Alkyl phenols and saponins from the roots of Labisia pumila (Kacip Fatimah).

Recently, there is a remarkable boom in the sales of Labisia pumila (Kacip Fatimah) in the Malaysian market, as an extract of the plant is used to gain energy and libido as well as to treat many other ailments. A chemical analysis of its roots was undertaken and three metabolites, demethylbelamcandaquinone B (1), fatimahol (2), and dexyloprimulanin (3) together with 21 known compounds including epoxyoleanane glycosides, alkenated phenolics, cerebroside, glycerogalactolipids, and lipids were isolated and identified. Structure elucidation was achieved by spectroscopic and chemical studies. The MeOH extract of KF and compounds 12 and 13 exhibited moderate in vitro antibacterial activity.