1,7-Dihydroxy-3,5-dimethoxyxanthone from Hoppea fastigiata

Abstract

The petroleum ether (60-80^°) extract of the whole plants (aerial parts and roots) of Hoppea fastigiata yielded a new xanthone, 1,7-dihydroxy-3,5-dimethoxyxanthone.

Hoppeu fustigiutu Clarke (Gentianaceae) (1) was collected from Santiniketan and identified. The plants are used by tribes for a variety of ailments and apparently have not been investigated previously. In continuation of our studies on plant pigments (2-6), we now report the isolation and structure elucidation of a new xanthone, 1,7-dihydroxy-3,5-dimethoxyxanthone from the aerial parts and roots of this species. This substitution pattern is extremely uncommon in xanthones and is reported previously by Rama Rao et al. (7).