Identification of lignans and related compounds in Anthriscus sylvestris by LC–ESI-MS/MS and LC-SPE–NMR

We identified nine lignans and five related structures in roots of Anthriscus sylvestris (L.) Hoffm. (Apiaceae). A hypothetical biosynthetic pathway of aryltetralin lignans leading to deoxypodophyllotoxin is proposed. [Display omitted] ► Anthriscus sylvestris is a candidate plant to provide a source of podophyllotoxin. ► Nine lignans and five related compounds were identified in the root extract. ► A biosynthetic pathway of aryltetralin lignans in A. sylvestris is proposed. The aryltetralin lignan deoxypodophyllotoxin is much more widespread in the plant kingdom than podophyllotoxin. The latter serves as a starting compound for the production of cytostatic drugs like etoposide. A better insight into the occurrence of deoxypodophyllotoxin combined with detailed knowledge of its biosynthestic pathway(s) may help to develop alternative sources for podophyllotoxin. Using HPLC combined with electrospray tandem mass spectrometry and NMR spectroscopy techniques, we found nine lignans and five related structures in roots of Anthriscus sylvestris (L.) Hoffm. (Apiaceae), a common wild plant in temperate regions of the world. Podophyllotoxone, deoxypodophyllotoxin, yatein, anhydropodorhizol, 1-(3′-methoxy-4′,5′-methylenedioxyphenyl)1-ξ-methoxy-2-propene, and 2-butenoic acid, 2-methyl-4-[[(2 Z)-2-methyl-1-oxo-2-buten-1-yl]oxy]-, (2 E)-3-(7-methoxy-1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)-2-propen-1-yl ester, (2 Z)- were the major compounds. α-Peltatin, podophyllotoxin, β-peltatin, isopicropodophyllone, β-peltatin-a-methylether, ( Z)-2-angeloyloxymethyl-2-butenoic acid, anthriscinol methylether, and anthriscrusin were present in lower concentrations. α-Peltatin, β-peltatin, isopicropodophyllone, podophyllotoxone, and β-peltatin-a-methylether have not been previously reported to be present in A. sylvestris. Based on our findings we propose a hypothetical biosynthetic pathway of aryltetralin lignans in A. sylvestris.