Flavonoid Content and Antiobesity Activity of Leaves of Myrtus communis

The flavonoid content, as well as, the antiobesity activity of leaves of Myrtus communis (Myrtaceae), growing in Egypt, were investigated. Five flavonoids e.g., 5,8-dihydroxy-6,7,4' trimethoxyflavone, quercetin-3-O-neohesperidoside, quercetine-3-O-galactoside and trans-1', 5'-5-(5-carboxymethyl-2-oxocyclopentyl)-3Z-pentenyl-(6-O-galloyl) glucopyranoside and 3-methoxy myricetin 7-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranoside were isolated. Their structure elucidation were performed on the basis of different spectroscopic techniques including UV, H-1 NMR, C-13 NMR and mass spectrometry. Methanolic extracts of Myrtus communis were evaluated for the antiobesity efficacy in high fat diet induced male wistar albino obese rats. The body weight of high fat diet induced obese rats was reduced by 32 % when administered with sibutramine (standard antiobesity drug, 5 mg/kg body weight), while it was reduced by 21 % and 24 % respectively by 200 mg and 400 mg of the methanolic extract of Murtus communis/kg body weight.