Phytochemical and pharmacological studies on the leaves of Couroupita guianensis Aubl

The present work aimed to give the detailed description of phytochemistry and pharmacological profile of isolated constituents from the leaves of Couroupita guianensis Aubl. Fractionation studies on the leaves of C. guianensis resulted in the isolation of three compounds. Petroleum-ether extract of the plant was chromatographed over silica gel G and the column was eluted with pet-ether (60–80°C), benzene, chloroform and ethanol in succession. Eluted fractions were subjected to rechromatography. Pet-ether eluted fraction gave compound 1, mp 79–81°C. Physicochemical and spectral studies on compound 1 revealed it to be aliphatic hydrocarbon. The chromatographic column, on further elution with benzene gave two more compounds. Compound 2, mp 95–97°C was obtained in small yields and further work was not possible. Compound 3, mp 273–275°C, was isolated in crystalline form and identified as triterpene alcohol on the basis of physicochemical and spectral data. Lipid soluble compound 3 was evaluated for psychopharmacological activity in animal models. Antidepressant activity studies using tail-suspension test and despair swim test in mice, revealed its antidepressant potential. In conclusion, phytochemical and pharmacological studies on the leaves of C. guianensis resulted in the isolation of a novel constituent, ompound 3, a triterpene alcohol, possessing antidepressant potential.