Tetranortriterpenes and Limonoids from the Roots of Aphanamixis polystachya

Molecules. 2016 Sep 2;21(9):1167. doi: 10.3390/molecules21091167.

Abstract

Phytochemical investigation of the acetone extract from the roots of Aphanamixis polystachya resulted in isolation of four new tetranortriterpenes (1-4) in addition to one protolimonoid (methyl-1ξ,7R-diacetoxy-23R,25-dihydroxy-20S,24R-21,24-epoxy-3,4-seco-apotirucall-4(28),14(15)-diene-3-oate (5)), five known limonoids (rohituka 3 (6), rohituka 7 (7), nymania 1 (8), rubrin G (9), prieurianin (10)) and a steroid (2,3-dihydroxy-5-pregnan-16-one (11)). Their structures were determined by spectroscopic analyses, including 2D-NMR (COSY, HMQC, HMBC, and NOESY) and high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HRESIMS). Cytotoxic and anti-inflammatory activities of these compounds were evaluated. Compounds 4 and 5 showed significant inhibition against superoxide generation and elastase release by human neutrophils in response to (formyl-l-methionyl-l-leucyl-l-phenylalanine/cytochalasin B) (FMLP/CB).

Keywords: Aphanamixis polystachya; anti-inflammatory activity; apotirucallane-type triterpenoid; cytotoxicity; limonoid.

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Leukocyte Elastase / metabolism*
  • Limonins* / chemistry
  • Limonins* / isolation & purification
  • Limonins* / pharmacology
  • Meliaceae / chemistry*
  • Neutrophils / cytology
  • Neutrophils / metabolism*
  • Plant Extracts / chemistry*
  • Plant Roots / chemistry*
  • Superoxides / metabolism*

Substances

  • Limonins
  • Plant Extracts
  • Superoxides
  • Leukocyte Elastase