BIPHENYLS AND A XANTHONE FROM MONNINA-SYLVATICA

Two novel biphenyls, 3'-hydroxy-4',5-dimethoxy-3,4-methylenedioxybiphenyl and 3,4',5-trimethoxy-3,4-mehtylenedioxybiphenyl, and a known xanthone were isolated from the roots of Monnina sylvatica. The structures of the isolates were established by spectroscopic methods (UV, mass spectrometry, H-1 and C-13 NMR, including homonuclear NOE difference measurements). 3'-Hydroxy-4',5-dimethoxy-3,4-methylenedioxybiphenyl showed antifungal activity against Cladosporium cucumerinum in a bioautographic assay on TLC, and weak activity against Candida albicans and Trichophyton mentagrophytes in a dilution assay.