Natural Product Research, Vol. 20, No. 10, August 2006, 953–960 Longifoamide-A and B: Two new ceramides from Mentha longifolia (Lamiaceae) MUHAMMAD SHAIQ ALI*y, WAQAR AHMEDy, MUHAMMAD SALEEMy and TAOUS KHANz yInternational Center for Chemical Sciences, H. E. J. Research Institute of Chemistry, University of Karachi, Karachi – 75270, Pakistan zDepartment of Chemistry, University of Peshawar, Peshawar, Pakistan (Received 15 November 2004; in final form 2 May 2005) Two new N-acylsphingosines (ceramides) named longifoamide A {6 0 -tetracosenamide, (6 0 -Z)-N- [2,3-dihydroxy-1-(hydroxymethyl)octadecyl]} and B {6 0 -tetracosenamide, (6 0 -Z)-N-[2,3,4-tri- hydroxy-1-(hydroxymethyl)octadecyl]} were isolated from a methanol extract of Mentha longifolia. Both ceramides were characterized with the aid of 1D and 2DNMR spectroscopic techniques and high resolution mass spectrometry. Keywords: Ceramides; Longifoamides A and B; Mentha longifolia; Lamiaceae; Characterization; 1D and 2D NMR; HRMS 1. Introduction The genus Mentha belongs to the family Lamiaceae (Labiatae) consisting of about 25–30 species [1]; most of them are found in temperate regions of Eurasia, Australia and South Africa. Although Mentha is a distinct genus of the family Lamiaceae, it has some taxonomic difficulties at the species level. These difficulties arise from a very long history of cultivation and naturalization, vegetative plasticity and widespread distribution. The aromatic Mentha herbs are perennials found in damp or wet places. Members of this genus are the most important sources of essential oil production in the world. It has been estimated that the annual production of oils from three mint species, peppermint (M. piperita), cornmint (M. arvensis) and spearmint (M. spicata) is worth 186 million dollars [2]. Some members of this genus are also used as herbal teas and condiments both in fresh and dried forms due to their distinct aroma [3]. The most *Corresponding author. Fax: (92-21) 4819018-19. Email: shaiq303@hotmail.com Natural Product Research ISSN 1478-6419 print: ISSN 1029-2349 online ß 2006 Taylor & Francis http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals DOI: 10.1080/14786410500445186