A trinorsesterterpene glycoside from the North American fern Woodwardia virginica (L.) Smith.

A new trinorsesterterpene glycoside was isolated from the ethanol extract of the American fern Woodwardia virginica having a 3-[6-(4,8-dimethyl-nona-1,3,7-trienyl)-4-hydroxy-2,6-dimethyl-cyclohex-1-enyl]-3-hydroxypropionic acid, as the aglycone and a saccharide moiety linked at C-4 to glucoses, xylose or arabinofuranose. The structure was elucidated using extensive spectroscopic analysis (1D and 2D NMR, MS, IR and UV) including determination of absolute stereochemistry by means of the MTPA and PGME derivatives and also by chemical methods.