Title: Gymnemic Acid
CAS Registry Number: 1399-64-0
Additional Names: Gymnemin
Literature References: Antisaccharin principle occurring in the leaves of Gymnema sylvestre R. Br. and allied Asclepiadaceae: Hooper, Chem. News 59, 159 (1889); Mhaskar, Caius, Indian J. Med. Res. No. 16, 1 (1930); Warren, Pfaffman, J. Appl. Physiol. 14, 40 (1959); Stöcklin et al., Helv. Chim. Acta 50, 474 (1967). A complex mixture of at least nine closely related acidic glycosides, the major active component being gymnemic acid A1: Stöcklin, J. Agric. Food Chem. 17, 704 (1969); Dateo, Long, ibid. 21, 899 (1973). Separation of major components: Sinsheimer et al., J. Pharm. Sci. 59, 622, 629 (1970). Completely obtunds taste for several hours for sweet but not for bitter, sour, or salty substances: G. Hellekant et al., Acta Physiol. Scand. 124, 399 (1985).
Properties: The acid is a yellow to brown amorphous, bitter powder. Almost insol in water; sol in alcohol. The potassium salt is a reddish-brown cryst mass, sol in water or alcohol. |