Epiafzelechin from the Root Bark of Cassia sieberiana: Detection by DART Mass Spectrometry, Spectroscopic Characterization, and Antioxidant Properties

The root bark of Cassia sieberiana was analyzed using direct analysis in real time mass spectrometry, and a main flavonoid component with an [M + H]+ mass of 275 was identified. The flavonoid, epiafzelechin, was isolated and fully characterized with the concerted use of NMR spectroscopy, circular dichroism, and optical rotation. Electronic circular dichroism and optical rotation TDDFT calculations were also performed, and their agreement with the experimental results confirmed the enantiomeric identity of the isolated natural product. The antioxidant activity of the compound was also investigated.