Oxyresveratrol: Structural Modification and Evaluation of Biological Activities.

Oxyresveratrol (2,4,3',5'-tetrahydroxystilbene, 1), a phytoalexin present in large amounts in the heartwood of Artocarpus lacucha Buch.-Ham., has been reported to possess a wide variety of biological activities. As part of our continuing studies on the structural modification of oxyresveratrol, a library of twenty-six compounds was prepared via O-alkylation, aromatic halogenation, and electrophilic aromatic substitution. The two aromatic rings of the stilbene system of 1 can be chemically modulated by exploiting different protecting groups. Such a strategy allows for selective and exclusive modifications on either ring A or ring B. All compounds were evaluated in vitro for a panel of biological activities, including free radical scavenging activity, DNA protective properties, antiherpetic activity, inhibition of α-glucosidase and neuraminidase, and cytotoxicity against some cancer cell lines. Several derivatives were comparably active or even more potent than the parent oxyresveratrol and/or the appropriate positive controls. The partially etherified analogs 5'-hydroxy-2,3',4-trimethoxystilbene and 3',5'-dihydroxy-2,4-dimethoxystilbene demonstrated promising anti-herpetic and DNA protective activities, offering new leads for neuropreventive agent research, whereas 5'-hydroxy-2,3',4,-triisopropoxystilbene displayed anti-α-glucosidase effects, providing a new lead molecule for anti-diabetic drug development. 3',5'-Diacetoxy-2,4-diisopropoxystilbene showed potent and selective cytotoxicity against HeLa cancer cells, but the compound still needs further in vivo investigation to verify its anticancer potential.

1. Introduction

Stilbenes pan class="Chemical">are a group of plant polyphenolic compounds derived from the mixed shikimate-acetate pathway. They are produced as phytoalexins, with limited but heterogeneous distribution in the plant kingdom [1]. Over the years, these C6-C2-C6 compounds, as well as their oligomers, have attracted significant research attention due to their elaborate and diverse structures, and wide-ranging biological activities [2]. Historically, these compounds have been studied for antioxidant, antibacterial, antiviral and anticancer activities [3,4]. However, recent efforts have been made to explore other potential uses such as therapeutic or preventive agents against non-communicable diseases (NCDs), for example, diabetes mellitus (DM), cardiovascular illnesses, and Parkinson’s disease (PD) [5,6,7].

Oxyresveratrol (2,4,3′,5′-pan class="Species">tetrahydroxystilbene, 1, Scheme 1) is present in large amounts in the heartwood of Artocarpus lacucha Buch.-Ham. (also known as Artocarpus lakoocha Roxb.) [8], and thus offers opportunities for chemical and biological studies. Our previous in vitro and in vivo experiments have shown that 1 is a potent tyrosinase inhibitor, and subsequent studies in human volunteers have confirmed it as an effective skin-whitening agent [9,10]. Despite its moderate in vitro inhibitory activity against herpes simplex virus type I (HSV-1) [11], compound 1, in the form of topical cream, exhibited high therapeutic efficacy in mice cutaneously infected with HSV-1, with a potency comparable to that of the antiviral drug acyclovir [12]. Currently, mounting evidence has indicated HSV-1 infection in the brain as one of the key causative factors in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) [13], and this has suggested another medicinal importance for oxyresveratrol. Regarding the AD preventive potential, 1 has been reported to inhibit β-amyloid-induced neurotoxicity in cultured cortical neurons and in vitro activity of β-secretase, an enzyme vital for the production of the Aβ protein [14,15]. In addition, the compound has been studied for protective activity against Parkinson’s disease (PD) in cultured neuronal cells [16], and demonstrated to prevent neurotoxicity and DNA damage through its antioxidant properties [17,18]. Compound 1 showed modest inhibitory activity against H5N1 neuraminidase (an enzyme found in avian influenza virus) [19], but strong inhibition against α-glucosidase, an enzyme responsible for the breaking down of starch and polysaccharides into glucose in the intestine [20]. In spite of all the potential uses mentioned above, 1 seems to have rather limited clinical application. The compound has been reported to undergo extensive hepatic metabolism and rapid urinary elimination, resulting in a short half-life time, and thereby restricting its clinical use [21]. Moreover, its postulated function as a preventive agent for neurodegenerative disorders, such as AD or PD, appears to be hindered by its low ability to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) [22].

Scheme 1

O-Alkylation, acylation, and aromatic chlorination of 1. Reagents and conditions: (a) MeI, K2CO3, acetone, rt; (b) 2-bromopropane, K2CO3, DMF, 55 °C; (c) AcCl, Et3N, DMAP, CH2Cl2, rt; (d) ethyl bromoacetate, K2CO3, DMF, rt; (e) BCl3, CH2Cl2, −78 °C → rt, Ar; (f) 5% KOH, EtOH, rt; (g) NCS, AcOH (glacial), rt; (h) MeI, K2CO3, acetone, 55 °C.

In our earlier report, we described a successful structural modification of 1, which gave an apan class="Gene">nalog with enhanced tyrosinase inhibitory activity [9]. In this investigation, we broadened our chemical studies and expanded the biological evaluations with the intention of improving the following biological activities of 1: antioxidant and DNA protective properties, inhibitory activities against the enzymes α-glucosidase and neuraminidase, and ability to inhibit the growth of herpes simplex virus and some cancer cells.

2. Results and Discussion

2.1. Chemistry

2.1.1. O-Alkylation/O-Acylation

When 1 was allowed to react with MeI in pan class="Chemical">acetone at room temperature, di-, tri- and tetra-O-methylated products (2, 3 and 4) were obtained in 9%, 25%, and 45% yields, respectively (Scheme 1). The alkylation of 1 with 2-bromopropane/K2CO3 in DMF gave the corresponding di-, tri- and tetra-O-isopropyl compounds (5, 6 and 7) in 24%, 30%, and 28% yields, respectively (Scheme 1). It should be noted that it was difficult to avoid the formation of 7, perhaps due to the greater solubility of the more alkylated ethers in DMF under the reaction conditions. In both O-alkylation reactions, the di-O-alkylation occurred on the two hydroxy groups of ring A, and tri-O-alkylation occupied both hydroxy groups of ring A and a hydroxy group of ring B. These results suggested that the phenolic groups on ring A were more reactive than their counterparts on ring B, most likely due to the conjugation of the hydroxy groups of ring A with the olefinic bond, which is not possible for those on ring B. This difference in the reactivity of the hydroxy groups was exploited in the subsequent studies on the aromatic electrophilic substitution reactions, in which the isopropyl group was found to be a better O-protecting group than the methyl after some experimentation (see below). Acetylation of 1 with AcCl gave 8 in 70% yield.

O-Alkylation of the tri-O-isopropyl compound 6 with ethyl bromoacetate under basic conditions went smoothly, to pan class="Chemical">furnish in 84% yield the ethyl ester 9, which then underwent BCl3-mediated deprotection of the isopropyl groups to give the trihydroxy compound 10 in 61% yield. Subsequent saponification of the ethyl ester using 5% KOH in ethanol provided the corresponding acid 11 in a moderate 40% yield (Scheme 1).

2.1.2. Halogenation

It was expected that aromatic halogepan class="Gene">nation on 1 would be facile due to the high electron density contributed by the hydroxy groups. Due to the conjugation between the hydroxy groups on ring A and the olefin, the aromatic B ring should be more nucleophilic, particularly at the positions 2′/6′, and this difference should facilitate regioselective electrophilic aromatic halogenation under appropriate and mild conditions. Using N-chlorosuccinimide (NCS) and glacial acetic acid, the corresponding 2′-monochlorinated product 12 was obtained from 1 in 36% yield (Scheme 1). Chlorination on 7 and 20 (prepared from 5) did not give the desired chlorinated product. Compound 12 smoothly underwent full methylation to give the tetramethylether 13 in 36% yield. Several attempts to carry out aromatic bromination on 1 or 4 with N-bromosuccinimide under various conditions were performed, but failed to give the brominated product. Iodination of 1 with N-iodosuccinimide was also not successful.

2.1.3. Aromatic Electrophilic Substitution

When the tetra-O-isopropyl compound 7 reacted under the Vilspan class="Chemical">meier-Haack formylation conditions, the corresponding ring B-formylated product 14 was obtained in good yield (80%) (Scheme 2).

Scheme 2

Selective aromatic formylation of ring B of 7 to 14 and the subsequent derivatizations of the aldehyde. Reagents and conditions: (a) POCl3, DMF, 0 °C, Ar; (b) NaClO2, NaH2PO4·2H2O, 2-methyl-2-butene, acetone, rt; (c) BCl3, CH2Cl2, −78 °C → rt, Ar; (d) p-TsOH·H2O, H2O2, 0 °C, Ar; (e) BBr3, CH2Cl2, −78 °C → rt, Ar; (f) EtOOCCH=PPh3, CH2Cl2, 0 °C.

The aldehyde functiopan class="Gene">nal group could be further oxidized to the corresponding carboxylic acid 15 in 79% yield using sodium chlorite. The aldehyde 14 smoothly underwent BCl3-mediated deprotection of the isopropyl groups to provide the 2′-formyloxyresveratrol 16 in moderate 48% yield. In addition, the aldehyde 14 could also undergo the acid-mediated Baeyer-Villiger-type Dakin reaction, which converted the aldehyde into the corresponding formate. Subsequent in situ cleavage of the formate under the reaction conditions furnished 2′-hydroxy-tetra-O-isopropyl oxyresveratrol 17 in good yield (66%). Unfortunately, all attempts to deprotect the isopropyl groups of 17 failed, and only a mixture of decomposed products was obtained. The deisopropylation of 15 with BBr3 under similar conditions unexpectedly gave the isochromanone 18 in 20% yield, a result of the Lewis acid-mediated removal of the O-isopropyl groups followed by C-O bond formation on the olefinic carbon of the stilbene system. In addition, the aldehyde 14 could undergo a smooth Wittig olefination to furnish the stilbenyl cinnamate 19 in 68% yield.

