| Flower extracts of the ancient Egyptian sacred plant, the Blue Lily of the Nile (Nymphaea caerulea Sav.), were analyzed by GC/MS, LC/MS and NMR. Eight compounds were identified: one flavone: 7-hydroxyflavone; 2 aurones: 4', 7-dihydroxyaurone and 4' -hydroxyaurone; and 4-methoxybenzyl alcohol, benzamide, methyl 4-hydroxybenzoate, methyl vanillate and cinnamyl alcohol. 4'7-dihydroxyaurone and 4'-hydroxyaurone are reported for the first time as natural compounds. A general discussion on ethnobotany and iconography of N. caerulea, as well as a review on phytochemistry and chemosystematics of Nymphaeaceae are also presented. |
