Symphonin: A new prenylated pyranoxanthone With antimicrobial activity from the seeds of Symphonia globulifera (guttiferae)

Abstract

A new prenylated pyranoxanthone, symphonin (1), 2-(3,3-dimethylallyl)-1,5- dihydroxy-6,7-dimethoxy-2”,2”-dimethylpyrano (5”,6”:3,4) xanthone, the known compounds guttiferone A, oleanolic acid and  sitosterol  were isolated from the methanol extract of the seeds of Symphonia globulifera (Guttiferae). The structural elucidation of the new compound was based mainly on spectroscopic analyses. The new xanthone showed antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus feacalis, Klebsiella pneumonia and Escherichia coli.

KEY WORDS: Symphonia globulifera, Seeds, Xanthone, Antimicrobial activity

Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2004, 18(2), 175-180.