Two pairs of new diastereoisomeric flavonolignans from the seeds of Hovenia acerba

Two pairs of new diastereomeric flavonolignans, hovenins A-D (1-4), were isolated from the seeds of Hovenia acerba. Their structures were established on the basis of spectroscopic methods and circular dichroism experiments. All compounds significantly inhibited NO and IL-6 generation in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophages (RAW264.7 cells) in a dose-dependent manner.

Highlights► Four flavonolignans from the seeds of Hovenia acerba have been isolated. ► They are two pairs of new diastereoisomers. ► The anti-inflammatory activity of the isolated compounds was studied. ► All compounds significantly inhibited NO and IL-6 production in a dose-dependent manner.