Chemical constituents from Baphia leptobotrys Harms (Fabaceae) and their chemophenetic significance

The chemical investigation of the CH2Cl2/MeOH (1:1) extract of the trunk bark and leaves of Baphia leptobotrys Harms (Fabaceae) led to the isolation of nineteen compounds (1–19). Their structures were elucidated based on the analysis of their NMR and MS data. Except for compounds 3–5, 14 and 15, all the isolated compounds are reported from the genus Baphia for the first time. Furthermore, compounds 8, 10, 16, 17 are isolated from the Fabaceae family for the first time. The crude extract and isolated compounds were screened in vitro for their antileishmanial activity against Leishmania donovani 1S (MHOM/SD/62/1S) promastigotes and cytotoxicity towards Raw 264.7 macrophage cells. The crude extract of B. leptobotrys exhibited moderate activity (IC50 = 63.40 μg/mL). Amongst the tested compounds, ergosterol peroxide (9) and germanicol caffeoyl ester (8) exhibited good activity with IC50 values of 9.43 and 10.24 μM, respectively and showed acceptable selectivity towards macrophage cells (SI > 3.85). The chemophenetic significance of these compounds is also discussed.