Isolation and characterization of phenolic compounds from Rhodiola imbricata, a Trans-Himalayan food crop having antioxidant and anticancer potential

Abstract The root of Rhodiola imbricata , a Trans Himalayan food crop is known for its antioxidant and adaptogenic properties. Four new compounds ( 7 , 11 , 12 and 15 ) together with known phenolic glycosides ( 10 , 13 – 14 , 16 – 19 ) and other phenolics ( 1 – 6 , 8 – 9 ) were isolated from the ethyl acetate extract of the roots of R. imbricata . The structures of isolated molecules were established by spectroscopic techniques (ESI-HRMS, 1D and 2D NMR) and chemical methods. The compounds were evaluated for their antioxidant (radical scavenging, MTT antioxidant, linoleic acid peroxidation and reducing power assay) and anticancer activities against A-549 and MCF-7 cancer cell lines.