Phytochemical composition and antioxidant activity of two species related to family Arecaceae

Abstract

The role of natural products as remedies has been recognized since ancient times. Demand for medicinal plants is increasing in both developed and developing countries due to growing recognition of natural products as being safer and having a potential of large benefits to society. Egyptian flora, being variable, has become an interesting spot to prospect for new chemical leads. So, in recent decades, many studies have been carried out on different plant species to discover compounds of possible interest for different medicinal applications. Among these studies, several have focused on the biological and phytochemical properties of different species of the family Arecaceae. Arecaceae is among the famous plant families which include genera that introduce phenolicrich species. Previous phytochemical investigations have shown that flavonoids, anthocyanidins, lignans, benzenoids, benzoquinone, monoterpenoids, and nor isoprenoids are constituents of family Arecaceae. Archontophoenix alexandrae is known as Alexander palm, king Alexander palm, king palm and northern bangalow palm. It is endemic to northern Queensland and Australia and occurs in the rainforests of tropical and warm temperate regions. It is often used as an ornamental plant. Dictyosperma album has two common names; princess palm and hurricane palm. It is native to Reunion and Mauritius. The root decoction of Dictyosperma album is used as diuretic. It was reported that Archontophoenix alexandrae (Wendl. & Drude) and Dictyosperma album (Bory) H.Wendl. & Drude ex Scheff.; family Arecaceae; contain glycoflavones; being with few reports on their chemical constituents; motivated us to investigate their phytochemical constituents and their antioxidant activity.