Guggultetrols: a new class of naturally occurring lipids

Abstract

The gum-resin from Commiphora mukul has yielded a number of long-chain aliphatic 1,2,3,4-tetrols esterified with ferulic acid at the primary hydroxyl function. The tetrols are mainly C₁₈ and C₂₀ compounds with minor amounts of C₁₆, C₁₇, C₁₉, C₂₁ and C₂₂ entities. Evidence has been obtained for the occurrence of corresponding mono-olefinic anaogues in the exudate. All these tetrols are configurationally homogenous. Configuration has established as D-xylo by unambiguous synthesis of D-lyxo-, L-ribo- and L-xylo-octadecane-1,2,3,4-tetrols and comparison with the naturally occurring C₁₈ guggultetrol. A number of plants belonging to different families have been screened for the presence of such tetrols.