STUDIES ON THE CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS OF A CHINESE FOLK MEDICINE NIU-JINGUO (HARRISONIA PERFORATE BLANO MERR)

The root of a Chinese folk medicine, Niu-Jin-Guo. (Harrisonia perforate Blano Merr.) has been used for treatment of malaria. In order to exploite the active principles, we have studied the chromonic compounds of this plant.Four chromonic compounds have been obtained by silicagel column chromatography from the roots. According to their spectroscopic data (UV, IR, NMR, MS),preparation of derivatives, acid hydrolysis products and determination of physico-chemical constants, one of them was identified as heteropeucenin-7-methyl ether. Another one was identified as. heteropeucenin-5-methoxy-7-methyl ether.In addition, two other compounds were obtained Which were new chromones and named perforatin A and B. Their structures were established. as shown in formula Ⅲ and Ⅳ respectively.Bioactive test of these chromones is in progress.