Bancoensone, a new antioxidant caffeoyl derivative from Cussonia bancoensis

A new caffeoyl derivative p-caffeoylphenol has been isolated from the n-butanol-soluble fraction of stem bark of Cussonia bancoensis (Araliaceae) together with the known liriodendrin. The structure elucidation of the new compound was carried out with the help of modern spectroscopic techniques (1H and 13C NMR, COSY 1H-1H, HMBC and HMQC) and mass spectrometry. This compound was further screened for its potential antioxidant properties by using three different assays: DPPH (1,1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) radical assay model, non-enzymatic superoxide anion generating system NADH/PMS (β-nicotineadeninenucleotide/phenazinemethosulphate) and towards inhibition of xanthine oxidase (XO) enzyme, and revealed potent antioxidant activities. Keywords : Cussonia bancoensis , Araliaceae, p-caffeoylphenol, antioxidant RESUME Un derive nouveau du groupement caffeoyl (p-caffeoylphenol) auquel nous avons attribue le nom trivial bancoensone a ete isole de l'extrait au n-butanol des ecorces du tronc de Cussonia bancoensis (Araliaceae) avec la liriodendrin. La structure de ce nouveau compose a ete elucidee a l'aide des techniques spectroscopiques modernes (RMN 1H et 13C, COSY 1H-1H, HMBC et HMQC) et la spectrometrie de masse. Ses proprietes anti-oxydantes ont ete evaluees par trois methodes differentes et les resultats obtenus indiquent que ce compose est un anti-oxydant potentiel. Ces resultats de bioassay couples a ceux precedemment obtenus d'autres composes de cette meme plante, en l'occurrence des saponines triterpeniques pourraient expliquer ses diverses utilisations en medecine traditionnelle. Mots cles : Cussonia bancoensis , Araliaceae, p-caffeoylphenol, anti-oxydant Cameroon Journal of Experimental Biology Vol. 1(1) 2005: 57-61