Potential hypoglycemic effect of acetophenones from the root bark of <i>Cynanchum wilfordii</i>

Abstract

Three new acetophenones, named cynwilforones A-C (<b>1</b>-<b>3</b>), together with cynandione A (<b>4</b>) were isolated from the root bark of <i>Cynanchum wilfordii</i> (Maxim.) Hemsl. Their structures were deduced based on spectroscopic analysis and chemical methods. Compounds <b>1</b> and <b>4</b> exhibited potential hypoglycemic effects through inhibition of hepatic gluconeogenesis by down-regulating the expression of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase and glucose-6-phosphatase. This is the first report that acetophenones from the root bark of <i>C. wilfordii</i> possesses potential hypoglycemic activity <i>in vitro</i>.