Flavonoid and Flavonoid glycoside from Butea superba Roxb. and their cAMP Phosphodiesterase Inhibitory Activity.

ABSTRACT Flavonoid

(3, 7, 3'-Trihydroxy-4'-methoxyflavone)
(1) and flavonoid glycoside (3, 3'-dihvdroxy-4'-methuxyflavone-7-0-ß-D-glucopyranoside)
(2) were isolated from the roots of Butea superba Roxb. The structures were determined on the basis of spectral analysis, including 2D-NMR techniques. These compounds show strong inhibitory effects on cAMP phosphodiesterase.

INTRODUCTION

Butea superba Roxb. is a herb in the Family Papilionaceae and has the characteristics of being a crawler that wraps itself around large trees. One branch has 3 leaves, the flowers are of a yellowish orange color and the plant grog's out in the open. The long roots of the plant is buried under the "round like the roots of a yam. This type of plant reproduces through seeds and the separation of its roots. This plant can be found growing in forests in the northern regions, in the eastern regions and along Kanchanaburi Province. The roots and stem of the plant are medicines for strength and power. In addition, the roots and stem of the plant are considered to help increase the male sexual performance. Thus, this plant has come to be known as one type of miracle herb. Since Butea superba Roxb. helps to enhance the human health, this was considered to be an influential factor in separating the chemical constituents of this herb. The bioactivity of each constituent was tested, especially the inhibitory effect towards cAMP phosphodiesterase, which has an effect in the controlling the body and controlling a wide number of diseases. Therefore, it was planned to conduct research on the bioactivity of these chemical constituents in order to prove whether this herb is actually capable of enhancing the human health as stated beforehand.

KEYWORD

Butea superba, Flavonoid, Flavonoid glycoside, cAMP phosphodiesterase inhibition

Results

From testing the bioactivity of Flavonoid and Flavonoid glycoside, it was found that both of these compounds were effective in inhibiting cAMP phosphodiesterase. The result of inhibiting cAMP phosphodiesterase of both these compounds was greater than theophylline (IC₅₀ =615 μg/mL) and caffeine (IC₅₀ = 420 μg/mL). The cAMP phosphodiesterase enzyme has a main function in the hydrolysis of the intracellular cAMP. Thus, papaverin, dipyridamole, caffeine and theophylline are effective when the cAMP phosphodiesterase is inhibited . Substances that inhibit cAMP phosphodiesterase are therefore capable of stimulating the functioning of the central nervous system (CNS) and stimulating the functioning of cells. Furthermore, substances that had an effect in inhibiting cAMP phosphodiesterase also take part in controlling numerous severe diseases including diabetes hypertension , asthma , hepatomas , psoriasis and possibly cancer. In addition, substances that inhibit phosphodiesterase also had effect in controlling platelet-aggregation inhibition.

Therefore. Butea superba Roxb is composed of substances that are effective in inhibiting the cAMP phosphodiesterase enzyme, which are very beneficial to the human body. At least, when taking this herb, the body will begin to feel healthier. This herb will also help control the numerous diseases mentioned beforehand.

The attributes of this herb in increasing the male sexual performance is most probably due to the inhibiting of cAMP phosphodiesterase, which in turn has an effect on the aldosterone hormone.

From the results of this study, it can be concluded that the herb, Butea superba Roxb., is beneficial for the human health. This herb may also help control certain severe diseases and be capable of enhancing the sexual performance in men, which is typical of herbal Thai medicines.