Identification of Deoxymiroestrol as the Actual Rejuvenating Principle of “Kwao Keur”, <i>Pueraria </i><i>m</i><i>irifica</i>. The Known Miroestrol May Be an Artifact

Abstract

Miroestrol (1) has been isolated previously as an active principle from "Kwao Keur" (Pueraria mirifica), a rejuvenating folk medicine from Thailand. Reinvestigation using bioassay-guided purification has resulted in the isolation of a new potent phytoestrogen, deoxymiroestrol (2). The facile aerial oxidation of 2 into 1 suggests the possibility that 1 may be an artifact.