Prenylflavonol, acylated flavonol glycosides and related compounds from Epimedium sagittatum

Chemical examination of the n-BuOH extract from the aerial parts of Epimedium sagittatum led to isolation of three prenylated flavonol glycosides sagittasine A-C, two acylated flavonol glycosides kaempferol-3-O-(2''-E-p-coumaroyl,4''-Z-p-coumaroyl)-alpha-l-rhamnopyranoside and kaempferol-3-O-(3''-Z-p-coumaroyl,4''-E-p-coumaroyl)-alpha-l-rhamnopyranoside, together with known flavonoids, flavonolignans, 2-phenoxychromones, a lignan, and aromatic acid derivatives. Flavonolignans were identified for the first time in this plant. The vasorelaxing properties of the n-BuOH extract of E. sagittatum and 13 isolated compounds were tested using pre-contracted rat aorta rings in an organ bath apparatus. The results indicated that the n-BuOH extract of E. sagittatum produced a partial endothelial nitric oxide-dependent vasorelaxation, with EC(50) of 0.16+/-0.03 mg/ml. However, the 13 compounds tested, generated only a mild or moderate relaxation, and did not possess significant vasorelaxing effect individually.