Novel Source of Bioactive (+) Pinitol – Senna hirsuta Irwin and Barneby

Abstract

Phytochemical investigation of ethanol extract of Senna hirsuta yielded 5-Acetonyl-7-hydroxyl-2-methylchromone and 1-O-methyl-D-chiro-inositol also known as (+) Pinitol. The structure and relative configuration of these compounds were elucidated on the basis of their spectroscopic data, especially MS and NMR techniques. It is worth mentioning that these compounds are isolated from Senna hirsuta for the first time. This plant could be an alternative source of (+) Pinitol, a commercialized anti-diabetic and anti-inflammatory agent.