Two new benzofuran derivatives with anti-inflammatory activity from Liriope spicata var. prolifera.

Abstract Two new benzofuran derivatives, 2-(4′-hydroxybenzyl)-5,6-methylenedioxy-benzofuran ( 1 ) and 2-(4′-hydroxybenzoyl)-5,6-methylenedioxy-benzofuran ( 2 ), along with 8 known compounds were isolated from 60% EtOH extract of the fibrous roots of Liriope spicata var. prolifera . Their structures were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis. In an in vitro bioactive assay, the two new benzofuran derivatives showed anti-inflammatory activity. Compounds 1 and 2 exhibited significant inhibitory activity against neutrophil respiratory burst stimulated by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) with IC 50 value of 4.15 ± 0.07 and 5.96 ± 0.37 μM, respectively.