Isaraporn Polbupphaab,
Virayu Suthiphasilpa,
Tharakorn Maneeratac,
Rawiwan Charoensupcd,
Thunwadee Limtharakule,
Sarot Cheenprachaf,
Stephen G. Pyne*b and
Surat Laphookhieo*ac
aCenter of Chemical Innovation for Sustainability (CIS) and School of Science, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai 57100, Thailand. E-mail: surat.lap@mfu.ac.th
bSchool of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales 2522, Australia. E-mail: spyne@uow.edu.au
cMedicinal Plant Innovation Center of Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai 57100, Thailand
dSchool of Integrative Medicine, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai 57100, Thailand
eDepartment of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Research Center on Chemistry for Development of Health Promoting Products from Northern Resources, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
fSchool of Science, University of Phayao, Phayao 56000, Thailand
First published on 21st December 2020
Two rare flavones having a hybrid benzyl benzoate ester-flavone structural framework, desmoschinensisflavones A and B (1 and 2), together with 12 known compounds (3–14) were isolated from the fruit, leaf, and twig extracts of Desmos chinensis (red flower). The new structures were characterized by UV, IR, NMR, and HRESITOFMS data. Desmoschinensisflavones A and B have a distinctive skeleton of benzoate ester-flavones with a C-4′′ and C-6 and C-8 connection via a methylene group, respectively. Plausible biosynthesis pathways to compounds 1 and 2 are proposed based on an intermolecular nucleophilic 1,4-addition to ortho-quinone intermediates. Compounds 6–8 and 12 showed weakly antioxidant inhibition with IC50 values in the range of 65.4–74.6 μM.
Of the three different flowering species of D. chinensis growing at Mae Fah Luang University, the red, yellow, and giant flowering forms, herein, we report the isolation and structure elucidation of two new hybrid benzoate ester-flavones (1 and 2) together with 12 known compounds (3–14) isolated from the fruit, leaf, and twig extracts of the red flowering species of D. chinensis. This is the first report on the isolation of natural products having a hybrid benzyl benzoate ester-flavone skeleton from the Annonaceae family to the best of our knowledge. The antioxidant and α-glucosidase inhibitory properties of some of the compounds are also reported.
Compound 1 was obtained as a yellow powder (mp. 180–183 °C) from the leaf extract. The HR-ESI mass spectrum of 1 showed a negative [M − H]− ion peak at m/z 523.1381 (calcd for 523.1393), corresponding to a molecular formula of C31H24O8 with 20 degrees of unsaturation. The UV absorption maxima at λmax 252, 279, and 331 nm suggested a flavone skeleton,1 while the IR spectrum displayed the characteristics of hydroxy absorption bands at 3442 and 3375 cm−1 and carbonyl absorption bands at 1727 (ester functionality) and 1659 (conjugate ketone functionality) cm−1. The 13C and DEPT 135 NMR spectroscopic data of 1 (Table 1) indicated 31 carbons, including two carbonyls, thirteen methines, two methylenes, one methyl, and thirteen quaternary carbons.
Position | 1 | 2 | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
δC | δH (mult J in Hz) | HMBC (1H → 13C) | δC | δH (mult J in Hz) | HMBC (1H → 13C) | |
Flavone skeleton | ||||||
2 | 163.4 | 163.3 | ||||
3 | 105.1 | 6.65 (s) | 2, 4, 4a, 1′ | 104.1 | 6.70 (s) | 2, 4, 4a |
4 | 182.9 | 182.7 | ||||
4a | 105.0 | 105.0 | ||||
5 | 157.1 | 157.7 | ||||
6 | 110.4 | 106.0 | ||||
7 | 158.9 | 159.2 | ||||
8 | 103.1 | 104.7 | ||||
8a | 153.7 | 152.8 | ||||
α | 21.1 | 3.93 (s) | 5, 6, 7, 4′′, 5′′ | 29.7 | 4.13 (s) | 7, 8, 8a, 3′′, 4′′, 5′′ |
1′ | 131.6 | 131.7 | ||||
2′ | 126.2 | 7.90 (dd, 7.5, 1.9) | 2, 1′ | 126.2 | 7.91 (dd, 7.4, 2.0) | 2 |
3′ | 129.2 | 7.48–7.56 (m) | 2′, 4′ | 129.1 | 7.58–7.59 (m) | 4′ |
4′ | 131.8 | 7.48–7.56 (m) | 2′, 3′, 5′ | 131.8 | 7.58–7.59 (m) | |
5′ | 129.2 | 7.48–7.56 (m) | 2′, 4′ | 129.1 | 7.58–7.59 (m) | 4′ |
6′ | 126.2 | 7.90 (dd, 7.5, 1.9) | 2, 1′ | 126.2 | 7.91 (dd, 7.4, 2.0) | 2 |
Benzyl benzoate-ester skeleton | ||||||
