2-Substituted Furans from the Roots of Polyalthia evecta

Abstract
Four new 2-substituted furans, 19-(2-furyl)nonadeca-5,7-diynoic acid (1), 19-(2-furyl)nonadeca-5-ynoic acid (2), 1-(2-furyl)pentacosa-7,9-diyne (3), and ester 21-(2-furyl)heneicosa-14,16-diyne-19-(2-furyl)nonadeca-5,7-diynoate (4) have been isolated from the roots of Polyalthia evecta. Their structures were established by spectroscopic techniques. Compounds 1 and 1a showed antiplasmodial activity. The acids 1 and 2 exhibited antiviral activity against Herpes simplex type 1. In addition, 5 also showed cytotoxicity against the NCI-H187 cell line.