Main Article Content

8-Methoxyneorautenol and radical scavenging flavonoids from Erythrina abyssinica


A Yenesew
H Twinomuhwezi
BT Kiremire
MN Mbugua
PM Gitu
M Heydenreich
MG Peter

Abstract

A new pterocarpan (named 8-methoxyneorautenol) was isolated from the acetone extract of the root bark of Erythrina abyssinica. In addition, the known isoflavonoid derivatives eryvarin L, erycristagallin and shinpterocarpin were identified for the first time from the roots of this plant. The structures were determined on the basis of spectroscopic evidence. The new compound showed selective antimicrobial activity against Trichophyton mentagrophytes. The acetone extract of the root bark of E. abyssinica showed radical scavenging activity towards 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH). The pterocarpenes, 3-hydroxy-9-methoxy-10-(3,3- dimethylallyl)pterocarpene and erycristagallin, were the most active constituents of the roots of this plant and showing dose-dependent activities similar to that of the standard quercetin.

Journal Identifiers


eISSN: 1726-801X
print ISSN: 1011-3924