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New phenanthrene derivatives from maxillaria densa(1)
1Departamento de Farmacia, Facultad de Quimica and Instituto de Quimica, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Coyoacan 04510, Mexico D.F., Mexico.
Journal of Natural Products
|September 10, 1999
Summary
Researchers isolated two new phenanthrene derivatives from the orchid Maxillaria densa, exhibiting spasmolytic activity. Further analysis confirmed their structures using spectroscopic and X-ray methods.
Area of Science:
- Natural Product Chemistry
- Orchidaceae Phytochemistry
- Medicinal Plant Research
Background:
- Orchid species are a rich source of diverse chemical compounds.
- Phenanthrene derivatives are known for various biological activities.
- Maxillaria densa is an orchid species with potential medicinal properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To isolate and characterize new phenanthrene derivatives from Maxillaria densa.
- To investigate the spasmolytic activity of the isolated compounds.
- To elucidate the chemical structures of novel compounds from this orchid.
Main Methods:
- Extraction from the whole plant of Maxillaria densa.
- Isolation of compounds using chromatographic techniques.
- Structure elucidation via spectroscopic methods (NMR, MS).
- X-ray crystallography for unambiguous structural assignment of key derivatives.
Main Results:
- Two new phenanthrene derivatives, 2,5-dihydroxy-3,4-dimethoxyphenanthrene (1) and 9,10-dihydro-2,5-dihydroxy-3,4-dimethoxyphenanthrene (2), were isolated.
- Four known phenanthrene derivatives were also identified.
- Compounds 1 and 3 (phenanthrene derivatives) had their structures confirmed by X-ray analysis.
- The isolated compounds exhibited spasmolytic activity.
Conclusions:
- Maxillaria densa is a source of novel bioactive phenanthrene derivatives.
- The identified compounds, particularly phenanthrenes, possess spasmolytic properties.
- Spectroscopic and X-ray analyses are crucial for confirming the structures of natural products.