The chemotaxonomic significance of phenylethanoid glycosides of Lathraea squamaria L. (Orobanchaceae)

• Acteoside and isoacteoside have been reported and isolated from Lathraea squamaria L. for the first time.
• Unsubstituted benzoic acid has not been detected in this plant to date.
• The phenylethanoid glycosides could have a chemotaxonomic significance for the plant and family Orobanchaceae.

Lathraea squamaria L. (Orobanchaceae) is a non-chlorophyllous root parasitic plant; the phytochemistry of this plant has received little previous attention. In this study, we report the isolation and identification of two isomeric phenylethanoid glycosides, acteoside (1) and isoacteoside (2) that have not been previously described in this plant. Furthermore, unsubstituted benzoic acid (3) has been detected in the plant for the first time, and the presence of iridoid glycoside aucubin (4) was confirmed in all investigated plant parts. The chemotaxonomic significance of the determined compounds is discussed.