Investigation and isolation of the active constituents of petroleum ether fraction of Medicago sativa L. sprouts
The unsaponifiable fraction from petroleum ether extract of Medicago sativa L. sprouts was analyzed by GLC, a series of 17 hydrocarbons and 2 phytosterols; ?-sitosterol and stigmasterol were identified. Analysis of the fatty acid fraction by GLC techniques revealed the presence of 6 saturated fatty acids and 8 unsaturated fatty acids including omega 6- fatty acid lionleic acid and 2 omega 3 fatty acids Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in a relative percent of 1.0% and 1.12%, respectively. These two types are rarely produced in plants but produced in fish, which have protective effects against heart diseases, liver functions and inflammations.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/icpj.v2i6.14870 International Current Pharmaceutical Journal, May 2013, 2(6): 109-111