Diverse neolignans and lignans from an aqueous extract of the Angelica sinensis root head

Abstract

Neolignans and lignans with diverse new chemical structures, including eleven pairs of separated chiral enantiomers [(+)-/(−)-1–(+)-/(−)-5, (+)-/(−)-8, (+)-/(−)-10, and (+)-/(−)-12–(+)-/(−)-15], two achiral compounds (6 and 9), and an unseparated racemate [(±)-11], together with a new natural product (7) and 21 known derivatives, were isolated from an aqueous extract of the Angelica sinensis root head (guitou). Among the chiral isolates, (+)-/(−)-13 and (+)-/(−)-15 were scalemic pairs with enantiomeric ratios of around 3:1 and 1.5:1, respectively, while others were enantiomeric equivalent pairs. This indicates that the diverse neolignans in A. sinensis are biosynthesized via different pathways with varying degrees of stereo-controlled manners.

Graphical Abstract

Keywords:

• Umbelliferae
• Angelica sinensis
• enantiomeric pair
• scalemic pair
• angelignanines B − P

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

Financial support from the National Natural Sciences Foundation of China [grant nos. 82293685 and 82293681 (82293680)] and CAMS Innovation Fund for Medical Science [2022-I2M-JB-011 and 2021-I2M-1-028] is acknowledged.