In order to effect the reactions on ring A of oxyresveratrol, the pan class="Chemical">di-O-isopropyl compound 5 was acetylated under standard conditiond to provide ring A-di-O-isopropyl ring B-di-O-acetyl compound 20 in 74% yield (Scheme 3).

Scheme 3

Protecting group-directed selective aromatic formylation of ring A of 20 to 21 and the subsequent derivatizations of the aldehyde. Reagents and conditions: (a) Ac2O, Et3N, CH2Cl2, rt; (b) POCl3, DMF, 0 °C, Ar; (c) NaClO2, NaH2PO4·2H2O, 2-methyl-2-butene, acetone, rt; (d) BCl3, CH2Cl2, −78 °C → rt, Ar; (e) 5% KOH, EtOH, rt; (f) p-TsOH·H2O, H2O2, 0 °C.

After some experimentation, ring A was formylated on the 5-position to give 21 exclusively, in 60% yield, under the best Vilsmeier-Haack conditions (10 eq of pan class="Chemical">POCl3 at 0 °C → rt overnight under argon). Subsequent oxidation of the aldehyde 21 to the corresponding acid 22 using sodium chlorite gave the latter in 73% yield. BCl3-mediated cleavage of all the O-isopropyl groups as well as the O-acetyl groups of 21 and 22 finally gave the desired 5-formyl- and 5-carboxyoxyresveratrols 23 and 24 in 78% and 63% yields, respectively. Saponification of 21 and 22 using 5% KOH in ethanol to cleave the acetate groups gave 5-formyl- and 5-carboxy-di-O-isopropyl oxyresveratrol 25 and 26 in 93% and 40% yields, respectively. The aldehyde 21 was subjected to the Dakin reaction to give 5-hydroxy-di-O-acetyl-di-O-isopropyl oxyresveratrol 27 in 47% yield.

It is worth noting that the differences between protecting groups could be used to manipulate the selectivity of the aromatic electrophilic reactions. In the Vilspan class="Chemical">meier-Haack reaction of the tetra-O-isopropyl compound 7, all the protecting groups were electron-donating groups, which made the 2′ and 6′ positions of ring B the most reactive ones, but in the Vilsmeier-Haack reaction of the di-O-acetyl-di-O-isopropyl compound 20, the acetyl groups were electron-withdrawing groups, and thus reduced the electron density of ring B. This was virtually equivalent to the deactivation of ring B, and therefore directed the formylation to occur on ring A. This synthetic strategy could be a useful tool for the synthesis of other similar analogs derivable from exploiting the difference in electron density of each aromatic ring.

2.2. Biological Activity

Since 1 was previously studied and reported to exhibit an array of biological activities including antioxidant activity and inhibition of the α-glucosidase and pan class="Gene">neuraminidase enzymes and HSV-1 (vide supra), all structurally modified analogs of 1 were subjected to the related assays to study the effects of such modification on each biological activity. In addition, these compounds were also evaluated for cytotoxic potential against four cancer cell lines of three different cancer types (breast, cervical and lung).

2.2.1. Free Radical Scavenging Activity

First, examinations were conducted on the relationships between the phenolic and pan class="Chemical">olefinic functionalities of the core stilbene structure and the free radical scavenging and DNA protective activities. Then, investigations were carried out to study how the nature and position of substituents with electron-withdrawing (i.e., Cl, CHO and COOH) or electron-donating (i.e., OH) properties on the aromatic rings affected these biological activities. Compounds were first evaluated at 100 μg/mL, and those that showed >80% inhibition were further analyzed to determine their IC50 values.

Oxyresveratrol (1) showed weaker pan class="Chemical">DPPH free radical scavenging activity than Trolox (Table 1). The phenolic groups were essential since the activity was reduced or lost when some or all of the phenolic groups of 1 were esterified/etherified, as observed in compounds 2–8 and 20. The only exception was compound 3, the 2,4,3′-tri-O-methylated version of 1, which showed higher activity against the superoxide anion radical than the parent compound. Interestingly, this compound also showed higher DNA protective properties.

Table 1

IC50 values (μM) for free radical scavenging activities and DNA protective properties of 1 and derivatives.

Compound	Free Radical Scavenging Activity		DNA Protective Activity
	DPPH	Superoxide
1	11.7 ± 0.4	303.1 ± 7.9	43.3 ± 6.7
2	77.0 ± 6.4 *	nd #	39.4 ± 1.2
3	nd	120.1 ± 14.9 *	6.3 ± 0.8 *
5	147.7± 9.8 *	nd	59.1 ± 9.9
10	9.7 ± 0.2 *	154.9 ± 14.7 *	19.9 ± 2.8 *
11	19.4 ± 3.1 *	81.9 ± 12.3 *	28.6 ± 3.8 *
12	14.7 ± 0.6 *	98.4 ± 7.0 *	32.0 ± 1.4 *
16	16.5 ± 2.8 *	43.4 ± 4.4 *	32.2 ± 4.8
17	11.7 ± 0.3	nd	nd
18	nd	107.3 ± 8.7 *	28.3 ± 4.3 *
22	nd	17.7 ± 3.5 *	81.4 ± 4.2 *
23	nd	88.3 ± 9.7 *	54.7 ± 8.3
24	48.3 ± 5.8 *	38.6 ± 1.4 *	79.4 ± 14.9 *
25	nd	nd	111.8 ± 7.3 *
26	nd	nd	104.7 ± 8.5 *
27	7.0 ± 0.2 *	nd	18.6 ± 3.7 *
Trolox	8.7 ± 1.1 *	293.5 ± 19.3	113.1 ± 4.6 *

#: nd = not determined due to <80% inhibition at 100 μg/mL.; *: Significantly different from that of 1 (p < 0.05).

The olefinic bridge, which provided conjugation (and thus electron delocalization) between the two pan class="Chemical">aromatic rings, was also required for DPPH radical scavenging ability, as demonstrated from the marked decrease in activity of 18. However, when evaluated against the superoxide anion, 18 displayed higher activity than 1. This enhanced activity was most likely due to the electron-withdrawing effect of the C=O of the dihydropyrone ring which helped stabilize the negatively-charged stilbene radical formed from 18 after interaction with the superoxide anion.

Introducing an electron-donating group such as OH to the pan class="Chemical">aromatic rings could restore the lost DPPH scavenging activity caused by phenolic esterification/etherification. This was inferred by comparing the activity of the following pairs of structures: 7 (no activity) vs. 17, and 20 (no activity) vs. 27. However, these sets of compounds did not give similar results in the superoxide assay.

Placing an electron-withdrawing substituent, such as Cl, CHO and pan class="Chemical">COOH, onto the aromatic ring of 1 yielded compounds 12, 16, 23 and 24 which showed weaker activity against the DPPH radical, but enhanced activity against the superoxide anion. The improved activity was likely attributable to the electron-withdrawing nature of these groups that helped to distribute the negative charge of the radicals generated from the reactions of these stilbenoids with the superoxide anion.

2.2.2. DNA Protective Property

Riboflavin (pan class="Chemical">RF), when exposed to light, generates several kinds of free radicals, including triplet (3RF•), neutral oxidized (RF(−H)•) and cation (RF•+) riboflavin radical. The (3RF•) radical then transfers energy to oxygen to form reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as singlet oxygen (1O2) and superoxide (O2•−) radicals [23,24]. These free radicals, with their high energy, can each damage DNA by attacking the purine base guanine to form 8-hydroxyguanine and 2,6-diamino-4-hydroxy-5-formamidopyrimidine [23,25,26,27]. Any compound that can efficiently protect DNA from the damage induced by photosensitized riboflavin must be capable of scavenging or neutralizing these free radicals. In this study, compounds were first evaluated at 100 μg/mL, and those with >80% inhibition were further analyzed for their IC50 values (Table 1).

Compound 1 showed higher DNA protective activity than pan class="Chemical">Trolox, despite its inferior activity in the DPPH assay (Table 1). Total O-alkylation or O-acylation of 1 destroyed the activity, as observed in the lost or diminished activity for 4, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 17, 19 and 20. The lost activity of 20 could be rescued by placing an OH substituent on ring B (27), an outcome similar to the case of the DPPH radical. The partially O-alkylated products of 1, including 3, 10, and 11 showed enhanced DNA protective activity, but the tri-O-isopropylated product 6 displayed markedly reduced activity.

Compound 18 did not lose the DNA protective activity despite the removal of the C=C bond. With the aid of the C=O of the dihydro-α-pyrone ring, this compound showed even higher activity than 1. The placement of the electron-dopan class="Gene">nating group OH on ring A of 20 could restore the lost activity, giving 27, which is a better DNA protectant than 1. The introduction of an electron-withdrawing substituent to the aromatic rings of 1 gave unclear results. Placing Cl on ring B (i.e., compound 12) slightly increased the activity, but introducing COOH onto ring A reduced the activity (compound 24).

