Three novel xanthones from Garcinia paucinervis and their anti-TMV activity.

Phytochemical investigations of the leaves of Garcinia paucinervis resulted in the isolation of three new xanthones 1-3 and five known analogues 4-8. Structural elucidations of 1-3 were performed by spectral methods such as 1D and 2D (HMQC, HMBC, and ROESY) NMR spectroscopy, in addition to high resolution mass spectrometry. Compounds 1-3 showed anti-TMV activities, with inhibition rates above 20%, especially for 1, which had a lower IC₅₀ value of 21.4 µM.

1. Introduction

The genus Garcinia (Guttiferae family) is known to be a rich source of polyisoprenylated benzophenones and xanthones, some of which have shown various biological activities such as antibacterial [1], antifungal [2], anti-inflammatory [3], antioxidant [4], apoptosis-inducing [5,6], and cytotoxic effects [7]. Garcinia paucinervis is a valuable species distributed in the Yunnan and Guangxi provinces of China [8]. The present studies on chemical constituents of the acetone extract of the dried leaves of G. paucinervis afforded three new xanthones 1–3 (Figure 1), and five known analogues, namely nigrolineaxanthone K (4) [9], 5-O-methylxanthone V1 (5) [10], ananixanthone (6) [11], cudraxanthone G (7) [12], and merguenone (8) [13] (Figure 1). In this paper, we describe the isolation, structure elucidation, and anti-tobacco mosaic virus (anti-TMV) activities of these compounds.

Figure 1

The structures of compounds 1–8.

2. Results and Discussion

Compound 1 was obtained as a yellow amorphous powder. Its molecular formula was determined to be C19H18O9 on the basis of positive HR-ESI-MS (calcd. for [M+Na]+ m/z 413.0842; found, 413.0849) with 11 degrees of unsaturation. The UV absorptions at 310, 246, and 210 nm showed an extended chromophore and a substituted benzene ring, suggesting a xanthone skeleton. Its IR spectral data showed the presence of hydroxy groups (3,415 cm−1) and phenyl groups (1,658, 1,584 and 1,548 cm−1). The 1H-NMR spectrum (Table 1) displayed four aromatic methines [δ 6.75 (1H, s, H-2), 7.00 (1H, s, H-4), 6.89 (1H, s, H-5), 6.80 (1H, s, H-7)], one methoxy group (δ 4.04), two oxygenated methylenes [δ 4.63 (2H, m, H-3') and 4.13 and 4.19 (2H, m, H-4')], and two methines, including one oxygenated δ 5.14 (1H, m, H-2') and one non-oxygenated [δ 4.41 (1H, m, H-1')] one, and two hydroxy protons [δ 13.07 (1H, s, HO-1), δ 12.83 (1H, s, HO-6)]. Further analysis of its 13C-NMR (DEPT) data (Table 1) revealed the presence of one ketone and one ester carbonyls, twelve aromatic carbons (four of which were protonated) indicative of two substituted phenyl rings, one methoxy group, two methylenes, and two methines. By careful analysis of the above data, we concluded that 1 was a xanthone analogue. One spin coupling system from C-1' to C-4' was deduced from correlations between H-4'/H-1'/H-2'/H-3' observed in the 1H, 1H-COSY spectrum, and the -H(CH2OH)CHOHCH2OH group was connected at C-3 according to the HMBC correlations from H-1' to C-2, C-3, and C-4. This fragment is very rare in xanthones, and it should be a degradation product of an isopentene group. The two hydroxy groups were located at C-1 and C-6 positions, as deduced from the HMBC correlations (Figure 2) of H-2 with C-1, and of H-5 and H-7 with C-6. HMBC correlations from OMe (δ 4.04, 3H, s) and H-7 (δ 6.80, 1H, s) to a carbonyl (δ 169.4, s) suggested that the methyl ester was connected at C-8. From above information, the gross structure of 1 was established as paucinervin E (Figure 1).

Table 1

1H- (500 MHz) and 13C-NMR (125 MHz) data for 1–3 (δ in ppm and J in Hz, data recorded in C5D5N).

No.	1		2		3
	δC (m)	δH (m, J, Hz)	δC (m)	δH (m, J, Hz)	δC (m)	δH (m, J, Hz)
1	162.7 s		161.8 s		161.4 s
2	108.5 d	6.75 s	108.8 d	6.75 s	110.0 d	6.94 d (1.8)
3	149.1 s		149.0 s		145.2 s
4	104.1 d	7.00 s	104.8 d	7.00 s	108.8 d	7.07 d (1.8)
5	103.0 d	6.89 s	102.3 d	6.93 s	156.0 s
6	165.1 s		167.1 s		121.5 d	7.70 d (8.8)
7	113.8 d	6.80 s	112.7 d	6.84 s	125.2 d	7.39 d (8.8)
8	136.8 s		137.1 s		126.5 s
9	181.9 s		181.8 s		181.5 s
4a	155.6 s		155.0 s		157.0 s
8a	109.2 s		109.7 s		119.4 s
9a	107.4 s		107.7 s		107.8 s
10a	158.4 s		157.2 s		146.8 s
1′	42.1 d	4.41 m	43.0 d	4.44 m	41.8 d	4.42 m
2′	72.3 d	5.14 m	72.0 d	5.29 m	72.0 d	5.13 m
3′	66.0 t	4.63 m	66.0 t	4.74 m	66.2 t	4.64, 4.71 m
4′	61.8 t	4.13, 4.19 m	62.0 t	4.20 m	61.8 t	4.17, 4.22 m
5′	169.4 s		169.7 s		169.0 s
5-OMe					55.9 q	3.79 s
6-OMe			56.2 q	3.80 s
5′-OMe	52.4 q	4.04 s	52.5 q	4.11 s	52.5 q	4.02 s
Ar-OH-1		13.07 s		13.79 s		13.22 s
Ar-OH-6		12.83 s

