Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
IPOMOEA ASARIFOLIA
(DESROUSSEAUX) ROMER & SCHULTES
Phylum: Magnoliophyta Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Solanales Family: Convolvulaceae
Common name: Ginger-leaf morning-glory
Distribution: Africa, tropical Asia, Australia, South America
Habitat: Wet habitats
Description: The thick stem of this species is either prostrate or with twining
tips. The leaves (7 × 10 cm) are circular or kidney shaped, and their base
is cordate and the apex is broadly rounded. The inlorescence is axillary
cymose, and its lowers (5-9 mm long) are elliptic and red-purple in color.
Compounds and activities: This species contains α-tocopherol, ascorbic acid,
β-carotene phenolics, and ethers, which possess antioxidant properties.
Bioactive compounds isolated include chanoclavine, chanoclavin-1-alde-
hyde, agroclavine, elymoclavine, and paspalic acid. The extracts of stem
bark, leaves, and root bark of this species showed IC
50
values of 50, 42,
and 65 µl/3 ml, respectively. The average antioxidant activity expressed as
ascorbic acid equivalent was found to be 1.7 mM (Atawodi and Onaolapo,
2010). The above compounds may also serve as acetylcholine esterase inhib-
itors. The roots of this species have also been reported to possess diuretic,
emmenagogue, antidiabetic, and purgative properties (Meira et al., 2012).
O
HN
CH
3
CH
3
NH
NH
CH
3
H
3
C
NH
HO
chanoclavine
chanoclavin-1-aldehyde
