Four new phenanthrenes from Monomeria barbata Lindl

Three biphenanthrene compounds (1–3) and a triphenanthrene compound (4), together with six known biphenanthrene compounds (5–10), were isolated from the tubers of Monomeria barbata Lindl. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis (1D-, 2D-NMR, and HR-ESI-MS). These four new compounds were tested in vitro for the cytotoxic activity against liver carcinoma (HepG-2), promyelocytic leukaemia (HL60), ovarian carcinoma (Skov-3) and epidermoid carcinoma (A431) cancer cell lines and the antioxidant activity in DPPH radical scavenging. Compounds 1–4 exhibited significant cytotoxic activity against HepG-2 and HL60 cell lines, and potent antioxidant activity in DPPH radical scavenging.

Graphical abstractFour new phenanthrene compounds (1–4) with cytotoxic activity and antioxidant activity were isolated from Monomeria barbata Lindl.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide