Cyclooxygenase inhibitory properties of nor-neolignans from Styrax pohlii

Chemical investigation of the n-hexane and EtOAc fractions of the ethanolic extract from Styrax pohlii (Styracaceae) aerial parts resulted in the isolation of the benzofuran nor-neolignan derivatives egonol (1), homoegonol (2), homoegonol gentiobioside (3), homoegonol glucoside (4) and egonol gentiobioside (5). This is the first report of compounds 1-5 in S. pohlii. Compounds 1-5, the acetyl derivatives 1 a and 2 a, the ethanolic extract (EE), the n-hexane fraction (HF) and EtOAc fraction (EF) were tested for their inhibitory activities against COX-1 and COX-2. The results showed that EE, HF, EF and compounds 1-5 and 1 a-2 a shown weak to moderate inhibition of COX-1 and COX-2. Among the assayed nor-neolignans, 4 gave a COX-1 inhibition of 35.7% at 30 µM. Compound 5 displayed a COX-2 inhibition of 19.7% at 30 µM.