Dodecaacetylprodelphinidin B3 from the dried leaves of Ziziphus spina-christi

Abstract

The ethanolic extract (10% of the dried leaves) of Ziziphus spina-christi was acetylated leading to the isolation of a crystalline dodecaacetylprodelphinidin B3, which has not been described in the literature. Its structure was determined on the basis of its 1H and 13C NMR spectra. The main components of the extract are glucose (4.4%), sucrose (21%), dimers, oligomers and polymers of prodelphinidins (16%), betulinic acid (1.7%), sitosterol β- d-glucoside (2%), (+)-gallocatechin (1.7%) and (−)-epigallocatechin (0.9%). The structures of the crystalline peracetates were proven by comparison with the physical properties described in the literature. Proanthocyanidins and betulinic acid seem to be chemotaxonomically characteristic of Ziziphus species.