Phytochemical Analysis on the Ethyl Acetate Extract of Centaurea virgata

Abstract

Centaurea virgata Lam, a plant of the Asteraceae, is used for treatment of pimples and acne, as well as being a potent diuretic, antitussive and antirheumatic agent [1]. It is also used in folk medicine of Iran as an anti-ulcer for gastrointestinal problems [2]. In our efforts to discover new and potentially bioactive secondary metabolites from Iranian plants, a phytochemical analysis was performed on the ethyl acetate extract of the leaves of C. virgata. Column chromatography and thin-layer chromatography (TLC) techniques were employed for purification of the chemical constituents of the extract, resulting in isolation and purification of several flavonoids such as retusin (quercetin 7, 3, 3‟, 4‟ tetra methyl ether). Their structures were elucidated using modern NMR spectroscopic technique.