Chemical Investigation of Astercantha longifolia, Nees (N.O. A. Canthaceae)

Astercantha longifolia (Nees) (Syn. Hygrophylla spinosa, T. Anders) is found widely throughout India. The roots end seeds have been widely used in the indigenous system of medicine¹. Earlier workers^2,3 have isolated lupeol and some minor components from the roots of this plant. The present work revealed the presence of stigmasterol to the extent of 0.1% besides lupeol, 0.3%, a straight chain ketone and  mixture of hydrocarbons. from the whole plants.