ISOLATION AND IDENTIFICATION OF CYNANESTER A FROM CYNANCHUM CHINENSER.BR.

Cynanester A (Ⅰ)a new triterpenoid ester was isolated, together with lupeol acetate, lignoceric acid and β-sitosterol, from Cynanchum chinense R. Br. (Asclepiadaceae). The mass spectrum suggested the presence of caproyl group and lupane skeleton with isopropenyl group in the molecule. Alkaline hydrolysis of Ⅰ with 5% methanolic potassium hydroxide yielded lupeol Ia and n- caproic acid. The acid was esterified with MeOH- H₂SO₄ to afford methyl caproate, by GLC comparison with authentic sample. The acid was also identified by IR comparison. As above, the structure of cynanester A was established as lupeol caproate.