The constituents of Ecballium elaterium L. Part XXIII. Cucurbitacins and hexanorcucurbitacins

Abstract

In addition to the previously reported cucurbitacins D and I (elatericins A and B) and various phenolics, the ethereal extract of the fruit juice of Ecballium elaterium L. has yielded six additional curcubitacins, which have been identified as cucurbitacins B (1b), L (4a), and R (dihydrocucurbitacin D)(2a), and anhydro-22-deoxo-3-epi-isocucurbitacin D (5a), hexanorcucurbitacin I (6a), and 16-deoxy-Δ¹⁶-hexanorcucurbitacin O (7a). Evidence for the structures of the last three compounds is presented. The diol in ring A of (7a) is assigned the 2β-equatorial, 3β-axial cis-configuration.