Commiphorines A and B, unprecedented sesquiterpenoid dimers from Resina Commiphora with striking activities on anti-inflammation and lipogenesis inhibition

Abstract

Commiphorines A (1), an unprecedented sesquiterpenoid heterodimer featuring a 5/7(5)/4/10/5 ring system, and B (2), a dimeric sesquiterpenoid possessing an unusual 1,4-dioxin motif and a 6/6/5/6/6/6 polycyclic system, and two intermediates 3 and 4 were isolated from Resina Commiphora. A plausible biosynthetic route for 1 and 2 was proposed. Compound 2 could significantly suppress LPS-induced inflammation through NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways in mouse peritoneal macrophages. Compounds 1 and 2 could inhibit lipid synthesis in HepG2 cells.