A-type proanthocyanidins from lychee seeds and their antioxidant and antiviral activities

J Agric Food Chem. 2010 Nov 24;58(22):11667-72. doi: 10.1021/jf1033202. Epub 2010 Oct 22.

Abstract

Two new A-type trimeric proanthocyanidins with two doubly bonded interflavanoid linkages, litchitannin A1 [epicatechin-(2β→O→7,4β→6)-epicatechin-(2β→O→7,4β→8)-catechin] (1) and litchitannin A2 [epicatechin-(2β→O→7,4β→6)-epicatechin-(2β→O→7,4β→6)-epicatechin] (2), were isolated from lychee (Litchi chinensis Sonn. cv. Heiye) seeds together with aesculitannin A (3), epicatechin-(2β→O→7,4β→8)-epiafzelechin-(4α→8)-epicatechin (4), proanthocyanidin A1 (5), proanthocyanidin A2 (6), proanthocyanidin A6 (7), epicatechin-(7,8-bc)-4β-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-dihydro-2(3H)-pyranone (8), and epicatechin (9). Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic and chemical evidence. It is the first time that compounds 1-4, 7, and 8 have been reported in this species. Compounds 1-9 showed more potent antioxidant activity than L-ascorbic acid with ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) values of 3.71-24.18 mmol/g and IC50 values of 5.25-20.07 μM toward DPPH radicals. Moreover, litchitannin A2 (2) was found to exhibit in vitro antiviral activity against coxsackie virus B3 (CVB3) and compounds 3 and 6 displayed antiherpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) activity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antioxidants / chemistry*
  • Antioxidants / pharmacology
  • Antiviral Agents / chemistry*
  • Antiviral Agents / pharmacology
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Litchi / chemistry*
  • Molecular Structure
  • Plant Extracts / chemistry*
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology
  • Proanthocyanidins / chemistry*
  • Proanthocyanidins / pharmacology
  • Seeds / chemistry
  • Viruses / drug effects

Substances

  • Antioxidants
  • Antiviral Agents
  • Plant Extracts
  • Proanthocyanidins