ABSTRACT

The seeds stem bark and exudates ofII. eurycoma were analyzed for their bioactive compounds. Three novel compounds were isolated from the seeds, comprising: 2-(4-ethylphenyl)-5-hydroxy3-mcthyl-6,7-dihydro-furo-chromcn-4-one[9], 4-hydroxy -2-(l -p-tolylcthylidcnc)-5,6- dihydrofuran-3-onc [10] and 5-hydroxy-3-mcthyl-2-phcnyl-6,7-dihydro-2H-fiiro-chromen-4-onc [11], Two novel compounds were isolated from the stem bark and two also from the exudate. The compounds arc 4-(4-phcnyI-l ,4-dihydronaphthalcn-l-yl)pentcnoic acid [12], 3- (5-hydroxy2-(4-hydroxyphenyl) -4-mctbyl-4II-chromcn-3-yl)propanoic acid [13]and bis-6,6- mcthylcncbis(4-tcrt-butyl- 2- mcthylphcnol) [14], 3-hydroxy-2, 2-bis(6-mcthoxy-3-mcthyl-2,3- dihydrobcnzofuran-2-yI) propanal [15] The Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis ofthe volatile components ofthe seeds showed the presence oftwelve compounds while the stem bark showed nineteen compounds. The thirty-one compounds ranged from flavonoids, alkaloids, steroids, phenols, sulphones, sugars, alkanals, and esters to fatty acids which arc of high physiological benefits. The plant extracts showed marked antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activities in a dose dependent pattern. The antioxidant activities of the seed and stem bark extracts at a minimum concentration of 100 pg/ml were 21.65 % and 29.42 % respectively, while at a maximum concentration of 500 pg/ml they were 71.22 % and 74.52 % respectively. The anti-inflammatory activities of the seed and bark extracts at concentrations of 50 and 100 mg/kg body weights were evaluated in carrageenan-induced acute and formal ininduced chronic inflammatory models in 36 albino rats. Inhibitions of acute inflammation of the seeds were 46.66 % and 61.92 % while the chronic inflammation gave 32.82 % and 49.84 %. The stem bark gave 54.27 % and 66.34 % inhibition of acute inflammation while inhibitions of chronic inflammation were 44.82 % and 55.45 %. The extracts showed potent inhibition on Escherichia coli, Salmonella typi, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus. Streptococcus faecalis, llacillus cercus, Aspergillus niger, Penicillium notation and Fusarium oxysporuni. In all the bioprotcctivc properties analyzed, the bark extract showed more activity than the seed extract. The results authenticate the use of the plant in the treatment of stressmediated diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, gonorrhea and typhoid fever. The plant contains vitamins comprising ascorbic acid (0.0045-0.0114 %), niacin (0.0022-0.0030 %), riboflavin (0 0002-0 0005 %), thiamin (0 0015-0.0022 %) and //-carotenoid (0 0003 %). Phytochemical analysis showed that the plant parts contain bioactivc compounds comprising alkaloids (0.70- 1.74 %), flavonoids (3.74-4.99 %), tannins (0.19-0.37 %), saponins (0.87-1.94 %) and phenols (0.03-0.13 %). The plant parts are good sources of minerals such as K, Ca, P, Mg, N, Fe, Cu and Zn.