BIOLOGICALLY-ACTIVE FLAVONOIDS AND TERPENOIDS FROM EGLETES VISCOSA

The steam volatile components from the hexane extract of dried flower buds of Egletes viscosa were identified by gas chromatography-mass spe ctrometry as trans-carvyl acetate, cis-carvyl acetate, sabinyl acetate , verbenyl acetate, cyclopentaethylidene, geranyl acetate and 5-methyl furanone, and trans-pinocarvyl acetate (major component). From the non -volatile residue residue, centipedic acid and a novel clerodane diter pene, 12-acetoxy-hawtriwaic acid lactone, were isolated. From the etha nol extract, ternatin (4',5-dihidroxy-3,3',7,8-tetramethoxyflavone), w as isolated. Ternatin showed anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotection and g astroprotection properties, and, according to the NCI protocols, it sh owed moderate activity against HIV. The diterpenes showed antispasmodi c activity. Structure determination of these secondary metabolites was accomplished by spectrometric methods, including 2D NMR, chemical int erconversion and X-ray crystallographic analysis.