Phytochemical investigation of the stem bark of Ficus hispida L.

Abstract

Ficus hispida L. (Moraceae) is a hairy moderate sized tree used as an astringent, antidysenteric, bitter and refrigerant and to treat psoriasis, anaemia, piles, jaundice and haemorrhage. Its stem bark was extracted with methanol and the concentrated extract was subjected to silica gel column. The column was run with solvents of increasing polarity to isolate two new phytoconstituents characterized as β-sitosteryl capriate and lanost-5-enyl caprylate along with known compounds α-amyrin acetate , lupeol acetate, lupeol and α-amyrin. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectral data analysis. All these compounds were isolated for the first time from this plant.