http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/tjpr.v11i2.12
Abstract
Purpose: To isolate and characterize
chemical compound(s) of biological importance from the
stem-bark of the plant, Adenium obesum.
Methods:
The stem-bark, after air-drying and powdering, was
subjected to sequential hot-continuous extraction using
petroleum spirit (60 - 80 oC) and methanol in
that order. The petroleum spirit extract was
chromatographed using thin layer and column
chromatographic techniques. Recrystallization was used
to further purify the isolated compound.
Characterization of the isolated compound was by melting
point, as well as by 1H and 13C
nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) and mass
spectrometry (MS).
Results: A triterpenoid (lup-20(29)-ene-3,
28-diol), commonly known as betulin, was isolated from
the crude petroleum ether extract of the plant
stem-bark. The isolated compound’s melting point
was 256 - 257 °C. The name, betulin, was assigned to
this compound by comparison of its spectroscopic data
from 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR and MS
analysis with those of authenticated samples reported in
the literature.
Conclusion: A known compound, betulin ( lup-20(29)-ene-3,
28-diol) was isolated from the petroleum ether extract
of the stem-bark of Adenium obesum.
Keywords:
Adeniumobesum, Stem bark, Isolation,
lup-20(29)-ene-3,28-diol, Betuli
