Structure-antioxidant and anti-tumor activity of Teucrium polium phytochemicals

•Teucrium polium phytochemicals were isolated and chemically characterized.•Sesquiterpene absolute stereochemistry was determined based on Mosher's reaction.•Biological activity was based on a cupric antioxidant (CUPRAC) assay.•A 60-cancer-cell-line panel was used for anti-tumor activity.

Chemical characterization as well as antioxidant and anti-tumor activity are reported for isolated metabolites from Teucrium polium L. (Lamiaceae). Structures were identified using standard MS and NMR spectroscopic methods. Sesquiterpene absolute stereochemistry was determined based on a modified Mosher's reaction. Biological activity was evaluated by a cupric reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC) assay and select compounds screened for anti-tumor activity. (1R,4S,10R) 10,11-dimethyl-dicyclohex-5(6)-en-1,4-diol-7-one and (R)-mandelonitrile-β-laminaribioside, together with ten previously reported compounds were identified. Antioxidant versus tumor-inhibition relationships was examined.

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