A new derivative with 6/7 ring skeleton obtained from <i>Callistephus chinensis</i> flowers with anti-hepatic fibrosis activity

The flowers of <i>Callistephus chinensis</i> (L.) Nees, the only species in the genus <i>Callistephus</i> within the family <i>Asteraceae</i>, exhibit various pharmacological activities. From the ethanol extract, two compounds were identified: a known compound named <i>callistephus</i> A and a new derivative, <i>callistephus</i> G. Their structures were elucidated through 1D-NMR, 2D-NMR and mass spectrometry. In addition, we also evaluated the anti-hepatic fibrosis activity of the new compound <i>callistephus</i> G, showing that <i>callistephus</i> G can markedly suppress the growth of LX-2 cells induced by TGF-<i>β</i>1 at concentrations of 1-6 μM. Therefore, this compound is predicted to be a potential candidate drug for the therapeutic intervention of liver fibrosis.