Steroids and triterpenoids from Corypha taliera Roxb: A critically endangered palm species of Bangladesh

Abstract

Corypha taliera Roxb. is a critically endangered palm species. The tree grown in the campus of the University of Dhaka, Bangladesh used to be considered as the only living species in the world. This palm tree raised some interests due to several bioactivities observed earlier and later systematic scientific studies have been undertaken to explore for its secondary metabolites. In the present study, a thorough phytochemical investigation was conducted to explore its chemical features. Initially, the unripe fruits of this palm was extracted with methanol. Later on, it was fractioned by the modified Kupchan partitioning method in to n-hexane, carbontetrachloride, chloroform and aqueous soluble fractions. The n-hexane soluble fraction was subjected to Column Chromatography (CC) over Sephadex LH-20 and the column was eluted with n-hexane-dichloromethane-methanol (2:5:1) mixtures. From the collected fractions stigmasterol (1), β-sitosterol (2), β-amyrin (3), lupeol (4) and betulinic acid (5) were isolated by Preparative Thin Layer Chromatography (PTLC). The structures of these purified compounds were established by extensive spectroscopic analysis and by comparison of their spectral data with published values as well as co-TLC with authentic samples. This is the first report of isolation of steroids and terpenoids from this plant. © 2013 Acadamic Journals Inc.