Chemical constituents of the stems and twigs of Lindera umbellata.

The chemical constituents of the stems and twigs of Lindera umbellata were investigated, and a new lignan derivative and four known compounds were isolated. The structure of the new compound was established as (2S,3S)-2,3-bis[(4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)methyl]-1,4-butanediol 1,4-diferulate on the basis of spectroscopic analysis and the result of alkaline methanolysis. The isolated compounds were evaluated for their scavenging effects on 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl and O(2) (-) radicals.