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DOI: 10.1055/s-0037-1608187
Isolation and identification of flavonoids, saponins and two new flavolignans from Cecropia obtusifolia leaves collected in Panama
Publication History
Publication Date:
24 October 2017 (online)
Several plant species of the genus Cecropia (Urticaraceae) are traditionally used in Latin America for the treatment of a variety of diseases [1]. A well-known example is dried leaves of C. obtusifolia, which are consumed as an antidiabetic and anti-inflammatory agent [2], and are commercially available as food supplements. The range of therapeutic properties attributed to these plants has been correlated to their content of phenolic acids, flavonoids, proanthocyanidins, triterpenoids and steroids [3]. However, until now there is no clear evidence on the nature of the active compounds, and there is lack of quality control of the herbal supplements. The aim of this study is to characterize the phytochemical constituents from leaves of C. obtusifolia collected in Panama. The plant material was exhaustively extracted with 70% ethanol by maceration. A semi-preparative HPLC-MS system was used to isolate 11 compounds and their structures were elucidated based on HRESIMS, 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic analysis (Figure 1). Seven flavone glycosides were obtained (1 – 7), two saponins (8 – 9) and two new flavolignans (10 – 11). Isoorientin and isovitexin O-glycosides (2 – 7), and the flavolignans (10 – 11) were reported for the first time from the genus Cecropia. Development and validation of analytical methods for quality control and quantification of major constituents is in progress.
[1] Costa GM, Schenkel EP, Reginatto FH. Nat Prod Comun 2011; 6, 913 – 920.
[2] Pérez-Guerrero C, Herrera MD, Ortiz R, Alvarez De Sotomayor M, Fernández MA. J Ethnopharmacol 2001; 76, 279 – 284.
[3] Rivera-Mondragón A, Ortiz OO, Bijttebier S, Vlietinck A, Apers S, Pieters L, Caballero-George C. Pharm Biol 2017; 55, 1500 – 1512.
