Antibacterial stilbenoids from the roots of Stemona tuberosa

Twelve dihydrostilbenes, stilbostemins N-Y (1-12), and a phenanthraquinone, stemanthraquinone (13), were isolated and identified from roots of Stemona tuberosa, along with five known dihydrostilbenes. Their structures were established on the basis of 1D and 2D NMR and other spectroscopic analyses. Dihydrostilbene 8 exhibited strong activity against Bacillus pumilus (MIT 12.5-25 microg/mL). Many tested compounds exhibited moderate antibacterial activities.