LC-MS/MS-guided separation of guaiacolane-type sesquiterpenes with anti-inflammatory activities from Chrysanthemum indicum

Abstract

Four previously undescribed compounds, including three guaiacane-type sesquiterpenoids (1–3) and one oleanane-type triterpenoid (4), along with seven known sesquiterpenoids, were isolated from the aerial parts of Chrysanthemum indicum using LC-MS/MS-guided fractionation. Structures were elucidated by IR, UV, HR-ESI-MS, and 1D/2D NMR analyses, and their absolute configurations were determined by ECD calculations. The anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells with NF-κB translocation by high-content imaging (HCI). Compound 2 reduced NF-κB translocation (IC₅₀ = 9.70 μM) without cytotoxicity at 20 μM. Compounds 8 and 9 showed potent activity (IC₅₀ = 2.04 and 1.21 μM, respectively) and no cytotoxicity at 6.25 μM.