Abstract
Purpose: Terminalia arjuna Roxb (Combretaceae) is commonly known as Arjjhan and Arjun in Bengal, India. The anti-leishmanial and anticancer activities of a pentacyclic triterpenoid isolated from its leaves were evaluated.Methods: Dried and crushed leaves of Terminalia arjuna were de-fatted with petroleum ether (40-60°C) and extracted with methanol. The extract was subjected to column chromatography and column fractions were monitored on TLC plates developed in a suitable solvent system. Structures of the isolated pure compounds were elucidated by infra-red spectroscopy, mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. One of the compounds was screened for anti-leishmanial activity against promastigotes of Leishmania donovani, and anti-cancer activity on K562 leukaemic cell line.Results: A pentacyclic triterpenoid, characterized as 3ß-hydroxyurs-12-en-28-oic acid (together with ß- D-glucoside) and designated ursolic acid, was successfully isolated. The structure was determined on the basis of spectroscopic analyses. In vitro anti-leishmanial activity against promastigotes of Leishmania donovani (strain AG 83) and anti-cancer activity on K562 leukaemic cell line were shown by the isolated ursolic acid.Conclusion: The methanol extract of the leaves of Terminalia arjuna led to the isolation of a pentacyclic triterpenoid, ursolic acid. This compound demonstrated in vitro anti-leishmanial and anti-cancer activitiesKeywords: Terminalia arjuna Roxb, Pentacyclic triterpenoid, Ursolic acid, Spectroscopy, Antileishmanial, Anti-cancer
Highlights
Terminalia arjuna Roxb (Combretaceae) is commonly known as Arjjhan and Arjun in Bengal, India
The compound obtained from the methanol extract of the leaves of Terminalia arjuna was a pale yellow powder having a melting point of 271 – 274 °C
From the foregoing evidence, it was inferred that the triterpene core of the compound is 3βhydroxyurs-12-en-28-oic acid or ursolic acid (Fig 1) [10, 11]
Summary
Terminalia arjuna Roxb (Combretaceae) is commonly known as Arjjhan and Arjun in Bengal, India. The present work was undertaken to isolate and characterize a pentacyclic triterpenoid (ursolic acid) from the methanol extract of the leaves of T. arjunaand, and evaluate its antileishmanial and anti-cancer activity on K562 leukemic cell line. The shade-dried and powdered leaves of Terminalia arjuna (2.4 kg) were de-fatted with petroleum ether (40 - 60°C) and extracted with methanol (3×8 L) at 40 – 45 oC.
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