(+)-Nortrachelogenin, a new pharmacologically active lignan from Wikstroemia indica.

A new lignan, (+)-nortrachelogenin (I), and a known compound, daphnoretin were isolated from Wikstroemia indica C. A. Meyer (Thymelaeaceae). The structure of (+)-nortrachelogenin was established as 8(R), 8'(R)-4,4',8'-trihydroxy-3,3'-dimethoxylignan-olid(9, 9') on the basis of spectroscopic evidence and comparison with its enantiomer, (-)-nortrachelogenin. (+)-Nortrachelogenin (I) showed effects on the central nervous system producing depression in rabbits.