Diverse lignans with anti-inflammatory activity from Urceola rosea.

Seventeen structurally diverse lignans, comprising six new compounds, ecdysanols A (1), B (11), C - E (13-15), and F (17), were isolated from the caulis of Urceola rosea. The structures and absolute configurations of these new compounds were elucidated by means of extensive analysis of mass and NMR data, as well as chiroptical properties. A bioassay in vitro showed that all lignans possessed anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting the production of TNF-α, NO and/or IL-6 in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. Ecdysanol F (17) showed the most strongly effect against NO and IL-6 levels.