Four new C-benzyl flavonoids from the fruit of Uvaria cherrevensis.

The phytochemical investigation of the fruit extracts of Uvaria cherrevensis led to the isolation and characterization of four new C-benzyl flavonoids; cherrevenones A-D (1-4) together with 11 known compounds. The isolated compounds were characterized using spectroscopic techniques. Compounds 1, 3, 5 and 11 showed moderate inhibitory activities against the P. falciparum strains TM4/8.2 and K1CB1 with IC values ranging from 21.0 ± 3.10 - 33.7 ± 7.69 and 21.0 ± 5.44 - 43.5 ± 11.9 μM, respectively. Compounds 1, 2, 5, 10 and 11 exhibited strong cytotoxic activities against KB cells with IC values ranging from 0.60 ± 0.17 - 4.91 ± 2.69 μM which were similar to their cytotoxic activities found against Vero cells, except for compound 5, which was non-toxic to Vero cells.