Isomer of bergenin and phytosterol from the stem bark of Mallotus leucodermis

Mallotus is one of the most diverse and richest genera of the Euphorbiaceae family, and consists of approximately 150 species distributed in tropical and sub-tropical regions of Asia [1]. Mallotus species are well known to possess medicinal properties and has been reported to be rich in flavonoids, terpenoids, phenolic compounds, and phloroglucinol derivatives [2]. Mallotus leucodermis is commonly known as “balik angin bopeng” in Malaysia, and is used to treat skin complaints [3]. A phytochemical study was conducted on the stem bark of M. leucodermis collected from National Park Kuala Keniam, Pahang, Malaysia. The dried powder of the stem bark (1.3 kg) was macerated with acetone to yield 66.0 g of crude extract. The crude extract was fractionated using vacuum liquid chromatography to give six fractions. Fraction 5 was further purified using radial chromatography to afford an isomer of bergenin (1) (23.0 mg). Purification of fraction 1 using radial chromatography gave a mixture of stigmasterol and β-sitosterol (2.9 mg). The structure of compounds was elucidated by spectroscopic methods including 1D and 2D NMR, UV-Vis, FTIR, MS and by comparison with literature data.

Fig. 1

Greatest appreciation to Society for Medicinal Plant and Natural Product Research for the GA travel grant, MOHE (RAGS/1/2014/SG01/UITM/4) and Faculty of Applied Sciences for the financial support.

[1] Thakur HA, Patil DA. Journal of Experimental Science 2011; 2:37 – 46

[2] Riviere C, Hong VNT, Hong QT, Chataigne G, Hoai NN, Dejaeger B, Tistaert C, Kim TNT, Heyden YV, Van MC and Quetin-leclercq J. Phytochem Rev 2010; 9:217 – 253

[3] Faridah H, Nurulhuda H. J. Trop. Agric. Sci. 1999; 22: 85 – 94