Identification of an Anti-Inflammatory Principle from the Stem Bark of Millettia versicolor

Abstract

The dichloromethane-soluble fraction of the methanol extract of the stem bark of Millettia versicolor Welw. (Leguminosae) has been shown to possess anti-inflammatory activity. The chromatographic fractionation and subsequent analysis of the spectroscopic data of this extract led to the isolation and identification of 2-acetyl-7-methoxynaphtho[2,3-b]furan-4,9-quinone (1) along with two known quinones. Pharmacological data demonstrate that compound 1 has relevant anti-inflammatory properties whereas the other two isolated compounds do not.

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