Anti-inflammatory activity of sulfate-containing phenolic compounds isolated from the leaves of Myrica rubra.

Abstract Three sulfated phenolic compounds, juglanin B (11 R )- O -sulfate ( 1 ), myricetin 3´- O -sulfate ( 2 ), and ampelopsin 3´- O -sulfate ( 3 ), were isolated from the leaves of Myrica rubra. Compound 1 was a new sulfated lignan, 2 was a new sulfated flavone, and 3 was a known sulfated flavone. The structures of the new compounds ( 1 and 2 ) were determined by acid hydrolysis and spectroscopic methods, including IR, FAB-MS, 1D and 2D NMR. The inhibitory activities of compounds 1 – 3 and their hydrolysates ( 1a – 3a ) against LPS-induced cytokine (TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6) production in macrophage RAW 264.7 cells were evaluated. The 2 new compounds ( 1 and 2 ) and their aglycones ( 1a and 2a ) significantly reduced LPS-induced expression of iNOS and COX-2 proteins.