Antimutagens from Plumeria acuminata

Four isolates, A(1), C-1, D-3, and F-2, from the ethanol extract of the green leaves of Plumeria acuminata Ait. showed antimutagenic activity. The antimutagens were isolated from the bioactive hexane and carbon tetrachloride fractions following a bioactivity-directed fractionation scheme and using the micronucleus test to monitor the antimutagenic activities. Structure elucidation studies indicated that C-1 is stigmast-7-enol [1], D-3 is lupeol carboxylic acid [2] and F-2 is ursolic acid [3]. The structure of A(1) was not fully elucidated but MS data suggested that it contained a long hydrocarbon chain. At a dosage of 2 mg isolate/25 g mouse, A(1) reduced the number of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (MPCE) induced by the mutagen, mitomycin C, by 75%, C-1 by 80%, D-3 by 57%, and F-2 by 76%. Compound A(2) was also isolated but was found inactive. Its structure was identified to be lupeol acetate [4].