Phytochemical investigation the root extract of Syzygium guineense and isolation of 2,3,23-trihydroxy methyl oleanate

Abstract

Syzygium guineense is one of the species in the genus Syzygium. The plant is well known for its use in traditional medicine in several countries of tropical regions of the world (including Ethiopia). Despite its medicinal use, there are no reports on scientific investigation on the roots of this plant species. In the present study, phytochemical screening tests were carried out on solvent (n-hexane, dichloromethane: methanol (1:1) and methanol) extracts that were obtained by subjecting 600 g of plant material to sequential extraction approach. Phytochemical tests, employing standard procedures, revealed the presence of secondary metabolites such as steroids, terpenoids, saponins, flavonoids, tannins alkaloids, phenols, and glycosides in the dichloromethane: methane (1:1) and methanol extracts. But only steroids and terpenoids were detected in the n-hexane extract. Column chromatographic separation of dichloromethane/methanol (1:1) extract led to isolation of compound B1. Spectroscopic (IR, UV and NMR) data and comparison with literature reports indicated that compound B1 to be 2, 3, 23-trihydroxy methyl oleanate. This is the first report of isolation of 2, 3, 23-trihydroxy methyl oleanate from the genus Syzygium.