Polycyclic Limonoids as Potential Nrf2 Inducers from Trichilia connaroides

Area of Science:

• Natural Product Chemistry
• Organic Chemistry
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Trichilia connaroides is a plant species known for its potential bioactive compounds.
• Limonoids are a class of terpenoids with diverse biological activities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To isolate and characterize novel limonoids from Trichilia connaroides.
• To investigate the biological activity of the isolated compounds.

Main Methods:

• Phytochemical investigation of Trichilia connaroides extracts.
• Structure elucidation using spectroscopic methods (NMR, MS) and X-ray crystallography.
• Assay of antioxidant and cytoprotective activities.

Main Results:

• Four new limonoids, connarolides A-D (1-4), were isolated.
• Compound 1 possesses a unique 5/8/6/6-fused ring system.
• Compound 2 exhibits a 5/8/6/5/6 scaffold with a triply fused furan ring.
• Compound 3 features a rare 6/3/6/6/6 ring system.
• Compound 4 displays antioxidant and cytoprotective activity through Nrf2 activation.

Conclusions:

• The study identified novel limonoids with complex polycyclic structures from Trichilia connaroides.
• Connarolide 4 shows potential therapeutic applications as an antioxidant and cytoprotective agent.
• The findings contribute to the understanding of limonoid diversity and their biological functions.