THE LIPID CONTENT AND MOLLUSCICIDAL SAPONINS OF TETRAPANAX PAPYRIFERUS KOCH.

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Imbaba, Giza, Egypt.

Abstract

The unsaponifiable part of the petroleum ether soluble fraction of the leaves of Tetrapanax Papyriferus was analysed by GLC to reveal the presence of a series of hydrocarbons from C16 to C30 , cholesterol, campesterol, stigmasterol and B-sitosterol. Sixteen fatty acids were identified in the saponifiable part. The butanolic fraction was chromatographed on silica gel column and preparative TLC to afford three monodesmosidic triterpenoid saponins. The structures of these saponins have been established by FAB-MS, IR and 1HNMR as well as on the basis of acidic hydrolysis. The three isolated saponins showed high molluscicidal activity against Biomphalaria alexandrina , the intermediate host of Schistosoma mansoni in Egypt (LC90 = 9, 14 and 22 ppm).