Prenylated Chromones from the Fruits of <i>Artocarpus heterophyllus</i> and Their Potential Anti-HIV-1 Activities

Abstract

<i>Artocarpus heterophyllus</i> (jack tree) is an evergreen fruit tree belonging to the genus <i>Artocarpus</i> (Moraceae), which is widely distributed in subtropical and tropical regions of Asia. Its fruits (jackfruit), well-known as the world's largest tree-borne fruit, are being consumed in our daily diets as a very popular tropical fruit throughout the world and have been confirmed to hold various health benefits. In this study, five new prenylated chromones, artocarheterones A-E (<b>1</b>-<b>5</b>), as well as seven known prenylated chromones (<b>6</b>-<b>12</b>) were purified and isolated from the ripe fruits of <i>A. heterophyllus</i> (jackfruit). Their chemical structures were determined through comprehensive spectroscopic methods. This is the first report on prenylated chromones isolated from <i>A. heterophyllus.</i> The anti-HIV-1 effects of all isolated chromones were assessed <i>in vitro</i>. As a result, prenylated chromones (<b>1</b>-<b>12</b>) showed remarkable anti-HIV-1 effects with EC₅₀ values ranging from 0.09 to 9.72 μM. These research results indicate that the isolation and characterization of these prenylated chromones with remarkable anti-HIV-1 activities from the ripe fruits of <i>A. heterophyllus</i> could be significant to the discovery and development of new anti-HIV-1 drugs.