Four new sesquiterpenes from the rhizomes of Curcuma wenyujin

Abstract

Four new sesquiterpenes, namely wenyujinols I – L ( 1 – 4 ), along with eleven known ones were isolated from the rhizomes of Curcuma wenyujin . The structures of new compounds were elucidated using spectroscopic and spectrometric data analyses. All isolated compounds were evaluated for their inhibitory effects on melanin production and tyrosinase activity in B16F10 cells. Compound 1 exhibited significant inhibition against melanin production. • 15 sesquiterpenes were isolated from the rhizomes of Curcuma wenyujin . • The structures of four new compounds were elucidated. • All isolated compounds were assayed for their melanin production inhibitory effects.