207 Journal of Scientific and Innovative Research 2014; 3 (2): 207-216 Available online at: www.jsirjournal.com Research Article ISSN 2320-4818 JSIR 2014; 3(2): 207-216 © 2014, All rights reserved Received: 14-02-2014 Accepted: 26-04-2014 M. Ilyas Department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmaceutical sciences, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria - Nigeria U. U. Pateh Department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmaceutical sciences, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria – Nigeria A. M. Musa Department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmaceutical sciences, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria - Nigeria M. Mohammed National Research Institute for Chemical Technology, P.M.B. 1052, Zaria – Nigeria Correspondence: A. M. Musa Department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmaceutical sciences, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria – Nigeria Tel: +23408064395057 E-mail: islabigmum@yahoo.com Steroidal and triterpenoidal saponins from the stem bark extract of Stachytarpheta angustifolia Mill (Vahl) Verbenaceae M. Ilyas, U. U. Pateh, A. M. Musa*, M. Mohammed Abstract Two saponins were isolated from the stem bark extract of Stachytarpheta angustifolia. Their structures were established by spectroscopic and chemical analysis as (23S, 25S) - 5α - spirostan – 24 – one - 3β, 23 – diol – 3 – O – {α – L – rhamnopyranosyl – (1→2) – [O – β - D - glucopyranosyl – (1→4)] – β - D – galactopyranoside} (1) and 3β – O –( β- D - Xylopyranosyl – (1-3) – α – L – arabinopyranosyl) - 20β, 23-dihydroxy urs – 12 – en – 28 – O – [- α – L – rhamnopyranosyl – (1-3) – α – L – rhamnopyranosyl – (1-6) – β - D - glucopyranosyl -] ester. Keywords: Stachytarpheta angustifolia, Stem bark, Steroidal and triterpenoidal saponins. Introduction Disease prevention is increasingly becoming a public concern of modern health care. Nature manufactures a great deal of diverse structures that may serve as nutraceuticals providing a health benefits including the treatment and prevention of diseases. Edible plants containing nutrients, dietary supplement or secondary metabolites may play an essential role in preventing the incidence of cardio and cerebrovascular diseases, cancer and various chronic diseases. 1 Stachytarpheta angustifolia is a much branched annual shrub with a tetragonal nearly or quite glabrous stem. The plant is known as devils coach whip, verbena or Bastard Vervain. 2 The leaves are opposite, distinctly petiole, oblong – lanceolate, acute, glabrous, deeply inciso-crenate with tetragonal rachis. The flowers are hollowed out oppositely and calyx nearly as the bract. In Nigeria, the Hausa’s called it Tsarkiyar kusu or Wutsiyar Kadangare, while the Yoruba’s called it Iru – Alangba or Iru – Amure. 3 The decoction of the whole shrub mixed with natron is taken as a remedy for dysentery and also for similar condition for horses. 4 The cold infusion of the plant mixed with natron is taken as a remedy for, gonorrhea and other forms of venereal diseases. It is also taken as a vermifuge or a purging vehicle for other vermifuge. The whole plant when boiled is taken as a remedy for diabetes. 5 In Asia and America the aerial part of Stachytarpheta angustifolia is boiled and taken traditionally as a remedy for diarrhea, intestinal parasites, ulcer and as an abortificient agent. 6 They are mostly found within the tropical part of Africa and other part of the world.