Hypersine H, One Undescribed Xanthone from the Hypericum elodeoides Choisy with anti‐neuroinflammation activity

One undescribed xanthone, hypersine H(1), together with three known analogues, 3,7‐dihydroxy‐1‐methoxyxanthone (2), 1,7‐dihydroxy‐5,6‐dimethoxyxanthone (3), 1,5‐dihydroxy‐6,7‐dimethoxyxanthone (4), were isolated from the whole plant of Hypericum elodeoides Choisy. Their structures including absolute configurations were unambiguously elucidated by HR‐ESI‐MS, extensive NMR spectroscopy and quantum chemical calculation of ECD method. Moreover, the anti‐neuroinflammation activities of isolated compounds were evaluated. As a result, compounds 1‐2 decreased the production of nitric oxide(NO) in LPS‐stimulated mouse BV2 microglia. Further mechanism study indicated that 1 and 2 exerted anti‐neuroinflammation effects by suppressing the expression of pro‐inflammatory enzymes including inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase (COX)‐2. Above all, compounds 1‐2 showed promise as useful therapeutic agents in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases caused by neuroinflammation.