Occurrence and distribution of free flavonoid aglycones in plants

Myrrh and opopanax has been used throughout history in incense and as a perfume. Since Bible times it has been used for the treatment of wounds. The first attempts to identify content compounds were almost 100 years ago. In this review we discuss the present state of knowledge in the chemistry of substances of Commiphora spp.

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Myrrh--Commiphora chemistry.

Phytochemistry of Acacia—sensu lato

Haslam’s previous accounts of this area of flavonoid chemistry (Haslam, 1975, 1982a) eloquently summarized the historical developments in the chemistry and biochemistry of this important and complex group of plant phenolics. Also covered were their relationship with condensed tannins and aspects of their characteristic chemical and spectroscopic properties and metabolism.

Flavans and proanthocyanidins

The genus Commiphora: a review of its traditional uses, phytochemistry and pharmacology

A new pentacyclic triterpene [1] with anti-inflammatory activity was isolated from the roots of Commiphora merkeri. The structure was established on the basis of spectral data and conversion to its triacetate.

A pentacyclic triterpene with anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity from the roots of Commiphora merkeri.

3′,4′,7,8-tetrahydroxyflavonoids from the heartwood of Acacia nigrescens and their conversion products

8-O-methyl- and the first 3-O-methylflavan-3,4-diols from Acacia saxatilis

A pentacyclic triterpene acid, with anti-ulcer properties, from Cussonia natalensis☆

Irradiation of flavan-3-ols, 3-hydroxyflavanones, and 2-benzylbenzofuranones in methanol leads mainly to photochemical opening of the heterocyclic ring, or to its complete photofragmentation, the products being trapped by reaction with the solvent. Fission of exocyclic C–O bonds also occurs, accompanied by intramolecular rearrangements. The course of these reactions is often dependent on the position and nature of substituents.The conversions provide novel routes to 1,3-diaryl-1-methoxypropan-2-ols, 1,3-diaryl-2,2-dimethoxypropan-1 -ones, cis-3-methoxyflavanones, isoflavones, flavanones, and trans-chalcones, and hence to α-hydroxychalcones, cis- and trans-α-methoxychalcones, and 2-methoxy-2-(α-methoxybenzyl)benzofuranones.

Theunis G. Fourie

Papers

A pentacyclic triterpene with anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity from the roots of Commiphora merkeri.

3′,4′,7,8-tetrahydroxyflavonoids from the heartwood of Acacia nigrescens and their conversion products

8-O-methyl- and the first 3-O-methylflavan-3,4-diols from Acacia saxatilis

A pentacyclic triterpene acid, with anti-ulcer properties, from Cussonia natalensis☆

Flavonoid synthesis based on photolysis of flavan-3-ols, 3-hydroxyflavanones, and 2-benzylbenzofuranones