ABSTRACT
Objective: To study lignans and terpenes of Moringa oleifera Lam. Methods: The compounds were isolated and purified by various column chromatographic techniques and High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). The structures of the compounds were identified through the combined analysis of physicochemical properties and spectroscopic evidence. The antineoplastic activity, α-glucosidase and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity of compounds were evaluated by MTT method, PNPG method and Ellman colorimetric method, respectively. Results: Twelve compounds were isolated from M. oleifera by various chromatographic methods and were identified as lariciresinol (1), 3-(α,4-dihydroxy-3-methoxybenzyl)-4-(4-hydroxy-3- methoxybenzyl) tetrahydrofuran (2), (7S,8R)-dihydrodehydrodiconiferyl alcohol (3), macadiol (4), diethyl pinoresinol (5), pinoresinol (6), evofolin B (7), erythro-guaiacylglycerol-β-O-4’-dihydroconiferyl alcohol (8), tricyclohumuladiol (9), 9α-hydroxy-2β-methoxyclovane (10), 3β-hydroxy-oleana-11,13 (18)-dien-28-oic acid (11), oleanolic acid (12). Compounds 12 showed antineoplastic activity. Compound 1 and 2 exhibited α-glucosidase inhibitory activity. Conclusion: Compounds 1-11 are separated from Moringa Adans for the first time. This plant has the potential of developing functional product for their antineoplastic and α-glucosidase inhibitory activity.