New Components Including Cyclopeptides from Barks ofChristiana africanaDC. (Tiliaceae)

Phytochemical investigation of barks of Christiana africana led to the identification of cyclopeptide alkaloids, flavonoids, coumarinolignans, iridoids, sesquiterpenoids, and triterpenes. This plant was classified so far in the Tiliaceae family. This study was started while the genomic study of numerous specimens was described in order to establish new criteria for Malvales botanical classification. In the present work, twenty components were identified, belonging to the three major classes of secondary metabolites: alkaloids, phenols, and terpenes. In the first class, cyclopeptides are well-known compounds in Rhamnaceae and Sterculiaceae. Their presence in Malvaceae (in APG2 sensus) suggests a possible chemical link between the ex-Tiliaceae and the Malvaceae.