Antiinflammatory Lupeol and Antidiabetic Compound Coexist in Ethyl Acetate and n-Hexane Extracts from Stem Bark of Anogeissus leiocarpus (African Birch Tree): The Therapeutic Advantages

Objectives: Anogeissus leiocarpus stem bark is endowed with numerous antidiabetic properties, such as its prognostic value, treatment of organic damages, dyslipidaemia and enhancement of haematopoiesis. In addition to its antioxidant activity on oxidative stress, it accelerated wound healing and has a wide range of safety value. From the purification of its compounds to the points of crystallization it became necessary to analyse the structures for an insight into its mechanisms of actions. Design: Ethanolic extracts were partitioned with ethyl acetate, onto column chromatography packed with silica gel (70-230 mesh) mixed with 95% n-hexane and 5% ethyl acetate; concentrated fractions were loaded onto silica gel-coated thin layer chromatographic plate. Different compounds were observed under UV-light fluorescence and sprayed with sulfuric acid. Similar fractions were pooled, purified to crystals for Nuclear Magnetic Resonance structural analysis. Results: Nuclear Magnetic Resonance revealed fraction A is Lupeol, a pentacyclic triterpene anti-inflammatory compound. Conclusion: Lupeol in the crude ethanolic extract is significant in inflammatory pain of diabetes. Keywords: Lupeol, Anti-inflammatory, Anogeissus leiocarpus, Purified extract, inflammatory pain, Diabetes mellitus.