New phenylpropanoids isolated from Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn. and their anti-steatotic activity in vitro

Abstract

This study aimed at searching for natural biological secondary metabolites with diverse structures sourced from a traditional Chinese medicinal plant, Silybum marianum. A total of eighteen phenylpropanoids were isolated from the seeds of Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn. Of these, four compounds (1–4) were new, and three compounds (5–7) were the first to be isolated from the Asteraceae family. Their structures were determined through MS, 1D- and 2D-NMR spectroscopic data, and ECD calculation methods. Meanwhile, the anti-steatotic activity of all isolates was evaluated using an FFA (free fatty acid)-induced HepG2 cell model. The results indicated that compounds 1 and 15 exhibited stronger activity compared to the positive drug group.