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Planta Med 2009; 75(8): 843-847
DOI: 10.1055/s-0029-1185376
Natural Product Chemistry
Original Paper
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Isolation of Two New Prenylflavonols from Epimedium brevicornum and their Effects on Cytokine Production in vitro

Guo-Jun Luo1 , Xin-Xin Ci2 , Rong Ren1 , Zhao-Yuan Wu1 , Hong-Mei Li1 , Hai-Zhou Li1 , Rong-Tao Li1 , Xu-Ming Deng2
  • 1College of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan, P. R. China
  • 2Department of Veterinary Pharmacology, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, P. R. China
Further Information

Publication History

received Nov. 6, 2008 revised January 12, 2009

accepted January 18, 2009

Publication Date:
25 February 2009 (online)

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Abstract

In an attempt to search for bioactive natural products, two new prenylflavonols, 2′′-hydroxy-3′′-en-anhydroicaritin (1) and 2′′-hydroxy-β-anhydroicaritin (2), were isolated from the Chinese medicinal herb Epimedium brevicornum. Their structures were determined by 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic analysis. The effects of compounds 1 and 2 on cytokine production in vitro were investigated. Compound 1 could significantly downregulate tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) production and increase interleukin-10 (IL-10) production. These results suggested that compound 1 may have anti-inflammatory activity in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated mouse macrophages. In addition, the biogenetic relationships among compounds 1 and 2 are discussed.

Key words

Epimedium brevicornum - Berberidaceae - prenylflavonol - anti‐inflammatory - biogenetic relationship

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Prof. Rong-Tao Li
Xu-Ming Deng

College of Life Science and Technology
Kunming University of Science and Technology

Kunming

Yunnan 650224

People's Republic of China

Phone: + 86 8 71 38 01 01 82 01

Fax: + 86 87 13 80 11 91

Email: rongtaolikm@yahoo.cn