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Updated: May 18, 2026

Semi-Targeted Ultra-High-Performance Chromatography Coupled to Mass Spectrometry Analysis of Phenolic Metabolites in Plasma of Elderly Adults
Published on: April 22, 2022
[Phenolic acid derivatives from Alchornea trewioides]
Ri-Dong Qin1, Wei Cheng, Qing-Ying Zhang
1State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University Beijing 100191, China.
Researchers identified eight phenolic acids from Alchornea trewioides roots, including one new compound and five novel compounds for the Alchornea genus. This study enhances understanding of the plant
Area of Science:
- Phytochemistry
- Natural Product Chemistry
- Pharmacognosy
Background:
- Alchornea trewioides is a plant with potential medicinal properties.
- Understanding its chemical constituents is crucial for exploring its pharmacological activities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To isolate and identify the chemical constituents of the root extract of Alchornea trewioides.
- To characterize novel compounds and those previously unreported in the Alchornea genus.
Main Methods:
- Extraction of Alchornea trewioides root using 95% ethanol.
- Separation and purification using silica gel column chromatography, Sephadex LH-20, reverse phase ODS column chromatography, MCI, and semi-preparative HPLC.
- Structure elucidation through spectroscopic methods including ESI-TOF-MS, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, HSQC, and HMBC.
Main Results:
- Eight phenolic acids were successfully isolated and identified.
- Compound 1 (1-O-galloyl-6-O-vanilloyl-beta-glucose) is a new compound.
- Compounds 4-8 (syringic acid, glucosyringic acid, erigeside C, and two other glycosides) were isolated from the Alchornea genus for the first time.
- Compounds 2 (gallic acid) and 3 (ethyl gallate) were isolated from this plant for the first time.
Conclusions:
- The study successfully identified eight phenolic acids from Alchornea trewioides root.
- The discovery of a new compound and several compounds new to the genus contributes significantly to the phytochemical knowledge of Alchornea.
- These findings provide a basis for further research into the potential bioactivity and applications of these compounds.
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