Phytochemical Screening, Isolation and Characterization of Leaf Extract from Paullinia pinnata L. (Sapindaceae)

Abstract

In Africa, the leaves of Paullinia pinnata L. (family Sapindaceae) are reported to be used in the treatment of gonorrhea, wounds and microbial infections. This study aimed at screening for phytochemicals, isolate and characterize bioactive compounds from the extracts of leaves from Paullinia pinnata. Sequential extraction using solvents of increasing polarity (n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, and methanol) was performed, with methanol yielding the highest amount of crude extract (6.08%). Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of flavonoids, phenols, tannins, saponins, terpenoids, cardiac glycosides, alkaloids, and anthraquinones across the various crude extracts. The chloroform crude extract (PLC) was selected based on the thin layer chromatography profile, for further purification using vacuum liquid chromatography (VLC) and column chromatography (CC). Pure compound (PLC-1-1) was obtained from repeated column chromatography of the chloroform extract.  NMR (¹H and ¹³C) analysis and comparison with literature data for PLC-1-1, indicated a structure analogous to farnesol but with a methyl group substitution instead of a hydroxyl group, suggesting the compound to be methyl farnesene (2, 6, 10-trimethyl-trideca-2, 6, 10-triene). The findings support the traditional use of leaves from P. pinnata in the treatment of bacterial related ailments.