Megastigmane and hydroxybenzoic acid derivatives from aqueous leaves extract of <i>Artocarpus heterophyllus</i> lam

The hot water extract of senescent leaves from <i>Artocarpus heterophyllus</i> is used in traditional Sri Lankan medicine for treating diabetes mellitus. This study aimed to isolate phytochemicals in the ethyl acetate soluble fraction of the hot water extract. Bioassay-guided fractionation led to the isolation of three megastigmane derivatives and two hydroxybenzoic acid derivatives from fractions, demonstrating both hypoglycaemic and antidiabetic activities. The elucidated compounds were identified as 3,4-dihydroxy-7-ene-megastigman-9-one, 3,4,6-trihydroxy-7-ene-megastigman-9-one, 9,13-dihydroxy-4,7-dien-megastigman-3-one, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, and 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid. Structural confirmation was carried out by 1H NMR, 2D NMR, 13 C NMR, IR, UV-Vis and mass spectrometry. Notably, while these compounds have been well-documented for their antidiabetic activity, their presence in the <i>A. heterophyllus</i> species is novel, expanding our understanding. Furthermore, their well-established antidiabetic activity profiles highlight their essential role in the observed effects of the hot water extract for diabetes management, reinforcing its traditional remedy status.