Poligalen, a new coumarin from Polygala boliviensis, reduces the release of TNF and IL-6 independent of NF-kB downregulation.

An unusually substituted coumarin, named poligalen, was isolated from a chloroform extract of the aerial parts of Polygala boliviensis. This coumarin was identified by one- and two-dimensional NMR techniques, and the structure of the compound was confirmed by X-ray diffraction. Poligalen exhibits immunomodulatory effects, reducing the levels of IL-6 and TNF after LPS stimulation in peritoneal macrophages. However, poligalen potentiates NF-kB activation.