Rotenoids, isoflavones and chalcones from the stem bark of Millettia usaramensis subspecies usaramensis

Abstract

From the stem bark of Millettia usaramensis subsp. usaramensis four new 12a-hydroxyrotenoids with the unusual trans B/C ring junction ((+)-12a-epimillettosin, (+)-usararotenoid-A, (+)-12-dihydrousararotenoid-A, and (+)-usararotenoid-B), a new α-hydroxydihydrochalcone ( α,4,2′-trihydroxy-4′- O-geranyldihydrochalcone), a new isoflavone, (norisojamicin), and a new cinnamyl alcohol derivative (4- O-geranylcinnamyl acetate) have been isolated and characterized. In addition, the known compounds 4′- O-geranylisoliquiritigenin, isoliquiritigenin, barbigerone, jamaicin and maximaisoflavone-G were identified. The structures were determined on the basis of spectroscopic evidence and chemical transformations.