Studies in Asiasarum (Aristolochiaceae). I. Three New Compounds in Asiasarum heteropoides

Abstract

Three new compounds, (±)-car-3-ene-2, 5-dione (II), 3, 4, 5-trimethoxytoluene (VI), and 2, 3, 5-trimethoxytoluene (VII), were isolated from the essential oil of the subterranean part of Asiasarum heterotropoides (Aristolochiaceae). Structures of these substances were determined from chemical and spectroscopic evidences. Orcinol aromatics, most of which have been reported as metabolic product of molds, were confirmed to be synthesized in higher plants. It is an interesting fact that, in the case of Asiasarum sieboldii, the proportion of these primitive compounds is larger in the earlier growing period of the individual.