2014, Vol. 2, Issue 2, Part A

author(s)
Habtamu Abebe*, Belayhun Kibret, Adane Haile

abstract
Interest in obtaining biologically active compounds from natural sources has recently spiked due to their low toxicity, complete biodegradability, availability from renewable sources, and in most cases, low cost. This research project is aimed at isolating, phytochemical screening and partial characterizing the chemical constituents of Adhatoda schimperiana of Ethiopia. The leaves of Adhatoda schimperiana was extracted with 1.5 L of n-Hexane for 72 h. The extract was evaporated under reduced pressure at temperature of 40 °C using rotary evaporator. Partitioning was done using n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, ethanol and methanol. The organic and aqueous layer was concentrated to dryness under reduced pressure to afforded 3.10 g and 2.50 g crude extract respectively. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, polyphenols, flavonoids, glycosides, phytosterols, saponins, triterpenes, and quinines as a major class of compounds. However, less presence of tannins was observed. The selective extraction of triterpenes allowed me to obtain 0.71% yields. Separation on column chromatography conducted to a major fraction of triterpenes and a major compound from defatted pricarp leaves of chloroform extract.Partial characterization of the pure compounds was done using a combination of spectroscopic techniques including UV-Vis, IR, 1D NMR (1H-NMR,13C-NMR and DEPT).