Abstract: Eight 2-(2-phenylethyl) chromones derivatives were isolated from agarwood originating from the root of Gyrinops salicifolia using ODS,silica gel and Sephadex LH-20 column chromatographies,then structurally identified by spectral analysis.The isolated compounds were identified as 2-(2-phenylethyl)chromone (1),5,8-dihydroxy-2-(2-phenylethyl)chromone (2),5,8-dihydroxy-2-［2-(4-methoxyphenyl)ethyl］chromone (3),6,8-dihydroxy-2-(2-phenylethyl)chromone (4),6-hydroxy-7-methoxy-2-［2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethyl］chromone (5),6-methoxy-7-hydroxy-2-［2-(3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl)ethyl］chromone (6),6-hydroxy-7-methoxy-2-［2-(3 hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl)ethyl］chromone (7) and 6-hydroxy-2-［2-(3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenyl)ethyl］chromone (8).All the compounds were isolated from agarwood originating from G.salicifolia for the first time.All the isolated compounds were tested for acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity using Ellman colorimetric method.The results indicated that compounds 2-4 and 7 exhibited inhibitory activity against acetylcholinesterase.

Key words: Gyrinops salicifolia, chemical constituents, 2-(2-phenylethyl)chromones, AChE inhibitory activity