PARTE UTILIZADA= Used part: Planta entera.

ACCIÓN FARMACOLÓGICA= Pharmacological action: Emoliente. 

COMPOSICIÓN QUÍMICA= Chemical composition: Furanoeremophilanes are widespread in the large genus Senerio (1,2). In connection with a chemical study of Chilean species of that taxon, we isolated a new furanoeremophilane from the twigs and leaves of Senecto fistulosus Poepp ex Less: 4a-hydroxy-6P-angeloxy- lop-acetoxy- 9-oxofuranoeremophilane (1). Compound 1 was obtained as colorless crystals that analyzed for C,2H280, (M+, 404.1838). Uv and ir spectra were characteristic of 9-oxofuranoeremophilane {h max 282 (log E 4.2) nm and u max 1670 cm-'1 (1,3). Examination of the 'H-nmr spectrum showed very close structural similarity to 4a-hydroxy-6Pangeloxy- 9-oxofuranoeremophilane (2) (4). Signals at 6 7.14 (9) and 6 1.90 (d) indicated a furan ring with a methyl group attached to C- 1 1. Signals at 1.00 (s) and 1.19 (s) were assigned to methyl groups at C-4 and C- 5 with stereochemistry previously reported (cis-decaline derivative, methyl group with P orientation at C-4) (5,6). Finally, the signal at 6 7.05 (s) was attributed to a 6a-H geminal to an unsaturated ester group (4). 'H-nmr and ms (mlz 83, C4H,CO+, 100%) data suggested that the ester was an angeloxy group. However, a significant difference was observed in the 'H-nmr spectrum. The signal at 6 3.00 attributed to lop- H in compound 2 (4) was missing and 1-3: 1.3-1.9n 1 2 replaced by one at 6 2.19 (s) clearly indicating the presence of an acetoxyl group. This was confirmed by the mass spectral data. From the above spectral observations, it can be concluded that the structure of 1 is: 4a-hydroxy-6P-angeloxy- lopace toxy-9-oxofuranoeremophilane. 

ZONA GEOGRÁFICA= Geografical zone: Chile y SO. de Argentina.

ÚLTIMOS AVANCES EN LA QUÍMICA Y ACTIVIDADES BACTERIOLÓGICAS EN LAS PLANTAS MEDICINALES= Medicinal plants, last advances on chemistry and bacteria activities on the medicinal herbs

The empirical formula for senecionine  [130-01-8], a pyrrolizidine alkaloid extd. from S. fistulosus, was found to be C18H28NO5.  In isolated guinea pig atria, senecionine concn.-dependently inhibited contractile force at 7.25 ´ 10-4-3.10 ´ 10-3M and contraction frequency at 1.75 ´ 10-4-3.1 ´ 10-3M.  Data comparing the drug to quinidine are presented.

1) TOURSARKISSIAN, Martín. Plantas medicinales de Argentina : sus nombres botánicos, vulgares, usos y distribución geográfica. Buenos Aires : Hemisferio Sur, 1980, 178p.

2) VILLARROEL, L.; TORRES, R. A new furanoeremophilane from Senecio fistulosus. Journal of Natural Products . 1985, vol.48, nº5, p.841-842.
 
3) GONZALEZ, E., et al. Pharmacological studies on senecionine, a pyrrolizidine alkaloid from Senecio fistulosus Poepp. ex Less. (Hualtata).    Anales de la Real Academia de Farmacia . 1986, vol.52, nº1, p.123-32.