A new acetylated dihydroflavonol and cardiovascular protective chemical constituents of <i>Aframomum letestuanum</i> Gagnep. seeds (Zingiberaceae)

One previously unreported acetylated dihydroflavonol derivative named (2 <i>R</i>,3<i>R</i>)-3-acetoxy-5-hydroxy-7,4'-dimethoxyflavonol (<b>1</b>), along with twelve known compounds (<b>2</b>-<b>13</b>), were isolated from the ethyl acetate soluble fraction of the methanol extract of the seeds of <i>Aframomum letestuanum</i> Gagnep. (Zingiberaceae). Their structures were established by means of spectroscopic techniques (1D and 2D NMR), High Resolution Electrospray Ionisation Mass Spectrometry (HR-ESIMS) as well as by comparison of their spectroscopic data with those reported in the literature. The absolute configuration of compound <b>1</b> was determined by Electronic Circular Dichroism analysis. Some of the isolated compounds were screened for their antibacterial activity and only rhamnocitrin (<b>9</b>) exhibited a moderate activity against <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> with a MIC of 106 µM. Based on the traditional use of the seeds of this plant to manage heart palpitations and previous works demonstrating their pharmacological effects on some cardiovascular disorders, a correlation was established between their chemical constituents and the pharmacological activities.