Extraction of alkaloids from the stem of the plant cryptolepis sanguinolenta (LINDL.) schltr

Abstract

The roots of Cryptofepis sanguinofenta have been investigated for their chemical compounds since 1931. But so far, not much has been reported on the stem although they are used in traditional medicine in Ghana. Cryptofepis sanguinofenta (Lindl.) Schlechter (family Periplocaceae) is a medicinal plant used in some African countries against infectious and parasitic diseases. Phytochemical screening of the extracts from the stem (bark and wood) of Cryptofepis sanguinofenta revealed the presence of mainly alkaloids, which were detected and confirmed by the Mayer's, Dragendorffs and Wagner reagents. Chromatographic separation methods (Column, Preparative TLC, and TLC) of the methanol (Alkaloid extract) yielded two isolates, whose structures were elucidated using spectroscopic methods. The purity of these alkaloids was ascertained by means of thin layer chromatography. The final structures of these compounds were then deduced by comparison of the experimental data with those proposed in literature. They are both indoloquinolines. The first one [1.11] (CH2) was identified as cryptolepine. The second isolate [1.12], (CH4), has been named as quindoline (indolo[3,2-b]quinoline). The two compounds are among the most common of the indoloquinoline alkaloids extracted from the plant.