Phytochemical Study of the Flavonoids of Zizyphus spina christi

Abstract

Phytocmemical screening of the alcoholic extract of the leaves of Zizyphus spina christi indicated the presence of flavonoids and tannins. The flavonoids of Zizyphus spina christi were investigated and the crude product obtained from the alcoholic extract was subjected to thin-layer chromatography, which indicated the presence of a single flavonoid-flavonoid I, which was isolated in the pure state. The behaviour of flavonoid I under UV light, ­and its colour reactions indicated that it is an epoxychalcone. The epoxychalcone was subjected to spectral studies and the following structure was proposed on the basis of its UV, IR, 1H NMR and mass spectra.