Figure 2

The key HMBC and COSY correlations of compound 1.

Compound 2, a yellow amorphous powder, was assigned the molecular formula C20H20O9, based on the HR-ESI-MS which revealed the [M+Na]+ peak at m/z 427.1101 (calcd. for C20H20NaO9+. 427.1005). Its UV and IR absorption bands were very similar to those of 1. Analysis of the 13C-NMR, DEPT, and HSQC spectra revealed that 2 also contained one ketone and one ester carbonyls, twelve aromatic carbons (four of which were protonated) indicative of two substituted phenyl rings, two methoxy groups, two methylenes, and two methines. By careful comparison, we found that the 13C-NMR spectral data of 2 were almost identical to those of 1, expect for the presence of one more methoxy group in 2. The key HMBC correlation of H-(MeO) (δ 3.80, 3H, s) with C-6 (δ 167.1, s) indicated a methoxy group at C-6 in 2, instead of a hydroxy group at C-6 in 1. Finally, compound 2 was identified as paucinervin F (Figure 1).

Compound 3, obtained as a yellow amorphous powder, gave the molecular formula C20H20O9, as revealed by its HR-ESI-MS at m/z 427.1001 [M+Na]+ (calcd. for C20H20NaO9+. 427.1005). Its UV, IR, 1H, and 13C were very similar to 2: one ketone and one ester carbonyls, twelve aromatic carbons (four of which were protonated) indicative of two substituted phenyl rings, two methoxy groups, two methylenes, and two methines. The only difference between 3 and 2 is that the methoxy group was at C-5 in 3 instead of at C-6 in 2, which was futher confirmed by the key HMBC correlation of H-(MeO) (δ 3.79, 3H, s) with C-6 (δ 156.0, s). Thus, compound 3 was finally identified as paucinervin G (Figure 1).

Since the C-C bonds can rotate randomly, it is very difficult to determine the relative configurations of C-1' and C-2' through only spectroscopic analysis. We tried to determine the relative configuration of 1 by CD spectra and X-ray crystallography, but unfortunately, we failed to obtain the desired results, and the relative configurations of C-1' and C-2' in compounds 1–3 thus remain unassigned.

By comparison with NMR data in literatures, five known analogues, namely nigrolineaxanthone K (4) [9], 5-O-methylxanthone V1 (5) [10], ananixanthone (6) [11], cudraxanthone G (7) [12], and merguenone (8) [13], were identified.

Compounds 1–8 were tested for their anti-TMV activity using the half-leaf method [14,15]. Ningnanmycin, a commercial biochemical pesticide used against virus diseases on tomato, pepper, melons, tobacco, and many other crops with high efficiency, was used as a positive control. The antiviral inhibition rates of compounds 1–8 at the concentration of 20 μM are listed in Table 2. Compounds 1–3 showed anti-TMV activities with inhibition rate above 20%. Compound 1 is more active with lower IC50 value of 21.4 µM perhaps because of the presence of hydroxy groups. The interactions through hydrogen bonding with other moieties would be the main factor.

Table 2

Anti-TMV Activity of 1–7 on Garcinia paucinervis Leaf a.

No.	% Inhibition at 20 µM	IC50 (µM)
1	43.2 ± 2.3	21.4 ± 2.3
2	28.7 ± 3.0	42.8 ± 3.0
3	24.8 ± 2.2	53.6 ± 2.2
4	9.22 ± 2.8	≥200
5	18.9 ± 2.6	82.4 ± 2.6
6	17.8 ± 2.3	68.9 ± 2.3
7	16.1 ± 3.0	52.8 ± 3.0
8	13.1 ± 3.0	≥200
Ningnamycin	30.5 ± 2.4	36.9 ± 2.4

a All results are expressed as mean ± SD; n = 3.

