Aim: To study the chemical constituents of the water-extracts of Selaginella tamariscina (Beauv.) Spring.
Methods: Various chromatographic techniques were used to separate and purify the constituents. Their physico-chemical properties and spectral data were used to elucidate the structures.
Results: Nine compounds were isolated and identified as (2R,3S)-dihydro-2- (3',5'-dimethoxy-4'-hydroxyphenyl)-7-methoxy-5-acetyl-benzofuran (1), 3-hydroxy-phenpropionic acid-(2'-methoxy-4'-carboxy-phenol) ester (tamariscina ester A, 2), sygringaresinol (3), 1-(4'-hydroxyl-3'-methoxyphenyl)glycerol (4), ferulic acid (5), caffeic acid (6), vanillic acid (7), syringic acid (8), and umbelliferone (9).
Conclusion: Compound 1 and 2 are new compounds, and the others were isolated from Selaginella for the first time.