Isolation and spectroscopic characterization of Catechin from the leaves and stems of Landolphia owariensis P. Beauv. (Apocynaceae) from Côte d’Ivoire

Abstract

The investigation of medicinal plants constitutes a valuable approach for the discovery of bioactive compounds with pharmacological relevance. In this work, the leaves and stems of Landolphia owariensis (Apocynaceae) were investigated for their secondary metabolite composition with the aim of isolating and characterizing bioactive constituents. Crude methanolic and ethyl acetate extracts were obtained using appropriate extraction procedures, followed by chromatographic fractionation, which led to the isolation of a major compound with yields of 0.043 % (AcDFM) and 0.033 % (AcDTM). The structure of the isolated compound was elucidated using complementary spectroscopic techniques, including nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (¹H, ¹³C NMR, DEPT, HSQC, HMBC), infrared (IR) spectroscopy, high-resolution mass spectrometry, GC–MS analysis, and optical rotation measurements. The compound was identified as (+)-catechin, a flavan-3-ol widely recognized for its antioxidant and bioactive properties. The identification of (+)-catechin in L. owariensis represents a notable phytochemical finding, as it expands the known chemical profile of the species and contributes to the chemotaxonomic understanding of the genus Landolphia. Although a direct causal relationship cannot be established within the scope of this study, the presence of this compound may partly support the traditional medicinal uses of the species. The results highlight the phytochemical potential of L. owariensis and provide a scientific basis for further studies aimed at exploring its pharmacological properties and possible applications in drug discovery and natural product development.

https://doi.org/10.70974/mat10126068