Two new compounds from Pentadesma butyracea and their biological activities

Abstract

Two new compounds (1-2) and twenty-two known compounds (3-24) were isolated from the ethanol extract of the stems and leaves of Pentadesma butyracea Sabine (Clusiaceae). The structures of compounds 1-2 were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, including extensive 1D- and 2D-NMR spectroscopy and HRMS techniques. According to previous literature research and molecular docking, we tested antiproliferative and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities of these compounds. Compounds 1, 5, and 6 showed good α-glucosidase inhibitory activities with IC₅₀ values of 23.12, 3.60, and 16.83 μM, respectively. Molecular docking results showed that compounds 1, 5, and 6 have strong binding affinities with α-glucosidase. In addition, the antiproliferative activities of compounds 1, 5, and 6 against human cancer A549 cells exhibited IC₅₀ values of 41.47, 19.46 and 45.75 μM, respectively. Except for compound 14, all the compounds were isolated from the genus Pentadesma for the first time. The findings propose that xanthones with isoprenyl groups may be effective lead compounds for the development of α-glucosidase inhibitors and anticancer therapies.