Title: Gymnemic Acid
CAS Registry Number: 1399-64-0
Synonyms: 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); St?cklin
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: St?cklin,
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.
