Four new bi-phenylethylchromones from artificial agarwood

Abstract Four new bi-phenylethylchromones ( 1 – 4 ) were isolated from the EtOAc extract of artificial agarwood induced by holing method originating from Aquilaria sinensis (Lour.) Gilg. The structures of new compounds were unambiguously elucidated by one- and two-dimensional NMR and HRESIMS measurements, and the absolute configuration was determined by analysis of circular dichroism (CD) spectra. All compounds were tested for acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activity using modified Ellman's colorimetric method and α -glucosidase inhibitory activity using PNPG method. Compounds 2 – 4 exhibited different levels of inhibitory activity against AChE with the inhibition ratios in the range of 10–45%. However, none of the compounds was active against the α -glucosidase.