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The pterocarpan fraction from aerial parts of Bituminaria bituminosa was investigated for both chemical characterization and biological evaluation. Chemical studies were in accordance with the literature data on Bituminaria genus resulting in the identification of typical 4,8-prenyl pterocarpans. Three new members, bituminarins A–C (1–3), were isolated along with main bitucarpin A (4), erybraedin C (5) and erybraedin D (6) already reported from this plant. Further, biological studies evidenced antiproliferative properties of the most abundant pterocarpans 4 and 5 on neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cell line, in agreement with previously described antiproliferative activity of these compounds against cancer cell lines other than neuroblastoma. The structure and the stereochemistry of the new molecules was determined by extensive spectroscopic analysis and chemical derivatization methods. The biological investigation was carried out by using an assay platform based on a live-cell imaging system revealing an apoptotic cell death induction.

The phytochemical study of ethyl acetate andn-butanol extracts ofPteranthus dichotomusForssk. led to the isolation and identification of 11 compounds, including three glycolipids1–3, one lignan4, three flavonoids5–7and four phytosterols8–11. Structures of the isolated compounds have been elucidated by analysis of 1D and 2D NMR data, and mass spectrometry EI-MS and ESI-MS and by comparison with literature data. Furthermore, the ethyl acetate andn-butanol extracts were examined for their antioxidant and antibacterial activities. The results showed that both extracts (PDAC andPDBU) had a moderate antioxidant activity (IC50 = 375.514 μg/mL and 691.333 μg/mL) respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]