2.2.3. α-Glucosidase Inhibitory Activity

Almost all of the stilbenoids 2−27 preppan class="Chemical">ared from oxyresveratrol exhibited reduced or lost inhibitory activity against α-glucosidase (the positive control acarbose: IC50 745.9 ± 88.4 μM). The only exception was 6, which showed activity (IC50 19.6 ± 3.6 μM) comparable to that of 1 (IC50 19.5 ± 1.7 μM). In a previous study, 1 has been suggested to be a promising structure for anti-diabetic drug development [7]. However, the compound, after oral absorption, was found to undergo extensive hepatic metabolism and rapid urinary elimination, resulting in a short half-life time (~0.96 h) [21]. Compound 6, with three isopropoxy groups, is predicted to have much slower metabolism and may be considered as a better candidate for the preclinical and clinical studies for anti-DM drugs.

2.2.4. Neuraminidase Inhibitory Activity

In this study, oxyresveratol and all of its derivatives 2–27 exhibited no activity against the enzyme pan class="Gene">neuraminidase (positive control oseltamivir, IC50 0.5 nM), although 1 has been earlier described as having modest activity [19]. It should be mentioned that resveratrol, a closely related stilbene, and several of its synthetic and semisynthetic analogs have been recently reported to possess significant inhibitory activity against influenza neuraminidase [28].

2.2.5. Antiherpetic Activity

Compounds 1–27 were first evaluated for anti-HSV-1 activity at 100 μg/mL. Those that showed >50% inhibition at this concentpan class="Species">ration were further studied to determine their IC50 values (Table 2).

Table 2

Anti-herpetic activity of 1 and derivatives.

Compounds	IC50 (µM)
1	147.1 ± 16.8
2	40.2 ± 6.8 *
3	32.8 ± 5.9 *
6	107.0 ± 9.8 *
10	182.3 ± 28.9
14	130.3 ± 14.9
15	123.5 ± 19.3
18	289.3 ± 40.8 *
21	188.3 ± 25.1
22	207.4 ± 16.9 *
23	344.7 ± 32.5 *
26	226.8 ± 35.7 *
ACV	1.6 ± 0.0 *

* Significantly different from that of 1 (p < 0.05).

Three analogs, including compounds 2, 3, and 6, showed IC50 values significantly lower than that of 1. pan class="Chemical">Stilbenes 2 and 3 (di- and tri-O-methylated products of 1) displayed 3- to 4-fold higher antiherpetic activity than the parent compound. Recently, compelling evidence has suggested that HSV-1 infection of neuronal and glial cells plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and the use of antiviral drugs in the treatment of AD has been proposed [13]. As mentioned earlier, 1, despite its moderate anti-herpetic activity in vitro, exhibited potent activity in vivo in mice cutaneously infected with HSV-1 [12].However, due to its poor BBB permeability [22], oxyresveratrol (1) seems to have limited clinical application. In this regard, stilbenes 2 and 3, with their higher lipophilicity, may be better candidates for further investigation on HSV infection of the CNS, as well as neurodegenerative diseases such as AD or PD.

2.2.6. Cytotoxicity against Cancer Cells

All compounds (1–27) were initially evaluated at 50 μg/mL, and those demonstrating >50% inhibition were subjected to IC50 determipan class="Gene">nation (Table 3).

Table 3

Cytotoxicity against cancer cells of 1 and some derivatives.

Compounds	IC50 (μM)
	T47-D	HeLa	A549	H69AR
1	152.7 ± 4.5	126.2 ± 0.3	159.8 ± 0.0	nd #
2	114.2 ± 2.0 *	28.4 ± 7.0 *	117.0 ± 11.1 *	180.7 ± 3.4
3	87.1 ± 9.5 *	13.1 ± 2.1 *	52.4 ± 0.9 *	36.7 ± 3.3
4	nd	12.1 ± 1.5 *	nd	26.8 ± 7.6
5	117.4 ± 11.9 *	11.0 ± 2.7 *	55.5 ± 3.5 *	39.2 ± 6.5
6	37.7 ± 12.9 *	25.7 ± 2.1 *	28.8 ± 5.1 *	54.5 ±3.0
8	103.0 ± 4.3 *	nd	nd	nd
10	88.6 ± 2.9 *	100.9 ± 4.7 *	137.7 ± 8.4 *	nd
12	156.6 ± 6.0	33.4 ± 2.9 *	120.7 ± 2.9 *	111.2 ± 3.1
13	nd	18.7 ± 4.2 *	nd	65.7 ± 3.2
14	nd	69.1 ± 3.3 *	nd	nd
15	101.4 ± 9.1 *	83.2 ± 9.1 *	nd	nd
16	99.3 ± 3.1 *	74.4 ± 4.8 *	138.0 ± 3.1 *	nd
20	81.3 ± 0.6 *	5.7 ± 0.6 *	51.7 ± 1.7 *	38.0 ± 2.2
21	54.5 ± 2.0 *	18.9 ± 0.7 *	71.3 ± 3.2 *	nd
23	82.9 ± 2.2 *	77.9 ± 2.1 *	143.2 ± 3.3 *	nd
25	44.7 ± 2.6 *	22.4 ± 0.4 *	75.1 ± 0.7 *	111.0 ± 2.3
27	83.2 ± 10.6 *	79.8 ± 4.7 *	104.4 ± 5.3 *	nd
Doxorubicin	0.5 ± 0.00 *	0.7 ± 0.2 *	0.4 ± 0.1 *	21.7 ± 0.9

#: nd = not determined due to <50 % inhibition at 50 μg/mL.; *: Significantly different from that of 1 (p < 0.05). Cell lines: T47D = human hormone-dependent breast cancer, HeLa = human cervical adenocarcinoma, A549 = human non-small-cell lung carcinoma, H69AR = human multidrug-resistant small-cell lung carcinoma.

Seventeen derivatives demonstrated higher pan class="Disease">cytotoxicity than the parent compound 1, which was virtually non-cytotoxic against all cancer cell lines. The partially (di- or tri-) O-alkylated products (2, 3, 5 and 6) showed increased cytotoxicity against all types of cancer cells. The fully O-methylated product 4 showed enhanced selective cytotoxicity against HeLa and H69AR cells, but no activity against T47-D and A549 cells. Interestingly, the IC50 value of 4 against the multidrug-resistant small lung cancer cells (H69AR) was in the same range as that of doxorubicin (p > 0.05). The fully O-isopropylated products, including 7, 9, 17, and 19, did not show cytotoxicity in the assays, probably a result of their poor aqueous solubility. With regard to the esterified analogs, the fully O-acetylated compound 8 showed slightly improved activity selectively against T47-D cells, but less activity against HeLa and A549 cells when compared with 1. Compound 20, a di-O-isopropylated-di-O-acetylated product of 1, showed better cytotoxicity than 1 in all cancer cell lines, with selective potency against HeLa cells.

Different impacts on the cytotoxicity were observed when an electron-withdrawing substituent was attached to the aromatic rings of 1. Chlorination of 1 at C-2′ gave 12, a product with increased cytotoxicity against almost all cancer cell lines, except T47D cells. Similar cytotoxicity profiles were observed for compounds 16 and 23, the 5- and the 2′-formylated analogs, both of which displayed increased activity against T47-D, HeLa and A549, but no activity against H69AR cells. Further structural modification of 23 by converting the CHO into a COOH group (compound 24) destroyed the cytotoxicity in all cancer cell lines. When 7, the fully O-isopropylated analog, was formylated or carboxylated at C-2′, partial restoration of cytotoxicity was observed (compounds 14 and 15). For 20, placing a CHO group at C-5 gave a product 21 with mixed results since the cytotoxicity against TD47-D cells was enhanced, but the activity against HeLa A549 and H69AR cells was weakened (p < 0.05). Transforming the CHO at this position of 21 into a COOH group abolished the activity (compound 22). An electron-donating group such as hydroxy group, when added to the aromatic rings, could not induce cytotoxicity, as reflected from the non-cytotoxicity of both 7 and 17, but instead seemed to weaken the cytotoxicity, as evident when comparing the strong activity of 20 with that of 27 which showed less cytotoxicity in HeLa and A549 cancer cells (p < 0.05).

3. Materials and Methods

3.1. General Information

All chemical reagents were purchased from commercial suppliers. Melting points (uncorrected) were determined on a Fisher-Johns hot stage melting point apparatus. IR spectra were pepan class="Chemical">rformed using Universal Attenuated Total Reflectance (UATR) on a 2000 FT-IR system (Perkin Elmer, Boston, MA, USA) or an A-30 spectrophotometer (Jasco, Easton, MD, USA). High resolution mass spectra were taken on a MicroTOF instrument (Bruker, Billerica, MA, USA) using atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) or electrospray ionization (ESI) in positive or negative mode. 1H- and 13C-NMR were recorded on an Avance III 300 MHz spectrometer or 400 MHz spectrometer (Bruker, Billerica, MA, USA). All chemical shift values were reported as δ (ppm) and coupling constant values J were measured in Hz. Oxyresveratrol (1) was isolated and purified from the heartwood of Artocarpus lacucha Buch.-Ham. (A. lakoocha Roxb.) as previously described [11,29,30].

