Gastrodinol derivatives and prenylated flavones from the flower branch of Gastrodia elata.

Based on the research progress and traditional usage with whole herbal of the TCM "Tianma", chemical studies herein on the flower branch of Gastrodia elata were carried out in-depth and got 13 compounds including the gastrodinols (1-4), the flavonoid morins (5-8, 11-12), together with the specialist mulberrofurans (9, 13) and gastrodiamide (10) for the first time from the species. The antibacterial and cholinesterase inhibitory activities were then evaluated and the results showed that compounds 5, 11, 12, 13 have good activity against anti-methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, and compounds 9, 13 had good acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity. All these results provide new chemical composition for better understanding the traditional application of "Tianma" and for exploring new pharmacological ingredients.