Anti-inflammatory withanolides from the aerial parts of Physalis minima

Eight undescribed and two known withanolides were obtained from the aerial parts of Physalis minima. The structures of these compounds were defined by spectroscopic methods including 1D and 2D NMR, HRESIMS, and electronic circular dichroism (ECD) data analysis. Physminin E was elucidated to be a rare 13,14-seco-withanolide. Inhibitory effects of these compounds on nitric oxide (NO) production were evaluated by using LPS-activated RAW264.7 macrophages, and physminin C was shown to be the most active with an IC50 value of 3.5 μM. The further mechanistic analysis of NO inhibition was performed by molecular docking and Western blotting. Eight undescribed and two known withanolides were isolated from the aerial parts of Physalis minima. Four compounds showed inhibitory effects on NO production. [Display omitted] •Eight undescribed withanolides were obtained from Physalis minima.•ECD calculations were used to determine the absolute configuration.•Anti-inflammatory effects of the isolates were evaluated.•The in vitro anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated.•The anti-inflammatory mechanism was investigated using molecular docking.