FIRST ISOLATION OF LUPEOL FROM THE ETHYL ACETATE SOLUBLE FRACTION OF THE METHANOL ROOT BARK EXTRACT OF Pterocarpus erinaceus (POIR)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33003/fjs-2026-1004-4743Keywords:
Column chromatography, hemorrhoid, Isolation, Lupeol, Pterocarpus erinaceusAbstract
Lupeol, a known pentacyclic triterpenoid was isolated from ethyl acetate soluble fraction of the methanol extract of the root-bark of Pterocarpus erinaceus. The plant is used in ethno-medicine to treat inflammation, hemorrhoid, cancer, wounds healing, worm expulsion and abdominal pain. One kilogram (1.0 kg) of the plant material was extracted with 2.5 L of methanol yielding 100 g (10.0 %) of the methanol extract using cold maceration method. The methanol extract was partioned with ethyl acetate and n- hexane yielding 20.5 g (2.05 %) and 15.6 g (1.56. %) respectively. Fifteen (15 mg) of 6.0 g (0.25 %) of the ethyl acetate soluble fraction was isolated by a combination of thin layer chromatography (TLC), column chromatography (CC) and preparative thin layer chromatography (PTLC). The structure of the compound which was coded as PEB2 was determined by analyses of its FTIR and MS spectral data as well as comparison with reported literature. FTIR showed broad absorption frequency at 3302.4 cm-1 which is typical of a hydroxyl group. A fairly intense bands at 2922.2 cm-1 and 2851.4 cm-1 that can be assigned to an aliphatic C-H (stretch) was observed. The C=C vibration frequency was observed at 1640.0 cm-`1. Mass spectral data gave a molecular formula C30H50O with m/z 426. The compound appeared as white needle- like crystal with melting point of 217-218oC. The compound was further confirmed by positive Liebermann - Buchard test for triterpenoid. This is the first report of isolation of Lupeol from the root bark of Pterocarpus erinaceus.
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