Isolation of ovulatory-active substances from crops of Job's tears(Coix lacryma-jobi L. var. ma-yuen Stapf.).

Abstract

Ovulatory-active substances were isolated from crops of Job''s tears (Coix lacryma-jobi L. var. ma-yuen STAPF. Graminae) with guidance by microscopic observation of oviducts of normal cycling female golden hamsters. These compounds were assigned as a 9:1 mixture of trans-feruloyl stigmastanol and trans-feruloyl campestanol (1), and a 9:1 mixture of their geometrical isomers (2) by chemical and spectral means. Synthesis of trans- and cis-feruloyl stigmastanol was also carried out. Substance 1 and the synthetic trans-feruloyl stigmastanol at 200 .mu.g/d showed induction of ovulation and stimulation of ovarian follicular growth in female golden hamsters.