CAPILLARTEMISIN A AND B, TWO NEW CHOLERETIC PRINCIPLES FROM ARTEMISIAE CAPILLARIS HERBA

Abstract

By monitoring with a choleretic activity test for rat-duodenum, two new choleretic principles named capillartemisin A (1) and B (2) were isolated from Artemisiae Capillaris Herba ("Inchinko" in Japanese, the aerial part of Artemisia capillaris Thunb.), and their structures were determined on the basis of spectral evidence and by a synthesis of the methyl ester of 1 (1a). Capillartemisin A (1) and B (2) showed more potent and lasting choleretic activity than sodium dehydrocholate and the other hitherto identified choleretic principles of "Inchinko". A new flavonoid isoarcapillin (6) was also chemically elucidated.