Phenolic and furan type compounds isolated from Gastrodia elata and their anti-platelet effects.

Nine phenolic (1-9) and two furan type (10, 11) compounds, were isolated from the methanolic extract of the tuber of Gastrodia elata Blume (Orchidaceae) in the course of continuing search for platelet anti-aggregating plant components. Compound 1 was identified as 4,4'-dihydroxybenzyl sulfone, a novel compound for the best of our knowledge. Compound 10, 5-hydroxymethyl-2-furancarboxaldehyde, was isolated for the first time from this plant. Compound 1 (IC50; 83 microM) was about four times more inhibitory to U46619 induced aggregation than ASA (IC50; 340 microM). Compound 9, 4,4'-dihydroxy-dibenzylether, (IC50; 5 microM, 3 microM and 33 microM, respectively) was 10-80 fold more potent than ASA (IC50; 420 microM, 53 microM and 340 microM respectively) to collagen, epinephrine and U46619 induced aggregation, although it is less active than ASA to AA induced aggregation.