Antiinflammatory constituents from the roots of Smilax bockii warb.

From 70% ethanol extract of the roots of Smilax bockii warb., seven flavonoids, kaempferol (1), kaempferol-7-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (2), quercetin (3), isorhamnetin (4), (+)-dihydro-kaempferol (5), engeletin (6), isoengeletin (7), and n-butyl-beta-D-fructopyranoside (8), caffeic acid n-butyl ester (9) were isolated and identified by means of chemical and spectroscopic. Compounds 2, 4, and 6-9 were isolated for the first time from the roots of S. bockii and compounds 2, 8, and 9 were firstly isolated from the genus Smilax. In addition, using the SEAP (Secreted alkaline phosphatase) assay system, we investigated the in vitro anti-inflammatory activity of the 70% ethanol extract of the roots of S. bockii, which showed moderate activity in inhibiting TNF-alpha-induced NF-kappaB activation with an IC50 value of 166.6 microg/mL.