Chemistry and Pharmacology ofGentiana lactea

Abstract
Flavonoids, secoiridoids, and xanthones of Gentiana lactea (Gentianaceae) were investigated and 14 compounds were identified, among these the previously undescribed 2-C-β-D-glucopyranosyl-1,3,7-trihydroxyxanthone (neolancerin). The known constituents of G. lactea include bellidifolin, bellidifolin-8-O-glucoside, deacetylcentapicrin, demethylbellidifolin, demethylbellidifolin-8-O-glucoside, gentiopicrin, isoorientin, isovitexin, loganic acid, mangiferin, swerchirin, sweroside, and swertiamarin. Xanthones with 1,3,5,8-substitution patterns were tested for inhibition of monoamino oxidase. Bellidifolin (1,5,8-trihydroxy-3-methoxyxanthone) was found to be a strong and selective inhibitor of MAO A in vitro.