Planta Med 2010; 76 - P349
DOI: 10.1055/s-0030-1264647

Albactam, a novel β- lactam derivative from the flowers of Albizia lebbeck with platelets anti-aggregatory activity in vitro

A El Gamal 1, M Abd El Halim 1, A Khalil 1, O Basoudan 1, A Al-Rehaily 1, M Ahmed 1, K El Tahir 1
  • 1King Saud University, Pharmacognosy, King Saud university, college of Pharmacy, Dept. of Pharmaconosy, P.O. box 2457, Riyadh 11451, KSA, 2457 Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Genus Albizia is used in folk medicine to treat several inflammatory pathologies such as asthma, arthritis and burns. It is also reported that A. lebbeck flowers are commonly used to treat anxiety, depression and insomnia in traditional Chinese medicine. Genus Albizia is characterized by different classes of secondary metabolites such as triterpenoidal saponins, flavonoids and alkaloids. Phytochemical investigation of the alcoholic extract of the inflorescences afforded a novel β-lactam derivative, albactam. It showed an anti-aggregatory activity against adenosine diphosphate and arachidonic acid-induced Guniea Pigs' platelets aggregation in vitro at a dose 208µg/ml and 172µg/ml respectively. Moreover, monoterpene derivative (epoxy linalol), two tritepenes (β- amyrin and 11α, 12α-oxidotaraxerol), two ceramides and rutin have been isolated. Structural elucidation was achieved utilizing different spectroscopic techniques, including 1D and 2D NMR.

Fig.1: Albactam

Acknowledgements: The authors are indebted to Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz International Program for Distinguished Research Scholarships for financial support.