Planta Med 2002; 68(7): 661-662
DOI: 10.1055/s-2002-32909
Letter
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

(-)-3β,4β-Epoxyvalerenic Acid from Valeriana officinalis

H. Ranjith W. Dharmaratne1, 2 , N. P. Dhammika Nanayakkara1 , Ikhlas A. Khan1, 3
  • 1National Center for Natural Products Research, University of Mississippi, University, MS, USA
  • 2Institute of Fundamental Studies, Kandy, Sri Lanka
  • 3Department of Pharmacognosy, University of Mississippi, University, MS, USA
Further Information

Publication History

Received: September 29, 2001

Accepted: March 29, 2002

Publication Date:
22 July 2002 (online)

Abstract

Chemical investigation of the root extract of Valeriana officinalis afforded a new bicyclic sesquiterpene acid, (-)-3β,4β-epoxyvalerenic acid together with valerenic acid and hexadecanoic acid. The structure of the new compound was elucidated by spectroscopic data and confirmed by partial synthesis of its methyl ester from valerenic acid. Methyl (-)-3α,4α-epoxyvalerenate was obtained as a minor product from the above reaction.

References

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  • 2 Birnbaum G I, Findlay J A, Krepinsky J J. Stereochemistry of valerenane sesquiterpenoids. Crystal structure of valerenolic acid.  Journal of Organic Chemistry. 1978;  43 272-6
  • 3 Bos R, Hendriks H, Bruins A P, Kloosterman J, Sipma G. Isolation and identification of valerenane sesquiterpenoids from Valeriana officinalis .  Phytochemistry. 1986;  25 133-5
  • 4 Krepinsky J, Sykora V, Zvonkova E, Herout V. On terpenes. CLXXII, Constitution of sesquiterpenic valerenolic acid.  Collection of Czechoslovak Chemical Communications. 1965;  30 553-8

N.P. Dhammika Nanayakkara

National Center for Natural Products Research

School of Pharmacy

The University of Mississippi

University, MS 38677

Fax: 662-915-7989

Email: dhammika@olemiss.edu

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