3.2. Synthesis

3.2.1. Preparation of Compounds 2–4

K2CO3 (680 mg, 4.92 mmol) and pan class="Chemical">MeI (0.11 mL, 1.8 mmol) were added to the solution of 1 (200 mg, 0.82 mmol) in acetone (4 mL) at room temperature. The reaction mixture was stirred overnight. Then, the reaction mixture was diluted with water (5 mL) and extracted with EtOAc (3 × 5 mL). The EtOAc layer was washed with brine, dried over anhydrous Na2SO4, filtered and concentrated under reduced pressure to give a crude product which, after purification by preparative TLC (50% EtOAc/hexanes), furnished 2 (19 mg, 9%), 3 (60 mg, 25%) and 4 (112 mg, 45%).

3′,5′-Dihydroxy-2,4-dimethoxystilbene (2): viscous brown oil; IR (UATR, cm−1): 3374, 2931, 1601; pan class="Chemical">1H-NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3), δ (ppm): 7.43 (d, J = 8.4 Hz, 1H), 7.30 (d, J = 16.5 Hz, 1H), 6.82 (d, J = 16.2 Hz, 1H), 6.55 (d, J = 2.1 Hz, 2H), 6.48 (dd, J = 8.7, 2.1 Hz, 1H), 6.44 (d, J = 2.1 Hz, 1H), 6.24 (t, J = 2.1 Hz, 1H), 3.82 (s, 3H), 3.80 (s, 3H); 13C-NMR (75 MHz, CDCl3), δ (ppm): 160.6, 158.1, 156.9, 141.0, 127.3, 126.2, 124.1, 119.2, 105.9, 105.1, 101.7, 98.5, 55.5, 55.4; TOF-HRMS m/z [M + H]+, calcd for C16H17O4: 273.1121; found: 273.1118.

5′-Hydroxy-2,3′,4-trimethoxystilbene (3): viscous brown oil; IR (UATR, cm−1): 3408, 2938, 1590; pan class="Chemical">1H-NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3), δ (ppm): 7.46 (d, J = 8.4 Hz, 1H), 7.33 (d, J = 16.5 Hz, 1H), 6.88 (d, J = 16.5 Hz, 1H), 6.62 (d, J = 1.8 Hz, 1H), 6.60 (d, J = 1.8 Hz, 1H), 6.49 (dd, J = 8.4, 2.4 Hz, 1H), 6.45 (d, J = 2.4 Hz, 1H), 6.30 (t, J = 2.1 Hz, 1H), 3.83 (s, 3H), 3.81 (s, 3H), 3.78 (s, 3H); 13C-NMR (75 MHz, CDCl3), δ (ppm): 160.9, 160.5, 158.0, 156.9, 140.6, 127.3, 126.6, 123.9, 119.3, 105.8, 105.0, 104.6, 100.4, 98.5, 55.5, 55.4, 55.3; TOF-HRMS m/z [M + H]+, calcd for C17H19O4: 287.1278; found: 287.1285.

2,3′,4,5′-Tetramethoxypan class="Chemical">stilbene (4): white solid, mp 65–68 °C; 1H-NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3), δ (ppm): 7.46 (d, J = 8.4 Hz, 1H), 7.36 (d, J = 16.2 Hz, 1H), 6.92 (d, J = 16.5 Hz, 1H), 6.66 (d, J = 2.4 Hz, 2H), 6.47 (dd, J = 8.4, 2.4 Hz, 1H), 6.42 (d, J = 2.4 Hz, 1H), 6.34 (t, J = 2.1 Hz, 1H), 3.81 (s, 3H), 3.79 (s, 6H), 3.77 (s, 3H); 13C-NMR (75 MHz, CDCl3), δ (ppm): 160.8, 160.5, 158.0, 140.3, 127.2, 126.8, 123.7, 119.1, 104.9, 104.2, 99.2, 98.3, 55.3, 55.2, 55.1; TOF-HRMS m/z [M + H]+, calcd for C18H21O4: 301.1434; found: 301.1440. The spectroscopic data were in agreement with previously reported values [9].

3.2.2. Preparation of Compounds 5–7

To a solution of 1 (100 mg, 0.41 mmol) in DMF (2 mL), pan class="Chemical">K2CO3 (283 mg, 2.05 mmol) and 2-bromopropane (2.30 mL, 24.6 mmol) were added. Then 2-bromopropane (1.15 mL, 12.3 mmol) was added every 24 h. The reaction mixture was stirred at 55 °C for 3 days and monitored by TLC. After completion, water (5 mL) was added, and the reaction was extracted with EtOAc (3 × 5 mL). The organic phase was washed with water (7 × 5 mL) and brine, dried over Na2SO4, filtered and concentrated. Column chromatographic purification with gradient EtOAc/hexanes (10% EtOAc/hexanes → 80% EtOAc/hexanes) gave 5 (32 mg, 24%), 6 (46 mg, 30%) and 7 (47 mg, 28%).

3′,5′-Dihydroxy-2,4-diisopropoxystilbene (5): brown oil; IR (UATR, cm−1): 3379, 2976, 1598; pan class="Chemical">1H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3), δ (ppm): 7.43 (d, J = 8.4 Hz, 1H), 7.31 (d, J = 16.4 Hz, 1H), 6.84 (d, J = 16.4 Hz, 1H), 6.56 (d, J = 2.1 Hz, 2H), 6.48 (dd, J = 8.5, 2.3 Hz, 1H), 6.45 (d, J = 2.2 Hz, 1H), 6.25 (br s, 1H), 4.52 (m, 2H), 1.35 (d, J = 6 Hz, 6H), 1.33 (d, J = 6 Hz, 6H); 13C-NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3), δ (ppm): 158.6, 157.0, 156.5, 141.0, 127.4, 126.1, 124.3, 120.3, 107.5, 105.8, 103.2, 101.7, 71.2, 70.1, 22.1, 22.0; TOF-HRMS m/z [M − H]−, calcd for C20H23O4: 327.1602; found: 327.1594.

5′-Hydroxy-2,3′,4,-triisopropoxystilbene (6): brown oil; IR (UATR, cm−1): 3393, 2976, 1588; pan class="Chemical">1H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3), δ (ppm): 7.45 (d, J = 8.5 Hz, 1H), 7.32 (d, J = 16.4 Hz, 1H), 6.88 (d, J = 16.4 Hz, 1H), 6.61 (t, J = 1.5 Hz, 1H), 6.56 (t, J = 1.6 Hz, 1H), 6.49 (dd, J = 8.5, 2.3 Hz, 1H), 6.46 (d, J = 2.3 Hz, 1H), 6.28 (t, J = 2.1 Hz, 1H), 4.534 (m, 2H), 4.527 (m, 1H), 1.37 (d, J = 6 Hz, 6H), 1.343 (d, J = 6 Hz, 6H), 1.336 (d, J = 6 Hz, 6H); 13C-NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3), δ (ppm): 159.2, 158.6, 156.7, 156.5, 140.8, 127.4, 126.2, 124.4, 120.2, 107.4, 107.0, 105.4, 103.0, 101.8, 71.0, 70.0, 69.9, 22.2, 22.0; TOF-HRMS m/z [M − H]−, calcd for C23H29O4: 369.2071; found: 369.2066.

2,3′,4,5′-Tetraisopropoxypan class="Chemical">stilbene (7): white solid, mp 58–60 °C; IR (UATR, cm−1): 2976, 1585; 1H-NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3), δ (ppm): 7.46 (d, J = 8.4 Hz, 1H), 7.33 (d, J = 16.4 Hz, 1H), 6.91 (d, J = 16.4 Hz, 1H), 6.62 (d, J = 2.2 Hz, 2H), 6.49 (dd, J = 8.5, 2.3 Hz, 1H), 6.45 (d, J = 3.9 Hz, 1H), 6.34 (t, J = 2.1 Hz, 1H), 4.55 (m, 4H), 1.37 (d, J = 6 Hz, 6H), 1.35 (d, J = 6 Hz, 12H), 1.34 (d, J = 6 Hz, 6H); 13C-NMR (75 MHz, CDCl3), δ (ppm): 159.1, 158.6, 156.6, 140.5, 127.4, 126.7, 124.2, 120.4, 107.3, 106.4, 103.0, 102.5, 71.0, 69.9, 69.8, 22.2, 22.1; TOF-HRMS m/z [M + H]+, calcd for C26H37O4: 413.2686; found: 413.2679.

3.2.3. Preparation of 2,3′,4,5′-Tetraacetoxystilbene (8)

Compound 8 was prepared as previously described [31]. To a well-stirred solution of 1 (50 mg, 0.21 mmol) in pan class="Chemical">CH2Cl2 (2 mL), Et3N (0.17 mL, 1.23 mmol), DMAP (63 mg, 0.51 mmol) and acetyl chloride (0.04 mL, 0.61 mmol) were added at room temperature, and the reaction mixture was stirred for 3 h. After completion of the reaction, it was extracted with EtOAc (3 × 5 mL). The EtOAc layer was washed with brine, dried over Na2SO4, filtered and concentrated under reduced pressure to give a crude product. Purification with column chromatography eluting with 40% EtOAc/hexanes gave 8 (60 mg, 70%). White solid, mp 129–131 °C; IR (UATR, cm−1): 1762, 1605; 1H-NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3), δ (ppm): 7.61 (d, J = 8.7 Hz, 1H), 7.08 (d, J = 2.1 Hz, 2H), 7.05 (d, J = 15.9 Hz, 1H), 7.03 (dd, J = 8.4, 2.4 Hz, 1H), 6.97 (d, J = 15.9 Hz, 1H), 6.95 (d, J = 2.1 Hz, 1H), 6.85 (t, J = 2.1 Hz, 1H), 2.36 (s, 3H), 2.31 (s, 6H), 2.29 (s, 3H); 13C-NMR (75 MHz, CDCl3), δ (ppm): 168.93, 168.89, 168.8, 151.3, 150.5, 148.5, 139.4, 129.5, 127.2, 127.1, 123.5, 119.5, 117.0, 116.4, 114.8, 21.10, 21.09, 20.99; TOF-HRMS m/z [M + Na]+, calcd for C22H20NaO8: 435.1056; found: 435.1050. The spectroscopic data were in agreement with earlier reported values [32].

