Metabolic profiling of monoterpenoid indole alkaloids from Tabernaemontana catharinensis (A. DC) latex by GC-MS

Abstract

Abstract Latex from Tabernaemontana catharinensis contains synthesized bioactive compounds known as monoterpenoid indole alkaloids (MIAs). Such compounds have several biological activities, including as cholinesterase inhibitors, and have analgesic, anti-inflammatory, bactericidal, antileishmanial, antitumoral andestrogenic properties, as well as acting as stimulants and depressants of the central nervous system. The objective of the present study was to perform the metabolite profiling of alkaloidal extracts from T. catharinensis latex. The alkaloidal fraction obtained from T. catharinensis latex was analyzed by Gas Chromatography coupled to Mass Spectrometry (GC–MS). The T. catharinensis latex was obtained after cutting the stem and allowing it to flow into tap water that was submitted to an acid-basic procedure for total MIA extraction, which was then analyzed by GC–MS. The total MIA extract was directly subjected to GC–MS without a derivatization step, allowing the detection and identification of ten known and three unknown MIAs. The described method resulted in effective separation and analysis by GC-EI-MS, which permitted the identification of known bioactive MIAs, as well as the structural elucidation of new MIAs with potential biological activities.