Studies on indian medicinal plants—XVIII : The non-alkaloidal constituents from the seeds of Alangium lamarckii Thw.

Abstract

Betulinic acid, betulinaldehyde, betulin and lupeol, showing a remarkable biogenetic sequence, along with hydroxylactone A of betulinic acid and β-sitosterol have been isolated from the seed kernels of Alangium lamarckii Thw. (Alangiaceae). The so-called “sterol” previously reported from other laboratories from the same source is presumably identical with betulinic acid. The hydroxylactone B of the triterpene acid isolated in the neutral part during chromatographic separation is probably an artefact. It has, however, been shown to have equatorial hydroxyl function. The preparation of hitherto unreported 3-desoxy betulonic acid (III), m.p. 270–271°, [α] D + 20°, is also reported.