3.2.4. Preparation of 3′-O-Carbethoxymethyl-2,4,5′-triisopropoxystilbene (9)

To a solution of 6 (100 mg, 0.27 mmol) in DMF (4 mL), pan class="Chemical">K2CO3 (56 mg, 0.40 mmol) and ethyl bromoacetate (0.04 mL, 0.4 mmol) were added at room temperature, and the reaction mixture was stirred overnight. After completion of the reaction, water (5 mL) was added and the mixture was extracted with EtOAc (3 × 5 mL). The organic layer was washed with water (7 × 5 mL) and brine, dried over Na2SO4, filtered and concentrated under reduced pressure to give a crude product, which was purified by column chromatography on silica (15% EtOAc/hexanes) to furnish 9 (103 mg, 84%). Light brown oil; IR (UATR, cm−1): 2977, 1760, 1588; 1H-NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3), δ (ppm): 7.45 (d, J = 8.4 Hz, 1H), 7.33 (d, J = 16.5 Hz, 1H), 6.90 (d, J = 16.5 Hz, 1H), 6.68 (d, J = 1.5 Hz, 1H), 6.62 (d, J = 1.8 Hz, 1H), 6.48 (dd, J = 8.7, 2.4 Hz, 1H), 6.45 (d, J = 2.1 Hz, 1H), 6.36 (t, J = 2.2 Hz, 1H), 4.62 (s, 2H), 4.54 (m, 3H), 4.26 (q, J = 7.1 Hz, 2H), 1.38 (d, J = 6 Hz, 6H), 1.344 (d, J = 6 Hz, 6H), 1.339 (d, J = 6 Hz, 6H), 1.30 (t, J = 6.8 Hz, 3H); 13C-NMR (75 MHz, CDCl3), δ (ppm): 168.9, 159.0, 158.7, 156.6, 140.7, 127.4, 126.3, 124.6, 120.1, 107.6, 107.3, 104.7, 102.9, 101.4, 70.9, 69.9, 65.5, 61.8, 61.3, 22.1, 22.0, 14.1; TOF-HRMS m/z [M + Na]+, calcd for C27H36NaO6: 479.2404; found: 479.2388.

3.2.5. Preparation of 3′-O-Carbethoxymethyl-2,4,5′-trihydroxystilbene (10)

A solution of BCl3 (3.07 mL, 3. 07 mmol) was pan class="Disease">added to a solution of 9 (233 mg, 0.51 mmol) in CH2Cl2 (8 mL) at −78 °C under argon. Then it was allowed to warm to room temperature and stirred overnight. The reaction mixture was quenched with water (10 mL) and then extracted with EtOAc (3 × 10 mL). The organic phase was washed with brine, dried over Na2SO4, filtered and concentrated under reduced pressure to give a crude product which was purified by preparative TLC (50% EtOAc/hexanes) to give 10 (102 mg, 61%). Pale yellow solid, mp 198–200 °C; IR (UATR, cm−1): 3369, 1731, 1591; 1H-NMR (300 MHz, acetone-d6), δ (ppm): 7.43 (d, J = 8.4 Hz, 1H), 7.36 (d, J = 16.5 Hz, 1H), 6.97 (d, J = 16.5 Hz, 1H), 6.70 (br s,1H), 6.63 (br s,1H), 6.49 (d, J = 2.1 Hz, 1H), 6.49 (br s, 1H), 6.43 (dd, J = 8.4, 2.1 Hz, 1H), 6.34 (t, J = 2.1 Hz, 1H), 4.70 (s, 2H), 4.21 (q, J = 6.9 Hz, 2H), 1.25 (t, J = 6.9 Hz, 3H); 13C-NMR (75 MHz, acetone-d6), δ (ppm): 169.4, 160.4, 159.4, 159.1, 156.9, 141.7, 128.4, 126.0, 124.9, 117.1, 108.4, 107.1, 104.4, 103.5, 101.6, 65.8, 61.3, 14.4; TOF-HRMS m/z [M + Na]+, calcd for C18H18NaO6: 353.0996; found: 353.0989.

3.2.6. Preparation of 3′-O-Carboxymethyl-2,4,5′-trihydroxystilbene (11)

To 10 (13 mg, 0.03 mmol), KOH (5% in pan class="Chemical">EtOH, 1 mL) was added at room temperature, and the reaction mixture was stirred for 10 min. The reaction was acidified with 2 N HCl to pH 5. The material was extracted with EtOAc (3 × 5 mL), and the combined organic layers were dried over Na2SO4, filtered, and concentrated under reduced pressure to provide 11 (3 mg, 40%). Brown solid; IR (UATR, cm−1): 3322, 2921, 2851, 1713; 1H-NMR (300 MHz, methanol-d4), δ (ppm): 7.33 (d, J = 8.9 Hz, 1H), 7.30 (d, J = 16.4 Hz, 1H), 6.86 (d, J = 16.4 Hz, 1H), 6.58 (d, J = 1.6 Hz, 1H), 6.56 (d, J = 1.8 Hz, 1H), 6.31 (dd, J = 5.9, 2.3 Hz, 1H), 6.30 (s, 1H), 6.25 (t, J = 2.1 Hz, 1H), 4.63(s, 2H); 13C-NMR (75 MHz, methanol-d4), δ (ppm):172.9, 160.8, 159.7, 159.4, 157.4, 142.4, 128.5, 126.2, 125.4, 117.7, 108.4, 107.3, 104.8, 103.6, 101.7, 65.9; TOF-HRMS m/z [M − H]−, calcd for C16H13O6: 301.0718; found: 301.0708.

3.2.7. Preparation of 2′-Chloro-2,3′,4,5′-tetrahydroxystilbene (12)

A mixture of 1 (100 mg, 0.41 mmol) and N-chlorosuccinimide (54.8 mg, 0.41 mmol) in glacial pan class="Chemical">acetic acid (4 mL) was stirred at room temperature under argon for 3 h. After completion, solvent was removed under reduced pressure. Purification by column chromatography (10% MeOH/CH2Cl2) gave of 12 (42 mg, 36% yield). Light brown solid, mp 185–187 °C; IR (UATR, cm−1): 3196, 1599; 1H-NMR (300 MHz, acetone-d6), δ (ppm): 7.44 (d, J = 8.4 Hz, 1H), 7.38 (d, J = 16.4 Hz, 1H), 7.32 (d, J = 16.4 Hz, 1H), 6.78 (d, J = 2.7 Hz, 1H), 6.45 (d, J = 2.4 Hz, 1H), 6.43 (d, J = 2.7 Hz, 1H), 6.41 (dd, J = 8.4, 2.4 Hz, 1H); 13C-NMR (75 MHz, acetone-d6), δ (ppm): 158.6, 156.5, 156.3, 153.9, 137.9, 127.9, 126.3, 121.3, 116.2, 110.4, 107.6, 103.8, 102.7, 102.3; TOF-HRMS m/z [M + H]+, calcd for C14H12ClO4: 279.0419; found: 279.0408.

3.2.8. Preparation of 2′-Chloro-2,3′,4,5′-tetramethoxystilbene (13)

To a well-stirred solution of 12 (88 mg, 0.3 mmol) in acetone (15 mL), pan class="Chemical">K2CO3 (265 mg, 1.92 mmol) and MeI (0.11 mL, 1.8 mmol) were added. The reaction mixture was stirred at 55 °C overnight and monitored by TLC. After completion of the reaction, the mixture was diluted with water (10 mL), and extracted with EtOAc (3 × 10 mL). The organic phase was washed with brine. The organic extract was dried over Na2SO4, filtered and evaporated in vacuo. The residue obtained was purified over silica gel using 20% EtOAc/hexanes to furnish 13 (40 mg, 36%). White solid; 1H-NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3), δ (ppm): 7.56 (d, J = 8.4 Hz, 1H), 7.44 (d, J = 16.5 Hz, 1H), 7.33 (d, J = 16.5 Hz, 1H), 6.83 (d, J = 2.7 Hz, 1H), 6.52 (dd, J = 8.7, 2.1 Hz, 1H), 6.46 (d, J = 2.1 Hz, 1H), 6.42 (t, J = 2.7 Hz, 1H), 3.87 (s, 3H), 3.86 (s, 3H), 3.85 (s, 3H), 3.83 (s, 3H); 13C-NMR (75 MHz, CDCl3), δ (ppm): 160.9, 158.6, 158.2, 155.9, 137.7, 127.7, 126.0, 123.2, 119.2, 113.8, 105.0, 101.9, 98.6, 98.4, 56.2, 55.6, 55.5, 55.4; TOF-HRMS m/z [M]+, calcd for C18H20ClO4: 335.1045; found: 335.1035.

