A new neolignan and lignans from the stems of Lindera obtusiloba Blume and their anti-allergic inflammatory effects.

A new neolignan, linderin A ( 1), together with six known lignans, (+)-xanthoxyol ( 2), pluviatilol ( 3), actiforin ( 4), (+)-syringaresinol ( 5), (+)-(7 S,8 R,8′ R)-acuminatolide ( 6), and (+)-9′- O-trans-feruloyl-5,5′-dimethoxylariciresinol ( 7) were isolated from the stems of Lindera obtusiloba Blume (Lauraceae). Their chemical structures were elucidated by a combination of spectroscopic analysis and chemical reaction, and the absolute configuration of 1 was determined by Mosher's esterification. The effect of compounds 1- 7 on tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin(IL)-6, and their inhibitory activity of histamine release were examined using human mast cells. Among the lignans tested, compounds 1, 3, 4, 6, and 7 inhibited release of histamine from mast cells. Especially, compounds 1 and 4 suppressed the gene expressions of pro-inflammatory cytokines, TNF-α, and IL-6 in human mast cells. Our findings suggest that the lignan constituents in L. obtusiloba may contribute to its anti-allergic inflammatory effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]