Bioactive lignans from Zanthoxylum planispinum with cytotoxic potential

- Two unreported and six known compounds were isolated from the roots of Z. planispinum.
- Their structures were elucidated by extensive NMR and MS analysis.
- Compounds 1-4 are rare dilignans bearing an unusual α,β-unsaturated ketone motif.
- Cytotoxic activities of isolated compounds were evaluated on three human cancer cell lines.
- Compounds 1-4 and 6 showed potential anticancer activity.