Isolation, Characterization and Antifertility Activity of Ethanolic Extracts of Tabernaemontana divaricata R.Br. ex Roem. & Schult

Abstract

Because of the unequalled availability of chemical variety, natural products from medicinal plants, whether as pure compounds or as standardised extracts, provide limitless prospects for new therapeutic leads. The search for medicinal medications from natural products has increased the demand for chemical variety in screening programmes, which has led to a rise in interest in culinary plants in particular. Medicinal botanicals and herbal medicines contain a variety of bioactive chemicals. Worldwide, ethnic medical systems use Tabernaemontana divaricata (T. divaricata Apocynaceae) because of its significant therapeutic value. The goal of this work was to separate and identify the bioactive components of T. divaricata's ethanol fraction. Using two different experimental animal models, the isolated fraction's anti-fertility efficacy was assessed: 1) Ethinyl estradiol was used as the standard to measure the estrogenic activity in immature female rats. Modifications in uterine weight and uterine histology are among the evaluating criteria. 2) Female Wistar rats experienced anti-implantation and early abortifacient action. Using column chromatography and gradient elution with several mobile phases, the isolation was carried out. The isolated chemical was analysed using spectroscopy. On the basis of spectrum analyses (UV, IR, 1H NMR, and MASS), the structure was determined. The extracted substance from the ethanol fraction of the root was identified as 25-Methyl-25-norethyl-Stigmast-5-en-3-one and 19, 20-dimethyl-betulinic acid-3-yl-3'-hydroxyhexadecanoate based on spectrum characteristics. The uterine weight and height of stoma and epithelial cells in the estrogenic model are significantly higher than those in the ethanolic fraction of T. divaricata, however the tumour size is significantly smaller in the anti-implant model. This is the first time that the molecule 25-Methyl-25-norethyl-Stigmast-5-en-3-one and 19, 20-dimethyl-betulinic acid-3-yl-3'-hydroxyhexadecanoate from the ethanol fraction of T. divaricata roots has been reported. These compounds have potential as sources for the treatment of a number of disorders.
 Keywords: Tabernaemontana divaricata, Estrogenic activity, Anti-fertility effect, Anti-implantation activity, Abortifacient effect, Isolation