Investigation of Flavonoidal Content and Biological Activities of Chorisia Insignis Hbk. Leaves

Leaves of Chorisia insignis HBK. (Family Bombacaceae) were studied for their flavonoidal content. The n-butanol fraction of the 70% ethanol extract was subjected to different chromatographic methods (column chromatography, preparative paper chromatography and /or preparative thin layer chromatography). Three flavonoids were isolated for the first time from the genus Chorisia; Rutin, Luteolin-7-0-#-D-rutinoside and Apigenin-7-0-#-D-rutinoside. Their chemical structures were established using UV, ʹH-NMR, 13C-NMR and ESI-MS spectral data as well as acid hydrolysis. The LD50 of the total and the aqueous extracts and the successive fractions of the 70% ethanol extract revealed low toxicity of the plant. All the extracts showed significant anti-inflammatory activities against carrageenan-induced rat paw oedema as compared with indomethacin. Significant antihyperglycemic activities were exhibited by the total and the aqueous extracts and the ethyl acetate fraction in alloxan-induced diabetic rats as compared with metformin. The total and the aqueous extracts and the ethyl acetate and n-butanol fractions showed significant antioxidant activities as indicated by the rise in blood glutathione in diabetic rats as compared with vitamin E. Pretreatment of rats with the total extract, the aqueous extract or the ethyl acetate fraction for one month before and after liver damage, induced by intraperitoneal injection of 5 ml/kg of 25% CCl4 in liquid paraffin, resulted in significant decrease in AST, ALT and ALP as compared with silymarin, revealing significant hepatoprotective activities of these extracts