A new geranylbenzofuranone from Zanthoxylum armatum

Area of Science:

• Natural Product Chemistry
• Phytochemistry
• Organic Chemistry

Background:

• Zanthoxylum armatum is a plant species with a history of traditional medicinal use.
• The chemical constituents of Zanthoxylum species are of interest for their potential biological activities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To isolate and identify chemical compounds from the bark of Zanthoxylum armatum.
• To characterize novel and known compounds using advanced spectroscopic techniques.

Main Methods:

• Extraction of compounds from Zanthoxylum armatum bark.
• Structure elucidation using 1D and 2D Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy.
• High-Resolution Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry (HR-ESI-MS) for accurate mass determination.

Main Results:

• Isolation of a new geranylbenzofuranone, zantholide (1).
• Identification of eight known compounds: dodeca-2E,4E-dienoic acid isobutylamide (2), dodeca-2E,4E,8Z,11-tetraenoic acid isobutyl amide (3), zanthoxylin (4), sesamin (5), kobusin (6), asarinin (7), fargesin (8), and armatamide (9).
• First-time isolation of compounds 2 and 3 from the Rutaceae family and compound 4 from Z. armatum.

Conclusions:

• The chemical investigation of Zanthoxylum armatum bark yielded a diverse range of compounds, including a novel geranylbenzofuranone.
• The findings expand the known phytochemical profile of Z. armatum and the Rutaceae family.
• Further studies may explore the biological activities of the isolated compounds.