β‐D‐glucopyranosyltorachrysone (5) and 8‐O‐β‐D‐glucopyranosyl‐6‐demethoxytorachrysone (6), were also isolated for the first time from the plant. Compounds 1–6 were subjected to various antioxidant assays, including DPPH radical‐ and superoxide anion‐scavenging, and Fe2+‐chelation assays. Compound 2 was found to be most active in all assays with potency nearly similar to that of propyl gallate. Besides 2, compounds 1 and 5 were also found to be active in DPPH radical‐scavenging standard assay.

Aitchisonides A and B, new iridoid glucosides from Aitchisonia rosea

Aitchisonides A (1) and B (2), new iridoid glucosides, were isolated from the n-butanolic fraction of Aitchisonia rosea along with deacetylasperulosidic acid (3) and nepetanudoside B (4), which were reported for the first time from the genus Aitchisonia. Their structures have been assigned on the basis of spectral analysis including 1H and 13C NMR spectra and by DEPT, 2D COSY, NOESY, and HMBC experiments.

Rosenones A and B, new anthraquinone derivatives from Aitchisonia rosea.

Rosenones A (1) and B (2), new anthraquinone derivatives, have been isolated from the ethyl acetate soluble fraction of Aitchisonia rosea along with 1,3,6-trihydroxy-2-methylanthraquinone (3) reported for the first time from this species.