Isomotiol, a new triterpene from strychnos potatorum

Isomotiol (fern-8-en-3β-ol) was isolated from the leaves of Strychnos potatorum; it was not known previously as a natural product, but it has been obtained by acidic isomerization of compounds with a fern-7-ene or a fern-9(11)-ene skeleton. From the leaves and the bark mixtures of sitosterol, stigmasterol and campesterol were also isolated.