The first report on the occurrence of furofuranoid lignan glucosides in Acanthaceae

A new furofuranoid lignan glucoside ((+)-epipinoresinol-4{''}-beta-D-glucoside) and the known lignan glucoside phillyrin ((+)-epipinoresinolmethyl ether-4{''}-beta-D-glucoside), were isolated from the aerial parts of Anisacanthus virgularis Nees, along with some known steroids, a terpenoid and flavonoids, Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectral analysis, chemical derivatization and/or direct comparison with authentic samples. Furofuranoid lignans are reported in the family Acanthaceae for the first time, Their potential biological activity and chemotaxonomic value are discussed.