Nitrite Scavenging Activity of Bromophenol Congeners from Symphyocladia latiuscula

Nitrite scavenging activity of a methanol extract of Symphyocladia latiuscula was studied. The methanol extract scavenged the nitrite in a dose-dependent manner. The MeOH extract was then sequentially partitioned with n-hexane, $CH_2Cl_2$, EtOAc, n-BuOH and $H_2O$. The scavenging activity of the fractions increased in order of $CH_2Cl_2$, n-hexane, EtOAc, n-BuOH, and $H_2O$. Especially, the activity of the $CH_2Cl_2$ fraction was comparable to that of L-ascorbic acid. Column chromatography of the most active $CH_2Cl_2$ fraction over silica gel yielded three active bromophenol congeners (1-3) which were identified as (2R)-2-(2,3,6-tribromo 4,5-dihydro­xybenzyl) cyclohexanone (1), 2,3,6-tribromo 4,5-dihydroxybenzyl methyl ether (2), and 2,3,6­tribromo 4,5-dihydroxybenzyl alcohol (3) respectively.