Planta Med 2013; 79 - P16
DOI: 10.1055/s-0033-1336458

Natural Compounds Isolated from Maytenus macrocarpa (Ruiz & Pav.) Briq. (Celastraceae)

K Tizkova 1, K Smejkal 1, J Cvacka 2
  • 1Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Natural Drugs, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno, Palackeho 1 – 3, 612 42 Brno, Czech Republic
  • 2Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry ASCR, Flemingovo nam. 2, 166 10 Prague, Czech Republic

Maytenus macrocarpa is a tree native to Amazonia. Ethanolic extract and decoction of M. macrocarpa are widely used among local people as a remedy for rheumatism [1]. Ethanolic extract of its root bark showed antimicrobial activity [2]. The aim of this work was to isolate natural compounds responsible for these activities using column chromatography, TLC and HPLC and subsequently to identify them by mass spectrometry and NMR. To date we have isolated six compounds comprised of p-hydroxybenzoic acid derivatives (1 – 4), 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzyl alcohol (5) and noreugenin (6). Their structures need to be verified by the ensuing NMR analysis.

References: [1] Sanz-Biset J, et al. (2009) J Ethnopharmacol, 122: 333 – 362. [2] Kloucek P, et al. (2007) J Ethnopharmacol, 111: 427 – 429.