3.2.9. Preparation of 2′-Formyl-2,3′,4,5′-tetraisopropoxystilbene (14)

POCl3 (0.16 mL, 1.69 mmol) was stirred with dry pan class="Chemical">DMF (4 mL) at room temperature for 2 h under argon. A solution of 7 (200 mg, 0.48 mmol) in dry DMF (4 mL) was added at 0 °C and the reaction mixture was further stirred overnight. After completion of the reaction, cool water (10 mL) was added, and the mixture was extracted with EtOAc (3 × 10 mL). The organic layer was washed with water (7 × 10 mL) and brine, dried over Na2SO4, filtered and concentrated under reduced pressure to give a crude product, which was purified by column chromatography on silica (15% EtOAc/hexanes) to furnish 14 (171 mg, 80%). Viscous yellow oil; IR (UATR, cm−1): 2976, 1671, 1586; 1H-NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3), δ (ppm): 10.53 (s, 1H), 8.08 (d, J = 16.4 Hz, 1H), 7.60 (d, J = 8.6 Hz, 1H), 7.30 (d, J = 16.4 Hz, 1H), 6.75 (d, J = 2.1 Hz, 1H), 6.50 (dd, J = 8.6, 2.3 Hz, 1H), 6.44 (d, J = 2.4 Hz, 1H), 6.35 (d, J = 2.1 Hz, 1H), 4.69 (sept, J = 6 Hz, 1H), 4.48–4.63 (m, 3H), 1.33–1.41 (m, 24H); 13C-NMR (75 MHz, CDCl3), δ (ppm): 191.1, 163.6, 162.7, 158.9, 156.7, 143.9, 128.1, 127.3, 125.4, 120.4, 116.8, 107.4, 105.0, 102.9, 100.1, 71.4, 70.9, 70.1, 69.9, 22.2, 22.04, 21.98; TOF-HRMS m/z [M + H]+, calcd for C27H37O5: 441.2635; found: 441.2639.

3.2.10. Preparation of 2′-Carboxy-2,3′,4,5′-tetraisopropoxystilbene (15)

A solution of NaClO2 (260 mg, 2.88 mmol) and pan class="Gene">NaH2PO4·2H2O (447 mg, 2.86 mmol) in water (1.5 mL) was added to the solution of 14 (157 mg, 0.36 mmol) and 2-methyl-2-butene (0.13 mL, 1.5 mmol) in acetone (1.5 mL) at room temperature. The reaction mixture was stirred for 1 h. After completion, water (5 mL) was added, and the reaction mixture was extracted with EtOAc (3 × 5 mL). The EtOAc phase was washed with brine, dried over Na2SO4, filtered and concentrated under reduced pressure to give crude product, which was purified by column chromatography on silica (40% EtOAc/hexanes) to furnish 15 (129 mg, 79%). Pale yellow solid, mp 154–156 °C; IR (UATR, cm−1): 2976, 1730, 1697, 1592; 1H-NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3), δ (ppm): 7.85 (d, J = 16.2 Hz, 1H), 7.56 (d, J = 8.4 Hz, 1H), 7.19 (d, J = 16.2 Hz, 1H), 6.85 (d, J = 2.1 Hz, 1H), 6.49 (dd, J = 8.4, 2.1 Hz, 1H), 6.44 (d, J = 2.1 Hz, 1H), 6.42 (d, J = 2.1 Hz, 1H), 4.68 (m, 2H), 4.54 (m, 2H), 1.44 (d, J = 6.3 Hz, 6H), 1.40 (d, J = 6.3 Hz, 6H), 1.37 (d, J = 6.3 Hz, 6H), 1.34 (d, J = 6 Hz, 6H); 13C-NMR (75 MHz, CDCl3), δ (ppm): 166.0, 160.9, 158.8, 158.0, 156.6, 145.6, 128.1, 126.6, 126.5, 120.4, 107.4, 103.0, 101.5, 74.1, 71.0, 70.2, 70.0, 22.2, 22.1, 22.0, 21.9; TOF-HRMS m/z [M + H]+, calcd for C27H37O6: 457.2585; found: 457.2587.

3.2.11. Preparation of 2′-Formyl-2,3′,4,5′-tetrahydroxystilbene (16)

A solution of BCl3 (2.17 mL, 2.17 mmol) was pan class="Disease">added to a solution of 14 (119 mg, 0.27 mmol) in CH2Cl2 (4 mL) at −78 °C under argon. The reaction was allowed to warm up to room temperature and stirred overnight. Then, water (5 mL) was added, and the reaction was extracted with EtOAc (3 × 5 mL). The EtOAc layer was washed with brine, dried over Na2SO4, filtered and concentrated under reduced pressure to give a crude product which was purified by using preparative TLC (40% EtOAc/hexanes) to give 16 (35 mg, 48%). Yellow solid, decomposed >218 °C; IR (UATR, cm−1): 3337, 1602; 1H-NMR (300 MHz, methanol-d4), δ (ppm): 10.17 (s, 1H), 7.55 (d, J = 15.9 Hz, 1H), 7.38 (d, J = 9 Hz, 1H), 7.23 (d, J = 15.9 Hz, 1H), 6.56 (d, J = 2 Hz, 1H), 6.33 (dd, J = 8.6, 2.3 Hz, 1H), 6.32 (br s, 1H), 6.14 (d, J = 2 Hz, 1H); 13C-NMR (75 MHz, methanol-d4), δ (ppm): 194.3, 167.3, 167.2, 160.1, 158.0, 148.0, 131.8, 129.6, 120.4, 117.2, 112.8, 108.5, 107.4, 103.6, 102.0; TOF-HRMS m/z [M − H]−, calcd for C15H11O5: 271.0612; found: 271.0607.

3.2.12. Preparation of 2′-Hydroxy-2,3′,4,5′-tetraisopropoxystilbene (17)

Compound 14 (121 mg, 0.27 mmol) and p-TsOH·pan class="Chemical">H2O (15 mg, 0.09 mmol) were dissolved in methanol (1 mL). Then 30% hydrogen peroxide (0.07 mL, 0.54 mmol) was added at 0 °C, and the reaction was then warmed to room temperature and stirred for 1 h. Half-saturated sodium sulfite solution (1 mL) was added, and the mixture was extracted with CH2Cl2 (3 × 5 mL). The organic phase was washed with brine, dried over Na2SO4, filtered and concentrated under reduced pressure to give a crude product. Purification with preparative TLC (10% EtOAc/hexanes) gave 17 (78 mg, 66%). Pale yellow solid; IR (UATR, cm−1): 3536, 2975, 1600; 1H-NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3), δ (ppm): 7.53 (d, J = 8.4 Hz, 1H), 7.38 (d, J = 16.8 Hz, 1H), 7.32 (d, J = 16.5 Hz, 1H), 6.74 (d, J = 2.7 Hz, 1H), 6.48 (dd, J = 10.8, 2.4 Hz, 1H), 6.46 (br s, 1H), 6.40 (d, J = 2.4 Hz, 1H), 4.49 (m, 4H), 1.31–1.40 (m, 24H); 13C-NMR (75 MHz, CDCl3), δ (ppm): 158.4, 156.5, 150.7, 145.0, 138.8, 127.4, 124.6, 124.1, 121.1, 120.8, 107.5, 104.9, 103.3, 102.6, 71.8, 71.1, 71.0, 69.9, 22.2, 22.14, 22.13, 22.10; TOF-HRMS m/z [M + H]+, calcd for C26H37O5: 429.2635; found: 429.2643.

3.2.13. Preparation of 3-(2,4-Dihydroxyphenyl)-6,8-dihydroxyisochroman-1-one (18)

To a solution of 15 (104 mg, 0.23 mmol) in dry CH2Cl2 (2 mL), a solution of pan class="Chemical">BBr3 (0.96 mL, 0.96 mmol) in CH2Cl2 was added under argon at −78 °C, and the mixture was stirred for 20 min. After completion of the reaction, water (5 mL) was added, and the mixture was extracted with EtOAc (3 × 5 mL). The organic phase was washed with brine, dried over Na2SO4, filtered and concentrated under reduced pressure to give a crude product. Purification with column chromatography eluting with 5% MeOH/CH2Cl2 gave 18 (13 mg, 20%). Light brown solid, mp 210–212 °C; IR (UATR, cm−1): 3340, 3190, 1611; 1H-NMR (300 MHz, acetone-d6), δ (ppm): 7.28 (d, J = 8.4 Hz, 1H), 6.48 (d, J = 2.1 Hz, 1H), 6.43 (dd, J = 8.4, 2.4 Hz, 1H), 6.35 (br s, 1H), 6.30 (d, J = 2.1 Hz, 1H), 5.83 (dd, J = 12, 3 Hz, 1H), 3.29 (dd, J = 16.5, 12.3 Hz, 1H), 3.04 (dd, J = 16.5, 3.3 Hz, 1H); 13C-NMR (75 MHz, acetone-d6), δ (ppm): 171.1, 165.13, 165.07, 159.5, 156.3, 143.8, 128.9, 117.2, 107.9, 107.3, 103.4, 101.95, 101.88, 76.5, 34.4; TOF-HRMS m/z [M + Na]+, calcd for C15H12NaO6: 311.0526; found: 311.0529.

