Comparative assessments of alkaloids and phenolic compounds in a Thai medicinal plant, Erycibe elliptilimba, and other species in the genus

Abstract

Erycibe elliptilimba Merr. & Chun is documented as a Thai medicinal plant that has calystegines (nortropane alkaloids) and scopoletin (coumarins). However, the frequent collection of this species' stems for medicinal use is affecting its wild populations, and it is at risk of becoming a threatened plant species. Other plant species in the genus Erycibe Roxb., which are more commonly found, and other plant organs (apart from stems) may provide useful alternatives, but it is first necessary to investigate and compare the chemical compounds of these alternative sources. Therefore, the aim of this research was to use histochemistry to screen for two chemical compounds (phenolics via Naturestoff reagent, and alkaloids via Dragendroff's reagent and NaNO2) in the stems and leaves of four species in the genus Erycibe (E. albida, E. citriniflora, E. elliptilimba, and E. stapfiana). The results showed that the stems of E. elliptilimba have similar phytochemical compounds as the stems of E. citriniflora and E. albida. Moreover, the leaves of all three alternative species have the same phenolic compounds as E. elliptilimba, but the alkaloid results revealed some differences among the four species. The results from this research are beneficial for finding new Thai medicinal plant candidates which can be further developed through examining chemical profiles and pharmacological tests.