Planta Med 2013; 79 - P35
DOI: 10.1055/s-0033-1336477

Phytochemical characterization of fruits of Cressa cretica Linn. (Convolvulaceae)

JBS Kachhawa 1, 2, A Gajraj 2, RS Gupta 2, KK Sharma 1
  • 1Molecular developmental Biology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati University, Ajmer-305009, Rajasthan, India
  • 2Center for Advanced Studies, Department of Zoology, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur-302004, Rajasthan, India

Cressa cretica Linn. (Convolvulacea), known in India as Rudanti, is considered as an Ayurvedic drug, an indigenous medicine. It is reported to be active for various pharmacological properties1,2. Phytochemical examination of C. cretica revealed the presence of a number of compounds; n-octacosanol, b-sitosterol, umbelliferone, scopoletin, isopimpinellin, b-sitosterol-D-(+)glucoside and quercetin from petroleum ether, acetone, ethyl acetate and ethanol extracts successively3,4. In the present study shade dried and finely powdered fruits were extracted with methanol and fractionated with different solvent systems. Spectral investigation of isolated compounds from the chloroform:ethyl acetate (C:EA) fraction revealed the presence of two compounds which were coumarin in nature. Compound (1) isolated from 3:1 ratio of C:EA was 6-hydroxy-3,4-dimethyl coumarin while 1:3 ratio of C:EA showed the presence of compound (2) 6-methoxy-7,8-methylene dioxy coumarin.

Acknowledgements: Author Dr. Jai Bahadur Singh Kachhawa, acknowledges the financial assistance from UGC, New Delhi for Dr. D.S. Kothari PostDoc Research Fellowship. References: [1] Chopra RN, Nayer SL, Chopra IC (1956) Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants, CSIR, New Delhi. [2] Bhargava SK (1989)J Ethnopharmacol, 27: 327 – 339. [3] Tiwari HP, Kakkar A (1990)J Indian Chem Soc, 67(9): 785. [4] Ahmed B (1993) Int J Toxicol, 2(1): 146.