Spectral Study on the Major Flavonoid from Leptadenia heterophylla

Abstract

The flavonoids of the roots of Leptadenia heterophylla were investigated. Extraction of roots with 95% ethanol gave a crude extract. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of flavonoids, glycosides, steroids and absence of alkaloids. The crude extract was fractionated by paper chromatography irrigated by 40% acetic acid. Only one major component was detected under UV light. After the usual workup, the major component- compound I - was isolated. The structure of the isolate was partially deduced on the basis of its UV and IR spectra. The spectral data revealed that compound I is either: a 5-hydroxyflavanone or a 5-hydroxydihydrochalcone.