SMOOTH-MUSCLE RELAXING FLAVONOIDS AND TERPENOIDS FROM CONYZA FILAGINOIDES

Activity-guided fractionation of the smooth muscle relaxing, chlorofor m-methanol (1:1) extract of Conyza filaginoides (D.C.) Hieron (Asterac eae) led to the isolation of three flavonoids (quercetin 3-glucoside, rutin, and pinostrobin), one sterol (alpha-spinasterol), a sesquiterpe noid (beta-caryophyllene 4,5-alpha-oxide), and two triterpenoids (eryt hrodiol and 3-beta-Tridecanoyloxy-28-hydroxy-olean-12-ene). 3-beta-Tri decanoyloxy-28-hydroxy-olean-12-ene is a new naturally occurring terpe noid. All the isolated compounds induced a concentration-dependent inh ibition of the spontaneous contractions of rat ileum. The spasmolytic activity exhibited by the extract and active principles tends to suppo rt the traditional use of C filaginoides as an antispasmodic agent.