Phytochemical and Biological Studies on Aster novi-belgii

Aster is a large genus of the family Asteraceae (Compositae) comprising more than 200 species distributed around the world (1). Some of Aster species have been used in traditional medicine for the treatment of fever, cold, tonsillitis, snake bite and bee sting (2). Members of this genus are rich in triterpenoid saponins, two oleanan type saponins and three flavonoid compounds were isolated from Aster novi (3,4). Phytochemical investigation of the methanolic extract of Aster novi-belgii L. (Asteraceae) aerial part has led to the isolation and identification by spectroscopic means of four triterpenoid saponins, oleanolic acid 3-O-β-D-galactopyranosyl (1→3)-α-L-arabinopyranoside; 3-O-β-D- glucopyranosyl- 3β, 16 α- dihydroxyolean- 12- en- 28-oic acid-28-O-α-L- arabinopyranoside; {3-O-β-D- glucouronopyranosyl- 3β,16 α- dihydroxyolean- 12-en -23-oic acid 28-O-β-D- xylopyranosyl- (1→3)-β-D- xylopyranosyl- (1→4)- α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(l→2)-α-L-arabinopyranoside} ester and {3-O-β-D-glucouronopyranosyl-3β,16 α- dihydroxyolean- 12-en- 23-oic acid 28-O-β-D- xylopyranosyl- (1→3)- β-D-xylopyranosyl (1→4)- [α-L- arabinopyranosyl- (1→3)] -α-L- rhamnopyranosyl- (l→2)- α-L-arabinopyranoside} ester, and four flavonoids; kaempferol, quercetin, kaempferol 3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside and quercetin 3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside. Moreover, the extract showed a molluscicidal activity against Biomphalaria alexandrina snails.

References: 1. Shao Y et al. (1997)J Nat Prod 60: 743–746.

2. Shao Y et al.(1995) Planta Med 61: 246–249

3. Abdel Khalik SM (2006) Bull Fac Pharm Cairo Univ 44: 85–89

4. Abdel Khalik SM (2006) Bull Fac Pharm Cairo Univ 44: 253–256