Phytochemical and Biological Studies of the Flowers of Ruellia brittoniana Leonard Family: Acanthaceae

A phytochemical study of the flowers of Ruellia brittoniana Leonard, Family Acanthaceae led to the isolation of one triterpene (β-amyrin), one sterol (β-sitosterol) and three flavonoids (7-O-acetyl apigenin, apigenin and apigenin-7-O-glycoside). The structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic evidence and correlated with known compounds.

Antimicrobial activity of different extracts of the leaves and flowers showed significant antimicrobial activity against both gram +ve and gram -ve bacteria. Some pharmacological activities of the different extracts of leaves and flowers were studied revealing an anti-inflammatory, hypotensive and cardiotonic activities. The tested compounds binded with the zinc atom of angiostensin converting enzyme and this proved the hypotensive effect of the different plant extracts.