Glycosidic ester and tetra- and hexaglycosides from the fruits of Lycium chinense Miller

Abstract

The fruits of Lycium chinense (Solanaceae) Miller possess emmenagogue, diuretic, antipyretic and hepatoprotective properties and are used to stimulate the immune system, to increase hormonal growth, to improve blood circulation and eye sight and to cure morning sickness. Phytochemical investigation of an aqueous alcoholic (80%) extract of the fruits gave two new glycosidic aliphatic esters, characterized as 1- linoleoyl-6-linoleneoyl β-D- glucopyranoside (1) and arachidyl-O-β-D-arabinopyranosyl-(1→2)-2′-O-β-D-arabino- pyranosyl-(1→2)-2′′-O-β-D-arabinopyranosyl –(1→2)-2′′′-O-β-D-arabino-pyranoside (2) and one each tetra- and hexaglycosides identified as α-D-galactopyranosyl-(2→1′)-O-α-D-xylopyranosyl-(2′→1′′)-O-α-D-xylopyranosyl-(2′′→1′′′)-α-D-xylopyranoside (3) and β- D- galactopyranosyl- (6→1) –O- β- D-glucopyranosyl- (6→1) – O-β- D-glucopyranose- syl - (6→1)-β- D-glucopyranosyl-(6→1)-β- D-glucopyranosyl-(6→1)-β-D-glucopyranoside (4). The structures of these phytoconstituents have been elucidated on the basis of spectral analysis and chemical reactions.