Three new lignanamides from the root of Lycium chinense with anti-inflammatory activity.

Three new lignanamides, that is, a new lignanamide (1), and a pair of enantiomers (2a and 2b) were isolated from the EtOAc-soluble fraction of an EtOH extract of the root of Lycium chinense. The structures of these new compounds, including their absolute configuration, were established on the basis of HR-ESI-MS, NMR spectroscopic data and quantum chemical ECD calculations. Compound 2a showed significant anti-inflammatory activity in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 macrophages with the IC50 value of 10.77 ± 2.14 μM, comparing to that of positive control quercetin (17.21 ± 0.50 μM).