A new xanthone dimer and cytotoxicity from the stem bark of Calophyllum canum

Abstract

A phytochemical investigation of the stem bark of Calophyllum canum resulted in the isolation of a new xanthone dimer identified as biscaloxanthone (1), together with four compounds; trapezifoliaxanthone (2), trapezifolixanthone A (3), taraxerone (4) and taraxerol (5). The structures of these compounds were determined via spectroscopic methods of IR, UV, MS and NMR (1D and 2D). The cytotoxicity of compounds 1-3 were screened against A549, MCF-7, C33A and 3T3L1 cell lines, wherein weak cytotoxic activities were observed (IC₅₀ > 50 μm).

Keywords: Calophyllum canum; Guttiferae; biscaloxanthone; cytotoxicity; xanthone dimer.