Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research

Original Research Article | OPEN ACCESS

Isolation and Characterization of Lup-20(29)-ene-3, 28-diol (Betulin) from the Stem-Bark of Adenium obesum (Apocynaceae)

A Tijjani¹ , I G Ndukwe², R G Ayo³

¹Ahmadu Bello University, School of Basic and Remedial Studies, Funtua; ²Department of Chemistry, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria; ³Division of Agric College, Samaru, Zaria, Nigeria.

For correspondence:- A Tijjani Email: tjjnahmad@yahoo.com Tel:+2348039682674

Received: 25 July 2011 Accepted: 14 February 2012 Published: 24 April 2012

Citation: Tijjani A, Ndukwe IG, Ayo RG. Isolation and Characterization of Lup-20(29)-ene-3, 28-diol (Betulin) from the Stem-Bark of Adenium obesum (Apocynaceae). Trop J Pharm Res 2012; 11(2):259-262 doi: 10.4314/tjpr.v11i2.12

© 2012 The authors.
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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, Betulin