Antioxidant activity and a new butanolide from the primitive endemic genus Hortonia

The antioxidant activity of MeOH and dichloromethane extracts of the leaves and their alkaloid fractions of the three representative species of the endemic genus Hortonia were evaluated using DPPH radical scavenging bioassay. The results showed that the percentage yield of the basic compounds from all three species was very low. In general, the antioxidant activity of the leaf extracts and their acid washings was very low. It was also determined, contrary to what had been reported, that the alkaloid boldine was not found in detectable amounts in any of the acid washed fractions. Chemical investigations of the three species yielded a new butanolide, which was characterized by NMR and mass spectral data. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4038/jnsfsr.v42i3.7402 J.Natn.Sci.Foundation Sri Lanka 2014 42 (3): 279-282