α-Glucosidase inhibitory constituents from stem bark of Terminalia superba (Combretaceae)

The CH2Cl2/CH3OH (1/1) extract of the dried stem bark of Terminalia superba afforded two compounds, (7S,8R,7′R,8′S)-4′-hydroxy-4-methoxy-7,7′-epoxylignan and meso-(rel 7S,8R,7′R,8′S)-4,4′-dimethoxy-7,7′-epoxylignan along with 11 known compounds. The structures of the compounds were established by analysing the spectroscopic data and also comparing it with the data of previously known analogues. All the isolated compounds were evaluated for their glycosidase inhibition activities. Gallic acid and methyl gallate showed significant α-glucosidase inhibition activity. © 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.