6,8-di-C-glycosyl flavones with β-furanoarabinose from Scutellaria baicalensis and their anti-inflammatory activities.

Two flavone di-C-glycosides, a pair of isomers, were isolated from Scutellaria baicalensis. The structures of compounds 1 and 2 were elucidated by means of physical data, including 1D and 2D NMR and HR-ESI-MS. Supporting theoretical calculations of the compound conformational landscape has also been conducted for geometry optimization. This is the first report of the natural occurrence of β-furanoarabinoside. In addition, the effects of compounds 1 and 2 on NO, pro-inflammatory cytokines, PGE2 and COX-2 levels were measured in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophage cells. The pair of isomers exhibited significant inhibitory effects on inflammation.