Phenolic and Furan Type Compounds Isolated from Gastrodia elata and their Anti-Platelet Effects

Nine phenolic ($1\~9$) and two furan type (10, 11) compounds, were isolated from the methanolic extract of the tuber of Gastrodia elata Blume (Orchidaceae) in the course of continuing search for platelet anit-aggregating plant components. Compound 1 was identified as 4,4'-dihy-droxybenzyl sulfone, a novel compound for the best of our knowledge. Compound 10, 5-hydroxymethyl-2-furancarboxaldehyde, was isolated for the first time from this plant. Compound 1 ($IC_{50};\;83{\mu}M$) was about four times more inhibitory to U46619 induced aggregation than ASA ($IC_{50};\340{\mu}M$). Compound 9, 4,4'-dihydroxy-dibenzylether, ($IC_{50};\;5{\mu}M$, $3{\mu}M\;and\;33{\mu}M$, respectively) was $10\~}80$ fold more potent than ASA ($IC_{50};\;420\;{\mu}M,\;53\;{\mu}M\;and\;340\;{\mu}M$ respectively) to collagen, epinephrine and U46619 induced aggregation, although it is less active than ASA to AA induced aggregation.