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Polyphenol and phytosterol composition in an antibacterial extract from Rhizophora mangle L. bark
Luz María Sánchez Perera1, Lino Varcalcel, Arturo Escobar
1Department of Chemistry, Pharmacology and Toxicology; National Center of Agricultural Research, CENSA, Apdo. 10, CP 32 700, San José de Las Lajas, La Habana, Cuba. luzmaria@censa.edu.cu
Journal of Herbal Pharmacotherapy
|October 22, 2008
Summary
The aqueous extract of Rhizophora mangle L. bark contains significant polyphenolic compounds, including tannins, epicatechin, and catechin. These phytochemicals likely contribute to its known antimicrobial and wound healing properties.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacognosy
- Phytochemistry
- Natural Product Chemistry
Background:
- Rhizophora mangle L. bark extract exhibits known antimicrobial, wound healing, and antiulcerogenic properties.
- These biological activities are hypothesized to be linked to the extract's chemical constituents.
- Understanding the chemical composition is crucial for validating its therapeutic potential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the preliminary chemical composition of Rhizophora mangle L. bark aqueous extract.
- To correlate the identified compounds with the extract's known pharmacological properties.
- To investigate the specific types and amounts of polyphenolic structures present.
Main Methods:
- Gravimetric, colorimetric, and gas chromatography were employed for initial chemical profiling.
- Sephadex LH-20 Exclusion Chromatography was used for fractionating the total extract.
- Liquid/liquid extraction and High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) were utilized to analyze low molecular weight polyphenols.
Main Results:
- The extract comprised 54.78% polyphenolic structures and 45.22% other components.
- Polymeric tannins constituted 80% of the polyphenols, with hydrolysable tannins making up the remaining 20%.
- Monomeric compounds identified include epicatechin, catechin, chlorogenic acid, gallic acid, and ellagic acid. Phytosterols (stigmasterol, beta-sitosterol, campesterol) were also detected.
Conclusions:
- The chemical analysis confirms a rich polyphenolic profile in Rhizophora mangle L. bark extract.
- The presence of tannins, epicatechin, catechin, and other phenolic acids supports its traditional medicinal uses.
- Further research into these specific compounds could elucidate their roles in the extract's biological activities.
