A unique C-linked chalcone-dihydrochalcone dimer from Dracaena cinnabari resin

Abstract

A new C-linked chalcone-dihydrochalcone dimer, named dracidione, was isolated from the ethyl acetate extract of dragon’s blood resin of Dracaena cinnabari Balf. f. Structure elucidation of the new compound was carried out by means of one- and two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy in addition to high resolution mass spectrometry. The unique structure incorporated a chalcone and a dihydrochalcone, which is reported for the first time from nature. Furthermore, dracidione showed moderate α-glucosidase inhibitory activity with IC₅₀= 40.27 µg/ml.

Graphical Abstract

Keywords:

• Dracaena cinnabari
• Dragon’s blood
• chalcone
• dihydrochalcone
• α-glucosidase

Acknowledgements

We are grateful to Dr Fatma Abdel Bar for the help she afforded in NMR measurements.

Disclosure statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.