Isolation and Characterization of Potential Cytotoxic Leads from Ambrosia maritima L. (Asteraceae)

Abstract

Medicinal plants have long been recognized as an indispensable source for new leads. In this study, Ambrosia maritima L. (Asteraceae) was subjected to chromatographic (TLC & PTLC) and spectroscopic analysis (UV, IR, GC-MS & NMR) to isolate and elucidate its active constituents. Two promising antitumor leads namely; di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate and 13-hexyloxacyclotridec-10-en-2-one, had been, unprecedentedly, isolated and characterized from the Brine shrimp Lethality Assay (BSLA) active dichloromethane extract.