Abstract

Dichrocephala integrifolia (Asteraceae) is a small herb widely distributed in many countries in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. Many species of the genus Dichrocephala are used as folk medicines for ulcer, fever, hypertension, and pneumonia. In addition, the leaves of D. integrifolia are used for treating malaria and hepatitis. The composition of the essential oil from the leaves and flowers of D. integrifolia has been reported [1, 2]. There are also some studies on the aerial parts of D. integrifolia, and some of its compounds show inhibitory effects on NO production and induced NO synthase inhibitory activities [3]. In our continuing studies on bioactive compounds from plants [5–9], we investigated the aerial parts of Dichrocephala integrifolia. A review of the literature shows that several chemical compounds have been isolated from this plant, including diterpene lactones, sesquiterpene lactones, sterols, dicaffeoylquinic acid, and flavonoids [3, 4]. In continuation of our investigation on this plant, eight compounds were isolated and elucidated here. The dried and chopped aerial parts of Dichrocephala integrifolia (6 kg) were extracted three times with EtOH (24 L) and successively fractionated into petroleum ether, CH2Cl2, EtOAc, and n-BuOH fractions. The four fractions were subjected to all kinds of column chromatography and Prep-TLC to obtain eight compounds characterized as 3-O-methyleupatorin (1), quercetin-3-O-glucoside (2), N-benzoylphenylalaninyl-N-benzoylphenylalaninate (3), aurantiamide acetate (4), 2-hydroxyolean-12-ene-23,28-dioic acid-3-O--D-glucopyranoside (5), 3,4-dicaffeoylquinic acid (6), dichrocephol B (7), and dichrocephol C (8) by analyzing their spectral data and by comparing with published data in the literature. Compound 1, yellow needle crystals (acetone), characterized as 3-O-methyleupatorin [10].

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