Phenolic compounds from the aqueous extract of Acacia catechu

Abstract

Two new phenolic compounds, 5-hydroxy-2-[2-(4-hydroxyphenyl) acetyl]-3-methoxylbenzoic acid (1) and (2S,3S)-3,7,8,3′,4′-pentahydroxyflavane (2), were obtained from the aqueous extract of Acacia catechu, along with four known compounds identified as rhamnetin (3), 4-hydroxyphenyl ethanol (4), 3,3′,5,5′,7-pentahydroxyflavane (5), and fisetinidol (6). Their structures were determined on the basis of spectroscopic analysis. Free radical-scavenging activities of the new compounds were evaluated.

Keywords:

• Leguminosae
• Acacia catechu
• phenolic compounds
• free radical-scavenging activity

Acknowledgements

This research was financially supported by the National Science and Technology Project of China (No. 2009 zx09301-003-4-1) and the Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Resources Utilization of Chinese Herbal Medicine, Peking Union Medical College, Ministry of Education.