Four new phenanthrenoid dimers from Juncus effusus L. with cytotoxic and anti-inflammatory activities

Four new phenanthrenoid dimers, effususins A–D (1–4), were isolated from an ethanolic extract of the medullae of Juncus effuses (Juncaceae). Their structures were elucidated by 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic analysis and mass spectrometry. Compounds 1–4 was in vitro evaluated for their cytotoxic activities by CCK-8 assay against five human cancer cell lines (SHSY-5Y, SMMC-7721, HepG2, Hela, and MCF-7) and their inhibitory effects on NO production in lipopolysaccharide-activated murine macrophage RAW264.7 cells. Effususin B exhibited moderate to strong cytotoxic activities against the tested cancer cell lines and moderate anti-inflammatory activity.

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