A PHENOLIC CINNAMATE DIMER FROM PSORALEA-PLICATA

Caryophyllene oxide, alpha-tocopherol, Z and E-werneria chromenes, two furanocoumarins, bakuchicin and psoralen, in addition to plicatin-B, lupeol and stigmasterol, have been isolated from the hexane-soluble ex tract of the aerial parts of Psoralen plicata. Plicatin-A, 3-(-3-methy l-2,3-epoxybutyl)-p-coumaric acid methyl ester and a new dimer, alpha- diplicatin B, were isolated from the ethyl acetate-soluble fraction. F rom the butanol-soluble matter, roseoside A, daidzin, isopsoralic acid -O-gluco-pyranosyl and isovitexin were isolated. Most of these compoun ds have been isolated from this species for the first time, although k nown from other plant sources. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.