Terpenoid compounds from the latex of Euphorbia drupifera

Abstract

This study aimed at the isolation and characterization of terpenoid compounds from the latex of Euphorbia drupifera. Methylated spirit extract of the latex was suspended in aqueous methanol and partitioned with petroleum spirit. The aqueous methanol residue was washed with ether. The ethereal fraction was subjected to column and preparative thin layer chromatography for isolation and purification of the compounds. The ethereal fraction of the latex gave two terpenoid compounds. Their structures were determined by 1D-NMR and MS as euphan-8, 24-diene-3-ol (1) and 12-deoxyphorbol-20-propanoate (2). These compounds could be responsible for the biological properties of the plant.

Keywords: Euphorbia drupifera, Euphorbiaceae, Latex, Chromatography, Terpenoids.