In a chemotaxonomic study of the genus THAPSIA (Apiaceae), root material of five taxa has been analysed for skin irritating sesquiterpene lactones and the coumarins, 6-methoxy-7-geranyloxycoumarin and scopoletin. Eight tetraesters of 2, 3, 7, 8, 10, 11-hexahydroxy-C (6)-guaianolide and two triesters of 3, 7, 8, 10, 11-pentahydroxy-C (6)-guaianolide were isolated. One of these, trilobolide, has previously been isolated from LASER TRILOBUM B ORKH., whereas the others are new. They represent a new group of selective histamine liberators. Regarding the investigated constituents, T. GARGANICA L. was found to differ from T. TRANSTAGANA B ROT. T. VILLOSA L. proved to be chemically heterogeneous and the examined plant samples could be divided into four chemical groups, named I-IV. Hydroxylated C (6)-guaianolides were isolated from T. GARGANICA, T. TRANSTAGANA, T. MAXIMA M ILL., T. VILLOSA I and III. No skin irritating guaianolides were detected in either T. VILLOSA II and IV or in ROUYA (THAPSIA) POLYGAMA (D ESF.) C OINCY. 6-Methoxy-7-geranyloxycoumarin showed the same distribution as the guaianolides, whereas scopoletin was found in all the plant samples investigated.
Phytochemistry of the genus thapsia. Publishing Authors By Initials