A phytochemical study of the quinolizidine alkaloids fromGenista tenera by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

Abstract

Gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry has been used to analyse the alkaloids present in the aerial parts of Genista tenera. Anagyrine, cytisine, N-formylcytisine, N-methylcytisine and lupanine were the major compounds, the last two alkaloids being known for their hypoglycaemic activity. Dehydrocytisine, 5,6-dehydrolupanine, rhombifoline, aphylline and thermopsine were the minor alkaloids. The characterisation of the constituents was based on comparison of their Kovats retention indexes and electron impact-mass spectrometric data recorded on-line with those of reference compounds and literature data.

GC-MS analysis and antimicrobial activity of alkaloid extract fromGenista vuralii

“…For example, while anagyrine (93.04%) was the most abundant alkaloid in the present study, sparteine (46.1%) was the main alkaloid and anagyrine (0.7%) was a minor amount in G. acanthoclada (Wink & Witte, 1993). Moreover, in G. tenera, anagyrine (34.5%) was the major compound (Martins et al, 2005).…”

“…There are a number of reports on the alkaloid patterns of Genista species by capillary GC-MS (Montllor et al, 1990;Greinwald et al, 1992;1993;Kirch et al, 1995;Pistelli et al, 2001;Martins et al, 2005). In the Montllor et al (1990) study, dehydroaphyllidine and N-methylcytisine were detected as the major alkaloids in G. monspessulana, together accounting for 74% of the total alkaloids.…”

“…In the study of Pistelli et al (2001) on QA patterns of Genista species, anagyrine, lupanine, retamine, 17-oxoretamine, and 12-hydroxylupanine were found in the aerial parts of G. ephedroides. Martins et al (2005) reported ten alkaloids, anagyrine, lupanine, cytisine, N-methylcytisine, and N-formylcytisine as the major components, and dehydrocytisine, 5,6-dehydrolupanine, rhombifoline, aphylline, and thermopsine in only trace amounts, in the aerial parts of G. tenera. Comparing the present results with the above-mentioned literature findings, the alkaloid compositions were similar in these species, but the relative amounts of the alkaloids showed a higher diversity.…”

Parkinsonia aculeata aqueous extract fraction: Biochemical studies in alloxan-induced diabetic rats

“…In many developing countries, where the public health system is insufficient to provide basic pharmaceutical and medical care to the population, it may be presented as an option to or in conjunction with conventional medicine for Abbreviations: WSF, water soluble fraction; NNT, normoglycemic nontreated group; DC, diabetic control group; DTI, diabetic group treated with insulin; DT125, diabetic group treated with 125 mg/kg; DT250, diabetic group treated with 250 mg/kg; EAT, epididymal adipose tissue; EDL, extensor digitorium longus * the prevention and control of diabetes-related complications. Several studies carried out with numerous herbs having folk medicine reputation for antidiabetic potency (Tithonia diversifolia, Miura et al, 2005; Cissus sicyoides, Pepato et al, 2003;Eugenia jambolana, Pepato et al, 2005; Enicostemma littorale, Maroo et al, 2002;Occimum sanctum, Vats et al, 2004; Bauhinia forficate, Pepato et al, 2002; Tamarindus indica, Maiti et al, 2005; Pterocarpus marsupium, Mukhtar et al, 2005; Genista tenara, Martins et al, 2005) have shown promising results in experimental models of diabetes. Although no standardized active principles from these plant species have been yet identified and isolated, and most of the above mentioned findings were obtained from animal models of diabetes, these primary informations are very important in view that they give a scientific basis to research towards clinical evaluation (the beneficial effects on a person's health must be the focus of clinical herbal investigation) and developing of new and effective antidiabetic drugs according their different therapeutic potentials.…”

Capillary electrophoresis‐mass spectrometry characterisation of secondary metabolites from the antihyperglycaemic plant Genista tenera

“…A study of the activity of an ethyl acetate extract of G. tenera in normal and streptozotocininduced diabetic rats has shown antihyperglycaemic activity ([1], and authors' unpublished data). These preliminary results, together with the evidence that flavonoids can act as aldose reductase inhibitors, blocking the sorbitol pathway commonly linked with diabetes [2], provide a strong motivation for the study of these plant compounds.Previous investigations have revealed the presence of alkaloids and flavonoids as the major secondary metabolites present in extracts of the aerial parts of G. tenera.A recent study using GC-MS has identified the presence of ten different alkaloids [3] while two previous studies of organic extracts of G. tenera have identified a total of 11 flavonoids. In the first, FAB-MS/MS and NMR allowed identification of five flavonoids and one flavonoid-O-glucoside [4].…”