A new isoflavone isolated from Brachypterum eriocarpum (F.C.How) Adema and Sirich. and its hypolipidemic activity.

Abstract

A new isoflavone, brachypterum-isoflavone A (1), eight known isoflavonoids (2-9), and six known coumarins (10-15) were isolated from the stems of Brachypterum eriocarpum (F.C.How) Adema and Sirich. Compounds 7, 11, 12 and 15 were first reported from this plant. Structures were determined by HR-ESI-MS, NMR, and ECD spectroscopy. Compound 1 showed negligible cytotoxicity (cell viability >92% at 50 μmol/L). At 25 μmol/L, TC and TG levels in the compound 1 group were 0.113 and 0.333 mmol/L, respectively, comparable to those of the lovastatin group (0.094 and 0.296 mmol/L). Oil Red O staining confirmed dose-dependent alleviation of lipid droplet accumulation. Network pharmacology predicted HMGCR as a core target, which was subsequently validated by ELISA. Compound 1 dose-dependently reduced HMGCR protein levels, suggesting that the lipid-lowering activity in FFA-treated HepG2 cells is associated with HMGCR inhibition in the mevalonate pathway, though further in vivo studies are needed to validate the underlying mechanism.