Planta Med 2010; 76 - P091
DOI: 10.1055/s-0030-1264389

Lupeol derivatives from the Eastern Nigeria mistletoe, Loranthus micranthus Linn. (Loranthaceae) with enhanced cell proliferative potentials

P Osadebe 1, E Omeje 1, A Kawamura 2, F Okoye 1
  • 1University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemsitry, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nigeria Nsukka, 41001 Enugu, Nigeria
  • 2City University of the New York, Department of Chemistry, Hunter College of CUNY, The City University of New York, U.S.A, Department of Chemistry, Hunter College of CUNY, The City University of New York, U.S.A, 10065 New York, United States

Bioassay-guided fractionation of the crude extract of Eastern Nigerian mistletoe Loranthus micranthus Linn. (Loranthaceae) showed that the hexane fraction was very active in terms of immunostimulation with enhanced macrophage activation and cell proliferative abilities [1, 2]. Further fractionation and purification of the hexane fraction led to the isolation of a known triterpenoid, lupeol and some derivatives which were esters of either a C14 or C16 fatty acid. Characterization and unequivocal structural assignments were achieved by a combination of UV/visible, IR, NMR, MS, COSY experiments including, HMBC, HQSC, NOEs, NOESY. The characterized compounds exhibited mild immunostimulatory activity on cell line (C57Bl/6 splenocytes) and flow cytometry techniques against Lipopolysaccharide and Concanavalin A standards. This is the first report of the presence and immune stimulation potentials of the triterpenoid, Lupeol and derivatives isolated from our local mistletoe.

Acknowledgements: The authors specially acknowledge Dr. C. S Nworu for the Pharmacological tests.

References: 1. Osadebe PO, et al (2009)J Ethnopharmacology, 125:287–293.

2. Osadebe et al (2008), RPMP Vol 27: 473–485.