NEW ISOFLAVONES, INHIBITING CATECHOL-O-METHYLTRANSFERASE, PRODUCED BY STREPTOMYCES

Abstract

In the screening of catechol-O-methyltransferase inhibitors in streptomyces culture filtrates, three new isoflavones were isolated. Their structures were shown to be 3', 5, 7-trihydroxy-4', 6-dimethoxyisoflavone (I), 3', 5, 7-trihydroxy-4', 8-dimethoxyisoflavone (II), 3', 8-dihydroxy-4', 6, 7-trimethoxyisoflavone (III). I and II inhibited both catechol-O-methyltransferase and dopa decarboxylase, and showed hypotensive action. III was a specific inhibitor of catechol-O-methyltransferase, and showed no hypotensive action.