Isolation and characterization of 41 –methoxy 3,6,7 Trihydroxy flavone from Helichrysum bracteatum Andr

Abstract

Flavones which are constituents of green plants are found in plant leaves, roots, wood, bark, pollen, nectar, flower, berries and seeds. Helichrysum bracteatum Andr. is a stout annual herb naturalized in high altitudes which are common in Nilgiris and Kodaikanal hills of South India. They grow in dense masses colouring the hill side with golden yellow, pink and ivory white. The flower petal of Helichrysum bracteatum Andr. which is found in and around Nilgirs contain flavones. Flavonoids are used as antioxidants. Flavonoids markedly develop multi drug reistance (MDR) [1] in the treatment of cancer. This study aims at the isolation of flavone from Helichrysum bracteatum using different organic solvents. The methanolic extract was selected for isolation of flavones using column chromatopgraphy and thin layer chromatography. The chemical structure of the isolate flavone was determined based on the spectroscopic analysis of ultra violet, infrared and nuclear magnetic resonance spectra. The elution process using the chloroform solvent derived a compound Y which was gum like in nature. The carbonyl band at 1741 reveals the presence of an ester carbonyl group of fatty acids. On further elution an yellow solid was separated and characterized to be 41 –methoxy 3,6,7 Trihydroxy flavone. Further isolation and characterization can contribute to the evolution of bioactive compounds.