THE CHEMICAL CONSTITUTION OF A CHINESE DRUG “HWAI-HWA-ME”PART Ⅲ.HWAI-HWA-MENINE-C(OR SORDHORINE C)

In previous reports it was mentioned that six kinds of sabstances have been isolated by the author from the Chinese drug "Hwai-Hwa-Me", obtainable in Shanghai. The isolation and the physical and chemical investigation of sorphorines A and B were described in previous articles. The present paper deals only with the study of sorphorine-C, a colorless crystalline substance. The yield is approxi- mately 0.35%. It has the formula C₂₆₍₂₇₎ H₄₆₍₄₈₎O₁₀, and melts with decomposition at 235-257°. It reacts with ceric nitrate solution and Gaebels' reagent, showing the presence of alcoholic hydroxyl group and methylene dioxide group. It also reacts with Liebermann's reagent. However, it gives negative test with Molisch's test, show- ing it is neither steroid nor triterpenoid. Its acetate has the formula C₄₂₍₄₃₎ H_(52(54)) O₁₈ and melts with decomposition at 140-142°.