Potential hypoglycemic effect of acetophenones from the root bark of Cynanchum wilfordii

Three new acetophenones, named cynwilforones A–C (1–3), together with cynandione A (4) were isolated from the root bark of Cynanchum wilfordii (Maxim.) Hemsl. Their structures were deduced based on spectroscopic analysis and chemical methods. Compounds 1 and 4 exhibited potential hypoglycemic effects through inhibition of hepatic gluconeogenesis by down-regulating the expression of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase and glucose-6-phosphatase. This is the first report that acetophenones from the root bark of C. wilfordii possesses potential hypoglycemic activity in vitro.