Coumarins from the Malagasy Cedrelopsis rakotozafyi Cheek and Lescot (Rutaceae)

A phytochemical analysis of the bark of the Malagasy Cedrelopsis rakotozafyi Cheek and Lescot (Rutaceae) yielded the novel 8-hydroxy-7-methoxy-6-(2R-hydroxy-3-methylbut-3enoxy)-2H-1-benzopyran-2-one, and 7-hydroxy-6-(2R-hydroxy-3-methylbut-3-enoxy)-2H-1benzopyran-2-one, 5,6,7-trimethoxy-2H-1-benzopyran-2-one, scoparone, scopoletin, lupeol and βamyrin. The placement of Cedrelopsis within the Rutaceae is supported phytochemically by the typically Rutaceous coumarins isolated. 1. Subject and source Cedrelopsis rakotozafyi Cheek and Lescot (Rutaceae), locally known as Hazondranta, was collected from Ampitsinjovagna, Irodo in the northern part of Madagascar during the dry season in July 2006 by Dr. Milijaona Randrianarivelojosia. Plant identification was confirmed at the Botany Department of the University of Antananarivo. Voucher specimen (CCL 040 – TAN) was retained. The plant collection site was 12° 38.195 S; 49° 31.854 E. The genus Cedrelopsis is endemic to Madagascar and comprises eight species, four of which, C. gracilis (Mulholland et al., 2004), C. microfoliata (Koorbanally et al., 2002), C. grevei (Cavalli et al., 2004; Mulholland et al., 1999; Mulholland et al., 2002; Mulholland et al., 2003; Randrianarivelojosia et al., 2005; Um et al., 2003) and C. longibracteata (Randrianarivelojosia et al., 2005) have been previously examined. Plants belonging to the genus Cedrelopsis are widely used as folk remedies as febrifuges, fortifying agents, relaxants and as postnatal medications *Corresponding author. Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, GU2 7XH, Surrey, UK. Tel,: +44 1483686751. E-mail address: [email protected] (Mulholland, D.A.)