Naphthaquinones from Roots of Macrotomia cephalotes DC

Abstract

In this paper is described the method used to isolate some of the main constituent compounds of Macrotomia cephalotes DC. It was aimed at the isolation and identification of the principal naphthaquinones occurring in the roots of this plant. Separation and isolation of the red naphthaquinones resulted in the identification of five: the known deoxy–alkannin, β,β–dimethylacrylalkannin, acetylalkannin, which were isolated as pure compounds and isovalerylalkannin and α–methyl–n–butylalkannin were obtained as a mixture.

Key Word Index

Macrotomia cephalotes DC - Boraginaceae - Naphthaquinone Pigments - Alkannin Esters