1′′ | 169.7 | 169.6 | ||||
2′′ | 99.5 | 99.8 | ||||
3′′ | 156.1 | 154.5 | ||||
4′′ | 118.8 | 118.2 | ||||
5′′ | 139.5 | 7.77 (d, 8.6) | α, 3′′, 7′′ | 138.0 | 7.43–7.45 (m) | |
6′′ | 109.7 | 6.51 (d, 8.6) | 2′′, 7′′ | 109.7 | 6.39 (d, 8.6) | 2′′, 4′′ |
7′′ | 159.0 | 158.1 | ||||
1′′′ | 68.6 | 5.52 (s) | 1′′, 2′′′, 3′′′ | 68.8 | 5.54 (s) | 1′′, 2′′′, 3′′′ |
2′′′ | 133.6 | 133.3 | ||||
3′′′ | 128.8 | 7.40–7.48 (m) | 2′′′ | 128.9 | 7.43–7.45 (m) | |
4′′′ | 129.1 | 7.40–7.48 (m) | 129.3 | 7.43–7.45 (m) | ||
5′′′ | 129.4 | 7.40–7.48 (m) | 3′′′, 7′′′ | 129.5 | 7.43–7.45 (m) | |
6′′′ | 129.1 | 7.40–7.48 (m) | 129.3 | 7.43–7.45 (m) | ||
7′′′ | 128.8 | 7.40–7.48 (m) | 2′′′ | 128.9 | 7.43–7.45 (m) | |
OH-5 | 13.10 (s) | 4a, 5, 6 | 12.94 (s) | |||
CH3-6 | 7.7 | 2.15 (s) | 5, 6, 7 | |||
OH-7 | 8.39 (s) | 7, 8 | 8.19 (s) | 8 | ||
CH3-8 | 8.1 | 2.32 (s) | 7, 8, 8a |
Analysis of the 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopic data of 1 (Table 1) suggested that this compound had a hybrid structure of a benzyl benzoate ester and a flavone. 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopic data of the flavone unit (Table 1) displayed resonances for hydroxy protons at δH 8.39 (1H, s, OH-7) and 13.10 (1H, s, OH-5), a monosubstituted aromatic ring at δH 7.90 (2H, dd, J = 7.5, 1.9 Hz, H-2′,6′)/δC 126.2 and 7.48–7.56 (3H, m, H-3′,5′/H-4′)/δC 129.2/131.8, isolated aliphatic protons at δH 3.93 (2H, s, H-α)/δC 21.1, an olefinic proton at δH 6.65 (2H, s, H-2)/δC 105.1, and a methyl group at δH 2.32 (3H, s, CH3-8)/δC 8.1.
The 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopic data of the benzyl benzoate ester unit (Table 1) displayed resonances for a monosubstituted aromatic ring at δH 7.40–7.48 (5H, m, H-3′′′,7′′′/H-4′′′,6′′′/H-5′′′)/δC 128.8/129.1/129.4, ortho-coupled aromatic protons at δH 6.51 (1H, d, J = 8.6 Hz, H-6′′)/δC 109.7 and 7.77 (1H, d, J = 8.6 Hz, H-5′′)/δC 139.5 and a set of isolated aliphatic protons at δH 5.52 (2H, s, H-1′′′)/δC 68.6.
The HMBC correlations (Fig. 2) of the flavone unit indicated that the methyl group was located at C-8 from the HMBC correlations of the methyl proton CH3-8 (δH 2.32) to δC 158.9 (C-7), 103.1 (C-8), and 153.7 (C-8a). The hydroxy group was located at C-7 from the HMBC correlations of the hydroxy proton OH-7 (δH 8.39) to δC 158.9 (C-7) and 103.1 (C-8). The hydrogen-bonded hydroxy proton was located at C-5 from the HMBC correlations of OH-5 (δH 13.10) to δC 105.0 (C-4a), 157.1 (C-5) and 110.4 (C-6) (Fig. 2). Furthermore, the ortho-coupled aromatic protons of the benzoate ester unit were assigned by the HMBC correlations of H-5′′ (δH 7.77) to δC 21.1 (C-α), 156.1 (C-3′′), and 159.0 (C-7′′). However, the key HMBC correlation of H-α (δH 3.93) to δC 157.1 (C-5), 110.4 (C-6), 158.9 (C-7) 118.8 (C-4′′), and 139.5 (C-5′′) clearly indicated the linkage between the benzyl benzoate ester and the flavone moieties. The NOESY correlations between OH-5 (δH 13.10), OH-7 (δH 8.39), H-5′′ (δH 7.77) to methylene protons (H-α, δH 3.93) further confirmed the C-α linkage between these two structural moieties. Therefore, compound 1 was named as desmoschinensisflavone A.
Compound 2 was obtained as a yellow powder (mp. 179–181 °C) from the leaf extract and had the molecular ion peak at m/z 523.1402 [M − H]− (calcd m/z for C31H23O8, 523.1393) based on the HRESITOFMS and 13C NMR spectroscopic data. The 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopic data of 2 (Table 1) were similar to those of 1, except for the replacement of the methyl group at C-8 by a benzyl benzoate ester unit, and attachment of the methyl group at C-6. The HMBC correlations from CH3-6 at δH 2.15 (3H, s) to δC 157.7 (C-5), 106.0 (C-6), and 159.2 (C-7), indicated that the methyl group was attached to the C-6 position. Moreover, the location of benzyl benzoate ester unit was determined to be at the C-8 position based on the HMBC correlations between H-α at δH 4.13 (2H, s) to δC 159.2 (C-7), 104.7 (C-8), 152.8 (C-8a), 154.5 (C-3′′), 118.2 (C-4′′), and 138.0 (C-5′′) (Fig. 2). Thus, structure 2 was identified as a desmoschinensisflavone B.
