Preliminary results on the protective effect of (-)-edunol, a pterocarpan from Brongniartia podalyrioides (Leguminosae), against Bothrops atrox venom in mice.

(-)-Edunol a prenylated pterocarpan was isolated from the roots of two Mexican 'snakeweeds', Brongniartia podalyrioides and B. intermedia (Leguminosae). Edunol (3.1 mg/kg, i.p.) reduced the expected mortality of mice previously treated by the same route with the LD50 of the venom of the serpent Bothrops atrox. The molecular structure and properties of edunol are similar to those previously reported for cabenegrins A-I and A-II.