| dc.description.abstract | The genus Psiadia belongs to the family Compositae (Asteraceae), which is the
largest plant family in the world. It is composed of some 60 species, which is distributed
throughout the world. Phytochemical studies have revealed that this genus is
characterised by flavonoids (both glycosylated and methylated) and terpenoids (including
monoterpene, bufadienolides, cardinolides, diterpenes and triterpenes and/or sterols).
Other compounds include phenylpropanoids and tannins. The only species so far reported
in Kenya, representing this genus, is P. punctulata (DC) Vatke. Its leaf decoction is
reported to be used locally for the treatment of colds and fevers, and for the removal of
ectoparasites from cattle. This East African species is considered by some taxonomists to
be synonymous to P. arabica Jaub and Spach, a Saudi Arabian species, while others
recognise them to be distinct taxa.
In this study, the phytochemistry of the surface exudates of P. punctulata has been
investigated. Extraction of the surface exudates of the aerial part of this plant was done on
fresh plant material. This was carried out by dipping the material into fresh portions of
ethylacetate for short periods (15 seconds). The surface exudate was found to be 25%
(w/w) of the dry plant material. The wash was then subjected to chromatographic
separation, through which twenty-five.compounds were isolated. Of these, fourteen have
been characterised by the use of NMR, EIMS, UV and IR spectral data. | en |
