Structurally diverse biflavonoids from Dysosma versipellis and their bioactivity

Five pairs of new biflavonoid enantiomers, (±)-dysosmabiflavonoids A–E (1–5), two new biflavonoids, dysosmabiflavonoids F–G (6–7), and four biosynthetically related precursors (8–11) were isolated from the roots and rhizomes of Dysosma versipellis. Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analysis, including HR-ESI-MS and 2D NMR. Their absolute configurations were determined by comparison of the calculated and experimental ECD spectra. All isolated compounds were evaluated for AChE inhibitory activity. Compounds 6 and 7 exhibited more potent inhibitory activities with IC(50) values of 1.42 and 0.73 µM, respectively, than their biosynthetically related precursors kaempferol (8, 17.90 µM) and quercetin (9, 3.96 µM). The preliminary structure–activity relationship study indicated that the connection mode of biflavonoid subunits, oxidation degree of the C ring, and 3,4-dihydroxy group of the B ring were important structural factors for AChE inhibitory activity. Racemates 1–5 and their corresponding levorotatory and dextrorotatory enantiomers were tested for their potential to impede the generation of NO in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW264.7 cells, and their mushroom tyrosinase inhibitory effect. Racemate 1 displayed more potent mushroom tyrosinase inhibitory activity (IC(50), 28.27 µM) than the positive control kojic acid (IC(50), 32.59 µM). D. versipellis may have therapeutic potential for melanogenesis disorders and neurodegenerative diseases.