ABSTRACT
Objective: To study the chemical constituents of the rhizomes of Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani. Methods: Compounds were isolated and purified by a combination of column chromatography including silica gel, polyamide and Sephadex LH-20. Their structures were elucidated by physiochemical properties and NMR analysis. Results: Twelve compounds were obtained from water extract of the rhizome of S. tabernaemontani and identified as 5,7,2',4'-tetrahydroxy-3, 5'-dimethoxyflavone (1), tricin (2), hesperetin (3), quercetin (4), luteolin (5), eriodictyol (6), apigenin (7), naringenin (8), chrysin (9), 5,7-dihydroxychromone (10), catechin (11) and tricin-7-O-β-D-glucoside (12), respectively. Conclusion: Compound 1 is a new flavone named schoenin. Compounds 2-5 and 7-12 are isolated from the Cyperaceae for the first time. Compound 6 is isolated from the genus Scirpus for the first time.