Chemical constituents from the roots of <i>Morinda talmyi</i> (Rubiaceae)

Phytochemical investigation of the roots of <i>Morinda talmyi</i> (Pit.) Chantar. led to the isolation of eleven compounds. They consist of two previously undescribed anthraquinones, 3-hydroxy-1,2,5-trimethoxy-6-methylanthraquinone (<b>1</b>) and damnacanthol acetate (<b>2</b>), together with nine known compounds: 1-hydroxy-2-methyl-9,10-anthraquinone (<b>3</b>), soranjidiol (<b>4</b>), morindone (<b>5</b>), nordamnacanthal (<b>6</b>), lucidin (<b>7</b>), lucidin ω-methyl ether (<b>8</b>) lucidin ω-ethyl ether (<b>9</b>), damnacanthol (<b>10</b>) and lucidin 3-<i>O</i>-β-primeveroside (<b>11</b>). The structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated by thorough analysis of spectroscopic (IR, NMR) and spectrometric (MS) data. Compounds <b>1</b> and <b>2</b> were tested against eight bacterial strains. Only compound <b>2</b> exhibited weak activity against methicillin-resistant <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> and <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> (MIC = 128 µg/ml). This is the first phytochemical investigation of <i>M. talmyi</i>.