Two new anthraquinone derivatives and one new triarylbenzophenone analog from Selaginella tamariscina

Abstract

Two new anthraquinone derivatives, selaginones A (1) and B (2), and one new triarylbenzophenone analog, selagibenzophenone B (3), were isolated from Selaginella tamariscina (Beauv.) Spring. Their structures were established by 1D-, 2D-NMR and HR-ESI-MS data. Compounds 1 and 2 represent the uncommon examples of aryl substituted anthraquinone derivatives. Especially, compound 2 is a unique anthranone with exceptional structural feature, in which a p-hydroxyphenyl moiety is attached to the C-10 position. Compound 3 is the second naturally occurring triarylbenzophenone and showed moderate activity against SMCC-7721 and MHCC97-H cell lines with IC₅₀ values of 39.8, 51.5 μM respectively.

Keywords:

• Selaginella tamariscina
• anthraquinone
• anthranone
• selaginone A
• selaginone B
• selagibenzophenone B
• hepatocellular carcinoma

Acknowledgements

We would like to acknowledge the NMR measurements by the Modern Analysis and Testing Center of Central South University and Dr Hongping Long for HR-ESI-MS measurements.