Phytochemical analysis of the roots of Senna didymobotrya

Abstract

Senna didymobotrya is a plant traditionally used for treatment of sexually transmitted diseases, purgative, appetizer, skin diseases, insecticidal and antibiotic. Phytochemical screening of the CH2Cl2/CH3OH (1:1) and CH3OH (100%) roots extract of the plant revealed the presence of phenolic compounds, anthraquinones, tannins, saponins, napthoquinones and terpenes. Silica gel column chromatographic separation of CH2Cl2/CH3OH (1:1) roots extract afforded a stilbenoid derivative (1) and phenylanthraquinone (2). These compounds are reported for the first time from the genus. The structures of the compounds were determined by spectroscopic techniques (UV-Vis, IR, NMR; 1D and 2D).   Key words: Phenylanthraquinones, Phenolic compounds, Senna didymobotrya, stilbenoids.