methyl-ursolate and 2-hydroxyursolic-acid

The neotropical lianas Souroubea gilgii and Souroubea sympetala (Marcgraviaceae) were chosen for study as part of a phytochemical discovery strategy focusing on rare plant families in Central America. In participatory research, Q'eqchi' healers in Belize reported the use of these plants to reverse psychological symptoms inflicted by witchcraft. Extracts of two Souroubea species showed significant anti-anxiety activity in the elevated plus maze, a standardized test paradigm. Bioassay guided isolation led to the active principle, the pentacyclic triterpene, betulinic acid, which had activity in the elevated plus maze at 0.5mg/kg. Other phytochemicals isolated included α- and β-amyrin, 2-hydroxyursolic acid, taraxenyl trans-4-hydroxy-cinnamate, naringenin, methyl ursolate, eriodytiol, methyl 2-α-hydroxyursolate, methyl 2-α-hydroxymaslinate, methyl betulinate, and condrilla sterol.

Topics: Animals; Anti-Anxiety Agents; Betulinic Acid; Costa Rica; Diazepam; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Ethnopharmacology; Fruit; Magnoliopsida; Male; Medicine, Traditional; Oleanolic Acid; Pentacyclic Triterpenes; Phytochemicals; Phytotherapy; Plant Extracts; Plant Leaves; Plant Stems; Plants, Medicinal; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Triterpenes