Phytochemical study of methanolic extract of areca catechu seed / Siti Mastura Muhammad

Areca catechu or commonly known as betel nut is widely distributed in topical Asia and parts of Africa. This plant is used as a masticatory since centuries in various regions of the world including Malaysia. The chewing of betel seed with other ingredients in the form of 'betel quid' in older generations especially is due to the belief that it increases stamina and general well- being. Apart from that, betel nut seed is also used as traditional medicine since centuries. It is believed to possess many therapeutic activities such as antihelrnintic, antibacterial, antioxidant and antiinflammatory actions. Thus, this plant was selected for this study because of its widespread use as traditional folk remedy. This thesis focuses on the investigation of chemical constituents of methanolic extract of Areca catechuseed. In order to achieve the objectives of this study, several steps were carried out. Firstly, an appropriate solvent system was developed and selected for thin layer chromatography (TLC) technique. TLC of methanolic extract of Areca catechu seed was performed on reverse phase silica gel plate. Detection of compounds on TLC plate was carried out by UV light at 254 nm as well as by spraying agent anisaldehyde. Next, further fractionation of fraction (36-39) was conducted by medium pressure liquid chromatography (MPLC) in order to get pure compound(s). Then the fractions produced by MPLC had undergone TLC process to identify the pure compound(s). Two fractions of interest showed one spot on TLC plate. Lastly, one fraction of interest (fraction B) had undergone NMR spectroscopic analysis to determine the structure of the compound(s) present. The 1H-NMR analysis of fraction B showed the presence of sugar molecule(s). However there were impurities present in the NMR spectrum of fraction B, thus it is deduced that fraction B was not pure. NMR analysis was not performed on fraction R as it did not soluble in deutrated water or deutrated methanol. Due to time constraint, further NMR analysis could not be done. Hence the structure of the compound in the fractions of interest could not elucidate. Thus, further studies should be done to elucidate the chemical structures of the compounds from this plant.