Anti-inflammatory xanthones from the fruits of Hypericum patulum Thunb.

Abstract: Twenty-four known xanthones were isolated from the 80 % ethanol extract of the fresh ripe fruits of Hypericum patulum Thunb. Their structures were elucidated by extensive NMR and MS spectroscopic analysis and comparison with literature data. Compounds 4, 7, 14, and 18-19 were first reported in this genus. Compounds 1, 3, 9-11, 13, 15-17, and 20-21 were first reported from this species. Anti-inflammatory studies have shown that compounds 1-2, 8, 12-13 and 15 have a significant inhibition rate of NO release compared to dexamethasone (DEX). The anti-inflammatory activity data formed the basis for the structure-activity relationship analysis of the isolated compounds.