Isolation of novel para-pentyl phenyl benzoate from Mondia whitei. (Hook.F) Skeels (Periplocaceae), its structure, synthesis, and neuropharamacological evaluation

• Main Authors: Bamigboye J. Taiwo, Josephine Y. Osasan, Olujide O. Olubiyi, Idris A. Oyemitan, Shakir A. Atoyebi, Mark Elsegood, Raymond C.F. Jones
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Chemical Sciences not elsewhere classified; Isolation and synthesis; Mondia whitei; Other chemical sciences not elsewhere classified; Para pentylphenyl benzoate; Periplocaceae; Sedative and anxiolytic effect

Background: Mondia whitei L. (Hook. F.) Skeels (Periplocaceae) is a medicinal plant used locally in managing pain, fever, loss of appetite and as aphrodiasc in the South-Western states of Nigeria. However, the fruit is consumed habitually in the South-Eastern states of Nigeria, leading to speculation that it may possess some central nervous system effect but which has not been scientifically investigated, hence this study. Methodology: Fresh fruits of Mondia whitei were collected and identified by a taxonomist. They were chopped into small pieces and extracted with absolute ethanol. The crude extract was subjected to various chromatographic techniques to isolate a novel compound whose structure was elucidated from the analysis of the crystal data and by extensive use of spectroscopy. The structure was confirmed by synthesis. The compound was subjected to anxiolytic and sedative activity assay. Computational analysis of the receptor binding event of isolated compound at the gamma amino butyric acid A receptor was also evaluated. Results: The structure of the compound was elucidated as para pentyl phenyl benzoate. The neuropharmacological evaluation of the compound indicated significant (p