South American plants III: Isolation of fulvoplumierin from Himatanthus sucuuba (M. Arg.) Woodson (Apocynaceae).

The bark of Himatanthus sucuuba was screened for pharmacological and anticancer activities. The lactone, fulvoplumierin (C14H12O4), was isolated from the n-hexane fraction. The identity was proven by elemental analysis and IR, mass spectral, and melting-point determinations. Reference samples were used for comparison.