Isolation and Characterization of Zygadenine- N- ribofuranoside from the Leaves of Nymphaea alba Lily

Aims: To isolate and characterize a new secondary metabolite, zygadenine-N-ribofuranoside derivative from the leaves of water lily (Nymphaeae alba L.). Methodology: The ethanol extract of the dried leaves was partitioned between chloroform and water (1:1), then the chloroform fraction was further partitioned between petroleum ether (60-80°C) and aqueous methanol (1:1). Column chromatography of the chloroform fraction over silica gel (200 mesh) by a gradient elution technique from petroleum ether to chloroform, followed by methanol was carried out. Results: A yellow solid 0.22 g was isolated which was characterized by employing IR, 1D and 2D Original Research Article Njoku et al.; ACSJ, 12(4): 1-5, 2016; Article no.ACSJ.19929 2 NMR techniques spanning H, C, H-H COSY, H-C COSY, HMBC and TOF ESI-mass spectrometry. Conclusion: Zygadenine-N-ribofuranoside derivative isolated, gave m/z 622.4631, corresponding to molecular formula C33H54O9N2.