Evaluation of antimicrobial activity and toxic potential of extracts and triterpenes isolated from Maytenus imbricata

• Published in: Química Nova Vol. 35; no. 7; pp. 1375 - 1380
• Main Authors: Rodrigues, Vanessa G., Duarte, Lucienir P., Silva, Grácia D. F., Silva, Fernando C., Góes, Jefferson V., Takahashi, Jacqueline A., Pimenta, Lúcia P. S., Vieira Filho, Sidney A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Sociedade Brasileira de Química 2012
• Subjects: Celastraceae; Maytenus imbricata; pentacyclic triterpenes
• ISSN: 0100-4042; 1678-7064
• DOI: 10.1590/S0100-40422012000700017

The phytochemical study of hexane/ethyl ether (1:1) extract of the roots of M. imbricata, Celastraceae, resulted in the isolation and characterization of six known triterpenes: 11α-hydroxylup-20(29)-en-3-one, previously isolated from this species besides, 3β,11α-di-hydroxylup-20(29)-ene, 3,7-dioxofriedelane, 3-oxo-29-hydroxyfriedelane, tingenone and 6-oxo-tingenol. The chemical structures of these triterpenes were established by spectrometric data (IR, ¹H and 13C NMR) and through comparison with literature data. The hexane/ethyl ether (1:1), ethyl acetate and methanol extracts, and 11α-hydroxylup-20(29)-en-3-one, tingenone and 6-oxo-tingenol, showed antimicrobial properties on in vitro assays. All extracts and triterpenes, except 3β,11α-di-hydroxylup-20(29)-ene, presented toxicity demonstrated by the larvicidal effect test using Artemia salina.