Natural products isolation studies of the paleoendemic plant species <em>Nothofagus gunnii</em> and <em>Nothofagus cunninghamii</em>

<p>The first natural product isolation studies of <em>Nothofagus gunnii</em> (Hook.f.) Oerst and <em>Nothofagus cunninghamii</em> (Hook.f.) Oerst have been undertaken. A previously unreported stilbene derivative, pinosylvin monoacetate, was isolated from the leaves of <em>N. gunnii</em>, in addition to 14 known compounds; including the flavonoids galangin, pinobanksin, catechin and quercetin; sesquiterpenoids such as, ilicol and (+)-<em>β</em>-costol acetate; 2,4-dihydroxy-6-methoxychalcone and pinosylvin. Four known flavonoid natural products, catechin, quercetin, ayanin, and avicularin were isolated from the leaves of <em>N. cunninghamii</em>. This study reveals that <em>N. gunnii</em> is a rich source of flavonoid, chalcone and stilbene compounds, while primarily hydroxyflavonoid compounds are found in <em>N. cunninghamii</em>. The isolated phytochemicals are consistent with the evolutionary relationships suggested to exist among <em>Nothofagus</em> species.</p>