Economically viable isolation and characterization of oleanolic acid from Eugenia caryophyllus (Spreng.)

Abstract

Oleanolic acid is an interesting molecule found widespread throughout the plant kingdom with promising pharmacological activities. However, the utilization of oleanolic acid in the modern therapy is quite difficult due to the lack of proper isolation method and selection of commercially available raw materials. In the present study, the new economically viable method for the isolation of oleanolic acid from flower buds of Eugenia caryophyllus (Spreng.), commonly known as clove bud, was developed. The yield of oleanolic acid was found to be 1.8 g/100 g dry matter (1.8%). The isolated oleanolic acid was characterized by DSC, TLC, FTIR, ESI-HRMS, and NMR studies. The purity of isolated oleanolic acid was determined by HPLC studies, and it was found to be 97.7% pure. The method so developed is simple and cost-effective with industrial applicability.