Phytochemical and Micro-Morphological Characterization of Atraphaxis pyrifolia Bunge Growing in the Republic of Kazakhstan

Molecules · 10 authors, 6 centres

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This study provides the first comprehensive phytochemical and micro-morphological characterization of Atraphaxis pyrifolia, a medicinal plant from Central Asia. Four flavonol glycosides were isolated from the leaves, including two novel compounds, and the major non-polar compounds identified were γ-sitosterol and nonacosane. The findings establish essential quality control markers and anatomical features for authentication of this species, supporting its traditional medicinal use and future pharmacological research.

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**Background:** Atraphaxis pyrifolia is a shrub native to Central Asia, traditionally used in folk medicine for gastroenteritis, cardiac function enhancement, and alleviating headaches, insomnia, and tinnitus. Despite its ethnomedicinal importance, there is limited knowledge about its chemical composition and morphological characteristics. The genus Atraphaxis is known for flavonoids, anthraquinones, and other bioactive compounds with antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties. This study aimed to profile the plant using macroscopy, phytochemical analysis, and micro-morphological characterization to support botanical authentication and quality control.

**Methods:** Aerial parts of A. pyrifolia were collected from the Karakus Mountains, Kazakhstan. Leaves were extracted with hexane and methanol. The hexane extract was analyzed by GC-MS (Agilent 7890A/5975C) using a DB-1MS column, with identification via NIST library. The methanolic extract was fractionated by vacuum liquid chromatography (VLC) on silica gel with DCM:MeOH gradients, followed by Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography. Isolated compounds were characterized by 1D and 2D NMR (Bruker 500/400 MHz), HR-ESI-MS (Agilent 6230B ToF-MS), and HPTLC (CAMAG system). Micro-morphology of stem and leaf was examined using brightfield, fluorescence, polarized, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) after staining with Toluidine Blue O, Lugol's iodine, Auramine O, and fluoral yellow 088.

**Key Results:** GC-MS of the hexane extract identified 12 major compounds, with γ-sitosterol as the principal compound, along with nonacosane and lup-20(29)-en-3-one. From the methanolic extract, four flavonol glycosides were isolated: Compound 1 (8-O-acetyl-7-O-methyl-3-O-α-l-rhamnopyranosylgossypetin, 7.5 mg), Compound 2 (5-hydroxy-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-7-methoxy-4-oxo-3-(((3S,4S,6S)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-methyltetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-yl)oxy)-4H-chromen-8-yl acetate, 15.8 mg), Compound 3 (7-O-methyl-3-O-α-l-rhamnopyranosylgossypetin, 66.9 mg), and Compound 4 (5,8-dihydroxy-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-7-methoxy-3-(((3S,4S,6S)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-methyltetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-yl)oxy)-4H-chromen-4-one, 9.4 mg). Compounds 2 and 4 are reported for the first time. HR-ESI-MS confirmed molecular formulas: Compound 2 [M+H]+ m/z 505.137 (calcd. 505.13455 for C24H24O12), Compound 4 [M-H]- m/z 461.105 (calcd. 462.11616 for C22H22O11). NMR data showed characteristic flavonol features with a rhamnopyranosyl moiety at C-3, and for compounds 2 and 4, a phenol B-ring instead of a catechol ring. HPTLC fingerprint profiles were developed for the crude extract and isolated compounds, with Rf values 0.47, 0.53, 0.55, and 0.59 confirmed as flavonols using Naturstoff reagent. Micro-morphological analysis revealed: leaf is isobilateral, amphistomatic with stomata at same layer as epidermis; mesophyll with 2–3 layers of palisade parenchyma on both sides; abundant druses of calcium oxalate crystals (140–160 µm diameter); vascular bundles arranged in a line with four bundles in midrib; stem has lignified cork, phloem patches, calcium oxalate crystals in phloem rays, diffuse to semi-ring porous wood with vessels in clusters of 2–4, biseriate medullary rays, and parenchymatous pith.

