Two new quinochalcones from the florets of Carthamus tinctorius.

Two new quinochalcone compounds, named saffloquinoside A (1) and saffloquinoside B (2), were isolated from the florets of Carthamus tinctorius. Their unusual structures including their absolute stereochemistry were elucidated based on UV, IR, HRESIMS, 1D and 2D NMR data, and CD spectrum. Saffloquinoside A has an uncommon six-five member dioxaspirocycle and saffloquinoside B has a cyclohexatrione skeleton with a benzyl group and two C-glycosyl units. Saffloquinoside A exhibited middling anti-inflammatory activity.