Norsesquiterpenoids from Melicope pteleifolia (champ. ex benth.) hartley and their potential anti-HIV and anti-inflammatory activities.

An investigation of the chemical constituents from Melicope pteleifolia (Champ. ex Benth.) Hartley yielded eight norsesquiterpenoids, including one previously undescribed compound designated melipteleinoid (1) and seven recognised norsesquiterpenoids (2-8). The structure of melipteleinoid (1) was determined through comprehensive spectral analyses, whereas the recognised isolates (2-8) were assigned through comparison to previously reported spectroscopic data. All isolates (1-8) were subjected to biological evaluation. Their anti‑HIV and anti‑inflammatory effects were specifically examined. Compounds (1-8) exhibited potent inhibition against HIV-1 reverse transcriptase, whose EC50 values fell between 0.22 and 7.59 µM. Moreover, all isolates (1-8) potently inhibited NO production, with IC50 values on par with those of the reference drug hydrocortisone.