ABSTRACT
The petroleum ether fraction of the aerial parts of Maytenus arbutifolia upon repeated chromatography afforded five compounds identifies as: beta -amyrin - 3 - tridecanoic acid ester [1], beta -amyrin [2], beta -sitosterol [3], lupeol oxide [4] and beta -sitosterol glucoside [5], while from the ethyl acetate fraction [-] epicatechin [6] was isolated. The structures of these compounds were established on bases of spectral [UV, IR, MS, [1]H and [13]C-NMR] as well as physical and chemical data. Antimicrobial activity for extracts indicated weak potency [200 micro g/ml]. The cytotoxic activity of all extracts conducted by the brine shrimp and the cell lines as well showed the same IC[50] [micro g/ml] on Hep-2 cell, whereas, the different extracts showed different activity on Hela cell [ethanol> ethyl acetate> pet.ether; IC[50] 103.5, 108.5 and 142 micro g/ml, respectively]. The Pharmacological activity of the different extracts showed sedative effect; slowing of respiration; dose-dependent decrease In arterial blood pressure by 40.1 mm Hg [at a dose 200 mg/kg]; decrease in the body temperature by 2.1[degree sign]C after 2hr [at a dose 120mg/kg]. The anti-inflammatory activity of the ethanolic extract [0.39 g/kg, i.p.] using formalin - induced oedema in rat hind paw, produced a significant dose-dependent anti-inflammatory effect: 19.6 +/- 9.1, 30.5 +/- 4.3 and 43.3 +/- 3.9% after 1, 2 and 3 hr. respectively