# Discovery of Lignans from the Herbs of Peperomia heyneana with Inhibitory Activities on BPH-1 Cells

## TL;DR

Researchers found new lignan compounds in Peperomia heyneana herbs that may inhibit BPH-1 cells.

## Contribution

The discovery of two new lignans, peperomianan A and B, with potential anti-prostate cancer activity.

## Key findings

- Two new lignans, peperomianan A and B, were isolated from Peperomia heyneana.
- The absolute configuration of peperomianan A was determined using ECD spectra.
- The compounds were tested for their inhibitory effects on BPH-1 cells.

## Abstract

Chemical investigation on the whole herb of Peperomia heyneana Miq. resulted in the isolation of six lignans, including two previously undescribed compounds, named peperomianan A and B (1–2), and four known compounds, 1,2-cyclobutanedicarboxylic acid (3), (+)-medioresinol (4), (+)-pinoresinol (5), and (+)-yangambin (6). Their structures were established by extensive spectroscopic analyses. The absolute configuration of compound 1 was determined by comparison of the experimental and calculated electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectra. Subsequently, the effects of all isolates on BPH-1 cells were evaluated in vitro by MTT assay.