Chemical Constituents of Moss Macromitrium orthostichum Nees ex Schwägr.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION Macromitrium Brid. is a large genus of pantropical mosses consisting of xerophytic epiphytes. One member of this genus, M. orthostichum Nees ex Schwägr. is restricted in Southeast Asia up to Papua New Guinea was recorded in Luzon, Mindoro and Mindanao islands in the Philippines [1]. Like other members of Macromitrium, this species is distinguished from other mosses by having creeping prostrate stems that give rise to rigid branches that terminate into sporophytes [2]. The plant of Macromitrium orthostichum, as in most members of Macromitrium, have some shades of reddish brown with leaves variously twisted and contorted around the branches. Macromitrium orthostichum differs from other Macromitrium species by having papillose rhizoids arising along the basal leaf margins [3]. There is no report on the chemical constituents and biological activities of Macromitrium orthostichum. Herein, the isolation of zeorin (1), atranorin (2) and a mixture of β-sitosterol (3) and stigmasterol (4) (Fig. 1) from the dichloromethane extract of Macromitrium orthostichum is reported. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the isolation of compounds 1-4 from Macromitrium orthostichum.

A New 3‐Benzylphthalide from the Moss Erythrodontium julaceum

“…Fractions EA1-EA4 were analyzed using thin-layer chromatography, indicating the presence of the mixture of aliphatic acids and sterols. Aliphatic acids and sterols are quite common in mosses; [1,17] thus, these fractions were not investigated further. Fraction EA5 (1.4 g) was purified by silica gel CC and eluted with hexane-chloroform-AcOEt-acetone-H 2 O (12 : 1 : 1.5 : 1 : 0.05, v/v/v/v/v) to afford four fractions EA5.1-5.4.…”