A Pharmacognostical, Phytochemical And Pharmacological Investigation Of The Poisonous Principle(s) Of Elaeodendron Buchananii (Loes.) Loes

Abstract

A pharmacognostical investigation of Elaeodendron buchananii (Loes.) Loes. has been undertaken. Phytochemical and pharmacological properties of the active (poisonous) principles of the plant have also been studied. The pharmacognostical investigation of the plant involved identifying features of the different parts of the plant using photographic and macroscopic methods . Results of the screening tests of the different parts of the plant for the active constituents indicated the presence of chemical compounds with a, b-unsaturated 6- lactone ring, possibly cardiac glycosides. Investigation of a suitable solvent system for the extraction of these compounds was undertaken. Of the different parts of the plant examined for active principles , the leaves were found to contain the highest percentage of the chemical compounds with <, (3- unsaturated 0-- lactone ring. Isolation and purification of the active principle(s) from the original crude plant extracts involving the removal of pigments, tannins! resins and excess lead has been described. Crystellisat ion of the isolated gycoside from a suitable solvent system and the subsequent study of some of the physical l and chemical properties of the isolated compound has been described. From the elemental analysis and the molecular weight of the isolated compound the molecular formula of t he compound has been determined as C32H47011. Using the infra-red, ultraviolet, nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectra$ a partial molecular structure has been suggested. The isolated compound has been reacted with Kedde reagent and the resulting coloured complex has been examined to see whether it obeys Beer - Lambert law. The calibration curve obtained has been used to determine the percentage recovery of the isolated compound in the leaves of the plant. The pharmacological study of the isolated compound has also been undertaken. This study involved the investigation of the effects of the isolated compound on the blood pressure of anaesthetised rat and the effect of the compound on the isolated perfused rabbi t heart. Suggestions for further work as regards pharmacognostical investigation of the plant together with ascertaining the exact structural formula of the compound has been proposed.