Chemical Constituents of Centotheca lappacea (L.) Desv. Aerial Parts

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Thavatchai Kamoltham
Supattra Rungsimakan
Kritsana Supan
Pornsiri Rodsienglump

Abstract

Ya Yum or barbed grass (Centotheca lappacea (L.) Desv.) is a Thai indigenous herbal medicine
that is used to improve postpartum recovery by topical or oral administration. This study was aimed to
investigate the chemical constituents of C. lappacea (L.) Desv. aerial parts by various techniques, e.g.
HPLC, X-ray fluorescence, GC-MS including the determination of total phenolic and flavonoid contents
and TLC-phytochemical screening. Results showed that the percentage of protein, fat, total dietary
fiber, ash content and minerals were 9.08, 0.25, 71.82, 9.27 and 13.49, respectively. Other compounds
were amino acids and vitamins. Silica and silicon were remarkably found in the crude drug sample with
the concentrations of 6.15% and 2.89% dry weight, respectively. GC-MS showed that the aerial parts
consisted of a wide range of compounds, i.e. phenolic compounds, fatty acids and phytosterols. In
addition, 4-coumaric acid and 5,7,4'-trimethoxyflavone were also isolated using column chromatography.
The smoke of the dried barbed grass and its residue contain compounds such as phenol derivatives
and fatty acids. Furthermore, the highest values of total phenolic and flavonoid contents were obtained
in the hot water extract and in the ethanolic extract, respectively. The alkaloids were not detected in any
extracts by TLC-phytochemical screening. In conclusion, the phytochemical-complex compounds that
were found in the aerial parts of barbed grass such as protein, phenolic compounds, flavonoids and
minerals may play an important role in its traditional use in a postpartum rejuvenating treatment.

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