Biological Activity of Rubia cordifolia and Isolation of an Active Principle

Abstract

The present study deals with the isolation of mollugin, furomollugin and dehydro-a-lapchone from the chloroform fraction of Rubia cordifolia (Linn.) roots. Mollugin showed inhibition of passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) and protection of mast cell degranulation in rats. It also exhibited considerable activity against lymphoid leukemia (P338) in mice. Furomollugin and dehydro-a-lapchone were obtained for the first time from R. cordifolia.