Antimicrobial anthraquinones and triterpenoid isolated from Morinda geminata DC (Rubiaceae)

Abstract

Morinda geminata DC is a plant of the traditional Senegalese pharmacopoeia, the leaves of which are used in the treatment of various diseases. The phytochemical investigation of its leaves and roots resulted in the isolation of the triterpenoid ursolic acid 6, and five known anthraquinones analogues: nordamnacanthal 1, damnacanthal 2, damnacanthol 3, lucidin-ω-ethyl ether 4, and anthraquinone 5. The isolated compounds were characterized by NMR and mass-spectrometry and were evaluated for their antimicrobial properties. Compounds 1 and 4 displayed significant antimicrobial activities towards Staphylococcus aureus. The present study constitutes the first phytochemical examination of the leaves and roots of Morinda geminata DC.