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Anti-inflammatory flavanol glycosides from Saraca asoca bark
Furkan Ahmad1,2, Laxminarain Misra1, Rashi Tewari1
1a Chemical Sciences Division, CSIR - Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants , Lucknow 226015 , India.
Natural Product Research
|March 25, 2015
Summary
The bark of Saraca asoca (Ashoka tree) contains compounds with anti-inflammatory properties. Two specific compounds, 3'-deoxyepicatechin-3-O-'β-D-glucopyranoside and 3'-deoxycatechin-3-O-'α-L-rhamnopyranoside, demonstrated significant anti-inflammatory activity in studies.
Area of Science:
- Phytochemistry
- Pharmacology
- Ethnomedicine
Background:
- Saraca asoca (Ashoka tree) is traditionally used in Indian medicine for women's genito-urinary issues.
- Its bark is known for potential antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To isolate and identify compounds from Saraca asoca bark with anti-inflammatory activity.
- To validate the traditional use of Saraca asoca for inflammatory conditions.
Main Methods:
- Methanol extraction of Saraca asoca bark.
- Activity-guided isolation of compounds.
- In vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory assays.
Main Results:
- Ten compounds were isolated from the methanol extract.
- 3 -deoxyepicatechin-3-O- -D-glucopyranoside (6) and 3 -deoxycatechin-3-O- -L-rhamnopyranoside (8) showed significant in vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory activity.
- Four compounds, including (3), (6), (8), and epigallocatechin (9), are reported for the first time from this plant.
Conclusions:
- The anti-inflammatory activity of Saraca asoca bark is supported by the identification of active compounds.
- Compounds 6 and 8 are key contributors to the anti-inflammatory effects of Saraca asoca.
- This study validates the ethnomedicinal use of Saraca asoca for inflammatory conditions.
