Phytochemical investigation of root extract of the plant Carissa spinarum

From the petroleum ether extract of the roots of Carissa spinarum Linn. (Apocynaceae), six compounds namely stigmasterol, ursolic acid, lupeol, campesterol, 17-hydroxy-11-oxo-nor-β-amyrone and urs-12-ene-3β, 22β-diol- 17-carboxylic acid have been isolated by column chromatography. Their structures were characterized by m.p., IR, 1HNMR, 13CNMR and mass spectral data. However, the compounds stigmasterol, campesterol, 17-hydroxy- 11-oxo-nor-β-amyrone and urs-12-ene-3β, 22β-diol-17-carboxylic acid were reported for the fi rst time from the root of this plant. Keywords: Carissa spinarum, Root extract, Sterol, Triterpenoids