Studies on Antitussive Principles of Asiasari Radix

Abstract

As one of studies on naturally occurring active principles, antitussive principles in Asiasari radix, namely four active principles [I], [II], [III] and [IV] were isolated by a suitable combination of counter current distribution and column chromatography. [I] oily product, C₁₁H₁₄O₂, [II] mp 110°, C₉H₁₀O₄, [III] mp 70°, C₁₆H₂₅NO, and [IV] mp 258°(dec.), C₁₆H₁₇NO₃-HCl were found to be identical with methyleugenol, kakuol, N-isobutyldodecatetraeneamide and higenamine hydrochloride (dl-demethylcoculaurine), respectively. This is the first isolation of higenamine from Asaraceae family.