A phytochemical investigation of Polygala molluginifolia (root, stem, leaves and flowers) resulted in the isolation of four pyranoisoflavones, of which isoflavone 1 was previously unknown in the literature. Isoflavones 2-4: , although they are known synthetic compounds, are described in this work as new natural products. The isolated compounds were evaluated for their antioxidant effects and potential for inhibiting the acetylcholinesterase enzyme. Isoflavones 1 and 4 inhibited acetylcholinesterase, displaying IC50 values of 68 µmol L-1 and 84 µmol L-1, respectively. In the DPPH assay, the same compounds and rutin 5 exhibited EC50 values of 61 µmol L-1, 55 µmol L-1 and 16 µmol L-1, respectively. Moreover, the permeability of compounds 1-4: was evaluated using parallel artificial membrane permeability assay (PAMPA) with isoflavones 3 (9.25 × 10-6 cm s-1) and 4 (3.48 × 10-6 cm s-1) exhibiting the highest permeabilities.
Polygalaceae; Polygala molluginifolia; isoflavones; in vitro assays
