Biologically Active Caffeic Acid-Derived Biopolymer

The high-molecular water-soluble preparations from several species of two genera (Symphytum and Anchusa) of Boraginaceae family Symphytum asperum, S. caucasicum, S.officinale and Anchusa italica were isolated. According to IR, C and H NMR, APT, 1D NOE, 2D heteronuclear H/C HSQC and 2D DOSY experiments, the main chemical constituent of these preparations was found to be caffeic acid-derived polyether, namely poly[3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)glyceric acid] (PDPGA) or poly[oxy-1carboxy-2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)ethylene]. Most carboxylic groups of this caffeic acid-derived polymer of A. italica are methylated. Keywords—Anchusa, poly[3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)glyceric acid], poly[oxy-1-carboxy-2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)ethylene], Symphytum.