Caffeoylquinic acids and some biological activities of Pluchea symphytifolia.

From the aerial parts of Pluchea symphytifolia, four known and two new caffeoylquinic acids, 1,3,4,5-tetra-O-caffeoylquinic acid and 1,3-di-O-[3,4,-bis-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-cyclobutane-1,2-dicarbonyl]- 4,5-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid, and two flavonols were isolated and their structures elucidated by mass and NMR spectroscopy and by chemical degradation. The aqueous extract had weak antibacterial and weak antisecretory effects; the lipophilic extract showed a modest anthelmintic activity. The higher caffeoylated quinic acids participated in the antibacterial and anthelmintic effect of the extracts.