Antioxidant flavonoids and phenolic acids from leaves of Leea guineense G Don (Leeaceae).

From leaves of Leea guineense (Leeaceae) three hydrophilic flavonoids were isolated and identified as quercetin-3'-sulphate-3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranoside, quercetin-3,3'-disulphate and a new flavonoid sulphate, quercetin-3,3',4'-trisulphate, together with kaempferol, quercetin, quercitrin, mearnsitrin, gallic acid and ethyl gallate. The structures were established by spectroscopic analysis (UV, MS, (1)H-NMR, (13)C-NMR and 2D-NMR). Their antioxidant effect on free radical scavenging was evaluated in the DPPH assay. Copyright 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.