Phytochemistry of limonoids and fatty acids isolated from Khaya grandifoliola root extracts
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Abstract
Khaya grandifoliola (Meliaceae) is a medicinal plant widely utilized in African ethnopharmacology, yet its root phytochemistry remains underexplored. In this study, comprehensive chromatographic and spectroscopic analyses led to the isolation and structural elucidation of three compounds, 6, 7, and 8, from the methanol root extract of K. grandifoliola. A Compound 6 was identified as the limonoid 7-deacetylgedunin by advanced NMR techniques and confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction using CuKα-radiation. Compound 8 was characterized as the straight-chain fatty acid, myristoleic acid. 7, named khayagranditriol, represents a novel limonoid derivative that did not exhibit cytotoxicity in preliminary screening. These findings expand the chemical profile of K. grandifoliola, providing insights into its structural diversity and potential bioactivity. The study underscores the relevance of phytochemical investigations in validating traditional medicinal uses and guiding future pharmacological research.
Funding source: Research Development Fund funded the study at Nelson Mandela University
Acknowledgments
The authors acknowledge the Biochemistry collaborators, Prof. M. Van De Venter and Dr. Sharlene Govender, Miss Eunice Boafo, for plant collection, and Mr. Cliford Asare, Herbarium Section, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana, for authentication of plant species.
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Research ethics: Not applicable.
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Informed consent: Not applicable.
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Author contributions: All authors have accepted responsibility for the entire content of this manuscript and approved its submission. Irene A. Agbo; conceptual and experimental design, manuscript draft and review. Maryna van de Venter; experimental design, manuscript review and funding. Dorcas Osei-Safo; data analysis and manuscript review. Buyiswa Hlangothi; conceptual and experimental design and funding.
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Use of Large Language Models, AI and Machine Learning Tools: Not applicable.
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Conflict of interest: The authors reported no potential conflicts of interest.
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Research funding: The Research Development Fund funded the study at Nelson Mandela University.
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Data availability: HR-MS and NMR spectra are attached as a supplementary document.
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Supplementary Material
This article contains supplementary material (https://doi.org/10.1515/pac-2025-0528).
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