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

Nine phenolic (1similar to9) 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 anit-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 muM) was about four times more inhibitory to U46619 induced aggregation than ASA (IC50; 340 muM). Compound 9, 4,4'-dihydroxy-dibenzylether, (IC50 5 muM, 3 muM and 33 uM, respectively) was 10similar to80 fold more potent than ASA (IC50; 420 muM, 53 muM and 340 muM respectively) to collagen, epinephrine and U46619 induced aggregation, although it is less active than ASA to AA induced aggregation.