Phytochemical screening and isolation of saponin from the leaves of Weigela florida (Bunge) A. DC

Abstract

Species of the Weigela genus, Caprifoliaceae family, are currently used in folk medicine, specifically in Asia. Chemical compounds extracted from species of this plant genus have many strong biological activities such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-complementary, immune and cytotoxicity on some cancer cell lines. A qualitative study on the chemical composition of leaves of W. florida (Bunge) A. DC led to an identification of flavonoid, tannin, terpenoid and triterpenoid saponin, whereas cardiac glycoside, alkaloid and steroid were found to be absent. Total saponin content was quantified to be 2.66% (wt%) from the initial sample using the chromatography method. A diglycosidic hederagenintype triterpenoid saponin was isolated using different chromatographical methods, in combination with 1D
and 2D spectroscopic methods and mass spectroscopy (ESI-MS).