Proximate Composition and Some Physico …

1 REV. CHIM. (Bucure ti) 61 Nr. 1 2010 Composition and Some Physico -chemicalProperties of abutilon theophrasti (velvetleaf) Seed OilMIHAELA DINU*, VALENTINA UIVAROSI, MARIA-LIDIA POPESCU, VALERIA RADULESCU, CORINA CRISTINA ARAMA,TEODOR OCTAVIAN NICOLESCU, ROBERT VIOREL ANCUCEANUC arol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, 6 Traian Vuia Str., 020956, Bucharest, Romania The qualitative chemical study of the abutilon theophrasti Medik. seed, harvested from the spontaneousflora of Romania revealed the presence of the following classes of biologically active compounds: oil, sterols,free and glycosylated triterpenes, sugars and mixed polysaccharides (mucilages).

2 Oleanolic acid, a triterpenoidsapogenin with biological activity was also identified in the seed. Proximate Composition and physicochemicalanalyses were carried out in the extracted seed oil of abutilon theophrasti Medik. The average oil content ofthe seeds was about % by weight. The HPLC analysis shows that the obtained oil contains % freefatty acids, diacilglycerols and triacilglycerols. The fatty acids Composition determined as methylesters by GC-MS analysis indicates that the seed oil is rich in linoleic acid ( %), an essential fatty saturated and unsaturated fatty acids (palmitic, stearic and oleic) were also identified. The resultssuggest that the indigenous seeds of abutilon theophrasti Medik.

3 May be used as a source of linoleic words: velvetleaf seed oil, linoleic acid, HPLC analysis, GC-MS analysisThe genus abutilon , originating from China, containsapproximately 160 species worldwide, primarily in tropicaland subtropical areas. abutilon species are cultivated formedicinal and ornamental purposes as well as a fibersource [1]. abutilon theophrasti Medik. (velvetleaf, Chinajute), is a herbaceous annual plant, common in thespontaneous flora of Romania [2]. Seeds are kidney-shaped, flattened, dull greyish brown. Each flower iscapable of producing over 200 seeds [3].The powered seed is demulcent, diuretic, emollient,laxative and stomachic [4].

4 The fresh or dried seeds of thisspecies are used as food and traditionally in the treatmentof some dermatological conditions (due to its contents infatty acids and mucilages), in constipation (due to itsmucilages) [5], as well in the in treatment of dysentery,stomach-aches etc [6]. The previous chemical studies onnon-indigenous abutilon seeds showed the presence ofproteins ( ), lipids (16%) and carbohydrates ( )[7].The literature does not contain any data on the chemicalcomposition of the abutilon theophrasti species fromRomania. The aim of this study was to identify the mainclasses of bioactive compounds and to analyse bychromatographic methods the extracted seed oil (glycerideesters profile by HPLC and organic acids as methyl-estersby GC-MS).

5 The compounds of special interest were linoleicacid and oleanolic acid (cis, cis-octadeca-9, 12-dienoic acid (18:2))is a member of the group of essential fatty acids calledomega-6-fatty acids. This fatty acid has been identified asan essential one because it cannot be made by mammaliantissues and has to be obtained from plant or marine dietarysources. It is abundant in many plant oils, especiallysafflower, sunflower and cottonseed oil [8]. Linoleic acid(LA) is a component of cell membranes, precursor ofeicosanoids (prostaglandins, prostacyclins, thromboxanes,leukotrienes) involved in the processes of plateletsaggregation.

6 Its deficit has been incriminated as a causefor some dermatological conditions (erythema,* Tel.: 0723248844eczematous lesions, impetigo), arterial hypertension andplatelets hypo-aggregation [9]. Linoleic acid at a relativelylow level seems to cause decrease in serum HDLcholesterol correlated with the reduction in serum zinc level[10] and the prevention of cardiovascular disease [11].The LA intake is associated with a significant decrease inrisk for coronary heart disease [12]. Essential fatty aciddeficiency has been increasingly reported in patients withcystic fibrosis. Linoleic acid supplementation has a positiveeffect on the growth of infants [13] and was associatedwith reversal of refractory eczematous dermatitis [14].

7 Anumber of studies suggest that diabetic patients requirehigher than normal intakes of linoleic acid. LAsupplementation was shown to attenuate diabeticcomplications [15]. In vitro data have suggested thatconjugated linoleic acid might play a significant role incancer prevention or even treatment, at least for sometumour lines[16]. Its oxidation by lipoxidase was reportedto increase tumour cell death [17]. An LA anti-inflammatory effect has also been described [18].Oleanolic acid is a naturally triterpenoid, widelyoccurring in food and medicinal plants. Oleanolic acid wasreported to demonstrate anti-inflammatory, andantihyperlipidemic properties [19].

8 It has been recognizedto have hepatoprotective effects [20, 21], being marketedin China as an oral drug for human liver disorders. In severalnon-clinical studies oleanolic acid was shown to inhibittumour initiation and promotion, as well as to induce celldifferentiation and apoptosis [19].Experimental partMaterials and methodsHerbal productSeeds of abutilon theophrasti Medik. species wereharvested when fully mature, in September 2007, from thespontaneous flora (V nju Mare, Mehedin i county). Theywere manually selected and naturally dried in CHIM. (Bucure ti) 61 Nr. 1 2010 qualitative chemical examinationThe herbal product was successively extracted by refluxwith solvents of different polarities (ethyl-ether, methanoland water).

9 In each of the resulting fractions, chemicalreactions specific to the various groups of active principleswere performed, according to the working techniquesprovided in the scientific literature [22].Histochemical examinationAbutilon seed powder was treated with hematoxylin(to identify cells containing mucilage) and an alcoholicsolution 20g/L of Sudan III, to put into evidence the oil [23].The preparations thus obtained were examined with a lightmicroscope Labophot 2 layer chromatography (TLC) condition foridentification of oleanolic acidThe alcoholic extract obtained by refluxing g of seedswith 5 mL methanol for 30 min.

10 The extractive solutionwas concentrated on a sand bath. As reference substancesoleanolic and ursolic acids (Sigma) and methanolicsolutions ( ) were was performed on SIL GEL plates (Merck), theelution system being chlorophorm/acetone (8:2, v/v). Thechromatographic plates thus obtained were sprayedsuccessively with acetic anhydride and H2SO4/ethanol,heated for 5 min. at 100 C and examined in UV (366 nm,Camag UV lamp) and visible light [24].Cold extraction of seed oil2 g of dried, powdered (sieve no. V RomanianPharmacopoeia) herbal material was extracted at roomtemperature with 20 mL petroleum ether, by mechanicalstirring for 4 hours.