Abstract:

Chemical constituents from Curcuma xanthorrhiza Roxb. (Zingiberaceae) rhizome were isolated and purified by column chromatography (silica gel, RPsilica gel MPLC, HPLC) and their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectral analyses. Six compounds were identified by MS and NMR spectroscopy as zederone(Ⅰ), βsitosterol(Ⅱ), Guai-1(10),3,5,7(11),8-pentaen-2-on-11,8-olide(Ⅲ), Curcumadione(Ⅳ), Curcumenone (Ⅴ), Cuparenol (Ⅵ). Compound Ⅲ and Ⅵ were isolated for the first time from the plants of Zingiberaceae, and compound Ⅳand Ⅴ were isolated from Curcuma xanthorrhiza Roxb. for the first time. Meanwhile, the acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity of the isolated compounds was evaluated. Compounds Ⅳ and Ⅵ showed certain inhibitory activity, the minimum inhibitory quantity of Ⅳ on TLC bioautography test was 95μg.

Key words: Rhizoma Curcuma xanthorrhiza Roxb.; chemical constituent; acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity