Planta Med 2010; 76 - P170
DOI: 10.1055/s-0030-1264468

Isolation and biological evaluation of a triterpenoid from fruits of wild caraway (Bunium persicum Boiss.)

Y Shokoohinia 1, O Taglialatela-Scafati 2, E Munoz 3, S Sajjadi 1, G Appendino 4
  • 1Department of pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Isfahan Univ. of Med. Sci., Hezar jarib Ave, 81745 Isfahan, Iran, Islamic Republic Of
  • 2Dipartimento di Chimica delle Sostanze Naturali, Università di Napoli Federico II, Via Montesano 49, 80131 Napoli, Italy
  • 3Departamento de Biología Celular, Fisiología e Inmunología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Córdoba, Avda. de Menendez Pidal s/n, E-14004 Córdoba, Spain
  • 4Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Alimentari, Farmaceutiche e Farmacologiche, università del Piemonte Orientale, Via Bovio 6, 3, 28100 Novara, Italy

Bunium persicum Boiss. is an Apiaceaous plant endemic to Iran plateau, and its fruits are used as spice because of their carminative, antispasmodic properties and to promote formation of milk in lactating women [1]. Anti-inflammatory [2], anti-oxidant [3], fungicide [4] and anti-histaminic [5] effect of the plant have been reported before, as well as studies on its volatile oil, that is rich in cyclic monoterpene aldehydes [6]. Surprising, few investigations have been carried out on the non-volatile constituents of this plant. We now report the isolation and bioactivity of the monoacetate of a pentacyclic triterpene diol (1) from this plant which showed moderately activity in the croton oil dermatitis assay representing a novel dietary phytochemical worth further biological investigation because of its broad consumption.

Fig.1

References: 1. Ghasemi-Dehkordi, N. (2002) Iranian Pharmacopeae. Ministry of health publications, Tehran.

2. Khaidarov, K. K. et al (1991) Khimiko-Farmatsevticheskii Zhurnal. 25:73–5.

3. Shahsavari, N. et al (2008). Plant Foods Hum Nutr. 63:183–188.

4. Takayuki, S. et al (2007). J. Chem. Ecol. 33:2123–2132.

5. Boskabady, M.H. et al (2004). Int. J. Phytother. Phytopharmaco.11:411–5.

6. Foroumadi, A et al. (2002)J Ess. Oil Res.14:161–162.