C-26 and C-30 apocarotenoids from seeds of Ditaxis heterantha with antioxidant activity and protection against DNA oxidative damage

The hexane extracts of seeds of Ditaxis heterantha afforded two new apocarotenoids whose structures corresponded to methyl 3-oxo-12'-apo-epsilon-caroten-12'-oate (1) (heteranthin) and methyl 3 beta,6 beta-epoxy-5 beta-hydroxy-4,5 beta-dihydro-8 beta-apo-epsilon-caroten- 8'-oate (2) (ditaxin). Both compounds were evaluated for antioxidant activity and protection against DNA oxidative damage by using DPPH. free radical scavenging and Comet assays, respectively.