Bioactive compounds from Malva rotundifolia L.

Abstract

Eight compounds were isolated for the first time from the methanolic extract of Malva rotundifolia L. Based on spectroscopic data and mass techniques, the structures of these compounds were identified as palmitic acid (1), β-sitosterol (2), 5α,8α-epidioxyergosta-6,22-dien-3β-ol (3), di-(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (4), β-sitosterol 3-O-β-D-glucoside (5), methyl linoleate (6), 3-oxo-α-ionol β-D-glucopyranoside (7) and megastigman-7-ene-3,5,6,9-tetrol (8). All compounds except 2 and 5 were examined for their anti-allergic and melanin synthesis activities on RBL-2H3 and B16 melanoma cells, respectively.  The most active compound was 3 which significantly suppressed the release of β-hexosaminidase and therefore it can be used as anti-allergic substance. The same compound also showed melanin synthesis inhibition but other compounds (1, 4, 6, 7 and 8) showed melanin synthesis stimulatory effects at the same concentration.