DOI: https://doi.org/10.55373/mjchem.v26i1.217

Keywords: Rubiaceae; Pavetta graciliflora; flavonoid; lipoxygenase

Abstract

Pavetta genus belongs to the family Rubiaceae. The genus is used in traditional medicine to treat various diseases, including hemorrhoids, headaches, urinary conditions, ulcerated nose, and drops. The present study describes the investigation of the phytochemicals from Pavetta graciliflora and their lipoxygenase inhibitory activity. The isolation and purification of the compounds were carried out on the extracts using various chromatographic methods and identified by directly comparing their spectroscopic data with the respective published data. The isolated compounds were tested for anti-inflammatory activity by using lipoxygenase assay. Fractionation and purification of the leaves extract of P. graciliflora led to the isolation and identification of seven phenolics; (+)-catechin (1), (+)-epicatechin (2), quercetin (3), kaempferol (4), myricetin (5), apigenin (6), and luteolin (7), together with β-sitosterol (8), β-sitostenone (9), and lupeol (10). Isolated compounds demonstrated remarkable lipoxygenase inhibitory activity with IC50 values ranging from 3.4 to 59.2 µM. Phenolic compounds with high content in P. graciliflora can probably be used as a chemical marker for this Pavetta species.