Abstract

ISOLATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF URSOLIC ACID, APIGENIN AND LUTEOLIN FROM LEAVES OF STARCHYTARPHETA JAMAICENSIS (L) VAHL (VERBENNACEAE) FROM TROPICAL FOREST OF EASTERN NIGERIA

Odoh Uchenna Estella* and Payare L. Sangwan

Abstract

Background: Stachytarpheta jamaicensis (L) Vahl (Verbennaceae) is known for its high medicinal value in traditional and folklore systems in many countries. It possesses numerous pharmacolohgical activities due to the presence of bioactive constituents. Aim: The aim of this study was to isolate and characterize the bioactive constituents from the leaves of Stachytarpheta jamaicensis. Method: The powdered leaves were extracted with dichloromethane: methanol (1:1) using cold maceration method. The extract was fractionated to obtain hexane, dichloromethane and aqueous methanol fractions. The Dichloromethane fraction was then subjected to column chromatography and eluted with solvent system (hexane, ethlyacetate, dichloromethane) combination ratios in increasing order of polarity to isolate the bioactive compounds. Isolated compounds were purified by PTLC, CC and recrystallization method. The structures of the isolated compounds were established on the basis of the spectroscopic evidence [IR, 1HNMR (400MHz), 13CNMR (101MHz), MS]. Results: A pentacyclic triterpenoid carboxylic acid: 3 - beta-3hyrdoxy-urs-12-ene -8-oic-acid (Ursolic acid), two polyphenols: 4, 5, 7 – trihydroxy flavone (Apigenin) and Luteolin were isolated. Conclusion: Stachytarpheta jamaicensis contains Ursolic acid, Apigenin and luteolin which are responsible for the various therapeutic activities of the plant.

Keywords: Stachytarpheta jamaicensis, ursolic acid, apigenin, luteolin, characterization