Phytochemical Investigation of the Stem Bark of Sapium baccatum (Roxb.)

Background: Sapium baccatum from the family of Euphorbiaceae has been reported to possess medicinal properties and has been used as traditional medicine. The leaf of S. baccatum exhibited anti-inflammatory activity which is associated with the alkaloid, bukittinggine. Objective: To isolate and identify the chemical constituents contained in the stem bark of Sapium baccatum. Results: Four compounds i.e. taraxerol (1), taraxerone (2), docosyl trans-isoferulate (3), and docosanoic acid 2’,3’dihydroxypropyl ester (4) were isolated from the acetone extract. The structures of the isolated compounds were determined using several spectroscopic methods, including UV-Vis, FT-IR, 1D and 2D NMR, and mass spectrometry. Conclusion: The investigation of the chemical constituents from the stem bark of Sapium baccatum resulted in the isolation of four compounds, i.e. taraxerol, taraxerone, docosyl transisoferulate, and docosanoic acid 2’,3’-dihydroxypropyl ester. The structures of the isolated compounds were determined using several spectroscopic methods including UV-Vis, FTIR, 1D and 2D NMR, and MS, and by comparison with literature data.