Abstract
In this research, the leaves of Lepechinia heteromorpha (Briq.) Epling, Lepechinia radula (Benth.) Epling and Lepechinia paniculata (Kunth) Epling have been collected in order to perform a phytochemical study. The first species was distilled to obtain a novel essential oil (EO), while the others were submitted to ethyl acetate extraction and secondary metabolite isolation. The chemical composition of the EO from L. heteromorpha has been investigated by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) and Gas Chromatography with Retention Indices (GC(RI)), identifying 25 constituents. A major compound, (−)-ledol (21.2%), and a minor compound, (−)-caryophyllene oxide (1.0%), were isolated from the EO and their structures confirmed by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Other major constituents of the EO were viridiflorene (27.3%), (E,E)-α-farnesene (1.4%), spirolepechinene and (E)-β-caryophyllene (7.1% each), allo-aromadendrene (6.1%), camphor (1.7%), limonene (1.3%) and β-phellandrene (4.6%). The enantiomeric composition of the EO monoterpene fraction was also studied, determining the enantiomeric excess and distribution of α-pinene, limonene, β-phellandrene and camphor. The ethyl acetate extract of L. radula and L. paniculata were fractionated by column chromatography. Spathulenol, angustanoic acid E and 5-hydroxy-4′,7-dimethoxy flavone were isolated from L. radula extract; ledol, guaiol and (−)-carnosol were found in L. paniculata.
Highlights
Ecuador is one of the seventeen mega-biodiverse countries in the world [1]
The essential oil (EO) distilled from leaves of L. heteromorpha was a yellowish waxy solid, melted at low temperatures
(−)-Ledol (1) is the only sesquiterpene alcohol present in this EO, counting for more than 21% of
Summary
Ecuador is one of the seventeen mega-biodiverse countries in the world [1]. It is a great source of new natural products, since most of the botanical species have never been studied before for their secondary metabolites [2]. Ecuador hosts many indigenous cultures, maintaining an ancestral knowledge that includes traditional medicine. In recent years, this cultural heritage has often been investigated to select interesting botanical targets, in particular to find new biologically active compounds. The secondary metabolites can be classified as volatile or non-volatile. If the volatile fraction is isolated by steam distillation, it is an essential oil (EO).
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