We recently reported the isolation
and identification of four novel furocoumarins (melicotriphyllins
A–D) and nine previously known but unexpected polymethoxyflavonoids
containing methylenedioxy and prenyloxy (3-methylbut-
2-enyloxy) substituents from the fruits of M. triphylla
(Nakashima et al., 2011). Polymethoxyflavonoids have been
found in various families of the plant kingdom (e.g., Asteraceae,
Lamiaceae and Rutaceae); however, derivatives that possess a
methylenedioxy and/or a prenyloxy group have been reported in
only a few restricted genera, such as Boronia and Melicope
(Valant-Vetschera and Wollenweber, 2006). Previously, the
flavonoids present in Melicope were merely analyzed for
their pharmacological properties, excepting ichthyotoxicity