3.2.14. Preparation of 2′-(E)-Carbethoxyethenyl-2,3′,4,5′-tetraisopropoxystilbene (19)

A solution of 14 in dry CH2Cl2 (4 mL) was pan class="Disease">added to EtO2CCH=PPh3 (176 mg, 0.51mmol) at 0 °C under argon. Then the reaction mixture was allowed to warm to room temperature and stirred overnight. After completion of the reaction, water (5 mL) was added, and the mixture was extracted with EtOAc (3 × 5 mL). The organic layer was washed with brine, dried over Na2SO4, filtered and concentrated under reduced pressure to give a crude product. Purification with column chromatography eluting with 50% CH2Cl2/hexanes gave 19 (134 mg, 68%). Pale yellow oil; IR (UATR, cm−1): 2977, 2932, 1706, 1589; 1H-NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3), δ (ppm): 8.03 (d, J = 16.2 Hz, 1H), 7.45 (d, J = 8.4 Hz, 1H), 7.37 (d, J = 16.2 Hz, 1H), 7.15 (d, J = 16.2 Hz, 1H), 6.70 (d, J = 2.1 Hz, 1H), 6.50 (d, J = 16.2 Hz, 1H), 6.49 (dd, J = 8.4, 2.4 Hz, 1H), 6.48 (br s, 1H), 6.39 (d, J = 2.1 Hz, 1H), 4.58 (m, 4H), 4.24 (q, J = 7.1 Hz, 2H), 1.28–1.40 (m, 27H); 13C-NMR (75 MHz, CDCl3), δ (ppm): 168.2, 159.4, 158.7, 156.7, 142.3, 139.0, 128.4, 127.4, 125.6, 120.3, 120.1, 115.8, 107.2, 105.6, 102.8, 100.8, 71.0, 70.7, 69.9, 69.8, 59.9, 22.09, 22.04, 22.00, 14.3; TOF-HRMS m/z [M + H]+, calcd for C31H43O6: 511.3054; found: 511.3077.

3.2.15. Preparation of 3′,5′-Diacetoxy-2,4-diisopropoxystilbene (20)

Et3N (0.05 mL, 0.33 mmol) and pan class="Chemical">acetic anhydride (0.03 mL, 0.33 mmol) were added to a solution of 5 (50 mg, 0.15 mmol) in CH2Cl2 (2 mL) at room temperature. The reaction mixture was stirred for 2 h. Water (5 mL) was added, and the reaction mixture was extracted with EtOAc (3 × 5 mL). The organic phase was washed with brine, dried over Na2SO4, filtered and concentrated under reduced pressure to give a crude product. Purification with column chromatography eluting with 20% EtOAc/hexanes gave 20 (46 mg, 74%). White solid, mp 65–67 °C; IR (UATR, cm−1): 2978, 1768, 1599; 1H-NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3), δ (ppm): 7.41 (d, J = 8.4 Hz, 1H), 7.34 (d, J = 16.5 Hz, 1H), 7.08 (d, J = 2.1 Hz, 2H), 6.94 (d, J = 16.2 Hz, 1H), 6.78 (t, J = 2.1 Hz, 1H), 6.46 (dd, J = 8.1, 2.4 Hz, 1H), 6.45 (br s, 1H), 4.51 (m, 2H), 2.25 (s, 6H), 1.36 (d, J = 6 Hz, 6H), 1.31 (d, J = 6 Hz, 6H); 13C-NMR (75 MHz, CDCl3), δ (ppm): 168.7, 158.8, 156.6, 151.0, 140.7, 127.6, 125.8, 124.6, 119.4, 116.3, 113.3, 106.9, 102.5, 70.6, 69.7, 21.9, 21.8, 20.8; TOF-HRMS m/z [M + Na]+, calcd for C24H28NaO6: 435.1778; found: 435.1796.

3.2.16. Preparation of 3′,5′-Diacetoxy-5-formyl-2,4-diisopropoxystilbene (21)

POCl3 (0.16 mL, 1.77 mmol) was stirred with dry pan class="Chemical">DMF (1 mL) at room temperature for 2 h under argon. The solution of 20 (73 mg, 0.18 mmol) in dry DMF (1 mL) was added at 0 °C. Then the reaction mixture was allowed to warm to room temperature and stirred overnight. After completion of the reaction, cool water (5 mL) was added, and the reaction mixture was extracted with EtOAc (3 × 5 mL). The organic layer was washed with water (7 × 5 mL) and brine, dried over Na2SO4, filtered and concentrated under reduced pressure to give a crude product, which was purified by preparative TLC (20% EtOAc/hexanes) to furnish 21 (46 mg, 60%). Viscous yellow oil; IR (UATR, cm−1): 2979, 1768, 1671, 1593; 1H-NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3), δ (ppm): 10.32 (s, 1H), 8.03 (s, 1H), 7.27 (d, J = 16.5 Hz, 1H), 7.08 (d, J = 1.8 Hz, 2H), 7.03 (d, J = 16.5 Hz, 1H), 6.81 (t, J = 2.1 Hz, 1H), 6.44 (s, 1H), 4.66 (m, 2H), 2.29 (s, 6H), 1.43 (d, J = 6 Hz, 6H), 1.40 (d, J = 6 Hz, 6H); 13C-NMR (75 MHz, CDCl3), δ (ppm): 188.1, 168.7, 161.8, 161.4, 151.0, 140.1, 126.6, 126.3, 124.2, 119.6, 118.8, 116.4, 113.8, 98.1, 71.2, 70.9, 21.67, 21.66, 20.8; TOF-HRMS m/z [M + Na]+, calcd for C25H28NaO7: 463.1727; found: 463.1743.

3.2.17. Preparation of 3′,5′-Diacetoxy-5-carboxy-2,4-diisopropoxystilbene (22)

A solution of NaClO2 (85 mg, 0.93 mmol) and pan class="Gene">NaH2PO4·2H2O (145 mg, 0.93 mmol) in water (0.5 mL) was added to a solution of 21 (51 mg, 0.12 mmol) and 2-methyl-2-butene (0.04 mL, 0.49 mmol) in acetone (0.5 mL) at room temperature. The reaction mixture was stirred for 1 h. After completion, water (5 mL) was added, and the reaction mixture was extracted with EtOAc (3 × 5 mL). The organic layer was washed with brine, dried over Na2SO4, filtered and concentrated under reduced pressure to give a crude product, which was purified by column chromatography on silica (40% EtOAc/hexanes) to furnish 22 (39 mg, 73%). White solid, mp 106–108 °C; IR (UATR, cm−1): 3267, 2980, 1769, 1732, 1601; 1H-NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3), δ (ppm): 8.35 (s, 1H), 7.26 (d, J = 16.5 Hz, 1H), 7.09 (d, J = 2.1 Hz, 2H), 7.08 (d, J = 16.5 Hz, 1H), 6.82 (t, J = 2.1 Hz, 1H), 6.50 (s, 1H), 4.83 (sept, J = 6 Hz, 1H), 4.65 (sept, J = 6 Hz, 1H), 2.31 (s, 6H), 1.51 (d, J = 6 Hz, 6H), 1.45 (d, J = 6 Hz, 6H); 13C-NMR (75 MHz, CDCl3), δ (ppm): 168.9, 165.3, 160.2, 157.2, 151.2, 140.1, 132.1, 127.5, 123.9, 121.4, 116.8, 114.2, 110.9, 99.0, 74.2, 71.4, 21.92, 21.88, 21.0; TOF-HRMS m/z [M + Na]+, calcd for C25H28NaO8: 479.1676; found: 479.1695.

3.2.18. Preparation of 5-Formyl-2,3′,4,5′-tetrahydroxystilbene (23)

A solution of BCl3 (0.42 mL, 0.42 mmol) was pan class="Disease">added to a solution of 21 (30 mg, 0.07 mmol) in CH2Cl2 (2 mL) at −78 °C under argon. Then it was allowed to warm to room temperature and stirred overnight. Water (5 mL) was then added, and the reaction mixture was extracted with EtOAc (3 × 5 mL). The EtOAc was washed with brine, dried over Na2SO4, filtered and concentrated under reduced pressure to give a crude product which was purified by preparative TLC (40% EtOAc/hexanes) to give 23 (15 mg, 78%). Yellow solid, decomposed >205 °C; IR (UATR, cm−1): 3208, 1626; 1H-NMR (300 MHz, methanol-d4), δ (ppm): 9.69 (s, 1H), 7.76 (s, 1H), 7.27 (d, J = 16.5 Hz, 1H), 6.95 (d, J = 16.5 Hz, 1H), 6.47 (d, J = 2.4 Hz, 2H), 6.25 (s, 1H), 6.16 (t, J = 2.1 Hz, 1H); 13C-NMR (75 MHz, methanol-d4), δ (ppm): 194.9, 167.8, 164.8, 159.6, 141.6, 133.2, 128.4, 123.8, 121.0, 115.5, 105.9, 103.7, 102.7; TOF-HRMS m/z [M − H]−, calcd for C15H11O5: 271.0612; found: 271.0603.

3.2.19. Preparation of 5-Carboxy-2,3′,4,5′-tetrahydroxystilbene (24)

A solution of BCl3 (0.88 mL, 0.88 mmol) was pan class="Disease">added to a solution of 22 (68 mg, 0.15 mmol) in CH2Cl2 (2 mL) at −78 °C under argon. Then the reaction was allowed to warm to room temperature and stirred overnight. Water (5 mL) was added, and the mixture was extracted with EtOAc (3 × 5 mL). The organic layer was washed with brine, dried over Na2SO4, filtered and concentrated under reduced pressure to give a crude product which was purified by Sephadex LH20 (methanol) to give 24 (27 mg, 63%). Yellow solid, decomposed >230 °C; IR (UATR, cm−1): 3337, 1616; 1H-NMR (300 MHz, methanol-d4), δ (ppm): 8.01 (s, 1H), 7.24 (d, J = 16.5 Hz, 1H), 6.92 (d, J = 16.5 Hz, 1H), 6.49 (d, J = 2.1 Hz, 2H), 6.36 (s, 1H), 6.19 (t, J = 2.1 Hz, 1H); 13C-NMR (75 MHz, methanol-d4), δ (ppm): 173.5, 164.2, 162.8, 159.6, 141.6, 130.0, 128.5, 123.8, 118.9, 106.3, 105.8, 103.3, 102.7; TOF-HRMS m/z [M − H]−, calcd for C15H11O6: 287.0561; found: 287.0549.

