Anti-Neuroinflammatory Benzyl Benzoates from the Medicinal Plant Solidago decurrens

Objectives This study focused on the isolation, structural identification, and anti-neuroinflammatory effects of benzyl benzoates from the medicinal plant Solidago decurrens Lour. Methods A range of chromatographic techniques were employed to isolate compounds from the ethanol extract of S. decurrens . Their chemical structures were subsequently elucidated via comprehensive spectroscopic analyses, encompassing 1D/2D NMR and HR-ESI-MS data. The isolated compounds were then assessed for anti-neuroinflammatory potential, using lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated murine BV-2 microglial cell model. Results A benzyl benzoate, namely benzyl 2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzoate ( 1 ), was isolated as a naturally occurring compound for the first time from an EtOAc-soluble fraction of S. decurrens, together with seven known benzyl benzoate derivatives ( 2 - 8 ). A new product 3-deglucopyranosyloxy-3-hydroxyleiocarposide ( 9 ) was obtained by acid hydrolysis of the main component leiocarposide ( 8 ). Compounds 1 , 2 , 4 , 6 , 7 , and 9 (20 μM) significantly suppressed lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated nitric oxide (NO) production in BV-2 cells. Conclusions A benzyl benzoate was identified from S. decurrens as a natural product for the first time, and a new hydrolysate was prepared by acid hydrolysis of leiocarposide ( 8 ). Some of these benzyl benzoates showed promising anti-neuroinflammatory activities in vitro .