Dihydrostyryl-2-pyrone as a chemical marker of three non-xanthone-producing Polygala species (Polygalaceae)

The phytochemical investigation of the ethyl acetate fraction of Polygala longicaulis Kunth resulted in the isolation and identification of two dihydrostyryl-2-pyrones (1–2). This is the third species of the Polygala L. genus, along with Polygala altomontana Lüdtke, Boldrini & Miotto and Polygala sabulosa A.W. Benn., to present the accumulation of dihydrostyryl-2-pyrones. The data reported herein make an important contribution to the chemotaxonomy of this genus. This is the first report of dihydrostyryl-2-pyrone (1) and dihydrometisticin (2) in P. longicaulis and the first report of dihydrometisticin in the genus Polygala. Furthermore, this is the first grouping of non-xanthone-producing Polygala species.