Norneolignans from the roots of Clitoria ternatea L.

Abstract

Three new norneolignans, the clitorienolactones A–C along with a known triterpenoid, taraxerol were isolated from the roots of Clitoria ternatea L. The structures of clitorienolactones A–C were established on the basis of UV, IR, 1D and 2D NMR, and HRESIMS analyses and were further confirmed by X-ray crystallographic analysis of clitorienolactone A. The clitorienolactones A and B possess memory enhancing and the acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activities.