3.2.20. Preparation of 5-Formyl-3′,5′-dihydroxy-2,4-diisopropoxystilbene (25)

To 21 (59 mg, 0.12 mmol), KOH (5% in pan class="Chemical">EtOH, 1 mL) was added at room temperature, and the reaction mixture was stirred for 10 min. After completion of the reaction, the reaction was extracted with EtOAc (3 × 5 mL). The EtOAc phase was washed with brine, dried over Na2SO4, filtered and concentrated under reduced pressure to give a crude product. Purification with column chromatography eluting with 50% EtOAc in hexanes gave 25 (41 mg, 93%). Yellow solid, mp 186–188 °C; IR (UATR, cm−1): 3355, 2979, 1588; 1H-NMR (300 MHz, acetone-d6), δ (ppm): 10.32 (s, 1H), 7.99 (s, 1H), 7.30 (d, J = 16.5 Hz, 1H), 7.05 (d, J = 16.5 Hz, 1H), 6.80 (s, 1H), 6.59 (d, J = 2 Hz, 2H), 6.29 (t, J = 2 Hz, 1H), 4.91 (m, 2H), 1.43 (d, J = 6.3 Hz, 6H), 1.41 (d, J = 6.4 Hz, 6H); 13C-NMR (75 MHz, acetone-d6), δ (ppm): 188.0, 162.7, 162.3, 159.6, 140.9, 129.2, 126.6, 122.9, 121.1, 120.1, 105.8, 102.9, 100.0, 72.1, 71.8, 22.2, 22.1; TOF-HRMS m/z [M + H]+, calcd for C21H25O5: 357.1696; found: 357.1712.

3.2.21. Preparation of 5-Carboxy-3′,5′-dihydroxy-2,4-diisopropoxystilbene (26)

To 22 (30 mg, 0.07 mmol), KOH (5% in pan class="Chemical">EtOH, 1 mL) was added at room temperature, and the reaction mixture was stirred for 10 min. The reaction was acidified with 2 N HCl to pH 5. The material was extracted with EtOAc (3 × 5 mL), and the combined organic layers were dried over Na2SO4, filtered, and concentrated under reduced pressure to provide 26 (10 mg, 40%). Light brown solid, mp 112–114 °C; 1H-NMR (300 MHz, acetone-d6), δ (ppm): 8.23 (s, 1H), 7.31 (d, J = 16 Hz, 1H), 7.07 (d, J = 16 Hz, 1H), 6.88 (s, 1H), 6.59 (d, J = 2 Hz, 2H), 6.30 (t, J = 2 Hz, 1H), 5.04 (sept, J = 6 Hz, 1H), 4.89 (sept, J = 6 Hz, 1H), 1.46 (d, J = 6.3 Hz, 6H), 1.43 (d, J = 6 Hz, 6H); 13C-NMR (75 MHz, acetone-d6), δ (ppm): 165.7, 160.8, 159.6, 158.5, 140.8, 131.5, 129.6, 122.9, 122.0, 112.7, 108.0, 103.0, 101.1, 74.4, 71.9, 22.2, 22.1; TOF-HRMS m/z [M − H]−, calcd for C21H23O6: 357.1500; found: 371.1502.

3.2.22. Preparation of 3′,5′-Diacetoxy-5-hydroxy-2,4-diisopropoxystilbene (27)

A solution of 30% hydrogen peroxide (0.03 mL, 0.192 mmol) was pan class="Disease">added to a methanolic mixture of 21 (44 mg, 0.10 mmol) and p-TsOH·H2O (5 mg, 0.03 mmol) at 0 °C. The reaction mixture was allowed to warm to room temperature and stirred for 1 h. Half-saturated sodium sulfite solution (1 mL) was added, and the mixture was extracted with CH2Cl2 (3 × 5 mL). The CH2Cl2 layer was washed with brine, dried over Na2SO4, filtered and concentrated under reduced pressure to give a crude product. Purification with preparative TLC (30% EtOAc/hexanes) gave 27 (19 mg, 47%). Pale yellow solid, mp 138–140 °C; IR (UATR, cm−1): 3525, 2977, 1767; 1H-NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3), δ (ppm): 7.34 (d, J = 16.2 Hz, 1H), 7.13 (s, 1H), 7.07 (d, J = 2.1 Hz, 2H), 6.87 (d, J = 16.2 Hz, 1H), 6.79 (t, J = 1.8 Hz, 1H), 6.50 (s, 1H), 4.54 (sept, J = 6 Hz, 1H), 4.33 (sept, J = 6 Hz, 1H), 2.30 (s, 6H), 1.36 (d, J = 6.3 Hz, 6H), 1.34 (d, J = 6.3 Hz, 6H); 13C-NMR (75 MHz, CDCl3), δ (ppm): 169.0, 151.1, 149.4, 145.0, 141.4, 140.6, 125.3, 125.2, 120.9, 116.5, 113.7, 111.3, 103.7, 73.3, 71.8, 22.2, 22.0, 21.0; TOF-HRMS m/z [M + Na]+, calcd for C24H28NaO7: 451.1727; found: 451.1723.

3.3. Biological Activities

In this study, statistical analysis of the biological data was pepan class="Chemical">rformed using the Student's t-test. All results were expressed as arithmetic mean ± standard deviation (SD).

3.3.1. DPPH Radical Assay

The experiment was performed according to an established method [33]. The experiment was pepan class="Chemical">rformed in a 96-well plate. The reduction of the DPPH was measured by reading the absorbance at 510 nm with a Perkin Elmer Victor3 multilabel counter. Oxyresveratrol and Trolox were used as positive controls.

3.3.2. Superoxide Radical Assay

The assay was based on the capacity of the sample to inhibit the reduction of nitroblue tetrazolium (pan class="Chemical">NBT) in the riboflavin-light-NBT system [18,34]. Oxyresveratrol and Trolox were used as positive controls.

3.3.3. Inhibitory Effect on Supercoiled DNA Breakage

The assay was performed as previously described [18]. This assay measured the ability of the test sample to protect Dpan class="Gene">NA against damage induced by the photochemical reaction of riboflavin, with oxyresveratrol and Trolox used as positive controls.

3.3.4. Determination of Anti-Herpes Simplex Virus Activity

Anti-HSV activities of the compounds were determined using a modified plaque reduction assay, with acyclovir as a positive control [35].

3.3.5. Neuraminidase (NA) Inhibition Assay

This assay was performed using the method previously described by pan class="Chemical">Potier and co-workers [36]. The fluorescence was measured using SpectraMax M5 multi-detection microplate reader (Molecular Devices, Sunnyvale, CA, USA) with excitation and emission wave lengths of 365 and 450 nm, respectively. Oseltamivir was used as a positive control.

3.3.6. Determination of α-Glucosidase Inhibitory Activity

The assay was performed in a 96-well plate and based on the capacity of the sample to inhibit the hydrolysis of p-nitrophenyl-α-d-glucoside (pan class="Chemical">PNPG) by α-glucosidase to release p-nitrophenol (PNP), a yellow color agent that can be monitored at 405 nm [20]. Acarbose was used as a positive control.

3.3.7. Determination of Cytotoxic Activity

The assays for cytotoxicity were cpan class="Chemical">arried out according to a previous report [37]. Cell viability was determined using MTT assay. Doxorubicin was used as the positive control.

4. Conclusions

A total of 26 derivatives were prepared from pan class="Chemical">oxyresveratrol (1) through several types of reactions. Selective di-O-alkylation is possible because the two hydroxy groups at C-2 and C-4 of ring A of 1 are obviously more reactive than those on ring B. Electrophilic substitution on the B ring is more facile than on the A ring. However, the relative reactivity can be reversed by manipulating the type and the number of protecting groups. Through this strategy, electrophilic substitution reactions can be selectively directed to ring A or B. This finding has provided a new and useful approach for the future chemical modification of similarly oxygenated aromatic structures.

Compound 1 and analogs 2–27 were evaluated for a number of biological activities, including pan class="Chemical">free radical scavenging activity, DNA protective properties, antiherpetic activity, inhibition of α-glucosidase and neuraminidase, and cytotoxicity against some cancer cell lines. Some of the derivatives were equally active or more potent than the parent compound. It is interesting to note that the partially etherified products 3′,5′-dihydroxy-2,4-dimethoxystilbene (2) and 5′-hydroxy-2,3′,4-trimethoxystilbene (3) demonstrated encouraging antiherpetic and DNA protective activities. Compared with the parent compound, 2 and 3 should have higher lipophilicity, and thus should have greater potential as preventive agents for neurodegenerative diseases. 5′-Hydroxy-2,3′,4,-triisopropoxystilbene (6), an etherified analog with retained anti-α-glucosidase activity but with a potentially slower rate of metabolism than that of 1, should be a better lead for oral anti-diabetic drug development. In addition, the mixed esterified/etherified derivative 3′,5′-diacetoxy-2,4-diisopropoxystilbene (20) displayed pronounced in vitro cytotoxicity against HeLa cells, and warrants further investigation in animals.