Phytochemical and biological investigations of excelsa R. growing in Egypt Ailanthus

ABSTRACT

Phytochemical investigation of the root bark of Ailanthus excelsa R. revealed the presence of alkaloids and quassinoids. Two alkaloids, one furanocoumarin and two quassinoids were isolated by the chromatographic methods and identified using different spectral methods IR, UV, MS and 1HNMR. GLC analysis of the unsaponifiable matter revealed that cholesterol and hexacosane as the major constituents, hexadecane was the lowest known constituent. GLC analysis of the fatty acid methyl esters revealed that oleic acid is the maj or fatty acid. The unsaturated fatty acid fraction is composed mainly of oleic and linoleic acids. The alcoholic, chloroformic and aqueous extracts of the stem bark showed inhibitory effect on the motility of rabbit intestine. The chlorofonnic extract showed inhibitory effect while the alcoholic extract exhibited stimulatory effect on rat uterus and the aqueous extract showed a dual effect depending on concentration. Only the alcoholic extract showed moderate analgesic, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory activities. The three extracts, as well as, one of the isolated quassinoids showed antileukemic activity. The alcoholic and chloroformic extracts showed activity against Gram positive bacteria