GC-MS study and isolation of a sesquiterpene lactone from Artemisia pallens

Artemisia pallens wall is a potant medicinal plant used in Ayurvedic system of medicines since ancient times. Taking into consideration the medicinal importance of the plant, a fraction of acetone extract was analyzed using GC-MS and the structures were confirmed by genesis. The major constitutents were alpha santonin, diisobutyl phthalate, tetradecane etc. The presence of alpha santonin and its isolation has been shown for the first time. The structure of the isolated compound has been elucidated by spectral analysis (MS, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, DEPT etc.). It is further confirmed by single crystal X-Ray crystallography.