Abstract
The chemical study of Launaea acanthoclada from South-East Algeria led to the isolation of twelve oxygenated terpenoid compounds, including three new pentacyclic triterpenoids 1–3 with either lupane or ursane rearranged skeletons. The structure and the stereochemistry of these compounds were established by spectroscopic methods, including NMR techniques. The chemical pattern of L. acanthoclada is in accordance with the triterpenoid scenario of the genus Launaea embracing to date lupane, oleane, ursane and taraxastane skeletons. However, the carbon frameworks exhibited by new compounds 1–3 have never been reported from Launaea species.
Highlights
Launaea Cass. is a small genus of the family Asteraceae consisting of about50 species, most of which are adapted to dry, saline and sandy habitats [1]
Launaea species have been used in North African popular medicine for the treatment of several diseases, especially those of liver, lungs and stomach, as well as to heal infected wounds [6]
A number of chemical studies have been previously conducted to investigate the composition of the various Launaea species with regards mainly to the volatile fraction and phenolic constituents [6] even though studies on the terpenoid content of selected species including L. pinnatifida, L. asplenifolia, L. arborescens, L. nudicaulis and L. residifolia have been appeared in the literature [7]
Summary
Launaea Cass. is a small genus of the family Asteraceae (tribe Lactuceae) consisting of about. Launaea genus is mainly distributed in the South Mediterranean, Africa and Southwestern Asia and, in particular, is very common in the North African regions [2,3]. Launaea acanthoclada Maire (synonym: Launaea lanifera Pau) is one of the nine Launaea species endemic of North Africa that are present in the flora of Algeria [1,3]. This plant is a yellow flowered perennial herb up to 40 cm high growing in Algerian superior arid steppes [1,2] and in some regions of Morocco as well as in the arid areas of Southeast Spain [4,5].
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