Isolation and pharmacological activities of alkaloids from Cryptolepis sanguinolenta (Lindl) schlt

Abstract

Cryptolepis sanguinolenta (Lindl.) Schlt. (Periplocaceae) is a very useful medicinal plant whose aqueous decoction (prepared by Centre for Scientific and Industrial Research Into Plant Medicines- Mampong Akwapim, Ghana) is commonly used in Ghana to treat malarial, inflammatory, hypertensive and microbial disease conditions. The plant has long been employed by Ghanaian traditional healers in the treatment of various fevers including malaria. An attempt has been made to review the phytochemical and pharmacological work done on Cryptolepis sanguinolenta. The current investigation yielded Quindoline and Cryptolepine from the stem of Cryptolepis sanguinolenta. The isolated quindoline has been investigated for its biological activities by the Agar Diffusion Assay method. The compound displayed moderate in vitro antibacterial activity against E. coli but no activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosas