Phytochemical study of the flowers of Ruellia brittoniana L.

Abstract

This study was conducted to analyse and determine some phytochemical components of the extract from Ruellia brittoniana L. flowers using chromatographic separation methods combined with modern analytical techniques. From the n-hexane fraction, two compounds were isolated: lupeol (1) and 3,4-secofriedelan-3-oic acid (2). The ethyl acetate fraction afforded four additional compounds: quercetin (3), apigenin (4), 2-O-methyl-α-D-fructofuranoside (5), and apigenin 7-O-β-D-glucuronide methyl ester (6). The chemical structures of these compounds were elucidated and identified using electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry (ESI-MS), together with 1H- and 13C-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopic data, in conjunction with comparisons to previously published literature. Among the identified constituents, compounds 2, 5, and 6 are reported for the first time from the flowers of R. brittoniana L. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the phytochemical composition of this species and serve as a basis for further research on biological activities, pharmacological potential as well as the feasibility of medicinal research on natural products.