Conarubins A-D: Four Monoterpene-Chalcone Conjugates from Conamomum rubidum and Their Anti-inflammatory and Cytotoxic Activities

Four novel compounds, conarubins A-D (1-4), were isolated from the whole plants of Conamomum rubidum collected in Vietnam. Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analyses and by quantum chemical calculations of NMR and ECD. Compounds 1 and 2 were the first examples of monoterpene-monoterpene-chalcone conjugates in nature, whereas compound 4 was an unprecedented monoterpene-substituted chalcone containing a 3,4,5-trioxygenated cyclohexa-2,5-diene-1-one ring. The anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic activities of all isolates were investigated.

Automated summary

Four novel compounds were isolated from Conamomum rubidum, including the first examples of monoterpene-monoterpene-chalcone conjugates in nature and an unprecedented monoterpene-substituted chalcone. These compounds exhibited anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic activities.