Abstract

Extensive phytochemical investigations using silica gel column chromatography, gel filtration and preparative thin layer chromatography (TLC) led to the isolation of 2’ 4’- dihydroxy-4-prenyloxy chalcone from the methanol extract of Indigofera pulchra. The structure of this compound was elucidated with the help of NMR and mass spectroscopy. The analgesic effect of the compound was studied using acetic acid induced writhing and hot plate tests in mice. The compound isolated showed significant analgesic activity in acetic acid induced writhing test but no activity in the hot plate test, suggesting that it posses peripheral analgesic activity. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of the isolation of this compound.

Key words: Prenyloxychalcone, analgesic activity, Indigofera pulchra, 1 and 2D NMR.