**Clinical Implications:** This study provides the first detailed phytochemical and micro-morphological characterization of A. pyrifolia, establishing essential quality control markers for authentication and standardization of this medicinal plant. The identification of γ-sitosterol (with potential antidiabetic effects but caution due to in vitro toxicity), lupeol (anti-inflammatory, anticancer), and flavonol glycosides (known tyrosinase inhibitors and antioxidants) supports the traditional uses and suggests potential pharmacological applications. The HPTLC fingerprint and anatomical features (e.g., calcium oxalate crystals, vascular bundle arrangement) serve as reliable tools for detecting adulteration and ensuring batch-to-batch consistency. Further pharmacological studies are needed to validate the therapeutic properties and safety of this species.

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other

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botany

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ORIGINAL PAPER

PMC10891614

Phytochemical and Micro-Morphological Characterization of Atraphaxis pyrifolia Bunge Growing in the Republic of Kazakhstan

Molecules

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ABSTRACT

Atraphaxis pyrifolia is a native species of Central Asia, known for curing several disorders. The species has little knowledges about its chemical composition and any information about its morphological characteristics despite its importance in traditional Asian medicine. This is one of the first approaches to the phytochemical and morphological characterization of this species. Micro-morphology was performed on the stem, and leaf parts of this plant to profile the morpho-anatomical characters using brightfield, fluorescence, polarized and scanning electron microscopy. Leaves were extracted with hexane and methanol. The hexane extract was analyzed using GC-MS analysis revealing the major presence of γ-sitosterol and nonacosane. The methanolic extract was submitted to Vacuum Liquid Chromatography and Sephadex LH-20. HPTLC, HR-ESI-MS and NMR techniques were used to identify the main compounds. Four glycosylated flavonoids were isolated: 8- O -acetyl-7- O -methyl-3- O -α- l -rhamnopyranosylgossypetin (Compound 1 ), and 7- O -methyl-3- O -α- l -rhamnopyranosylgossypetin (Compound 3 ), and two other compounds reported for the first time in the literature (Compounds 2 and 4 ). The findings presented herein furnish pertinent information essential for the identification and authentication of this medicinal plant. Such insights are invaluable for facilitating robust quality control measures and serve as a foundational framework for subsequent endeavours in metabolic, pharmacological, and taxonomical analyses.

CITATION EXPORT

Alima Abilkassymova, Raushan Kozykeyeva, Jennyfer Andrea Aldana-Mejía et al.. Phytochemical and Micro-Morphological Characterization of Atraphaxis pyrifolia Bunge Growing in the Republic of Kazakhstan. Molecules. (2024). https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29040833

AUTHORS

10 · 6 CENTRES

Alima Abilkassymova, Raushan Kozykeyeva, Jennyfer Andrea Aldana-Mejía, Sebastian John Adams, Ubaidilla Datkhayev, Aknur Turgumbayeva, Kulpan Orynbassarova, Seethapathy G. Saroja, Ikhlas A. Khan, Samir A. Ross

1Higher School of Medicine, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Almaty 050040, Kazakhstan; [email protected] (A.A.); [email protected] (A.T.)
2School of Pharmacy, Asfendiyarov Kazakh National Medical University, Almaty 050012, Kazakhstan; [email protected]
3National Center for Natural Products Research, School of Pharmacy, The University of Mississippi, Oxford, MS 38677, USA; [email protected] (R.K.); [email protected] (J.A.A.-M.); [email protected] (S.J.A.); [email protected] (S.G.S.); [email protected] (I.A.K.)
4Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, South Kazakhstan Medical Academy, Shymkent 160019, Kazakhstan; [email protected]
5School of Life Sciences, University of Westminster, London W1W 6UW, UK
6Department of Biomolecular Sciences, Division of Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, Oxford, MS 38677, USA

EDITOR / REVIEWER

Nour Eddine Es-Safi