LC-DAD-MS-based metabolite profiling of three species of Justicia (Acanthaceae).

Olean-12-en-3β-24 diol (A), auranamide (B), aurantiamide acetate (C), 2α,3β-dihydroxy-olean-12-en-28-oic acid (D) and quindoline (E) were isolated from the dichloromethane (CH2Cl2) extract of the stems of Justicia secunda (Acanthaceae). Liquid chromatography with ultraviolet and mass spectrometric detection was used to acquire more knowledge of the chemical composition of this extract and to monitor variations in profiles of both the isolated and the other non-identified compounds in Justicia refractifolia and Justicia graciliflora. The compound classes, phenolic and olefinic amides, feruloyltyramine amides, 2,5-diaryl-3,4-dimethyltetrahydrofuranoid lignans, peptide alkaloids, phenylalanine derivatives, conjugated ynones, indolquinoline alkaloids, triterpenes and pigments, were tentatively identified based on the LC-DAD-APCI-MS analysis. The most frequently encountered compound among the species was auranamide while the distribution of quindoline was limited to J. secunda. Moreover, the acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity of the isolated compounds was determined.