PHYTOCHEMICAL AND PHARMACOLOGICAL STUDIES OF THE BARK OF MITRAGYNA INERMIS(WILLD) 0. KUNTZE. (RUBIACEAE)
PHYTOCHEMICAL AND PHARMACOLOGICAL STUDIES OF THE BARK OF MITRAGYNA INERMIS(WILLD) 0. KUNTZE. (RUBIACEAE)
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Date
1999-07
Authors
AJIBOGUN, AHMADU AUGUSTINE
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Abstract
The bark of Mitragyna inermis (Wild) 0. Kuntze was screened
phytochemically and the results of the preliminary studies on the light
petroleum ether and methanolic extract of the plant's bark revealed it to be
rich in steroids, terpenes, flavonoids, tanins, alkaloids, saponins and
carbohydrate.
Saponification of the light petroleum ether extract of the bark gave 0.84
g of unsaponifiable matter, while the saponified portion gave 84.5 mg. The
unsaponfiable matter was subjected to gas chromatography and mass
spectroscopy to yield azelaic acid, myristic acid, 2-methyl heptyl acetate and
9-oxo decanoic acid. These fatty acids and their derivatives were reported for
the first time from this species.
The defatted marc was subjected to the usual extraction process for
alkaloids to afford a portion referred to as "alkaloid extract". This portion gave
positive tests for alkaloids. Column chromatography of the alkaloid extract
and subsequent purification afforded an a morphous compound. Thin Layer
Chromatography, chemical tests, UV, I.R. spectra of F3 in comparison with
spectra of known alkaloids, showed F3 to be an oxindole alkaloid.
Pharmacological studies of the methanolic extract on isolated rabbit
ileum showed a dose - dependent relaxation of rhythmic contractions of the
tissue.
However, the extract did not block the contraction of acetylcholine
indicating that the relaxation of the rab.bit ileum is not via the muscannic
blockade on guinea pig ileum, it slightly reduced the histamine induced
contraction from 75%, response to 64.02% response, indicating a weak anti
histaminic activity. This suggests the beneficial use and explains some
traditional claims of the plant in relieving abdominal pains and colics.
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Description
A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED TO THE POSTGRADUATE SCHOOL, AHMADU
BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE
(PHARMACEUTICAL CHEMISTRY).
DEPARTMENT OF PHARMACEUTICAL AND MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY,
FACULTY OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCE,
AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA.
Keywords
PHYTOCHEMICAL,, PHARMACOLOGICAL STUDIES,, BARK,, MITRAGYNA INERMIS,, [WILLD),, 0. KUNTZE