Newly Isolated Aromatic Compounds from Ailanthus altissima and Their Anti-inflammatory Activity.

Five newly isolated aromatic natural products were isolated from the bark of Ailanthus altissima. These include two benzoic derivatives ( and ), a benzoquinone analogue (), and a pair of lignan enantiomers [(±)-]. The structures of these compounds were elucidated unambiguously through spectral evidence and chemical calculations. Notably, compound exhibited significant anti-inflammatory effects both and , as it reduced the secretion of proinflammatory factors at a concentration of 15 μM. Results from Western blotting, in conjunction with molecular dynamics analysis, indicate that the inhibition of NF-κB signaling pathways may partially explain the anti-inflammatory activity of compound .