New alkylresorcinols from the fruits of Embelia ribes

Abstract

Nine new alkylresorcinols, designated as embelialkylresorcinols A-I (1-9), along with five known compounds (10-14) were isolated from the fruits of Embelia ribes. Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analysis (1D, 2D NMR and HRESIMS), optical rotation data and modified Mosher method. Notably, embelialkylresorcinols A-H (1-8), possessing double aromatic rings linked with an aliphatic chain, are reported from the genus of Embelia (Myrsinaceae) for the first time. Most of the isolated compounds were evaluated for cytotoxic activity, and the results indicated that compounds 3, 5, 6 and 8 displayed moderate cytotoxicity against three human cancer cell lines (Hep3B, A549 and HCC1806) with IC₅₀ values ranging from 23.06 to 41.49 μM.

Keywords: Alkylresorcinols; Cytotoxicity; Embelia ribes.