Absolute configurations of biantraquinones from Eremurus spectabilis BIEB.

This report covers extraction, isolation, and characterisation studies on Eremurus spectabilis BIEB (Liliaceae) species. Eremurus spectabilis BIEB was extracted with hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, and methanol, respectively. Using chromatographic methods, two known bianthraquinones (ES3, 7,10'-bichrysophanol and ES6, chrysalodin), three known anthraquinones (ES1, chrysophanol; ES2, chrysophanol-8-methyl ether; ES4, aloe emodin) and one known steroidal compound (ES5, daucosterol) were isolated from the chloroform extract. Structures of these isolated compounds were revealed by 1D and 2D NMR and HRMS spectroscopies. Absolute configurations of ES3 and ES6 were determined by single crystal X-Ray diffraction analysis.