Chemical constituents from lindera subumbelliflora

The genus Lindera consists of approximately 100 species, and is a member of the Litseeae tribe of the Lauraceae family. Many Lindera species have been used in traditional medicine for their healing and curing capabilities for several health-related implications, such as pain, cold, urinary tract disorders, rheumatoid arthritis, gastric ulcer, abdominal pain, and cholera [1]. The Lindera genus is widely distributed all over the world, particularly in the tropical, subtropical, and temperate regions of Asia and midwestern America [2]. This extensive geographical distribution allows Lindera species to produce diverse secondary metabolites with novel structures. Phytochemical investigations have shown that Lindera plants produce various constituents, including sesquiterpenoids, alkaloids, butanolides, lucidones, flavonoids, and phenylpropanoids. Studies have shown that Lindera genus plants possess anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antihypertensive, and analgesic properties [3]. Lindera subumbelliflora (Blume) Ng (syn. Litsea subumbelliflora (Blume) Ng) is a shrub or small tree up to 5 m tall. It is distributed in hill forests up to 900 m asl and found mainly in Malaysia [4]. The essential oil composition of L. subumbelliflora has already been reported by the authors of this article [5]. Searching the current literature, nothing was found concerning the phytochemical study of L. subumbelliflora growing in Malaysia. As part of our continuing search to explore natural compounds from Lindera species, we investigated the chemical constituents of the roots of L. subumbelliflora. Fractionation and purification of the extracts afforded eight compounds identified as 5,6-dehydrokawain (1), pinostrobin (2), β-sitosterol (3), pinocembrin (4), ferulic acid (5), quercetin (6), syringic acid (7), and 4-hydroxy-3-methoxyacetophenone (8). Their structures were established on the basis of spectroscopic analysis and chemical evidence. Plant Material. The roots of L. subumbelliflora was collected from Fraser Hill, Pahang, in January 2023, and identified by Shamsul Khamis from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM). The voucher specimen (SK156) was deposited at UKMB Herbarium, Faculty of Science and Technology, UKM. Extraction and Isolation. The dried roots of L. subumbelliflora (500 g) were ground into powder and extracted with n-hexane, ethyl acetate, and MeOH sequentially by cold extraction. The extract was concentrated using rotary evaporation to afford the crude extracts. The n-hexane extract (LSRH, 8.1 g) was fractionated by VLC and eluted with n-hexane–DCM–EtOAc to afford seven major fractions (LSRH A–G). Fraction LSRH-A was purified by CC and eluted with n-hexane–DCM to afford compounds 1 (7.2 g) and 2 (28.2 g). The combined fraction LSRH-E was purified followed by PTLC to afford compounds 3 (30.5 mg) and 4 (20.4 mg). Purification of the EtOAc extract (LSRE, 11.3 g) by CC eluted with n-hexane–EtOAc–MeOH afforded five fractions (LSRE A–E). Fractions LSRE-E and LSRE-B were purified by PTLC and successfully afforded compound 5 (15.5 mg) and compound 7 (9.5 mg) respectively.