Identification of an anti-inflammatory principle from the stem bark of Millettia versicolor.

The dichloromethane-soluble fraction of the methanol extract of the stem bark of Millettia versicolor Welw. (Leguminosae) has been shown to possess anti-inflammatory activity. The chromatographic fractionation and subsequent analysis of the spectroscopic data of this extract led to the isolation and identification of 2-acetyl-7-methoxynaphtho[2,3- b]furan-4,9-quinone (1) along with two known quinones. Pharmacological data demonstrate that compound 1 has relevant anti-inflammatory properties whereas the other two isolated compounds do not.