Long-chain phenols from the bark of Amphypterygium adstringens.

The hexane extract of the stem bark of Amphypterygium adstringens at a dose of 100 mg/kg subcutaneously exhibited significant hypocholesterolemic effect on 24-h fasted rats, lowering the cholesterol levels by 31%, an effect similar to 15 mg/kg estrone given by the same route. Column chromatography of the active extract allowed the isolation of two mixtures of long chain phenols (Mixture I and Mixture II). According to GC/MS analysis, Mixture I contained five alkyl phenolic acids and Mixture II three alkyl phenolic aldehydes. Neither of the mixtures exhibited significant hypocholesterolemic activity at doses up to 15 mg/kg subcutaneously.