3. Experimental

3.1. General

Ultraviolet absorption spectra were recorded using a Perkin-Elmer Lambda L14 spectrometer. A Perkin Elmer Spectrum 100 FT-IR spectrometer was used for scanning IR spectroscopy with KBr pellets. The 1D and 2D NMR spectra were recorded on a Bruker AV-400 spectrometer with TMS as the internal standard. Chemical shifts (δ) were expressed in ppm with reference to the solvent signals. HRMS were obtained using a nanoLC-MS/MS system, with a nanoAcquity ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) module and a quadrupole time-of-flight (Q-TOF) spectrometer equipped with a nanoelectrospray ion source (Waters, Milford, MA, USA) and connected to a lock-mass apparatus to perform a real-time calibration correction. Column chromatography was performed with silica gel (200–300 mesh, Qingdao Marine Chemical, Inc., Qingdao, China), Sephadex LH-20 (Pharmacia, Sweden), and reversed-phase C18 silica gel (250 meshes, Merck, Germany). Precoated TLC sheets of silica gel 60 GF254 were used. An Agilent 1100 series equipped with an Alltima C18 column (4.6 × 250 mm) was used for HPLC analysis, and semipreparative and preparative Alltima C18 columns or Zorbax SB-C18 columns (9.4 × 250 mm and 22 × 250 mm) were used in sample preparation. Spots were visualized by heating silica gel plates sprayed with 10% H2SO4 in EtOH.

3.2. Plant Material

The leaves of Garcinia paucinervis were collected in October 2010 from the district of XiShuangBanNa Prefecture, Yunnan Province, China. The plant was identified by Pan-Yu Ren. A voucher specimen has been deposited at the Key Laboratory of Ethnic Medicine Resource Chemistry (Yunnan University of Nationalities), State Ethnic Affairs Commission & Ministry of Education.

3.3. Extraction and Isolation

An acetone extract prepared from the leaves of Garcinia paucinervis (5.5 kg) was decolorized by MCI GEL(polystyrene polymer based packing material) and chromatographed on a silica gel column eluting with hexane/acetone (1:0, 4:1, 2:1, 1:1, and 0:1) to afford five fractions A–E. Further separation of fraction B (42 g) on silica gel, eluted with petroleum ether–acetone (9:1–1:2), yielded fractions B1–B7. Fraction B2 (6.28 g) was subjected to silica gel column chromatography using petroleum ether-acetone followed by semipreparative HPLC (78% MeOH–H2O, flow rate 12 mL/min) to give 3 (1.8 mg), 5 (42.7 mg), and 7 (33.3 mg). Fraction B3 (5.72 g), upon separation on silica gel using petroleum ether-acetone and semipreparative HPLC (70% MeOH–H2O, flow rate 12 mL/min), afforded 1 (1.6 mg), 4 (11.8 mg), 6 (14.6 mg). Fraction B4 (11.6 g) was subjected to silica gel column chromatography using petroleum ether–acetone and semipreparative HPLC (65% MeOH–H2O, flow rate 12 mL/min) to yield 2 (1.2 mg), 8 (3.6 mg).

Paucinervin E (1): Yellow amorphous powder, UV (MeOH) λmax (log ε): 210 (4.30), 246 (3.62), 310 (3.94) nm; IR (KBr) vmax: 3,415, 3,076, 2,923, 2,865, 1,725, 1,658, 1,584, 1,548, 1,460, 1,372, 1,128, 1,076, 878, 729 cm–1; 1H- and 13C-NMR: see Table 1; ESIMS m/z (positive ion mode) 413 [M+Na]+; HRESIMS (positive ion mode) m/z 413.0842 [M+Na]+ (calcd. C19H18NaO9 for 413.0849).

Paucinervin F (2): Yellow amorphous powder, UV (MeOH) λmax (log ε) 210 (4.38), 248 (3.57), 312 (4.01) nm; IR (KBr) νmax 3,418, 3,080, 2,919, 2,872, 1,729, 1,655, 1,593, 1,543, 1,462, 1,375, 1,125, 1,074, 882, 725 cm–1; ESIMS m/z (positive ion mode) 427 [M+Na]+; HRESIMS (positive ion mode) m/z 427.1011 [M+Na]+ (calcd. C20H20NaO9 for 427.1005).

Paucinervin G (3): Yellow amorphous powder, UV (MeOH) λmax (log ε) 210 (4.25), 263 (3.76), 310 (3.92) nm; IR (KBr) νmax 3,422, 3,085, 2,914, 2,867, 1,725, 1,652, 1,598, 1,540, 1,457, 1,379, 1,226, 1,138, 1,076, 886, 748 cm–1; ESIMS m/z (positive ion mode) 427 [M+Na]+; HRESIMS (positive ion mode) m/z 427.1001 [M+Na]+ (calcd. C20H20NaO9 for 427.1005).

3.4. Anti-TMV Assays

The anti-TMV activities were tested using the half-leaf method [15]. Ningnanmycin (2% water solution), a commercial product for plant disease in China, was used as a positive control.

4. Conclusions

Three new xanthones 1–3 and five known analogues 4–8 were isolated from the acetone extract of the leaves of Garcinia paucinervis. All the compounds were evaluated for anti-tobacco mosaic virus (anti-TMV) activities. Compounds 1–3 showed potent anti-TMV activities, with inhibition rate, above 20%. Compound 1 had a lower IC50 value of 21.4 µM.