Two Flavonoid Compounds Isolated From Nepeta septemcrenata Growing in South Sinai, Egypt

Nepeta septemcrenata is a perennial herb grows in Sinai Mountains and used in folk medicine as a laxative antispasmodic, carminative, diuretic and to treat liver diseases. The present work aimed to study phytochemical, biological and toxicological effects of Nepeta septemcrenata. The study includes phytochemical screening of N. septemcrenata and investigation of volatile oil and flavonoids of the plant. The results of preliminary studies showed that the aerial parts of N. septemcrenata contain volatile oil, carbohydrates, flavonoid and unsaturated sterols or triterpenoids while the stem contains carenolides, tannins, saponins, alkaloids and coumarins. The analysis of volatile oil of the plant (petroleum ether fraction) using GC/MS revealed that it contains 15 compounds, the main components of it was ester which represent 18.15% from the volatile oil contents. Methylene chloride fraction subjected to preparative TLC that led to the isolation of two flavonoid compounds Ne2, Ne4. Ethyle acetate fraction was subjected to a chromatographic polyamide column. The residue obtains from fractions showed by TLC and PC contained a mixture of two flavonoid compounds (Ne2 & Ne4). It was further purified by preparative paper chromatography. The two isolated compounds (Ne2 and Ne4) were identified using different techniques as preliminary chemical test, thin chromatographic examination with or without treatment with ammonia and aluminum chloride, UV spectral analysis and mass spectroscopy. The isolated compounds were identified as apigenin -7- methyl ether and flavones aglycone.

Author(s): Abd El-Raouf A. Moustafa*, Hamdy Abd El-Azeem, Mohamed A. Omran, Sawsan A.M. Nasr, Ismail M. Abdel Nabi, Zakaria A. Teleb

Abstract | Full-Text | PDF

Share This Article