New Inhibitors of ROS Generation and T-Cell Proliferation from Myrtus communis

Phytochemical investigation on Myrtus communis Linn. afforded myrtucommuacetalone (1) with an unprecedented carbon skeleton and a new phloroglucinol-type compound, myrtucommulone M (2), along with four known constituents 3-6. Their structures were established by extensive analyses of NMR and mass spectral data as well as by single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies. These constituents were evaluated for their ability to modulate the immune response, based on their effects on various components of immune system. Compounds 1 and 5 exhibited significant inhibitory effect against nitric oxide (NO center dot) production. Compound 1 also exhibited significant antiproliferative activity (IC50 < 0.5 mu g/mL) against T-cell proliferation. Myricetin (3) exerted a significant inhibition (IC50 = 1.6 mu g/mL) on zymosan-stimulated whole blood phagocytes ROS production. Compounds 1 and 3 were active against PMA-stimulated ROS generation.