Cytotoxic acylphloroglucinols from the aerial parts of Hypericum hirsutum L. (Hypericaceae)

A phytochemical investigation of the dichloromethane extract of the aerial parts of Hypericum hirsutum L. led to isolating the main polyprenylated acylphloroglucinols ( 1 and 2 ). The compounds were identified employing spectral methods (HRMS, 1D, and 2D NMR, IR, UV) as adsecohyperforin ( 1 ) and secohyperforin ( 2 ), respectively. The MS/MS fragmentation of both compounds and NMR spectral data of 1 are described here for the first time. These natural products were found for the second time in a plant source. The cytotoxicity of isolated compounds was established on a panel of tumor cell lines (MDA-MB, EJ, and HL-60) and was determined using MTT-based assays. Both components showed higher cytotoxicity (IC 50 = 0.27–4.85 µM) than the positive control etoposide (IC 50 = 1.27–8.42 µM), making them promising candidates for new chemotherapeutic drugs.