Two new benzofuran derivatives with anti-inflammatory activity from Liriope spicata var. prolifera.

Two new benzofuran derivatives, 2-(4'-hydroxybenzyl)-5,6-methylenedioxy-benzofuran (1) and 2-(4'-hydroxybenzoyl)-5,6-methylenedioxy-benzofuran (2), along with 8 known compounds were isolated from 60% EtOH extract of the fibrous roots of Liriope spicata var. prolifera. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis. In an in vitro bioactive assay, the two new benzofuran derivatives showed anti-inflammatory activity. Compounds 1 and 2 exhibited significant inhibitory activity against neutrophil respiratory burst stimulated by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) with IC(50) value of 4.15 ± 0.07 and 5.96 ± 0.37 μM, respectively.