Four new phenanthrenoid dimers from Juncus effusus L. with cytotoxic and anti-inflammatory activities.

Four new phenanthrenoid dimers, effususins A-D (1-4), were isolated from an ethanolic extract of the medullae of Juncus effuses (Juncaceae). Their structures were elucidated by 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic analysis and mass spectrometry. Compounds 1-4 was in vitro evaluated for their cytotoxic activities by CCK-8 assay against five human cancer cell lines (SHSY-5Y, SMMC-7721, HepG2, Hela, and MCF-7) and their inhibitory effects on NO production in lipopolysaccharide-activated murine macrophage RAW264.7 cells. Effususin B exhibited moderate to strong cytotoxic activities against the tested cancer cell lines and moderate anti-inflammatory activity.