A new dibenzofuran derivative from the stem bark of Scyphocephalium ochocoa with anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic activities.

The phytochemical investigation of the dichloromethane/methanol (1:1) extract of the stem bark of Scyphocephalium ochocoa, led to the isolation of one new dibenzofuran derivative, named scyphocephalione A (1), along with three other compounds, including epicatechin (2), gentisic acid (3) and myo-inositol (4). The structures of all the compounds were established with help of spectroscopic data including IR, UV, MS, 1 D- and 2 D-NMR, as well as by comparison with previously reported data in literature, and chemical modification. All the compounds were obtained from the genus Scyphocephalium for the first time. The anti-inflammatory activity (using chemiluminescence technique) of the crude extract and compound 1, together with NO inhibition (using ELISA), TNF-α (using ELISA) and MCF-7 cells cytotoxicity effects (using MTT assay) of compound 1 were assessed. From the results obtained, compound 1 could be considered as a promising chemotherapeutic agent for the treatment of inflammatory diseases.

Anti-plasmodial activity of some constituents of the root bark of Harungana madagascariensis LAM. (Hypericaceae).

Bazouanthrone (1), a new anthrone derivative, has been isolated from the root bark of Harungana madagascariensis, together with known compounds, feruginin A (2), harunganin (3), harunganol A (4), harunganol B (5), friedelan-3-one (6) and betulinic acid (7). The structure of the compound (1) was assigned as 3,5,8,9-tetrahydroxy-2,4,4-tri-(3,3-dimethylallyl)-6-methyl-1-(4H)-anthracenone, by means of spectroscopic analysis. The anti-plasmodial activity of the isolated compounds was evaluated in culture against W2 strain of Plasmodium falciparum. All the compounds were found to be active against the Plasmodium parasites with bazouanthrone (1) showing particular potency (IC50=1.80 microM).