Ellagitannins and simple phenolics from the halophytic plant <i>Tamarix nilotica</i>

Abstract

Three new [nilotinins M8‒M10 (<b>1</b>‒<b>3</b>)] and two known [tamarixinin A (<b>4</b>) and gemin D (<b>5</b>)] ellagitannins and seven simple phenolics [gallic acid (<b>6</b>), methyl gallate (<b>7</b>), 3,4-di-<i>O</i>-methylgallic acid (<b>8</b>), ellagic acid (<b>9</b>), 3-<i>O</i>-methylellagic acid (<b>10</b>), methyl ferulate 3-<i>O</i>-sulphate (<b>11</b>), and 7,4'-di-<i>O</i>-methylkaempferol (<b>12</b>)] were isolated from the halophytic plant <i>Tamarix nilotica</i> (Ehrenb.) Bunge (Tamaricaceae). Their structures were determined based on intensive spectroscopic studies and comparisons with reported data. Compounds <b>4</b>, and <b>6</b>-<b>8</b> were evaluated for their cytotoxicity against lung adenocarcinoma cell line (A549) and anti-leishmanial activity against <i>Leishmania major</i>. Compounds <b>4</b>, <b>6</b> and <b>7</b> showed promising cytotoxic properties against A549 (IC₅₀ 29 ± 2.3, 10.5 ± 0.7, and 20.7 ± 1.9 μg/mL), while compounds <b>4</b> and <b>7</b> showed higher growth-inhibitory effects against <i>L. major</i> promastigotes (IC₅₀ 40.5 ± 2.7 and 38.4 ± 2.5 μg/mL), as compared with the standards doxorubicin (IC₅₀ 0.42 µg/mL) and miltefosine (IC₅₀ 9.43 μg/mL), respectively.