ABSTRACT

Draft:

Cinnamomum cebuense Kosterm. (Lauraceae) is one of the endemic and endangered trees
that can only be found in Cebu, Philippines in which its leaf extracts were found out to possess
potent hyperglycemic activity. The present study aims to screen the phytochemical constituents
of the leaf extracts of C. cebuense that acquire antihyperglycemic effects and to isolate those
phytoconstituents from the dichloromethane (DCM) extract of the leaves of C. cebuense. Crude
leaf extracts were fractionated by silica gel column chromatography and further monitored by
thin layer chromatography (TLC) until pure isolates were obtained by which the structures of the
isolates were elucidated by NMR spectroscopy. Phytochemical investigation of C. cebuense leaf
extract showed the presence of β-caryophyllene, saponins, squalene, and a mixture of α-amyrin,
β-amyrin and bauerenol which are classified as sesquiterpenes and triterpenes. Thus, on chemical
basis, the combined activity of the isolated phytoconstituents may be responsible for
antihyperglycemic effects as it known that steroids, terpenoids, tannins, and flavonoids possess
antidiabetic activity.

Introduction:

Cinnamomum cebuense Kosterm. (Lauraceae) is one of the endemic and endangered trees
that can only be found in Cebu, Philippines in which its leaf extracts were found out to possess
potent hyperglycemic activity.

Statement of the problem:

The present study aims to screen the phytochemical constituents of the leaf extracts of C.
cebuense that acquire antihyperglycemic effects and to isolate those phytoconstituents from the
dichloromethane (DCM) extract of the leaves of C. cebuense.

The present study aims to screen and isolate phenolic compounds from the
dichloromethane (DCM) extract of the leaves of C. cebuense and their inhibition to α-
glucosidase and human aldose reductase.

The present study aims to evaluate the phytochemical activity of secondary metabolites
isolated from the dichloromethane (DCM) extract of the leaves of C. cebuense and their
inhibition to α-glucosidase, α-amylase, and aldose reductase.

Methodology:

Crude leaf extracts were fractionated by silica gel column chromatography and further
monitored by thin layer chromatography (TLC) until pure isolates were obtained by which the
structures of the isolates were elucidated by NMR spectroscopy.
 Crude leaf extracts were fractionated by silica gel column chromatography and further
monitored by preparative high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) until pure isolates
were obtained by which the structures of the isolates were elucidated by NMR spectroscopy.

Results:

Phytochemical investigation of antihyperglycemic extract of C. cebuense led to the

isolation of (1) β-caryophyllene (with α-glucosidase inhibition: IC50 = 0.92 µg/ml, α-amylase
inhibition: IC50 = 0.93 µg/ml, and aldose reductase inhibition: IC50 = 7 µg/ml), (2) squalene
(with α-glucosidase inhibition: IC50 = 0.91 µg/ml, α-amylase inhibition: IC50 = 0.97 µg/ml, and
aldose reductase inhibition: IC50 = 8.3 µg/ml) both are classified as sesquiterpenes and
triterpenes respectively.

Conclusion:

Final:

Cinnamomum cebuense Kosterm. (Lauraceae) is one of the endemic and endangered trees
that can only be found in Cebu, Philippines that is found out to possess potent hyperglycemic
activity. The present study aims to evaluate the phytochemical activity of secondary metabolites
isolated from the dichloromethane (DCM) extract of the leaves of C. cebuense and their
inhibition to α-glucosidase and aldose reductase. Crude leaf extracts were fractionated by silica
gel column chromatography and further monitored by preparative high performance liquid
chromatography (HPLC) and pure isolates were obtained in which the structures of the isolates
were elucidated by NMR spectroscopy. Phytochemical investigation of antihyperglycemic
extract of C. cebuense led to the isolation of (1) β-caryophyllene (with α-glucosidase inhibition:
IC50 = 0.92 µg/ml and aldose reductase inhibition: IC50 = 7 µg/ml), and (2) squalene (with α-
glucosidase inhibition: IC50 = 0.91 µg/ml and aldose reductase inhibition: IC50 = 8.3 µg/ml), both
are classified as sesquiterpenes and triterpenes respectively. Results showed that the isolated
metabolites possess anti-hyperglycemic activity and could be useful in the management of
hyperglycemia.