Quantification, isolation and characterization of a bioactive purine alkaloid from Clitoria ternatea cultivated in Iraq
2025
Duha , Nabhan Saleh | Amjed, Haseeb Khamees
Clitoria ternatea L., commonly known as butterfly pea, conch flower, Asian pigeonwings and Shankapushpi, is a traditional medicinal plant belonging to the Fabaceae family, widely used in Ayurvedic medicine. Various parts of this plant contain many bioactive components, which contribute to its distinct pharmacological effects, including neuroprotective, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and bronchodilatory properties. The primary objective of this study was to identify, isolate and structurally characterize the bioactive purine alkaloid theophylline from C. ternatea cultivated in Iraq, employing several chromatographic and spectroscopic approaches. The plant material was first defatted using n-hexane, then extracted with 85 % methanol via a soxhlet device and subsequently fractionated with ethyl acetate. High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) was used to identify theophylline in the ethyl acetate fraction. Theophylline was then isolated through HPLC and characterized using several analytical techniques, including HPLC (via standard comparison and spiking), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and Proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (¹H NMR). Chromatographic and spectroscopic results proved the presence of theophylline, with its spectral features and fragmentation patterns matching those with the existing literature. Theophylline, a xanthine alkaloid, is recognized for its bronchodilator and anti-inflammatory properties, making it a fundamental component in respiratory therapies. This study represents the first report on the isolation of theophylline from Iraqi C. ternatea, as well as the first global quantification of its content in this plant, highlighting its therapeutic potential.
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