Immunobiological [correction of Immunobioloical] activity of a new benzyl benzoate from the aerial parts of Solidago virga-aurea var. gigantea.

The chromatographic separation of the hexane soluble fraction of the methanol extract of the aerial parts of Solidago virga-aurea var. gigantea M(IQ*) (Compositae) led to the isolation of a new benzylbenzoate (1) together with four known benzylbenzoates (2-5). Their structures were determined as 2-methoxybenzyl-2-hydroxybenzoate (1), benzyl-2-hydroxy-6-methoxybenzoate (2), 2-methoxybenzyl-2,6-dimethoxybenzoate (3), 2-methoxybenzyl-2-methoxy-6-hydroxybenzoate (4), and benzyl-2,6-dimethoxybenzoate (5). Their structures were established by spectroscopic methods. Biological effects of compounds, 1 and 2, were investigated in vitro using mouse peritoneal macrophages. The benzylbenzoates (1 and 2) could serve as immunotherapeutic agents by stimulating macrophage functions, with potential use in the treatment of infectious diseases.