Isolation and chemotaxonomic significance of megastigmane-type sesquiterpenoids from Sarcandra glabra

In this study, twelve known compounds including six megastigmane-type sesquiterpenoids, two coumarins and four phenols were isolated for the first time from Sarcandra glabra(Thunb.) Nakai, a traditional medicinal plant with a variety of pharmaceutical activities. Their structures were determined using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and mass spectrometry (MS) techniques and the chemotaxonomic significance of megastigmane-type sesquiterpenoids was briefly discussed.   Key words: Sarcandra glabra, Chloranthaceae, sesquiterpenoid, chemotaxonomy.