Eight new 2-(2-phenylethyl)chromone derivatives from agarwood of Aquilaria sinensis with anti-inflammatory activity

Eight previously unknown 2-(2-phenylethyl)chromone derivatives, called aquichromones A − E (1–3, 5 and 6) and 8-epi-aquichromone C (4), including two pairs of enantiomers [(±)-1 and (±)-2] were isolated from the agarwood of Aquilaria sinensis. The structures and absolute stereochemistry of these natural products were elucidated by using spectroscopic and computational methods. The result of biological assay showed that two members of this group, 4 and 5, have significant dose-dependent anti-inflammatory activity.