Larvicidal Anthraquinones and Triterpenes from Ploiarium alternifolium (Theaceae)

Abstract

Chemical studies on the stem bark of Ploiarium alternifolium (Theaceae) have yielded the anthraquinone emodin, and its derivative a methoxy bearing anthraquinone. These 2 compounds have not been reported to be present in this plant. Also isolated from the
same plant was ploariquinone, a geranyl anthraquinone. Separation
of the triterpenoid-containing fraction gave the phenolic oleanane
benzoate. Structural elucidations of these compounds were
achieved using ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, DEPT, COSY and HETCOR
experiments while MS gave the molecular masses. The crude extracts
were found to be moderately bioactive against the larvae of
Aedes aegypti. This paper reports the isolation and identification of
these compounds as well as bioassay data for the crude extracts.