Isolation and characterization of aromatase inhibitors from Brassaiopsis glomerulata (Araliaceae)

The leaves of Brassaiopsis glomerulata (Araliaceae), collected in Indonesia, were found to inhibit aromatase, the rate-limiting enzyme in the production of estrogens from androgens, in both enzyme- and cell-based aromatase inhibition assays. Bioassay-guided fractionation led to the isolation of 13 compounds, including the new natural product, N-benzoyl-l-phenylalanine methyl ester.