Inhibitory activity of 3-methylenhydroxy-5-methoxy-2,4-dihydroxy tetrahydrofurane isolated from Selaginella lepidophyla on smooth muscle of Wistar rat.

A new compound, 3-methylenhydroxy-5-methoxy-2,4-dihydroxy tetrahydrofurane, has been isolated from a methanol extract of Selaginella lepidophyla. The structure is based on 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR and MS analysis. The compound was tested on uterus (oestrus), ileum and duodenum of Wistar rats. It proved to have a slight inhibitory effect on the contraction response of the uterus, but it did not have any effect on the two other muscles.