Chemical compositions extracted from Wikstroemia indica and their multiple activities

The rhizome of Wikstroemia indica (L.) C. A. Mey (Thymelaeaceae) is widespread in China which has been widely used in China as folk medicine for the treatment of syphilis, arthritis, whooping cough, and cancer. Due to its multiactivities, its extract has an attractive potential as a promising natural agent in the pharmaceutical industries.

Aims of this study were to optimize the extraction process of the flavonoids from W. indica, and evaluate its multiple activities.

An orthogonal test design was employed to optimize the extraction procedure of flavonoids from W. indica. And multichromatography and spectroscopy were used to study the chemical compounds of W. indica, while several bioactivity assays were used to evaluate the antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antitumor activities of W. indica.

Optimal extraction conditions were determined: ethanol concentration was 60%; extraction time was 60 min; liquid-solid ratio was 16:1 and the power of ultrasonic instrument was 160 W. Four compounds: daphnoretin, chrysophanol, myricitrime and rutin were purified from W. indica, and chrysophanol was identified from this plant for the first time. The extract of W. indica displayed significant antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities. Daphnoretin showed a significant inhibition effect on CNE cells and HeLa cells lines at the concentrations ranging from 15.6 to 125 μg/mL, the tendency of antitumor effect was displayed in a concentration-dependent manner.

Extracts of W. indica could potentially be used as a promising natural agent in the pharmaceutical industries.