New Cytotoxic Biflavonoids from Selaginella delicatula

Abstract

Five new biflavonoids, robustaflavone 7,4′,4′′′-trimethyl ether, robustaflavone 4′,4′′′-dimethyl ether, 2,3-dihydroamentoflavone 7,4′,7′′-trimethyl ether, 2,3-dihydroamentoflavone 7,4′-dimethyl ether, and 2′′,3′′-dihydroisocryptomerin 7-methyl ether, together with six known compounds have been isolated from the aerial parts of Selaginella delicatula. The structures of these new compounds were determined through spectral analyses. Among the isolates, robustaflavone 4′,4′′′-dimethyl ether, 2,3-dihydroamentoflavone 7,4′-dimethyl ether, and α-tocopheryl quinone exhibited cytotoxicities (ED₅₀ values < 4 μg/mL) against P-388 and/or HT-29 cell lines in vitro.

Key words

Selaginella delicatula - Selaginellaceae - biflavonoids - robustaflavone 7,4′,4′′′-trimethyl ether - robustaflavone 4′,4′′′-dimethyl ether - 2,3-dihydroamentoflavone 7,4′,7′′-trimethyl ether - 2,3-dihydroamentoflavone 7,4′-dimethyl ether - 2′′,3′′-dihydroisocryptomerin 7-methyl ether - cytotoxicity

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