An Investigation of the Stem Bark of Bersama abyssinica.

The barks of two subspecies of BERSAMA ABYSSINICA, subspecies ABYSSINICA and subspecies PAULLINIOIDES have been shown to contain two bufadienolides: 5beta, 14beta-dihydroxy-3,6-diacetoxy-Delta (6)-bufa-20,22-trienolide ( 1) and 3-acetoxy-14beta-hydroxy-bufa-20,22-dienolide ( 2). Three sterols : beta-sitosterol, Delta (4)-stigmasten-3alpha-ol ( 3) and 4-methyl-Delta (5,23)-stigmast-dien-3beta-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.