Identification of Phytol and Cis-1,4-Polyisoprene from the Leaf Extracts of <i>Morinda lucida </i>(Rubiaceae)

<i>Morinda lucida </i>is a medicinal plant popular for its traditional uses in treating several illnesses such as malaria, inflammation, diabetes, jaundice, hypertension, and dysentery. Recently, the leaf which is the most commonly used part of the plant in ethnomedicine was reported to possess anti-malarial, anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidant activities. In this work the bioactive methanol-soluble fraction of the crude leaf extract was investigated for its chemical constituents. The fraction was subjected to column chromatography to give two components, which on FTIR and NMR spectral characterization were identified as phytol and 1,4-polyisoprene. While phytol may occur free in green plants or as a product of alkaline hydrolysis of the chlorophylls, the presence of isoprene or its polymeric derivative in a plant is a rare occurrence. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of these two compounds from a species of the genus <i>Morinda</i>, and in particular from <i>Morinda lucida</i>. These two identified compounds and the other phytochemicals present in the crude methanol extract have been associated with several biological activities and may account for the ethnomedicinal properties of the leaf of <i>Morinda lucida. </i>Thus, the leaf of <i>Morinda lucida</i> is a potential lead for the development of new drugs for the management of many human ailments. The results of this work may have pharmacological and taxonomic implications.