Putative biogenetic pathways to compounds 1 and 2 are shown in Scheme 1. The reduction of the isolated compounds 3 and 4 followed by dehydration would produce the ortho-quinone methide intermediates A and B, respectively. Desmoschinensisflavone A (1) could be derived from intermediate B through coupling with benzyl benzoate 12 via a 1,4-addition reaction followed by rearomatization, whereas desmoschinensisflavone B (2) could be obtained from intermediate A by coupling with benzyl benzoate 12. The isolation of compounds 3, 4, and 12 in this study would support the proposed putative biogenetic pathways of compounds 1 and 2.
Only compounds isolated in sufficient amounts and that were stable (compounds 1, 3, 4, 6–8, 12, and 13) were evaluated for their antioxidant activities against DPPH and ABTS and α-glucosidase inhibitory activity. Compounds 6, a mixture of 7 and 8, and 12 in the DPPH radical scavenging assay had modest IC50 values of 74.6, 65.4, and 65.5 μM, respectively. While the mixture 7 and 8 in the ABTS•+ scavenging assay showed weak antioxidant activity with an IC50 value of 259.3 μM, while compounds 6 and 12 were inactive in this assay. All tested compounds showed weaker antioxidant activities than ascorbic acid which was used as the positive control (IC50 = 15.9 (DPPH) and 8.2 (ABTS) μM). None of the compounds 1, 3, 4, 6–8, 12, and 13 showed inhibitory activities against α-glucosidase at 200 μg mL−1.
Air-dried fruit of D. chinensis (97.6 kg) were extracted with CH2Cl2 over a period of 3 days at room temperature and concentrated under reduced pressure to give an CH2Cl2 extract (18.0 g). The fruit extract (18.0 g) was subjected to CC over silica gel (3:7 v/v, acetone–hexanes) to give seven subfractions (1FA–1FG). Fraction 1FC (1.5 g) was purified by CC over Sephadex LH-20 (100% MeOH) to afford compound 11 (3.4 mg), compound 12 (9.2 mg) together with five subfractions (2FA–2FE). While compound 7 (1.3 mg) was obtained from 2FC (14.8 mg) by HPLC RP C18 (2:3 v/v, ACN–H2O with 0.05% TFA, 2 mL min−1). Subfraction 1FE (1.5 g) was separated by CC (1:9 v/v, acetone–hexanes) to give eight subfractions (3FA–3FH). Compounds 3 (3.0 mg) and 4 (4.1 mg), were obtained from 3FF (439.2 mg) by CC (1:9 v/v, acetone–hexanes).
Air-dried twigs of D. chinensis (1.39 kg) were extracted with EtOAc for 3 days at room temperature and concentrated under reduced pressure to give an EtOAc extract (29.9 g). The twig extract (29.9 g) was subjected to QCC over silica gel (100% hexanes to 100% acetone) to afford six subfractions (1TA–1TF). Fraction 1 TB (2.6 g) was subjected to CC (7:3 v/v, CH2Cl2–hexanes) to give six subfractions (2TA–2TF). Fraction 2 TB (198.1 mg) was purified by CC (7:3 v/v, CH2Cl2–hexanes) to afford compound 11 (3.9 mg) together with four subfractions (3TA–3TD). Purification of subfraction 3 TC (37.1 mg) yielded compound 4 (2.1 mg) by CC (4:1 v/v, CH2Cl2–hexanes), while subfraction 3TD (170.9 mg) was separated by CC (100% CH2Cl2) to provide compound 3 (2.7 mg).
Desmoschinensisflavone A (1) yellow powder; mp. 180–183 °C; UV (MeOH) λmax (logε) 252 (3.10), 280 (3.06), and 331 (2.96) nm; IR (neat) vmax 3442, 3375, 2923, 2852, 1779, 1727, 1659, and 1129 cm−1; 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopic data, see Table 1; HRESITOFMS m/z 523.1381 [M − H]− (calcd m/z for C31H23O8, 523.1393).
Desmoschinensisflavone B (2) yellow powder; mp. 179–181 °C; UV (MeOH) λmax (logε) 255 (3.00), 277 (3.01), and 329 (2.92) nm; IR (neat) vmax 3442, 2955, 2923, 2852, 1787, 1728, 1660, and 1112 cm−1; 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopic data, see Table 1; HRESITOFMS m/z 523.1402 [M − H]− (calcd m/z for C31H23O8, 523.1393).
Footnote |
† Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available: Detailed explanation of NMR and HRESITOFMS spectra of 1 and 2 and bioactivities. See DOI: 10.1039/d0ra09985f |
This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry 2020 |