Isolation and Structure Determination of Active Ingredients of Certain Plant from Asclepiadceae Family

Abstract

Leptadenia pyrotechnica (Asclepiadaceae family) was widely grown in different parts of the world and was found in several locations in Egypt, particularly in the eastern desert and Sinai Peninsula. This plant was used extensively in the folkloric medicine. For example, it was used by the bedouins for treatment of retention of urine, which helps expel uroliths. It was also used as a diuretic, antihistaminic, anti-inflammatory and expectorant. In spite of the importance of this plant as of potential medicinal value, no comprehensive phytochemical study could be located in literature. Therefore, we carried out this investigation aiming to isolate and elucidate the structure of some chemical constituents of this plant and evaluate their biological activity. Particular attention was given to flavonoids, cardiac glycosides, alkaloids and lipids. The thesis includes three parts: 1. Comprehensive review ofliterature about the chemical constituents and biological studies of the Leptadenia Species, as well as an account of the major chemical constituents of Asclepiadaceae family. 2. Chemical Studies of Leptadenia pyrotechnica, which includes: 2.1. Phytochemical Screening of the crude plant extract revealed the presence of cardiac glycosides, flavonoids, alkaloids, sterols and/or triterpenes, and carbohydrates and/or glycosides as the major components. Beside the presence of coumarins, saponins, catechol and pyrogallol tannins with less ratio. 2.2. Investigation of the Lipid Constituents: Investigation of the lipid constituents revealed the presence of: a) Fatty Alcohol Fraction: which contains a series of eleven fatty alcohols constitute n-alkanol (-C,, to n-C,) with pentatriacontanol as the major constituent. b) The Unsaponifiable Matter; which includes: " Hydrocarbons fraction, which was a mixture of a series of n-alkanes (n-C, to n• C,,) in which Dotriacontane and Nonacosane constitute the major constituents.