PHYTOCHEMISTRY OF DALEA CANDIDA VAR. OLIGOPHYLLA

The focus of this project was the plant Dalea candida and its phytochemistry. The plant compounds were isolated and purified by an array of chromatographic techniques. The structures of the pure compounds were determined by one-dimensional and two-dimensional 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy, supported by infrared and ultraviolet spectroscopy, experimental and calculated circular dichroism spectroscopy, and mass spectrometry. Plant parts were worked on separately since they typically differ in content. Purified compounds will be tested for biological activities. Based on our results, eight new or known compound were isolated, specifically four new compounds and four known compounds. Compound 2 (pawhuskin D) was the first discovery of a new pawhuskin isolated from a Dalea species in over twenty years, resulting in additional neuropharmacological testing, specifically for opioid-binding activity. The new compound pawhuskin D was isolated in the early stages of this project and is similar to the known compound pawhuskin A, a k-opioid antagonist of some importance.