Propionylshikonin from the roots of Lithospermum erythrorhizon

A shikonin derivative was isolated from the roots of Lithospermum erythrorhizon with silica gel column chromatography and preparative TLC. The structure of the isolated pigment was identified as propionylshikonin by NMR and mass spectrometric analysis. The isolation of propionylshiknin was for the first time in the nature.