Acylphloroglucinol and xanthones from Hypericum ellipticum

Three previously undescribed natural products, elliptophenone A ( 1), elliptoxanthone A ( 2) and elliptoxanthone B ( 3), have been isolated from the aerial portions of Hypericum ellipticum. [Display omitted] ► An acylphloroglucinol and five xanthones from Hypericum ellipticum. ► Structures elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analyses. ► Acylphloroglucinol and xanthones were evaluated for cytotoxicity testing. ► Compounds showed selective cytotoxicity for colon cancer cells compared to normal colon cells. An acylphloroglucinol, elliptophenone A, and two xanthones, elliptoxanthone A and elliptoxanthone B, were isolated from the aerial portions of Hypericum ellipticum together with three known xanthones, 1,3,7-trihydroxy-8-(3-methyl-2-butenyl)-9 H-xanthen-9-one, 1,6-dihydroxy-4-methoxy-9 H-xanthen-9-one, and 1,4,5-trihydroxy-9 H-xanthen-9-one. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic analyses. The acylphloroglucinol and xanthones were evaluated for cytotoxicity using three human colon cancer cell lines cell lines (HT-29, HCT-116 and Caco-2) and a normal human colon cell line (CCD-18Co).