Definition: A class of dibenzylbutane derivatives which occurs in higher plants and in fluids (bile, serum, urine, etc.) in man and other animals. These compounds, which have a potential anti-cancer role, can be synthesized in vitro by human fecal flora. (From Singleton & Sainsbury, Dictionary of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, 2d ed)
2,3-bis(3'-hydroxybenzyl)butyrolactone [ 2,3-BHBB,BHMDF,2,3-bis(3'-hydroxybenzyl)butyrolactone, (trans)-(+-)-isomer,2,3-bis(3'-hydroxybenzyl)butyrolactone, (trans)-isomer,3,4-bis((3-hydroxyphenyl)methyl)dihydro-2-(3H)-furanone,HPMF,enterolactone,trans-2,3-bis(3-hydroxybenzyl)-gamma-butyrolactone ] lignan isolated from urine of humans & other mammals; RN given refers to cpd without isomeric designation; structure given in second source