Planta Med 2008; 74 - PB162
DOI: 10.1055/s-0028-1084506

Phytochemical investigation of Leguminosae plants originated from Cameroon

S Djiogue 1, M Halabalaki 2, D Njamen 1, Z Tanee Fomum 3, AL Skaltsounis 2
  • 1Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Department of Animal Biology and Physiology, Faculty of Science, University of Yaounde1 PO box 812, Yaounde-Cameroon
  • 2Division of Pharmacognosy and Natural Products Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, University of Athens, Panepistimioupoli Zografou, 15771, Athens, Greece
  • 3Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Yaounde1, Po Box 812 Yaounde-Cameroon

A large variety of plants from Leguminosae family are traditionally used in Cameroon and most African countries in the treatment of numerous diseases such as postmenopausal and metabolic syndrome [1]. In a continuation study on Leguminosae plants, some specific species originated from Cameroon are under investigation in order to explore their phytochemical composition and evaluate the biological activity of the isolated secondary metabolites. The stem bark of 4 species, Amphimas pterocarpoides (Fabaceae), Albizia adianthifolia (Mimosasea), Hylodendron gabonensis (Caesalpiniaceae) and Erythrina poeppigiana (Fabaceae) were selected to be analysed. Based on the HPLC-PDA profile of the DCM and MeOH extracts of the aforementioned plants, the DCM extract of Erythrina poeppigiane where selected to be investigated firstly. Till now a number of secondary metabolites have been isolated and structurally characterized. Most of them are isoflavones and esters of simple phenolics such as esters of ferrulic acid. [2]. Structural assessment of these compounds was carried out using spectroscopic methods (MS, 1&2D NMR). Among the characterized compounds one prenylated isoflavone, 1 found to be a novel natural product.

References: 1. Steenkamp, V., (2003)J. Ethnopharmacol. 86:97–108. 2. Addae-Mensah, I. et al. (1992) Phytochemistry 31:2055–2058.