New Nortriterpene from Pfaffia paniculata Kuntze

Roots of Pfaffia paniculata Kuntze (Amaranthaceae), also known as ‘Brazilian ginseng’, have been used as a tonic, an aphrodisiac and as a folk medicine for antidiabetic purposes [1]. In Brazil, Pfaffia is known as ‘para tudo’, which means “for all things” [2]. It is widely used like American and Asian ginseng (Panax spp.) [2]. Previously, ecdysone, pfaffic acid, and its glycosides viz. pfaffosides A–F have been reported from the root of the plant [1]. In the present study, a methanolic extract of roots of P. paniculata was investigated and found to contain ecdysone, 20-hydroxyecdysone, pfaffic acid, the 28-O-β-D-glucopyranoside of oleanolic acid, and a new nortriterpene 3,16-dihydroxy-30-noroleana-12–20(29)-dien-28-oic acid (1). Acknowledgements: The research was funded in parts by the Food and Drug Administration “Science Based Authentication of Dietary Supplements” (grant number 2 U01 FD 002071-07) and the United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service Specific Cooperative Agreement Number 58-6408-06-067. Authors are thankful to Dr. Vaishali Joshi for the authentication of plant material. References: [1] Nakai S, Takagi N (1984) Phytochemistry 23: 1703–1705. [2] Vieira R (1999) Conservation of medicinal and aromatic plants in Brazil. p.152–159. In Janick J. (ed.), Perspectives on new crops and new uses. ASHS Press, Alexandria, VA.