investigation of the stem bark of Bersama abyssinica

Abstract The barks of two subspecies of BERSAMA ABYSSINICA, subspecies ABYSSINICA and subspecies PAULLINIOIDES have been shown to contain two bufadienolides: 5β, 14β-dihydroxy-3,6-diacetoxy-Δ 6 -bufa-20,22-trienolide (1) and 3-acetoxy-14β-hydroxy-bufa-20,22-dienolide (2). Three sterols : β-sitosterol, Δ 4 -stigmasten-3α-ol (3) and 4-methyl-Δ 5,23 -stigmast-dien-3β-ol (4) have also been isolated. 3 is a new compound and 3 and 4 are reported for the first time from the Melianthaceae. The presence of the xanthone mangiferin is a possible taxonomic marker for the genus within this family. Differences between the two subspecies were seen on examining the glycoside fractions. The alcoholic extracts did not exhibit any anti-tumour activity in the standard test.