Chemistry and pharmacological aspects of Aridanin, a lead compound from Tetrapleura tetraptera (Fabaceae)

Aridanin, a triterpenoid N-acetylglycoside has been obtained from chemical investigations of the root of Tetrapleura tetraptera, a well-known seasoning spice from Cameroonian food. The structure of the compound has been established using its NMR data and by comparison of that data with the one reported in the literature. Further evidence has been compiled from literature and discussed on the occurrence, the extraction, isolation and analytical techniques as well as the reported biological activities of aridanin. Based on its potency and its high yield in Tetrapleura tetraptera fruits, the compound can be considered as lead compound in the development of medicine for the control of schistosomiasis and bacterial infections caused by the bacterial strainsE. coli, E. smartii and E. aeroginese. this paper sheds light on the compound aridanin which deserves more attention in the development of a new potent drug or on the formulation of Tetrapleura tetraptera for effective use by the local population.