Chemical constituents from fruits of Cnestis ferruginea Vahl ex. DC (Connaraceae) and evaluation of their anticholinesterase and antiradical activities.

The phytochemical investigation of the DCM/MeOH (1:1) extract of the fruits of Cnestis ferruginea led to the isolation and characterization of one new quinic acid derivative, ferruginoic acid ( 1 ), together with six known compounds 2-7 . Compounds 3-7 were reported for the first time from this species. The structures of compounds 1 - 7 were elucidated on the basis of 1 D and 2 D NMR spectroscopic data, mass spectrometry and by comparison of spectroscopic data with those from the literature. The anticholinesterase (AChE and BChE) activity and DPPH free radical scavenging assay of compounds 1 , 3 , 4 and 7 were evaluated. Ferruginoic acid ( 1 ) exhibited moderate anticholinesterase activity with IC ₅₀ value of 36.18 ± 1.78 µg/mL against AChE. Compounds 3, 4 and 7 showed high activity against free radical (DPPH ^• ) scavenging assay (DPPH) with IC ₅₀ values 40.09 ± 0.96 µg/mL, 61.70 ± 0.78 µg/mL and 41.87 ± 0.62 µg/mL respectively. These results indicate that C. ferruginea and its constituents could be employed in the management of Alzheimer's disease.