Chemical constituents from the aerial parts of Euphorbia formosana Hayata and their chemotaxonomic significance.

A phytochemical investigation of the aerial parts of Euphorbia formosana Hayata resulted in the isolation of 33 compounds, including various derivatives of ellagic acid and gallic acid. The chemical structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods and comparison with relevant data from the literature. The chemotaxonomic significance and distribution of these derivatives of ellagic acid and gallic acid in the genus Euphorbia are discussed. • Thirty-three compounds (1–33) were isolated from the aerial parts of Euphorbia formosana Hayata. • Seventeen compounds had never been found previously from this species. • These compounds provide evidence for chemotaxonomic studies of E. formosana and the genus Euphorbia. • Hydroquinone was first time reported from family Euphorbiaceae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]