In vitro cytotoxic activity-guided isolation studies on the underground parts of Valeriana speluncaria Boiss.

Two unreported neolignans, speluncarins A (1) and B (2) together with seven known compounds (3 – 8, 13) were isolated from the underground parts of Valeriana speluncaria Boiss through cytotoxic activity-guided fractionation method. The crude extract, subextracts, main fractions and isolates were evaluated for their in vitro cytotoxic activities against MCF-7 and U87 cancer cell lines as well as HUVEC cell line by MTS assay. Although the crude EtOH extract, CHCl 3 and EtOAc subextracts as well as some fractions exhibited remarkable cytotoxic effect against tested cancer cell lines, the purified compounds did not demonstrate promising activity in the tested concentrations. Besides these studies, five known lignan glucosides (8 – 12) were obtained from the inactive n -BuOH subextract. The structures of the isolates were elucidated by extensive 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy and HR-MS analysis. This is the first phytochemical and bioactivity study on V. speluncaria, an endemic species to Turkey. [Display omitted] • Two new neolignans were obtained from Valeriana speluncaria. • The extracts, subextracts, main fractions and isolates were tested against MCF-7 and U87 cell lines. • This is the first phytochemical and bioactivity study on V. speluncaria, an endemic species to Turkey. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]